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Top up your Opal card

Top up your Opal card

Top up, see your travel and payment history

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When you need to top up you have lots of options. The easiest way is to set up auto top up so you are always ready to travel.

You can top up:

When you top up online or via the Opal Travel app, you can access your new balance in as little as 15 minutes for metro, train, ferry and light rail services. Allow up to 60 minutes for buses.

How to top up

If your Opal card is registered, you can top up on this website.

You will need:

  • your Opal card account username and password
  • a credit card or debit card, attached to your account.

Add a payment card to your account

  1. Log in to your Opal account.
  2. Select 'Profile' from the drop-down menu in the top right hand corner (next to your name).
  3. Select the 'Payment' tab.
  4. Enter and confirm your new payment details.

A $1.00 pre-authorisation charge is applied to your payment card the first time you save your billing details to your Opal account. This is to confirm the card is active with funds available.

However, this pre-authorisation charge is automatically refunded, although it may take up to 7 days to be reflected on your statement, depending upon your financial institution.

How to top up

  1. Log in to your Opal account.
  2. Select the 'Top up' tab on the overview screen.
  3. To make a one-off payment: Select 'One off top up'. You will need a payment card linked to your account
  4. Select your top up amount.
  5. Select the 'Top up' button.

Online top ups can take between 15 to 60 minutes to take effect. See Tips for topping up online.

If your Opal card is not registered, you can top up your card online.

You will need:

  • your Opal card
  • a Mastercard or Visa (credit or debit card)

How to top up

  1. Enter your Opal card number and security code.
  2. Select the Top up tab and select One off top up.
  3. Select the top up amount
  4. Enter and confirm your preferred payment card details and select the Top up button

Online top ups can take between 15 to 60 minutes to take effect. See Tips for topping up online.

The easiest way to maintain your Opal card balance is via the auto top up feature, which links your Opal card to a credit or debit card.

Auto top up will automatically recharge your Opal card with your preferred amount, when the Opal balance reaches a minimum amount, so you’re always ready to travel. For Adult Opal cards the minimum balance is $10, and for all other Opal cards the minimum balance is $5.

You will need to register your Opal card by creating an account. You can then setup auto top up by adding a credit or debit card to your new account.

You can set up auto top up by online or through the Opal Travel app.

You will need:

  • Your Opal card account username and password
  • a credit card or debit card, attached to your account.

Add a payment card to your account

  1. Log in to your Opal account.
  2. Select 'Profile' from the drop-down menu in the top right hand corner (next to your name).
  3. Select the 'Payment' tab.
  4. Enter and confirm your new payment details.

A $1.00 pre-authorisation charge is applied to your payment card the first time you save your billing details to your Opal account. This is to confirm the card is active with funds available.

However, this pre-authorisation charge is automatically refunded, although it may take up to 7 days to be reflected on your statement, depending upon your financial institution.

How to set up auto top up online

  • Log in to your Opal account.
  • Select the 'Top up' tab on the overview screen.
  • Select 'Auto top up'.
  • Select your auto top-up amount.
  • Select 'Turn on auto top up'.

When using auto top up you just need to make sure you have enough funds in your credit or debit account to complete the transaction. See Tips for topping up online.

Depending on which way you choose to top up, there are a few things you need to consider:

  • Online top ups can take between 15 to 60 minutes to take effect.
  • You also must tap on with that Opal card at an Opal reader within 60 days after topping up. If you do not, the amount you added will be refunded to your credit/debit account.
  • When making a one-off top up, or using auto top up, you need to make sure you have enough funds in your credit or debit account to complete the transaction.
  • You can request to turn off auto top up at any time from the ‘Top up’ tab in your Opal account. Please be sure to tap your Opal card at an Opal card reader within 60 days to finalise your request.
  • Some retailers require their customers to pay minimum transaction values or a service fee to cover credit/debit card merchant fees.
  • Some Opal cards are issued with a zero balance. If this is the case, you need to top up before you can travel.
  • Adult and Child/Youth Opal cards from retailers require that you add value at the same time at the time of purchase.
  • Free travel and school Opal cards do not need to be topped up.

Top up amount options

You can top up $10 at a time in the Opal Travel app or online. The minimum top up amount for an Adult Opal card is $20 at a retailer or an Opal top up machine.

Top up options Top up values Top up with
Auto top up

$10, $15, $20, $40, $60

Credit/debit card

Online or through Opal Travel app

$10, $15, $20, $40, $60

Credit/debit card
At top up machines
Check your station, stop or wharf to find a top up machine

$20, $40, $60, $80, $100, $120

Credit/debit card
At Opal retailers

$20, $35, $40, $50, $60, $80, $100, $120

Cash
Credit/debit card
Service NSW Centres $20, $35, $40, $50, $60, $80, $100, $120 Cash
Credit/debit card
Transport Customer Service Centres $20, $35, $40, $50, $60, $80, $100, $120 Credit/debit card

You can top up a Child/Youth Opal card for as little as $5 if you top up via the Opal Travel app or online.

The minimum top up amount for a Child/Youth Opal card is $10 at a retailer or an Opal top up machine.

Top up options Top up values Top up with
Auto top up $5, $10, $20, $30, $40 Credit/debit card

Online or through the Opal Travel app

$5, $10, $20, $30, $40, $50 Credit/debit card
At top up machines
Check your station, stop or wharf to find a top up machine
$10, $20, $30, $40, $50, $60 Credit/debit card
At Opal retailers $10, $20, $30, $40, $50, $60 Cash
Credit/debit card
Service NSW Centres $10, $20, $30, $40, $50, $60 Cash
Credit/debit card
Transport Customer Service Centres $10, $20, $30, $40, $50, $60 Credit/debit card

You can top up a Gold Opal Card for as little as $2.50 when topping up in person at a retailer, Transport Customer Service Centre or Service NSW Centre.

You can top up a Gold Opal cards for as little as $5 if you top up online or via the Opal Travel app.

Top up options Top up values Top up with
Auto top up

$5, $10, $20, $30, $40, $60

Credit/debit card
Online or through the Opal Travel app

$5, $10, $20, $30, $40, $50, $60

Credit/debit card
At top up machines
Check your station, stop or wharf to find a top up machine
$5, $10 $20, $30, $40, $50, $60 Credit/debit card
At Opal retailers

$2.50, $5, $10, $20, $30, $40, $50 and $60

Cash
Credit/debit card

Service NSW Centres $2.50, $5, $10, $20, $30, $40, $50, $60

Cash
Credit/debit card

Transport Customer Service Centres $2.50, $5, $10 $20, $30, $40, $50, $60

Credit/debit card

You can top up a Concession Opal cards for as little as $5 if you top up online or via the Opal Travel app.

The minimum top up amount for a Concession Opal card is $10 at a retailer or an Opal top up machine.

Top up options Top up values Top up with
Auto top up $5, $10, $20, $30, $40 Credit/debit card

Online or through the Opal Travel app

$5, $10, $20, $30, $40, $50 Credit/debit card
At top up machines
Check your station, stop or wharf to find a top up machine.
$10, $20, $30, $40, $50, $60 Credit/debit card
At Opal retailers $10, $20, $30, $40, $50, $60 Cash
Credit/debit card
Service NSW Centres $10, $20, $30, $40, $50, $60 Cash
Credit/debit card
Transport Customer Service Centres $10, $20, $30, $40, $50, $60 Credit/debit card

Opal cards have a maximum balance limit. The total card balance includes the card balance, and any pending balance. Online top ups show as pending until the card is tapped onto a reader. You will not be able to add value to your Opal card balance when the total card balance is reached:

  • Adult and Senior/Pensioner – maximum balance is $250
  • Concession and Child/Youth – maximum balance is $150.