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Public transport essentials

Plan your trip, pay your fare, and travel confidently across Sydney and NSW.

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How to pay for your trip

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Help in your language

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Transport pays respect to Elders past and present, and recognises and celebrates the diversity of Aboriginal peoples and their ongoing cultures and connections to the lands and waters of NSW.

© Transport for NSW

Get started with public transport

Public transport is one of the best ways to explore Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Newcastle, Wollongong and beyond.

You can travel by train, metro, bus, ferry or light rail.

Plan your trip

  • Use the Trip Plannerto find the best route, check times and see fare estimates. Plan your trip
  • Download the Opal Travel app to plan trips, top up your Opal card, and get service alerts.

In Sydney and surrounds

You can pay using:

  • A credit or debit card, or mobile device: Just tap on and off. You’ll be charged an Adult fare.
  • An Opal card: Load money onto a reusable card. Available for Adults, Children/Youth, Students, Seniors and concession customers.
  • An Opal single trip ticket: Buy at selected stations, wharves and stops (not available on buses). 

Always tap on at the start and tap off at the end of your trip.

More about fares and payments

Best ways for visitors to pay

View the Opal network map (PDF, 475.1KB)

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In regional NSW

NSW TrainLink

  • Operates regional trains and coaches across 365+ destinations in NSW, ACT, Victoria and Queensland.
  • Opal cards not accepted.
  • Book your ticket in advance.

Local regional buses

  • May accept payment onboard
  • Check with the bus operator before travelling
  • Book regional travel
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Accessible and inclusive travel

Many public transport services support people with accessibility needs.

  • Some stations have lifts, ramps, tactile indicators and accessible toilets.
    • See stop accessibility info
  • Use the Trip Planner to plan a step-free journey and avoid disruptions.
    • Read our guide

You may also be eligible for: 

  • A Companion Card - lets your carer travel with you for free. Apply for a card
  • An Assistance Animal Permit - travel with your support animal. Apply for a permit

See more on accessible travel

If you don’t speak English, call the interpreter service on 131 450.

You can also download translated guides: 

Public Transport Essentials brochure

  • English – Public Transport Essentials (PDF, 1.2MB)
  • العربية (Arabic) ساسيات النقل العام (PDF, 5.9MB)
  • 简体中文 (Simplified Chinese) 公共交通须知 (PDF, 5.5MB)
  • हिन्दी (Hindi) सावर्जिनक पिरवहन के महत्वपूणर् तथ (PDF, 5.9MB)
  • Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian) Informasi penting tentang transportasi umum (PDF, 5.9MB)
  • 日本語 (Japanese) 公共交通機関基本知識 (PDF, 5.9MB)
  • 한국어 (Korean) 대중교통 필수 정보 (PDF, 6MB)
  • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese) Những điều cần biết về giao thông công cộng (PDF, 5.8MB)

Opal Smarter Ticketing brochure

  • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese) Opal Smarter Ticketing (PDF, 2.2MB)
  • 简体中文 (Simplified Chinese) Opal Smarter Ticketing (PDF, 2.4MB)

If you need help planning your trip or finding the right service:

  • Ask staff at major stations, stops and interchanges.
  • Look for staff wearing language pins.
  • Visit our Help section for guides and trip planning tips.

Special support

Asylum seekers

You may be eligible for concession fares with a Gold Opal card.

Community transport

Offers safe, affordable door-to-door services for eligible customers.