Navigating Sydney’s extensive public transport network is easy with the Sydney Opal Card. As a lifelong Sydneysider who relies solely on public transport and has insider knowledge from my bus driver partner, I’m here to simplify the Opal system for you.
This guide covers the essentials for visitors, answering common questions from our Facebook Group. While it’s not exhaustive, it’ll help you confidently use Sydney’s trains, buses, ferries, and light rail during your visit.
This page doesn’t provide comprehensive information for local users with complicated questions. In those cases, consult the official Opal website. However, if you’re on a quick trip to Sydney, read on; this should cover the basics.
Note: Prices mentioned are valid as at October 2024.
This page contains affiliate links. You can find our full disclosure policy here.
What is the Opal Card System?
Opal is a ticketless ‘pay-as-you-go’ system, that covers the entire public transport system in metropolitan Sydney. It is not a weekly or daily pass. You only pay when you ride a train, bus, and ferry.
There are rewards for frequent travel and daily fare caps that can save regular users and visitors some money. We will cover these later but first let’s go over the types of card and where to buy them.
Opal terminology
These definitions from the Opal website might help when figuring out how quickly you’ll earn your eighth journey travel reward.
- A trip is travel on one route or mode (e.g. a single bus trip). When you transfer to another route or service, you’re starting a new trip.
- A journey includes one or more trips on eligible services with transfers within 60 minutes*.
- A transfer happens at the end of a trip, involving a change of transport mode or route to continue the journey. Transfers within a 60-minute* standard time combine trips into a single journey.
*60 minutes applies to all services except the Sydney Ferries Manly service. The standard transfer time for the Sydney Ferries Manly service is 130 minutes from tapping on.
Types of Opa Cards and who can use them
There are a number of Opal cards available, some of the most popular categories are:
- Adult Opal cards – for anyone over 15 years of age.
- Child/Youth – for those 4-15 years – children under 4 years travel free
- School Opal – for full time secondary school students over 15 years.
- Concession Opal – for tertiary students, apprentices, those on Jobseeker payments and people with a disability.
- Gold Opal Cards are available for NSW Seniors card holders and pensioners. Interstate seniors can apply online.
See the full range of opal cards if none of these suit your circumstances.
How to get an Opal Card
You can buy cards from retail outlets like convenience stores, newsagents, and supermarkets or order online. Cards are not sold on buses and the Opal machines at train stations, and ferry wharves only sell single-use tickets and allow you to top up existing cards.
The only train stations where you can buy Opal cards are the two airport stations. Most other stations will have a nearby newsagent or convenience store where you can buy a card.
Popular spots in the city centre include:
- Circular Quay – Transport shop outside the entry
- Woolworths Town Hall 2 – George Street Sydney
- Central Station has at least five NewsLink kiosks.
- Wynyard Station – NewsLink Wynyard Station – The Concourse, Wynyard or Woolworths Met Centre.
Woolworths Supermarkets, newsagents, and convenience stores like 7-Eleven sell Opal cards. Look for an Opal sticker in the window.
Can I buy a card at Sydney Airport?
You can buy opal cards at Sydney International and Domestic airport terminals. Cards can also be purchased at NewsLink or WH Smith bookshops at either terminal, or at the Airport Station.
This page on taking the train from Sydney Airport will help you navigate this trip smoothly.
Alternatives to Opal Cards
Can I use my credit or debit card instead of buying an Opal card?
Yes, you can! These are called contactless payments. If you do, be careful to use the same card each trip for weekly or daily cap benefits. You’ll also need a different card for each traveller.
You can use Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, or Google Pay by adding your AMEX, MasterCard, or Visa credit/debit cards. Make sure to use the same card to get daily/weekly caps.
Using a card from your digital wallet and a physical card will produce different numbers for the same account, so you won’t get your discount if you switch
If you’re an overseas traveler, your bank may charge you foreign transaction fees, so an Opal card might be the best option for multiple trips. However, if you’re only in town for New Year’s Eve or Vivid, it’s probably easier to use your credit card, even with transaction fees.
How are Opal fares charged when using a credit card?
Fares are calculated like regular Opal fares, so the card isn’t charged until the end of the day. When you tap on for the first time, a $1 pre-authorisation is charged (pending on your bank account balance). Later, you’ll see a charge for the total travel that day.
If you take one trip or reach your cap, there will be one charge (and only one foreign transaction fee per day if applicable). The payment date, when processed, may differ from the travel date and will appear as Transport for NSW on your statement.Find out more about contactless payments here.
Paying your fare
Opal is a pay-as-you-go system. You are required to tap on as you board and tap off again as you exit.
Tapping is as simple as holding your card over the sensor for a second or two. It’s not a quick tap, but a hold and remove. The light will go green, and you’ll hear a beep. Don’t swipe, just tap.
Do you tap on before or after boarding?
When travelling by bus, you tap on at the front door. Boarding buses in Sydney is only through the front, so there are no machines further down the bus.
With the Light Rail, you need to tap on before boarding because there are no Opal readers inside. The same applies to ferries and trains.
Some train stations have barriers to tap at the entry, but at smaller stations, the card reader is on the platform.
Opal costs and charges
How much does an Opal card cost?
Opal cards are free when you load a minimum amount. The minimum cost is $20 for adult cards, $10 for child cards (other types such as seniors and students’ cards must be ordered). If you buy your Opal card at the airport train stations, the minimum top-up is $35 because the station access or gate fee for these private stations is $17.34 for adults.
No fee for the card; all credit for travel. Top-ups in $10 increments. If you buy online, minimum credit is $40. There is no reason to order online before you arrive. It’s not worth the effort.
You can set up auto top-ups for cards registered online, but I don’t recommend it unless you’re here long-term.
Understanding Opal discounts and benefits
The biggest benefit of Opal is the advantages you can gain by using the same Opal card or credit card for every trip.
- Daily Travel Cap* – Adults pay no more than $18.70 per day and children pay $9.35 to travel anywhere in the network.
- Weekend Travel Cap* – Adults pay up to $9.35 and kids pay up to $4.65 for unlimited travel on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays. This does not apply if you buy a single ticket from a machine.
- Weekly Travel Cap* – When travelling on Opal-enabled transport from Monday to Sunday, pay no more than $50 for adults and $25 for kids.
- Transfer discount – Get a $2 discount for every transfer between metro/train, ferry, bus or light rail as part of one journey within 60 minutes from the last tap off.
- 30% fare discount on weekends, public holidays, and off-peak times (see ‘Peak and Off-Peak Times’ section for details).”
Travel caps do not include access to airport terminal stations.
When are the peak and off-peak times for Opal fares?
When calculating your fare, the time of day you travel is considered. Peak times in the Sydney metro area are:
- 6:30am-10am
- 3-7pm
Intercity trains to the Blue Mountains and coast.
- 6am – 8am
- 4pm – 6.30pm
Traveling off-peak is 30% cheaper with an Opal card. Without one, you pay peak fares all the time.
Managing your Opal Card
How can I check my Opal card balance?
The quickest way to check your Opal balance is on the official Opal app, available for iPhone or Android. You tap your card on your phone and see the balance.
Where can I top up an Opal card?
You can top up your Opal card using a machine at a train station or ferry wharf. However, there may be long lines during peak hours.
You can also top up online, via the Opal app, or on the phone using your credit card (13 67 25). If you top up online or using the app, it can take up to an hour for the credit to be ready, so do it in advance.
What happens if I forget to tap off?
If you don’t tap off, you will be charged as if you rode to the final stop on the route you are travelling. This may be significantly more than you would have paid otherwise. If this is the case, you can call the Opal office and report it. They will usually reverse the charge.
Opal FAQs
Do Opal cards expire?
Yes, eventually; however, you have nine years to use the credit on your card.
Can you get a refund for an unused Opal Card balance?
- You can only get a refund to an Australian bank account. It’s not easy, so I suggest using the app to monitor your balance and top up when needed.
- If your Opal card is registered, you can transfer the balance to another card.
- Give any remaining credit on the card to another traveller or local who would be happy to accept it!
Do I need an Opal card for each person?
Everyone aged four and over needs their own card. You can buy a child’s Opal for children 4-15. Children under four travel free.
Who can buy child and student discount tickets?
- Sydney’s public transport is free for kids under four. Kids aged 4-15 can buy a child’s Opal card.
- Full-time students aged 16 and over and residents of Australia must apply for a student Opal via their educational institution.
- If you’re over 16 and a student in another country, you must buy an adult ticket.
Access to Opal Gold cards for interstate seniors
Seniors from other Australian states can apply for a Gold Opal card. Australian seniors or Centrelink pension concession holders can get Opal cards.
You can order your card in advance via the Opal website. You can also buy a Gold Opal at the Information Centres at Central and Circular Quay stations. Fill in the form and show your Pensioner entitlement. Find out more about Opal cards for seniors here.
Can international seniors get a Gold Opal card?
Only Australians are eligible for concession seniors Opal cards.
Do international students get public transport discounts?
In New South Wales, international students don’t get a student concession on public transport unless they buy a quarterly ticket through their institution. Travelling with the wrong ticket results in a $200 fine.
Do I need to register my card?
You don’t have to register your card if you buy it from a retailer. It’s registered when you order it online. If you buy from a retailer, you can also log in and register your card on the Opal website.
What are the benefits of Opal registration?
Registering your card records your travel, which some people are uncomfortable with; however, it allows you to track your balance and trips online. If you lose your card, you can cancel it and replace the credit. It depends on your comfort sharing your privacy.
Now that you’ve mastered Opal, it’s time to learn more about using Sydney Public Transport. find great ways to use your card. Here are some popular ones.
- 10 Great Sydney Ferry Rides
- Using public buses for the HOHO route
- Sydney beaches by Public Transport
- Five suburbs to explore by train
- Day trips you can take using Sydney Trains
- Exploring Eastside Sydney by bus
- Barangaroo to Watsons Bay by Bus
If you are backpacking in Sydney we have even more tips to help you save money.
Have questions about things to see and do in Sydney?
Head over and join our Facebook Group and we will be happy to help.
