The Opal card
Opal is the smartcard you use on Sydney’s trains, trams and buses. Here’s how to buy one, check your balance and top up.
What is Opal?
Opal is NSW’s reusable travel smartcard. Touch it on the Opal reader before you board and touch off when you finish a train trip, and the correct fare is deducted from your balance — and capped automatically at the daily and weekly limits. You can also carry a a contactless card or phone in Google Pay on an Android phone, and from 2026 you’ll be able to tap on with a contactless bank card too.
You can load two things onto an Opal: Opal Money (pay-as-you-go value) or a Opal Pass (unlimited travel for a set block of days). Money is best for occasional trips; a Pass is cheaper if you travel most days.
The four types of Opal card
There are four types of Opal card, each a different colour. They all work the same way across trains, Metro, buses, light rail and ferries — the difference is the fare you pay and who is eligible. Pick the one that matches you.
Fares and caps shown are a guide (effective 2025). Concession, Child/Youth and Gold Opal cards require proof of eligibility — check the official Transport for NSW Opal pages for full conditions before you apply.
Buying an Opal
Where to buy an Opal
- Opal machines and staffed counters at train stations.
- Retailers with the Opal sign — 7-Eleven and many newsagents and shops.
- The Transport for NSW Hub and customer service centres.
- Online at the Opal website (posted to you), or set up a a contactless card or phone in Google Pay.
Opal cards are free — you only load travel value onto them. Registering your card (also free) protects the balance if it’s lost or stolen and lets you use auto top up.
Check your balance
How to check your Opal balance
There are several quick ways to see how much travel value is left on your card:
Top up your Opal
How to top up your Opal
Add Opal Money (any whole-dollar amount, e.g. $10, $20, $50) or buy an Opal Pass:
Tip: top up before you travel. If you touch on with too little value you may go into a small negative balance — clear it at a machine before your next trip.
Opal Money vs Opal Pass
Opal Money
Pay-as-you-go value. Each touch-on deducts the right fare and is automatically capped at the daily cap (and a weekly cap equal to five daily caps). Best for occasional or irregular travel.
Opal Pass
Pre-paid unlimited travel for 7 days, or any number of consecutive days from 28 to 365. Best for regular commuters — a 7-day Pass is $50.00 (full fare) and works out cheaper per day than Money once you travel most days.
Know your fare before you tap on
Map your whole journey — every change, the stations in between and the total travel time — so you know exactly what your Opal card will be charged.
Plan your tripFrequently asked questions
Yes — touch on at the start and touch off at the end of every train and Metro trip so you’re charged the correct, capped fare. On buses and light rail you tap on (and off where required) the same way.
If you don’t have enough value the gate may not let you through, or you can go slightly negative on touch-off. Clear any negative balance at an Opal machine before your next trip. Auto top up avoids this entirely.
An Opal card is valid for about 4 years, and Opal Money is valid for up to 7 years from your last top up. Register the card to protect the balance and transfer it if the card is replaced.
Yes — set up a a contactless card or phone in Google Pay on a supported Android phone and touch on with your phone. From 2026 contactless bank cards and other digital wallets are also being switched on.
You can request a refund of remaining Opal Money and the card deposit through Transport for NSW (online, by phone on 1800 800 007, or at a Transport for NSW Hub) for a registered card.