Australia
Sydney
Australia's harbourside gateway. Ferries are part of the commute here, so getting around is sightseeing in itself.
Sydney buses (Opal network)
Updated on August 2, 2026
How to ride
- 1Sort your payment before you reach the stopBuses sell no tickets on board - buy an Opal card at a shop, or bring a contactless bank card or phone.
- 2Raise your hand to flag the bus downCheck the route number and destination above the windscreen, then raise your hand as the bus gets close.
- 3Board at the front and tap onTap your card on the Opal reader at the front as you step on board; buses usually carry three readers.
- 4Press the stop button before your stopPress the stop button shortly before your stop, and stay seated until the bus has come to a stop.
- 5Always tap off before you step offTap the same card again before you step off - forget, and you are charged the highest default fare.
Fares
Single fares3
Fare caps3
Card itself1
Estimates use exchange rates as of November 3, 2026
Payment
Tap to ride 
IC card 
Paper tickets 
Cash Quick facts
Fares
Tourist passNo day ticket or tourist pass exists; the fare caps play that role
Daily fare cap$19.30 Mon-Thu, $9.65 Fri-Sun and public holidays, $50 a week, all modes
Transfer discounts$2.00 off for Adults each time you change mode within 60 minutes
Facilities
Lifts (step-free)（Limited）Most services are low-floor with a ramp and show a wheelchair symbol on the front; occasionally a non-accessible bus is substituted.
Suitcases & luggage（Limited）Keep bags clear of the aisle and doors; when standing, place them at your feet
Rules
Eating & drinking on board（Banned）On buses, water only unless needed for a medical reason; fines can apply
Smoking（Banned）Banned at stops and on board, vaping included; $300 on-the-spot fine
Pets（Limited）In a box or basket, with the driver's permission; assistance animals always OK
Fare evasion fine（Banned）Travelling without a valid ticket: a $200 fine, up to a maximum of $550
Apps & info
Journey planner app (Google Maps)Best for finding the stop and the next bus - fares are worked out on Opal distance bands, separately
English signageEnglish only; the route number and destination show above the windscreen
Service info / card balance app (Opal Travel)Check your Opal balance, top up, plan trips, and review your contactless payment history
Operating hoursTransport for NSW does not publish network-wide first and last bus times - you need the timetable for your route. What is confirmed: a number of bus routes run 24 hours a day, seven days a week; between midnight and 4:30am most trains stop and NightRide buses replace them, stopping near stations along the train lines (many leave the city from stops near Town Hall Station); and the Northern Beaches B-Line between Mona Vale and Wynyard is a turn-up-and-go service running from 4:30am until 12:30am.
Heads-up
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Forgetting to tap off charges the highest fare band
Forget to tap off and you are charged a default fare - the highest fare band for that mode - though never above the daily cap.
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Tapping your whole wallet splits your fare capping
Do not tap your whole wallet - if a different card gets read, your capping splits across two cards and you never reach the cap.
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Topping up just before you board will not help
A top-up made in the app or online can take up to 60 minutes to reach buses, so topping up just before you board will not help.
Timetable
Editor Naotaka