Senior and pensioner fares

Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal card fares are for eligible seniors, pensioners, asylum seekers, DVA Gold Card holders and NSW war widows and widowers. First check your eligibility and then apply on the Opal website or for DVA Gold Card holders apply at transport.nsw.gov.au/CECApply.
When travelling on a Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal card you must also carry your proof of entitlement card, otherwise you must pay for an Adult Opal fare using an Adult Opal card, contactless payment or Opal single ticket. If you do not, you may be fined.
If you forget to tap off you’ll be charged a default fare which is the maximum possible fare for the mode you are travelling on based on your Opal card type. For Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal cardholders, the default fare is never more than your $2.50 daily cap.
You can use the Trip Planner or Opal Travel app to plan your trip and estimate the Opal fares. Find out how Opal fares are calculated.
With a Senior/Pensioner Gold Opal card you can travel as much as you want on metro, train, bus, ferry and light rail services within the Opal network and you never pay more than $2.50 a day.
Weekday | $2.50 |
---|---|
Saturday/Sunday | $2.50 |
Please note that:
- The Opal week runs from Monday to Sunday.
- The Sydney Airport station access fee isn’t included in the Daily, Weekly or Weekend Travel Caps however there is a separate weekly cap on the station access fee.
When using a Gold Opal card on metro/train services, you receive a 30% discount when travelling on weekends, public holidays and outside of the peak times below. The discount applies for off peak travel on metro/train, bus and light rail services.
Note:
- Your fare will be calculated from the time when you tap on.
- Gold Opal card fares are capped at $2.50 per day.
- Trips that include transfers between Sydney Metro, Sydney Trains and/or NSW TrainLink Intercity services are considered a continuous journey. No need to tap off and on again between services, and you’ll be charged a single fare
- On weekends and public holidays, all fares are charged as off-peak.
- There is no off-peak discount when using an Opal single ticket.
- You can use the Trip Planner or Opal Travel app to plan your trip and estimate the Opal fares
Days of the week | Sydney metro and trains peak times | Intercity trains peak times | Bus and light rail peak times |
---|---|---|---|
Monday to Friday |
6.30am-10am 3pm-7pm |
6am-10am 3pm-7pm |
6.30am-10am 3pm-7pm |
Distance | Gold Opal fare |
Gold Opal off peak fare |
Adult Opal single fare |
---|---|---|---|
0 - 10 km | $1.89 | $1.32 | $4.60 |
10 - 20 km | $2.35 | $1.64 | $5.70 |
20 - 35 km | $2.71 | $1.89 | $6.50 |
35 - 65 km | $2.50 | $2.50 | $8.70 |
65+ km | $2.50 | $2.50 | $11.20 |
Sydney Airport
When travelling to the airport train stations, the Sydney Airport station access fee is added on to the cost of your fare.
Distance | Gold Opal fare | Gold Opal off peak fare | Adult Opal single fare |
---|---|---|---|
0 - 3 km | $1.60 | $1.12 | $4.00 |
3 - 8 km | $1.96 | $1.37 | $4.70 |
8+ km | $2.50 | $1.76 | $6.10 |
Distance | Gold Opal fare | Gold Opal off peak fare | Adult Opal single fare |
---|---|---|---|
0 - 9 km | $2.50 (daily cap) | $2.50 (daily cap) | $7.70 |
9+ km | $2.50 (daily cap) | $2.50 (daily cap) | $9.70 |
Newcastle Stockton ferry | $1.60 | $1.12 | $4.00 |
Private ferries
Gold Opal card holders who live full-time in areas which are primarily only accessible by the ferry services listed below, can contact the ferry operator to check their eligibility for subsidised travel to the mainland.
- Cronulla and National Park Ferry servicing Bundeena and Malabar
- Church Point Ferry servicing Scotland Island, Morning Bay, Lovett Bay and Elvina Bay
- Brooklyn Ferry servicing Dangar Island and Little Wobby
- Palm Beach Ferry servicing Great Mackerel Beach, Coasters Retreat and Currawong Beach
Opal cards are accepted on some private ferries with OpalPay, wherever you see 'OpalPay accepted here'. With OpalPay, you can use your Opal card to pay your fare. Note:
- OpalPay fares are not the same as standard Opal fares. Fares and ticket terms and conditions are set by the operator.
- Concession fares are not offered on all services. Check with staff before you tap to pay.
- OpalPay will not contribute to your Opal travel benefits or discounts.
Distance | Gold Opal fare | Gold Opal off peak fare | Adult Opal single fare |
---|---|---|---|
0 - 3 km | $1.60 | $1.12 | $4.00 |
3 - 8 km | $1.96 | $1.37 | $4.70 |
8+ km | $2.50 | $1.76 | $6.10 |