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Opal fares explained (NSW)

5 min read · As of 26 October 2026

Opal fares depend on how far you go and when, then stop at a cap. Here’s the short version.

As of 26 October 2026. Fares and free-travel rules in 2026 have been changing quickly. Treat every dollar figure and date here as a guide, and check the official page linked at the bottom before you rely on it.

What you can pay with

An Opal card, or a contactless bank card, phone or watch, on metro, trains, buses, ferries and light rail. Adult, concession and senior fares can use either; child and youth fares need an Opal card, and a concession must be linked to your contactless card before you tap. Tap on and tap off every time, even after you’ve hit a cap. If you forget to tap off you’re charged a default fare, the maximum for your trip.

How the fare is set

Fares are by distance, in bands. For trains and Metro the distance is the shortest track distance between stations, and on every mode your fare is worked out when you tap off.

Off-peak is 30% cheaper on metro, train, bus and light rail: that means Fridays, weekends, public holidays and outside peak times from Monday to Thursday. Transport for NSW lists the exact peak times on its site, so check it for your line.

Caps

Capping only works if you use the same card or device all week. The Opal day runs from 4 am to 3.59 am, and the Opal week from Monday 4 am.

Transfers

Several trips on the same mode within 60 minutes of your last tap-off count as one journey with one fare. Change between modes (say, bus then train) within 60 minutes and you get a $2 discount on adult fares ($1 for child, concession and senior fares). The Manly ferry has a longer window of 130 minutes.

The airport fee

Trips to Sydney Airport train stations add a station access fee to the fare. It isn’t included in the daily or weekly caps, but it has its own separate weekly cap.

School

School Opal cards and free-travel Opal cards have their own terms and are only for eligible customers. Check eligibility on the Transport for NSW site.

Do prices change?

Fares and caps can change. The figures above are what Transport for NSW showed on 26 October 2026. If you see different numbers on the official page, trust the official page.

Sources

Checked 26 October 2026. Rules and prices change: the official page is always right.

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