Tickets and fares

Sydney uses the contactless Opal system with distance-based fares. Here are the current fares, daily and weekly caps, and concessions.

Fares and caps

Tap & go
Pay with an Opal card or just tap a contactless bank card or phone — the fare is identical and counts towards the same daily and weekly caps. Fares are 30% cheaper outside peak hours.
Single trip (from)
$4.33
Shortest distance band, peak Adult
Off-peak discount
30%
Off all peak fares outside busy hours
Daily cap (Mon–Thu)
$19.30
Most you’ll pay in a single weekday
Weekly cap
$50.00
Most you’ll pay across a week
Note: This is an independent information website and is not affiliated with Metro Trains Melbourne or Public Transport Victoria. For current fares, timetables and live service information please check the official PTV channels or the PTV app.

How Opal fares work

Opal fares are distance-based across five bands, from $4.33 to $10.66 per Adult trip. Fares are 30% cheaper off-peak (peak is Mon–Thu 6:30–10am and 3–7pm). Reach the daily cap ($19.30 Mon–Thu, $9.65 weekends) and the rest of the day is free; a $50.00 weekly cap applies too. Sydney Trains and Sydney Metro share the same Opal fares.

How to pay

Opal card
Buy a reusable Opal ($6 full fare) at stations, the Transport for NSW Hub or shops with the Opal sign, then load travel value.
Contactless & phone
Tap a contactless Visa, Mastercard or Amex — or Apple Pay / Google Pay on your phone — straight on the Opal reader. Same fare and caps as an Opal card, no plastic needed.
Shops & machines
Top up at Opal machines at stations and at 7-Eleven and other retailers displaying the Opal sign.
Contactless (new)
Tap-and-go with a contactless bank card or digital wallet is rolling out across the network from 2026.

Concessions and free travel

WhoFare / rule
Children under 5Travel free at all times
Children 5–18 / studentsConcession fare with a Child or eligible Concession Opal ($2.16 for 2 hours)
Concession card holders~half the full fare with a Concession Opal (health care / pensioner card etc.)
NSW SeniorsFree on weekends with a Seniors Opal; concession fares on weekdays
Weekend / public holidayLower capped daily fare ($9.65 full)

Work out your fare in advance

Opal fares depend on how far you travel. Use our route planner to see the exact distance, changes and time for your journey — so there are no surprises when you tap off.

Plan your trip

Frequently asked questions

You tap an Opal card or a contactless bank card/phone — there are no paper tickets for regular trips. Fares are distance-based, from $4.33 to $10.66 per Adult trip, 30% cheaper off-peak, with a $19.30 weekday daily cap and a $50.00 weekly cap.

Yes. The same Opal fare system covers Sydney Trains, Sydney Metro, buses, ferries and light rail — touch on (and off on trains and metro) and your travel counts towards the same daily and weekly caps, with a transfer discount when you change modes within one journey.

Yes — always touch on at the start and touch off at the end on trains and the Metro so you are charged the correct (capped) fare. If you forget to touch off you may be charged the maximum fare for that trip.

Yes — contactless Visa, Mastercard and Amex cards and Apple Pay / Google Pay already work right across Sydney Trains, Metro, buses, ferries and light rail, charged the same Adult (or linked Concession) Opal fare.

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