Getting around Canberra: light rail, buses and MyWay+

Buses and light rail

Transport Canberra runs the city’s buses, and light rail runs between Gungahlin and the City, up to every 5 minutes. The ACT Government is expanding light rail towards Woden. Light rail stops and vehicles are fully accessible, and there are validators on all buses and at light rail stops.

Ways to pay

MyWay+ lets you pay with a contactless card or device, a MyWay+ travel card, a MyWay+ pass (an in-app ticket), or a single-use ticket. Tap on at a validator when you start a trip and tap off at the end. Use the same card or device each time, and tap on and off for every service if you transfer. On light rail, tap on the platform validator before boarding, and press the yellow button to open the doors.

If you’re using a concession or student fare, use your MyWay+ travel card, a physical bank card linked to your MyWay+ account, or the QR code in the app.

Fares

These fares came into effect on 10 January 2026. Adult fares are $3.41 in peak and $2.70 off-peak. Concession fares are $1.71 peak and $0.95 off-peak, and free for some concessions. Off-peak is weekdays from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm and after 6:00 pm, and all day on weekends and public holidays.

Caps and transfers

• Adult daily cap: $10.16 on weekdays, $6.22 on weekends and public holidays.
• Monthly cap: after 40 paid trips in a calendar month, the rest of that month’s travel is free if you tap on and off (30 trips for school and tertiary students). It only works if you use the same payment method each time.
• Every paid trip includes a free 90-minute transfer to other buses or light rail on the same ticket.

Who travels free

Children aged 5 and under (not attending school) and ACT seniors over 70 travel free. Some full-time students are eligible for free travel Monday to Friday in school terms under the student transport program. Check concession eligibility on the Transport Canberra site.

Tap off, or pay a default fare

If you don’t tap on or off properly, a default fare may be charged ($1.83 extra at the time of checking). During the transition to MyWay+, Transport Canberra says default fares are not being applied, and it will tell the community before they return.

Catching a bus

Find your stop ID or platform, arrive about 5 minutes early, check the number on the destination sign and raise your arm to signal the driver. Tap on with your preferred payment option as you board, and press the bell before your stop. Tap off with the same card or device you tapped on with.