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Australia

Sydney

Australia's harbourside gateway. Ferries are part of the commute here, so getting around is sightseeing in itself.

Sydney Light Rail (L1-L3) and Parramatta Light Rail (L4)

No ticket gates - you tap yourself on and off at the Opal reader standing on the stop platform; there are none on board. Fares use light rail's own three distance bands, measured in a straight line between stops.

Updated on August 2, 2026

How to ride

  1. 1
    Decide how you'll pay before you go
    A contactless card or phone is all you need. Otherwise get an Opal card, or a single trip ticket from a machine at the stop.
  2. 2
    Tap on at the reader on the platform
    There are no gates. Tap the Opal reader standing on the platform before you board - there is none on board.
  3. 3
    Board through any door
    On L2-L4 the floor is level with the platform - no step up. Take bikes and boards through the double doors in the middle.
  4. 4
    Tap off after you get off
    Once you're off, tap the platform reader with the same card you tapped on with. Forget and you pay the maximum fare.
  5. 5
    Make transfers within 60 minutes
    Tap on again within 60 minutes of your last tap off and it counts as a transfer. Keep using the same card throughout.

Fares

Single fares4

Light rail 0-3km (Adult, Opal card or contactless)
Peak is 6:30-10am and 3-7pm on weekdays; everything else, plus all day Fri-Sun and public holidays, is 30% off
2.31〜3.3 AUD ≈ $2
Light rail 3-8km (Adult, Opal card or contactless)
Distance is measured in a straight line between stops - as the crow flies, not along the track
3.14〜4.49 AUD ≈ $2–3
Light rail 8km+ (Adult, Opal card or contactless)
Metro and train use their own five bands, so a trip across modes is priced separately on each
4.03〜5.77 AUD ≈ $3–4
Opal single trip ticket (Adult, three distance bands)
Only at stops with a machine, and it earns no off-peak discount, no transfer discount and no fare cap
4〜6.9 AUD ≈ $3–5

Card itself1

Opal card minimum top up (Adult)
Minimum at retailers and machines; the app and website start at $10
20 AUD ≈ $14

Estimates use exchange rates as of September 5, 2026

Payment

Tap to ride
VISAMastercardAmex
Tap straight on the platform reader - adult fares for visitors
IC card
The Opal card, bought from retailers or ordered online
App tickets
No in-app tickets - the Opal Travel app is for top ups and planning
Paper tickets
Single trip tickets, only at stops that have a machine
Cash
Only for topping up an Opal card at retailers; you cannot pay on board

Quick facts

Hours
5:00-1:00 next day
Frequency
Every 4-15 min
Fares from
2.31 AUD+

Heads-up

  • Mixing Opal and contactless cancels your fare caps

    Mixing an Opal card with contactless payments cancels your daily and weekly fare caps. Pick one and stick to the same single card or device for your whole stay.

Timetable

Operating hours 5:00-1:00 next day
Typical duration The street-level way through the CBD - running times shift with road traffic
Check the official site for the latest times and service status