When visiting Sydney, one of the first things you’ll need to figure out is how to get around the city. Thankfully, Sydney makes it easy with the Opal card – a convenient smartcard system that works across almost all public transport. Whether you’re hopping on a train to Bondi Junction, catching a bus to the beach, or riding the light rail through the city, the Opal card is your go-to ticket.

What is the Opal Card?

The Opal card is a reusable smartcard used to pay fares on Sydney’s public transport network. It covers:

• Trains (Sydney Trains, NSW TrainLink within the Opal network)

• Buses across Sydney and surrounding areas

• Ferries (including the popular Circular Quay to Manly route)

• Light rail/trams (Sydney’s Inner West and CBD lines)

Instead of buying paper tickets, you just tap your Opal card on the card reader when you start and finish your trip. The system automatically calculates the correct fare.

Where Can You Buy an Opal Card?

Opal cards are widely available across Sydney. You can purchase and top-up your card at:

• Train stations (ticket windows and top-up machines)

• Major bus and light rail interchanges

• Sydney Airport (both Domestic and International terminals) – note that trips to and from the airport carry an additional station access fee of about AUD $17 on top of the regular fare.

• Convenience stores like 7-Eleven, Woolworths, newsagents, and other authorized retailers

You can also order a card online before your trip if you want it ready upon arrival.

How Much Does an Opal Card Cost?

The card itself is free – you only need to pay for the travel credit you load onto it. The minimum top-up amount varies depending on where you buy it (usually AUD $10 for adults and AUD $5 for children/concession).

How Much Are Sydney Public Transport Fares?

Fares depend on the mode of transport and the distance you travel. Here’s a rough guide (as of 2025):

• Train: AUD $3.20 – $8.60 (off-peak discounts apply)

• Bus: AUD $2.20 – $5.80 depending on distance

• Light Rail (Tram): AUD $2.20 – $3.20 for most city trips

• Ferry: AUD $3.20 – $8.20 (Manly ferry is higher, around AUD $8.20)

💡 Tip: Opal has daily, weekly, and Sunday caps. For example, on Sundays you’ll pay no more than AUD $2.80 for unlimited travel across all modes!

Keep in mind that the Opal system covers most of Sydney and nearby regions such as the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Hunter, and Wollongong. However, it does not extend to long-distance NSW TrainLink services to Canberra, Melbourne, or Brisbane, or to regional coaches in country towns — for those, you’ll need separate tickets.

How to Use the Opal Card

1. Tap on: Hold your card to the Opal reader at the start of your journey.

2. Tap off: Tap again when you leave (except on buses where you only tap once).

3. The system automatically deducts the correct fare from your balance.

💳 Note: Don’t want to carry another card? You can also tap on and off with a contactless credit/debit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) or a linked device (e.g., Apple Pay, Google Pay). The fare is the same as using an Opal card, which is perfect for short visits if you don’t want to bother topping up.

If you forget to tap off, you may be charged the maximum fare for that trip.

The Opal Travel App

To make traveling even easier, download the Opal Travel app (available on iOS and Android). With the app, you can:

• Check your balance and top up instantly

• Plan journeys with real-time schedules for trains, buses, ferries, and light rail

• Check fares between stations or stops before you travel

• Set auto top-up so you never run out of credit

• Track your trip history to see what you’ve spent

The app is especially handy for tourists who want to budget transport costs and make the most of daily/weekly caps.

Refunds & Expiry

Your Opal card doesn’t expire quickly. As long as you use it once every 9 years, the balance remains valid — so if you plan to return to Sydney, you can keep and reuse your card.

If you have leftover credit and don’t plan to come back, you can request a refund. However, refunds can only be transferred into an Australian bank account, so it’s best for international visitors to try to spend down their balance before leaving.