travel cap opal

A Visitor’s Guide to using Sydney Opal Card

Mastering the Sydney Opal Card System will help you make use of the city’s extensive public transport system that includes trains, buses, ferries and light rail. This is an electronic ticketing system that allows you to use one card (or app) across all these types of transport. I hope this simplified guide to using Sydney’s Transport Card, the Opal card helps you when you plan your visit to Sydney.

Please note the prices in the article are valid from 16 October 202 3

As a life long Sydneysider who has never driven a car, I am very familiar with Sydney’s public transport network and how to use it. I use public transport in Sydney every single day. On top of this, my partner is a Sydney bus driver, so I have an inside source 😉

What follows is my attempt to simplify all the Opal information out there and answer some of the common questions I am asked in our Facebook Group. I am a regular user of all forms of public transport and hope you find this guide helpful.

This post is not meant to provide comprehensive information for local users with complicated questions. In these cases, I suggest you consult the official Opal website . However, if you are on a quick trip to Sydney, read on; this should cover enough of the basics to get you sorted.

Learning how to use an Opal card in Sydney

Opal is a ‘pay-as-you-go’ system, so you only pay when you use a train or bus or ferry, including private ferry operators like Manly Fast Ferry. There are rewards for frequent travel and daily caps on fares that can save regular users and even visitors on short trips some $$$

Understanding Opal travel discounts

The biggest benefit of Opal is the benefits you can gain by using the same opal card or credit card for every trip.

• Daily Travel Cap* – Pay no more than $16.80 per day for adults and $8.40 a day for a child to travel anywhere in the network.
• Weekend Travel Cap * – Pay no more than $8.90 for adults and $4.45 for kids for unlimited travel on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
• Weekly Travel Cap * – Pay no more than $50.00 a week for adults and $25 for kids when travelling on all modes of Opal enabled transport from Monday to Sunday
• Transfer discount – You receive a $2 discount for every transfer between metro/train, ferry, bus or light rail as part of one journey within 60 minutes from the last tap off.
• 30% fare discount when travelling on weekends, public holidays and outside of the peak times**.

 *Travel caps do not include access to airport terminal stations. **Peak hour 6.30am-10am and 3pm-7pm

Can I use my credit or debit card instead of buying an Opal card?

Yes, you can! These types of payments are known as contactless payments. That is what I do, but if you do, you need to be careful to use the same card every trip if you want to get weekly or daily cap benefits. You will also need to use a different card for each traveller.

You can also use your digital wallet – ie Apple Pay, Samsung Pay or Google Pay by adding your American Express (AMEX), MasterCard, Visa credit or debit cards. The same rule applies as above though, make sure you use the same card or form of payment so you don’t miss out on the benefits of daily or weekly caps. It’s worth noting that using a card from your digital wallet and using a physical card will produce a different number for the same account so you wont get your discount if you switch between. Provided you use the same card every day, you will get the same benefits as an Opal, i.e. daily or weekly caps or off-peak price reductions. Children or concession cardholders will still need an Opal card to access reduced fares.

If you are an Overseas traveller you may be charged foreign transaction fees by your bank, so an Opal card might still be the best idea if you are taking more than a couple of trips.

If you are only in town for New Years Eve or Vivid it’s probably easier just to use your credit card even if you do have some transaction fees.

How are Opal fares charged when you use your credit card

The fares are calculated the same way as regular Opal fares, so the card does not appear on your credit card until the end of the day. When you tap on for the first time, you are charged a $1 pre-authorisation (it will show as pending on your bank account balance). At the end of the day, you will see a charge for the total of your travel that day. So if you take one trip or reach your cap, there will only be one charge (and only one foreign transaction fee per day if applicable). The date of the payment, when processed, will likely be different to the actual date of travel and will appear as Transport for NSW on your statement. Find out more about contactless payments here.

Where can I buy a Sydney Opal card?

You can buy your cards from retail outlets or online. You can find a complete list of these here . Cards are not available for purchase on buses or Opal machines at train stations, and ferry wharves only sell single-use tickets. The primary locations for visitors to purchase cards include:

Sydney Airport – You can buy opal cards at Sydney International and Domestic airport terminals. Cards can be purchased at NewsLink or WH Smith bookshops at either terminal. You can also buy them at the Airport Station. This page on taking the train from Sydney Airport will help you master this trip like a local.

Near city train stations – The only train stations that sell Opal cards are the two airport stations. Most regular stations will have a newsagent or convenience store nearby where you can buy a card.

• Circular Quay – Transport shop just outside the entry
• Town Hall – Woolworths Town Hall 2 – George Street Sydney
• Central Station – Newslink kiosks around the station – there are at least five
• Wynyard Station – NewsLink Wynyard Station – The Concourse, Wynyard or Woolworths Met Centre.

Supermarkets, newsagents and convenience Stores  – Woolworths Supermarkets are a great place to top up. Many news agencies and convenience stores such as 7Eleven and EzyMart located around the city and suburbs also sell the cards. You will see an Opal sticker in the window of places that provides cards or top-ups.

Where can I top up or recharge an Opal card

You can recharge your opal card via the Opal app , using a machine a train station or ferry wharf, online or on the phone using your credit card ( 13 67 25) . If you top up online or using the app if can take up to an hour for the credit to be ready for use so be sure to do it in advance.

How much does a Sydney Opal card cost?

Opal cards are free when you load a minimum amount onto it. The minimum cost is $20 for adult cards, $10 for child cards (other types such as seniors and students cards must be ordered). If you buy your Opal card at the airport train stations the minimum top-up is $35. This is because the station access or gate fee for these private stations is $15.74 for adults.

There is no fee for the card itself; all the credit is available for travel. Subsequent top-ups can be made in $10 increments. If you choose to buy your card online, the minimum credit is $40. I can see no reason to order your card online before you arrive. It’s not worth the hassle.

You can set up auto top-ups for cards registered online, which I do not recommend unless you are here for a very long time.

Do I have to register my card?

You don’t have to register your card if you buy it from a retailer. If you buy your card online, it is registered when you order it. If you buy your card from a retailer, you can also log in and register your card on the Opal website if you wish to.

Why you should register your card

Registering your card means that your travel is recorded, which some people are uncomfortable with; however, it also means you can keep track of your balance and trips online. Another benefit is that if you lose your card, you can cancel it and replace the credit. It just depends on how comfortable you are sharing your privacy.

Do I need an Opal card for each person?

Yes, everyone aged four years and over needs their own card. For children 4-15 you can buy a child’s Opal. Children under four years of age travel free.

How can I check the balance on my Opal card?

The quickest way to check your Opal balance is on the official Opal App . The app is available for iPhone or Android users. You tap your card on your phone and the balance is shown.

What time is off-peak for Opal?

When calculating your fare, the time of day you travel is considered. Peak times within the Sydney metro area are:

• 6.30am-10am

Intercity trains like those to the Blue Mountains and up and down the coast

• 6 am – 8 am
• 4 pm – 6.30 pm

Off-peak travel is 30% cheaper when using an Opal card. Without an Opal card, you do not get any reduction and pay peak fares all the time.

Do Opal cards expire?

Yes, eventually they do; however, you have nine years to use the credit on your card.

Can you get a refund of your unused Opal Card balance?

• You can only get a refund to an Australian bank account and it’s not an easy process, so I would suggest using the app to monitor your balance and only top up when you need to.
• If your Opal card is registered, you can also transfer the balance to another card.
• If there is any credit left on the card, perhaps hand it to another traveller or local who I am sure would be happy to accept it!

Who can buy child and student discount tickets?

• Sydney’s public transport is free for children under four years of age. Kids aged 4-15 can buy a child’s Opal card.
• Full-time students aged 16 and over who are residents of Australia must apply for a student Opal via their educational institution.
• If you are over 16 years and a student in another country you must still buy an adult ticket.

Access to Opal Gold cards for interstate seniors

Seniors from other states of Australia are eligible to apply for a Gold Opal card . Opal cards for Australian seniors or Centrelink pension concession holders are available. You can order your card in advance via the Opal website .  You can buy a Gold Opal over the counter at the Information Centres at Central and Circular Quay stations. Fill in the form and show them your Pensioner entitlement. You can find out more about Opal cards for seniors here .

Can international seniors get a Gold Opal card?

No, only Australia’s are eligible for concession seniors Opal cards.

Can international students get a discount on public transport?

In New South Wales, international students are not entitled to a student concession on public transport unless they purchase a quarterly ticket through their institution. If you are found to be travelling with the wrong ticket, you will be fined $200.

**Some Opal Terminology

When working out how quickly you will earn your eight journey travel reward, the following definitions, taken directly from the Opal website, might help.

• A trip  is travel on one route, one mode (e.g. a single bus trip). When you transfer to another route or service, you are beginning a new trip.
• A journey  consists of one or more trips on eligible services where transfers between services occur within 60 minutes*.
• A transfer  occurs at the end of a single trip. It is a change of transport mode or route, to another service or route to continue a journey. Transfers made within a standard transfer time of 60 minutes* combine trips into a single journey.

*60 minutes applies to all services except the Sydney Ferries Manly service, where the standard transfer time is 130 minutes from the tap on.

How to tap on and off with your Opal Card.

Taping on is as simple as holding your card still over the sensor for a second or two. It’s not so much of a quick physical tap and a hold and remove. The light will go green, and you will hear a beep when it works. Do not swipe. If you forget to tap off, you will be charged the maximum fare for that journey. You can call Opal and let them know, and they will usually reverse this charge.

Now you have mastered Opal it’s time to learn more about the options using Sydney Public Transport

Now you have sorted all that out, why not explore Sydney by public transport? I have written several articles to help you find some great ways to use your card. For starters, here are some of the most popular ones.

• 10 Great Sydney ferry rides
• Using public buses to cover the HOHO route
• Sydney beaches by Public Transport 
• Five suburbs to explore by train
• Day trips you can take using Sydney Trains
• Exploring Eastside Sydney by bus 
• Barangaroo to Watsons Bay by Bus 
• Our Ex-Prime Ministers Favourite Bus route 

173 thoughts on “A Visitor’s Guide to using Sydney Opal Card”

Two questions please: As an infrequent user who lives on the Central Coast, where can I buy an Opal card locally and does it have an expiry date? Do overseas visitors get a rebate on their card as it will only be used once? Thank you

For the Central coast it seems to be mainly a mix of 7-Eleven stores, newsagents and a few petrol stations. There are at least 20 outlets in the area from Woy Woy to Wyong.

As for rebates, there is no rebate for overseas visitors however unlike the cards used in a lot of cities, there is no upfront cost for an Opal card. Whatever you spend it loaded as credit with the minimum being $10 on an adult card. You can apply for a refund of any credit left on the card but it is paid to an Australia bank account so not ideal for visitors. If a visitor is in Sydney for 1-3 days I would load $10 or $20 depending on your itinerary. A ferry ride and a couple of train trips off-peak would use up most of that.

There is an assortment of apps being released to help people track their spend. Most seem to carry a charge but I will be reviewing them in upcoming weeks so keep an eye out for that.

We are visiting Sydney for the weekend. We will be flying up and staying in the city. We are a family of 4 two children. I am just wondering would it be worth buying the opal tickets or just pay as we go?

Thank you for your help

It depends on what you plan to do once you are here. You would need a card for each person and the minimum credit you could place on them is $10 for the adults and $5 for the kids. If you are planning a ferry ride and were to do it on a Sunday, under the opal ticketing you would pay a maximum of $2.50 each for the whole day. An individual ticket for that day for say a trip to Manly will cost you $7.40 for an adult and $3.70 for a child.

If you don’t plan on taking public transport other than from the airport to the city and back it is probably not worth getting one. It is really hard to say without knowing your plans.

Thank you for this information Paula, it is much easier to understand than the official Opal website, and a lot more comprehensive. I hope you don’t mind if I share it on the social media accounts for my Love Your Trains Campaign! 🙂

Go right ahead 🙂 It really frustrates me to hear people bagging out Opal without really getting their head around it. Some people may be slightly worse off under this system but for most of us it’s better and it really encourages the use of public transport on weekend which is a great initiative for the environment.

It is great to find your blog with so many helpful info about Sydney. I am planning to visit Sydney early next Feb on my own. I am considering to buy Opal card for my transportation in Sydney for 2-3 days, including trips in CBD, Manly, and Blue Mountains. I believe it is more convenient and cheaper to use Opal than MyMulti. Please correct me if I am wrong 🙂

I will also visit my friend in Wollongong. Can I travel from Sydney Airport Int’l Terminal to Wollongong by train with an Opal?

I am still working on my itineraries in Sydney & Wollong (for 4.5 days in both places) as this will be my first time to Sydney 😀 I feel really lucky to find your blog before my trip. Thank you so much!

Cheers, Vanessa (from Vietnam)

Hi. I’m an ex-serviceman and have an Ex Member of Defence Forces Pass. It’s a paper ticket which entitles me to free public transport in NSW. I live in Canberra where unfortunately it isn’t valid but I will be visiting Sydney shortly where I want to use it. How does this work with the Opal system? Are there card readers that will still accept my card?

Hi, I’m an international student. I’m staying in Adelaide now. However, I’m going to Sydney next month for my internship 6 months in there. I want to know how to use opal card. So can you explain how much I have to pay for one way. What kind of Opal card suitable for student? And can you estimate how much i need to pay for each month?

in january my wife and i are visiting our daughter in manly.the trip is for three months so we will get an opal card each.is there a max amount you can credit card, with and when we travel on a bus or ferry can we pay for our gradaughter by ticket. we are from scotland.thank you for your help

Sorry for the delay in responding. I am currently overseas and have limited internet access. There are staff at all major stationswho will be able to let you in with your pass if it is valid in NSW. You will not need to use the card readers. Many smaller stations are unstaffed but gates at these stations are opened.

Enjoy your visit to Sydney.

Hi Hgoc Thuy

International students on student visas can buy a discounted My Multi 2 card – you may be entitled to one of these. If not you can buy an adult opal card. The price of tickets depends on the distance travelled. For example, I live under 10km from the city and my average weekly spend is about $28. As I travel to the city every day by Thursday afternoon my travel is free for the rest of the week.

Hi Mick For a 3 month visit an Opal card will be worthwhile. You can also get a child opal card for your granddaughter. You do not need to order them in advance unless you specifically want to. They can be bought and topped up at convienence stores, newsagents and even at the airport. You can register them once you recieve them and add a credit card to allow auto top ups when the balance is low if you want to. The other benefit of registering the card is that it can be replaced if you lose it and any outstanding credit moved to the new card.

HI we are going to Sydney in December, (2 adults and a 16years old) for 8 days. We will fly to Sydney and stay in Potts Point, stay in CBD most the time, but intending to go to blue mountain, factory outlet, Manley,. Should I get an Opal card? What is the best way to get to Potts Point? By train? bus? Ir shuttle bus?

Hi Iris Sounds like an Opal would work for you. After 8 trips in a week the rest of your travel in free for that week. You might not want to walk into the CBD each day so I imagine you will get to 8 trips. There is also a daily limit of $15 so that would kick in on the Blue Mountains day and the Manly ferry day. If you are here on a Sunday the maximum charge is $2.50 per day for unlimited travel. You can buy your card at the airport if you want to before you head to Potts Point.

If you are coming off a long flight you are probably best to take a taxi or shuttle. You could take a train but would need to change to get to Kings Cross Station and then walk. The fares for 3 of you would only be a little less than the cab fare. If you are on a tight budget the 400 bus from the front of the terminal to Bondi Junction then a train to Kings Cross would be the cheapest way. Shuttle would probably come in next cheapest. Have a great visit.

Hi I received my seniors Opal card last Tuesday and immediately registered it set up an automatic top-up on my account. By Sunday (just 5 days later) I had received an email telling me that because I had not used my Opal card for 60 days my credit was being refunded. I rarely use public transport because it is so lousy on Sydney’s Northern Beaches (why would I take a bus when it is quicker to drive?) so it seems I am never going to be able to have available credit on my card because I am unlikely to use it within a 60 day period.

Hi Helen Sounds like an error on their part regarding the cancellation after just 5 days. I suggest you call them. It is a bit confusing at first but as stated on their website you have 9 years to use the credit on your card. It is only if you do not use at least once it within 60 days of receiving your credit is returned. Try calling the helpline, I have found the staff there to be really helpful.

“Yes, it can expire if you don’t use your Opal card for nine years. However, if you receive a new Opal card that is registered and you have arranged to put value on it, you will need to present it to a card reader within 60 days. Otherwise the balance will simply be reversed and credited back to your nominated credit or debit card account.”

If you decide NOT to register your card don’t put too much money on it upfront until you can assess your likely travel expenditure. Getting a refund for unused travel is not visitor friendly

You are right Clive. Getting a refund is a pain that is for sure and really not worth it for most people.

I am travelling to Sydney in October for a month. Would you advise getting an Opal card, as I use all forms of transport whilst there. I see there is a weekly cap of $60 – what happens if I use the $60 before the end of the week? Do I travel ‘free’ thereafter?

Many thanks – David

Hi David, for a trip that long I would get an Opal card. The travel caps mean that once you have spent to the cap the rest of your trips are free. The caps are $15 a day or $60 a week. On Sundays, the cap is $2.50 making this the perfect day for a trip further afield, like the Blue Mountains.

I was glad I found your blog, it helped me lot in figuring out how the public transports works in Sydney. However I would need some more help. Me and my family (2 adults and 3 children under 15) will be staying in Sydney for 5 days then we will take the train to get to Canberra. During our stay in Sydney we will be visiting places such as the Cricket hall of fame, Lolly Swagman, The rocks, Sydney observatory, National Maritime Museum, Bondi beach, fish market, Wentworth falls …. to name some of them. I am still debating on buying the Opal card considering there will be a lot of cards to pay and we can just pay them on the go. Please help me out.

Thank you very much in advance, Anh

Hi Anh, I would usually recommend you all get Opal cards.The card will save 30% on fares for journeys outside of peak hours and give you access to the $2.50 all day Sunday price. It really depends on where you are staying? If you are in the centre of the city you could walk to some of the places you mentioned.You will need to take a bus to Bondi and they do not accept cash so will need a prepaid ticket or an opal card. You can take the light rail to the fish market – it is possible to walk but a long way. If you are planning on taking the train to the Blue Mountains then definitely get Opal cards. The Cricket Hall of Fame is in Melbourne I think? Do you mean the Bradman Museum in Berrima? This is not such an easy trip by public transport. Will you be driving?

I have family visiting from Queensland later this year. They are age pensioners – are they eligible for the $2.50 discount pensioner daily fare?

Yes Linda, your family are eligible for a Opal concession but they will need apply in advance. There is a form on this page https://www.opal.com.au/en/about-opal/opal_for_interstate_seniors/

I was just wondering I will be coming to Syd for a training course in Guildford and need to train it there from Central station and return to central again when finished it’s just for a day, would I still need to buy a Opal card or could I just buy a return ticket from Central?

Hi Adi You can buy a one-way ticket there and then get another on the way back from Guildford. They no longer sell return tickets. It will cost you a little bit more but for a single trip but will be simpler for such a straightforward journey.

We (2 adult, 1 kid) will be in Sydney for around 2.5 days and plan to explore CBD and Bondi area. Your guide on OPAL really encourage us to use it instead of taking private bus tours.

Question : Do you suggest using OPAL from airport to CBD location and back with its surcharge fee? Or do you suggest using taxi service for airport transfers and use OPAL for local transports?

Thanks again for your blog and excellent information on other areas as well.

With 2 adults and 1 child, it will be cheaper to take an Uber/Taxi from the airport. If you are not already an Uber user just download the app to your phone and set up a credit card for payment. The Uber pick up area is just outside the arrivals terminal – follow the yellow signs to the express pick up location and you wait at the 2 min pick area, not the 15-minute area. It is best to have a working sim card for this so the driver can call you if they can’t find you easily. If you are not already a member this promo code (ubersydneyexpertue) will get you a discount. If you prefer not to use Uber then a taxi is probably easiest. You can get a taxi fare estimate here https://www.taxifare.com.au/

Hi we are a family of 2 adults and 2 children. We will be flying down to Sydney, catching a train from thd domestic airport to central and then train out to springwood. This will ve our only public transportation. Do we just purchase one paper tickets from the airport that will cover the complete trip?? Thank you.

Hi Sara The fare using an Opal single use (paper) ticket is adult $24.50 and $17.90 for kids. Using an Opal card it would be Adult (peak) $22.80 (offpeak) $20.25 kids $17.05 or $15.77. In your case if you will do no other travel then the single use is the best bet as the as you would have to put $30 credit on the adult card and $20 on the kids, which would leave money over.

It’s confusing I know. Just go with single-use tickets from the airport station I think.

Hi. Thank you for the detailed info on the Opal card. We are 2 adult and 2 kids will be spending our weekend for 3.5 days. we will be staying in Kent street. Our itineraries are Darling Harbour for the first day. The second day will be a walk from our place to QVB then circular quay, the rocks and the Opera house and back to our hotel. and for the 3rd day it falls on Sunday we will be taking a bus from circular quay to Bondi beach. Do we need to get Opal card for our plan above? or the single ticket will do? Thank you. We will be taking a cab to the hotel due to our luggage.

Sorry for the delay Lina, you can buy paper tickets at a convenience store however you will not be able to get the $2.60 unlimited travel deal without the Opal card. The single ticket is $3.58 each way for adults. Use the trip planner on this site http://www.sydneytrains.info/ to find out other costs.

Will you be taking a ferry at all? A really nice day out is to take the bus to Bondi Beach then once you are ready to leave the beach take the bus from Bondi Beach to Watson’s Bay and then take the ferry to Barangaroo. I would also put a Manly ferry trip on my agenda if you have not done it before.

Hi, love your blog. I’ll be staying in Macquarie Park for about two days, and will explore Sydney during that time. I’ll be flying into the international terminal with a backpacking luggage. Will it be worth it for me to get the Opal card? Trying to reduce costs in any way I can but don’t want to sacrifice convenience. Thanks in advance!

Hi Danny If you are based in Macquarie Park I am guessing you will need an Opal to explore the city. It does actually save you money on each fare and I would imagine you would get value from it unless you have friends taking you around sightseeing by car. Travelling from the airport to Macquarie Park will be cheapest by train. There is also a fare cap of $15 per day.

Yes yes..thank you for reminding me about the ferry. I should put that in my itinerary to get the nicest view of the opera house 🙂

Thanks for the information. Is there any limitation on the number and size of the luggage that I can bring on board the train? Are there any storage area for the luggage? Thank you.

Hi Eric, there is no limitation to what you can bring on the train and there are lifts at all stations. However, if you have a large amount of luggage I would recommend that you don’t take a train in peak hour. There is no special luggage area but there is an open area inside the doorway – just be sure to move right inside and don’t block the doorways as this really upsets the locals. Uber now operate from the airport so this could be a good option to consider.

Hi we are going on a family cruise in march 2009 and will be in Sydney the preceding three days.I understand most of the opal system from reading your blog but don’t fully understand the ferry system could you please clarify a few things. ie are they the same price as buses and trains. Are they included in a trip or journey cost and if so how can you tell which ones are. Are some more expensive than others. Thanx in advance Craig.

Hi Craig, sorry for the delay, I am currently travelling myself. Buse, trains, light rail and ferries all have different pricing structures. On Sundays, you get unlimed travel on all 3 types of services for just $2.60. On other days individual prices remain. All services count toward your daily caps ($15 max a day) and your weekly travel benefit (after 8 trips all trips are half price). Ferries have 2 tiers of pricing – inner Harbour ferries are $5.88 and longer trips are $7.60 (more without an Opal card). You can find all the fares here. https://transportnsw.info/tickets-opal/opal/fares-payments/adult-fares

Hi, My wife and I will be in Sydney centre and plan to do a lot of walking. However, we will be going to the HARS museum, Albion Park by train just for the day. Can we both just buy tickets at Central Station without the OPAL card?

Yes you can Clive. Single tickets are available from the machines at the train station. It will cost a little extra but it is not much of a difference for only 1 trip usually

I will be arriving in Sydney with my two teens and a 7 yr old. We will have 3 25kg luggages plus carry-on bags. What is the best and cheapest transportation from the airport to Meriton Suites Waterloo?

Hi I am from England, a senior and retired, I will be in Sydney for a 3 month holiday. Will I be entitled to a concession on my bus fares. I will need to fetch my grandchildren from daycare 3 times a week

Hi Eli I would probably book an Uber – do you use them in your city? If so you can order one when you get to the arrivals hall and follow the signs to the uber pickup area. If not download the app and set it up before you leave home. The train for 4 people would cost more.

My understanding is that you must be an Australian citizen to access the senior prices sadly.

Hello thanks for all the info – can you advise which is the most efficient way for a family of five to travel from the Airport to Darling Harbour? Thank you

Hi Shelley I would imagine that an uber or other ride share service would be the cheapest option. There are several operators in Sydney and a designated priority pick up area for these services. Download Taxify or Ola if you are not an Uber user already as I find them more reliable. Public transport to Darling Harbour is not ideal. It involves changing from the train to the light rail at Central and probably too much with a family in tow.

Hi. I’m travelling to Sydney next week for 5 days.

I have one question to ask. My question is : may I know for daily travel caps, can I top up AUD80 at once instead of daily top up AUD15.80 ? As I know, the minimum amount top up for an adult is AUD10. Therefore, it is more easier to top up once instead of topping up AUD15.80 daily.

Hi Suphansa You can top up with as much credit as you like. The weekly cap is just under $65 so if you are only here a week don’t put more than that as you will not be charged over that. It is very difficult to get any unused credit refunded.

Hi,we are visiting Sydney in October and staying for a few days. I was born and brought up at Bronte Beach. I am an ex Serviceman and on a vet affairs TPI(Gold Card)Pension living in QLD. I am not 60 till December this year, so not entitled to seniors card. In QLD I have a Translink Card which entitles me to free Buses, Ferry’s, Trains. But I don’t seem to be entitled to any concession in NSW. My wife is my carer and she applied and got a senior/pensioner Opal card. Just seems strange that I am the one with the disability and I have to pay full fare. Any help on this one? Thanks in advance. Peter

Hi, Me and my wife will be going to Sydney in mid september. We will be staying in circular quay area and planning to visit taronga zoo, st mary cathedral, chinatown, Queen Victoria Building, Luna Park , Bondi Beach just to name a few. Will the Opal card save us some cost travelling using the bus/train/ferry?

Sorry Peter I missed your question earlier. I have had a look and you may be entitled to a discounted opal here. Have you seen the information on this page? https://www.opal.com.au/en/about-opal/opal_for_veterans/

Yes you will save money by getting an Opal card. How many days will you be here? How happy are you walking? You can easily walk from the Quay to Chinatown, QVB and the Cathedral for example. You can even walk over the bridge to Luna Park but you will want to take a bus or train to Bondi and at least one ferry, perhaps back from Luna Park. I would also suggest a ferry to Manly or Watson’s Bay.

Hi. My wife and I will travel to Sydney from overseas (USA) in November. We plan to use the Opal card primarily to get from the airport to Darling Harbor hotel and back. We will rent a car for mid-trip travel outside Sydney, but we’ll have a couple days in Sydney itself at the beginning and end of our stay. Should we go online to order our cards or would you suggest buy our cards at the airport when we arrive? Once our cards are activated, my understanding is the unused balance is refunded ONLY to an Australia bank account. True? Or is it possible, after 60 days of non-use, to have the balance refunded back to our credit/debit card? Thank you for your help.

We are arriving Sydney on a cruise ship and staying in Prymont dec 1-4. We will be just taking the bus or light train to China town and Sydney town hall for free city walk and taking the train to airport to Melbourne. Is it worthwhile for 8 of us to buy Opal card?

Hi, We are going to Sydney in November. Arriving Sydney early in the morning, after check into the hotel, we might have half a day left for sightseeing on the first day and a full 2nd day before we leave Sydney on the third day. We plan to visit Manly beach and around Sydney the first day. 2nd day will be to other beaches you recommended. The third day we might have a few hours left in Sydney. Since $15 max per day using opal car, do you think $30 should be enough for the first two day use. Thank you.

That should be plenty CK. You can get exact prices for each trip here https://transportnsw.info/tickets-opal/opal/fares-payments/adult-fares

Prices change between peak and off-peak travel.

I would suggest you probably will save money with an Opal card (you will need one each) as the distance from Prymont to the rest of the city is a bit of a walk and after a day’s sightseeing. It would also save the hassle of having to buy individual tickets for each trip before you travel. You can not pay on buses or light rail so you would have to buy single-use Opal tickets each time. Use the calculator here https://transportnsw.info/tickets-opal/opal/fares-payments/adult-fares to work out how much money to put on the cards.

My understanding is that funds can only be returned to Australian bank accounts so I assume that would also be cards but I might be wrong. If you are only taking the airport train you can just buy single use tickets from the airport. If you decide you need cards I would buy on arrival and not order in advance. You may find you don’t use them enough to bother. Single use tickets are available from convenience stores or train stations in the case of trains.

Hi, we are 1 adult & 1 child. will be in sydney for 7 Night. Should we get the opal card ? I confuse between weekly cap $60-65 WITH After 8 trips in a week the rest of your travel is free for that week. If this means, if my single trip cost $4.40 x 8 trips = $35.20, is that the maximum amount that will cost me because the rest of the week is free ? So i don’t have to top up $65 cause maybe $40 is enough ? And we will stay at my friend place at Wolli Creek, what is the best way to get out from the airport ? Thanks a lot for your response later.

My husband and i will arrive at Sydney’s Domestic Airport at 11am and need to get to the Overseas Passenger terminal at The Rocks.What would be the best way to travel there?

I have purchased one opal card. Can I use this one card for both myself and my wife?

No William, you need one each, however, they are free to get so just load enough credit on each to cover your travel. If you are not sure there is a fare calculator ( https://transportnsw.info/ ) that will help you get a rough idea. If you need more help pop over and join the FB group and someone will certainly help you calculate your trips.

The quickest way, if you can manage your luggage without too much trouble, would be to take the train directly from the Airpor to Circular Quay. There are elevators at both stations and its a very short, flat walk to the terminal.

Hi Kiki, There is no free travel after 8 trips, it is half price travel only. Sundays are $2.70 max for all day travel. Tickets are less than $4.40 outside peak hour. I would suggest only putting $40 on and topping up later if needed. The airport to Wolli Creek will be best done in an Uber. It’s very close.

My son and I are coming to Sydney on a sunday morning early. We want to go from the airport to circular quay to see the opera house, then from circular quay to central. Then from central on the light rail to the convention centre, then from the convention centre back to central and then back to the airport sunday night. so only in sydney for the day. I have never been to sydney so am totally trusting the public transport system, my question is whats the cheapest way to do this? Does the airport train cost both ways or is the trip a day fare? also do the train and light rail use the same opal card thing? sorry to sound dumb its just we are so limited for time I want to make it as painless and simple as i possibly can, thanks

We are travelling to Sydney from Morriset to Circular Quay. We are driving from Tamworth to Morriset and we are intending to then get a train to Central and then get a train to the Quay. We will then walk from Circular Quay to board the boat we are going on for a cruise to Noumea. Can we use our opal for the trip from Morriset to Circular Quay? If not how do we travel from Morriset to Circular Quay by train?

Hi Annette Yes you can use your opal card for the trip from Morriset to the city. Have a great cruise! Paula

Hi there-we plan to spend only 2 days in Sydney (mainly CBD area) next day taking the ferry to Manly and also to Bondi Beach in the afternoon. Plus coming to and from the airport with the public bus 400-410. Can you pls advise if really would make sense to buy the OPAL card for this short period including taking all these means of transportation? Would be save a lot more with this option rather than buying individual tickets for each journey/trip? Thank you, Kris

Hi Kris Yes it will be worth having an Opal card. You can pick one up at the airport. Trips are 30% cheaper which is a good saving on the ferry particularly. You will need to take a train to Mascot suburban station to join the 400 bus.

I tried to write here many times, but failed. Any other way? I want to ask few questions

Ask away or for a faster response you might like to join our Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/Sydneyexpert

And how much for a pensioner to travel to the airport station which most overseas travelers are! No mention the added cost of that !

Hi Anonymous If you are an Australian pensioner from another state you would need to apply for a gold Opal card online a few weeks before you arrive. International visitors who are seniors are not entitled to use pensioner pricing in Australia. I have an article on the airport train here https://sydneyexpert.com/tips-taking-sydney-airport-train/ The Station access fee for pensioners with gold opal cards is $12.80. These cards cannot be bought at the station and MUST be ordered online. I am not sure that MOST overseas travellers are pensioners btw. Thanks for your question.

Hi, me and my partner are currently in Sydney and we are looking to go on a ferry to hop on and off around the bays, Watson, Rose, etc. Myfastferrt wants to charge us $50 each for a 48hr hop on Hop off ferry service but we only want to go on 1 day (Sunday). Would using opal cards be cheaper and what ferry services accept this? Thank you

Hi, Becky, I am so sorry I missed this, as it’s Sunday I am sure you have figured it out by now. As long as you line up the ferries you can save a fortune by planning a DIY ferry tour. The only places the HOHO goes that the main ferries don’t is Quarantine Station, Fort Denison and Clark Island. For anyone reading this if you need a question answered quickly your best option is our Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/Sydneyexpert/

Hi! My Hostel is in Many and I probably will go to downtown Sydney every day nd also to the Blue Mountains. I arrive and depart from the airport.

What’s the better choice? Opal or MM3?

HI, Christoph The MM3 (my Multi 3) is no longer available. You will save money with an Opal card. The card has daily and weekly caps and with 2 ferry rides a day you should easily meet that. Have a great time in Sydney.

Ah, okay. Thank you very much for the prompt answer.

Hi, My friend went to Sydney last December and i am planning to visit Sydney in April. Can i sue my friend’s Opal card? he said there’s still around 7$ left in his card.. Thanks!

Yes you can.

Hi, we will come to Australia in April, to Sydney first, anf after to Newcastle. Can we use opal card for the train from Sydney to Newcastle ? Do you have an idea of how much it will cost ? Thanks. Joe

Hi Joe You can use your Opal to go to Newcastle. It can seem confusing. You need to choose a suburban train (Central Coast & Newcastle line train) and not a country link or long distance train. These trains are a little faster but cost $30 each. The suburban train is only $6.08 each way.

Thanks for your answer and precisions. We will be careful to take the suburban train. So, we must arrive in advance to register our luggages, don’t we ?

Yes for an international flight you should check in at least 2-3 hours before.

Hi,I just wondering whether a 3yo kid need to get an opal card or not? as mentioned above that a kid under 4yo is free. Thanks.

Hi Raihan You don’t need an Opal card for children under 4 years.

hi, i will be spending 4 to 5 days in Sydney and will be going to Blue Mountain and some city tour.Is it better to have the opal card and can it be used in Melbourne and Adelaide? Thanks

I would recommend you buy an Opal card for a 4-day visit. It will save you about 30% on your fares overall if you are travelling in peak times and if you are taking buses in Sydney you need a prepaid ticket to board the bus. Sadly each state has its own card, Miki in Melbourne and Adelaide has a Metrocard with a visitor pass option.

Hi. I will be flying into Sydney from Melbourne in June 2019 and arriving in Terminal 2.

I just need some clarification about the $35.00 minimum top-up for a new Opal card. Is this requirement only enforced by the Airport Stations when they sell the new Opal card OR all other sellers (newsagents, convenience stores) in the airport premises would also enforce it?

There is no official advice on this however a reader of our Facebook group informed me this week that she did buy a $20 card at a newsagent at the airport recently so I think the answer is yes you can buy a lower value card at these shops. If you are taking the train to and from the airport you will need the $35 if not and you don’t want to muck about just use your credit card to tap on and off.

Thanks. Hopefully this loophole will last for the benefit of all others. I will only be in Sydney for 3 days and I only want to take the airport train on my flight out (which will only cost about AUD$17 from KX station). Now I can just buy a lower priced Opal card and take the bus from Airport to Mascot and change to train there or… bus 400 all the way to Bondi Junction and take the train from Bondi Junction to KX to have a feel of the locals.

I need to use the bus, which is ‘Opal only’. I arrive at Central Station. Can I buy a ‘Single use Opal’ ticket for this, or do I need a conventional Opal Pass? Also I will be travelling back to Central Station on a public holiday from near Bondi- again the bus, ‘Opal only’. Am I able to buy this ticket before the day of travel as I’m concerned I won’t find a store open being a Public Holiday.

The stores that sell single-use tickets like convenience stores will be open on the public holidays.

i am travelin to sydney for a month in october am will be usein public transport alot what does anybody sujest how many dollers i put on my opal card when i first get one? i thought 200 dollers

Start with $50 and load more money as you go. Refunds are very hard to organise so it’s best not to put too much on it at once.

Hello, I’ll be travelling to Sydney and have several questions on opal cards, all the official info available seems to be quite confusing. 1.-Please tell me if I understand weekly cap. $61.60 is all I will pay for the whole week, infinite number of rides, hundreds or thousands of rides. Is that right? 2.-I guess “top-up” means adding credit to my opal card. Is that right? 3.-If I am correct so far, I suppose on monday I can top-up directly my $61.60 weekly cap, since i will be using transport extensively. Will the weekly cap apply automatically as I use the card? I mean, will I not need to worry for the rest of the week, I will not need to do anything else? 4.-Strangely, I see the top-up amounts are $10 $20 $40 $60 $80…etc. But wait a minute. Top-up is $60, but weekly cap is $61.60????? Please don’t tell me I need to add $80 in order to cover for that extra $1.60. How is that handled????? 5.-Now I actually arrive on sunday. But opal weeks starts monday. That means I have to load $2.60 sunday cap plus $61.60 weekly = $63.70??? But then again, how is this achieved if I can only load $60 or $80??. Please understand I am a traveller, and do not wish to add all that extra $80 credit since it will be money lost for me!!!! Thanks in advance, I await for your kind response.

Hi Ed, lots of people find the official site confusing 🙂

1. Please tell me if I understand weekly cap. $61.60 is all I will pay for the whole week, infinite number of rides, hundreds or thousands of rides. Is that right? That is correct! 2. I guess “top-up” means adding credit to my opal card. Is that right? Yes right again 🙂 3. If I am correct so far, I suppose on Monday I can top-up directly my $61.60 weekly cap since I will be using transport extensively. Will the weekly cap apply automatically as I use the card? I mean, will I not need to worry for the rest of the week, I will not need to do anything else? The cap will kick in automatically when you have done $61.60 worth of travel but this is an awful lot. Very few people reach that amount. After 8 trips all your travel becomes half price and Sundays are max $2.70 so reaching the cap is hard . 4.-Strangely, I see the top-up amounts are $10 $20 $40 $60 $80…etc. But wait a minute. Top-up is $60, but the weekly cap is $61.60????? Please don’t tell me I need to add $80 in order to cover for that extra $1.60. How is that handled? So firstly I recommend you top up with $40 when you buy your card and only add additional money if you need to. If you download the official Opal app you can see your balance any time and top up in $10 increments 5.-Now I actually arrive on Sunday. But opal weeks starts Monday. Does that mean I have to load $2.60 Sunday cap plus $61.60 weekly = $63.70??? No – see above

So to sum up. Get your card and load $40 at purchase. If you are coming from the airport and using the train note that the gate access fee is not included in the $2.70 cap. It is better to update as you go via your credit card on your phone than put too much credit on your Opal as refunds are just too hard to do.

Grrrreat!! thanks for taking the time to answer everything!!!!!

I will be going to Blacktown for the day and need to catch a bus only once why do I have to pay all that money for a $2.50 fare ,I’m a pensioner, and don’t catch the rail bus ,as I have a car which is needed where I live hope you can help

You can buy a single adult ticket for the bus but if you want to access the $2.70 all day pension fare you need to have applied for an Opal card. The minimum top up for pensioners is $10.

Hello Jan, I will be traveling from the US with my family of four people (3 adults and 1 child), staying in Sydney City Center for 4 days (all days are week days). I have the following questions, please advice! (1) On the second day, from the hotel, I plan to go to Circular Quay and catch a ferry to Watsons Bay – from here, I like to go to Bondi Beach – and then return back to the hotel from Bondi Beach? Should I catch a bus from Watsons Bay to Bondi and also catch a bus from Bondi Beach back to the hotel? If so, would this be a day where I should get the Opal ticket and top of the daily cap of $15.80 for each adult & 7.70 for a child? (2) On another day, I plan to leave from Central to Blue Mountains. Can I purchase 4 round trip tickets at the train tickets without using the Opal card? If I need to travel within Blue Mountains by bus then I would need to get the opal ticket and do the top off option again, right? (3) On the last day, I plan to go from the hotel to Royal Botanic Garden and return from the Rocks area back to the hotel. For this day, since I only have 2 trips; would it be a better choice to get an uber? Thank you so much for your reply.

Based on your itinerary you will save money with an Opal card. You don’t get a card for each day, rather one card that you use for your entire visit. You will need a card for each person travelling. I would start with $30 credit on each adult card and $15 for the child. Take the 333 bus back to the city from Bondi. If you are travelling outside of the peak times you may not reach the cap for that day. The Opal will cover your travel to the mountains and within the mountains themselves. It is 30% cheaper to use the card than buy individual tickets. I would not bother with an Uber to the Botanic Gardens and the Rocks as traffic will be bad and it is much quicker using the train directly from Central to Circular Quay.

Hello, greetings from Poland! Could you help me to understand a few things, please? 1. How can I check how much money is lost on my Opal card (credit) 2. How to add money to my card – do I have to log in my bank account or to an Opal card account? What if I dont register my card? 3. which is the first valid day when I can use my weekly card (the day of purchase or Monday maybe?…) 4. after travelling 8 times – which trip is 50% off and which is 30% off ? I’m so confused… 5.The minimum cost is $10 for adult cards – daily or weekly card? 6.When and on which trips do I have to buy separately single tickest except that I use my Opal card (I am going to visit Manly, Blue Mountains,Sydney suburbs)- who doesn’t accept Opal card 7. which is the cheapiest way to travel to Blue Mountains and is it Sunday when everything is cheaper? 8. sorry buy I still can’t understand when I’ll have to pay not single fares for my trip but double fares.Is it only if I travel longer than 60min? Sorry If I bother you so much but I am not very good at english so I would be grateful if You answer me in simple words. Thank you in advance, Cecylia

1. How can I check how much money is lost on my Opal card (credit) Scan your card on an opal machine or use the official opal app 2. How to add money to my card – do I have to log in my bank account or to an Opal card account? What if I don’t register my card? You can add credit with cash or a credit card via the top up machines at stations. 3. which is the first valid day when I can use my weekly card (the day of purchase or Monday maybe?…) The discounts apply for the period Monday to Sunday but the credit does not run on a weekly system. 4. after travelling 8 times – which trip is 50% off and which is 30% off? I’m so confused… After 8 trips all trips are 50% off. 5. The minimum cost is $10 for adult cards – daily or weekly card? The cards are not daily or weekly the credit can be used anytime. The 8 trip discount runs weekly from Monday to Sunday 6.When and on which trips do I have to buy separately single tickets except that I use my Opal card (I am going to visit Manly, Blue Mountains, Sydney suburbs)- who doesn’t accept Opal card Everyone takes opal cards, you do not need to buy separate tickets. Hope that helps but if you have any other questions pop into the FB group for quick answers. 7. which is the cheapiest way to travel to Blue Mountains and is it Sunday when everything is cheaper? 8. sorry but I still can’t understand when I’ll have to pay not single fares for my trip but double fares.Is it only if I travel longer than 60min?

thank you 🙂

Hi, My family and I will be arriving at Sydney airport on a Sunday in July and heading stright to Leura in the Blue Mountains on the train. When I search ‘trip planner’ it tells me that this fare will cost $17. In reading other threads on this site I am confused by what the ‘gate fee’ is and wonder if the $17 is correct or will it cost more. Also – we will be buying Opal cards at the airport and will only be using them for this trip – but I believe the minimum you can put on a card purchased at the airport is $40. Is this correct? If so, is there a way around this as I won;t need $40 on the cards. Thanks for your time.

Hi Louise Sorry for the delay in responding. Yes the $17 is correct because it is a Sunday and their is a cap of $2.80 on Sundays. You can add less than the minimum credit of $35 if you buy your card from one of the shops at the airport and not the airport station. The shops have $10 minimum. There will be signs showing which ones sell them. W.H Smith book shop does but I am sure there are more.

Hi Louise. There is an additional fee that is paid when leaving or entering the airport by train. This is probably what is meant by “gate fee”. It is about $14 one way and is capped at $29.00 per week. I’m not sure if this will increase from Monday like the rest of the Opal fares. The remaining $2-$3 is the Sunday cap rate. The minimum $35.00 loading credit required at the airport is probably to ensure commuters have enough for the return leg during peak times on weekdays. If you’re from Australia, you could create an Opal account, order and top-up an Opal card, and have the card delivered to you by post. Otherwise, see Sydney Expert’s suggestion.

If it’s not complicated and totally confusing it’s not Australian !

What is the best way get from the Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay West, to SYD International Airport? Those are the only tickets I need for my husband and me while in Australia. What is the best way to pay for the trip? I have a credit card with no international fees. Would the Opal Card be a better choice? Any other advice about the trip is appreciated. Thank you for your help.

Hi Diana Sorry for the delay, I have been travelling (on a cruise actually lol). Use your credit card to pay for your trip. You will need to tap a different card for each person. Have a great stay in Sydney.

Hi Paula & Charles,

Do you know whether the Sunday travel cap applies to Sundays only? Will it also apply to public holidays that are not on Sunday? For example: Labour day on Monday 7 October 2019.

My aunties and uncles (all within age range 60-76 years old) will visit Sydney for the first time from overseas next week. We’ll have a group of 17 people (14 seniors and 3 people below 60 years old). Any tips for us?

I love love love your website! It is super useful and very easy to understand! Many many thanks for all the information that you shared with us!

Thanks Deli, glad it’s useful. The Sunday cap is only on Sunday sadly. If you want to email me with your itinerary I can let you know if I have any specific tips [email protected]

Hi, may I know how to apply for the weekly pass? AUD50 for a weekly pass seem to save a lot of money for those who travel very frequent with public transports. Is that we just need to remain our opal credit at least AUD50 and that’s enough for us to travel unlimited per week? Your response is much appreciated. Thank you.

As a family of 5 (2 adults and 3 children 6,4 and 1), we are planning to visit Sydney and stay there for one week in July 2020.

In your article, you write: Weekly Travel Cap* – Pay no more than $50.00 a week when travelling on all modes of Opal enabled transport from Monday to Sunday Does it mean that it will only cost us $50.00/person for one week (Monday to Sunday)? Is it the same price for the children? How can we avail ourselves of this advantage?

Thank you very much for your help.

Hi Gilbert We don’t actually have a weekly pass – it’s a weekly cap. Beginning on Monday and running until Sunday when your fares reach $50 the rest of your travel is free. Once you reach 8 trips the rest of your travel is half price. I usually suggest people put $40 credit on their card and only top up if they use it all. Top-ups are available in $10 increments. You can also now choose to use your credit card however you will need one card for each person. If your card has any international transaction fees this can be costly and an Opal is still the better choice.

Yes, Marie, you can travel for $50 per person all week. Children aged 4yrs and under are free. You will need a child Opal card for your 6-year-old. Sundays all day travel is only $2.70 and the $50 cap applies Monday – Sunday. You also get half-price fares after 8 trips.

Hi.. if I arrived in Sydney on Saturday and stayed for 9 days until the next Sunday. I need opal card for every trip using public transport in Sydney. I need your opinion to buy that opal card. Thank you.

This will be my first time back to Sydney since 14 years ago. A lot have changed and I need some info on Opal cares. I will only be transit for 7 hours and planning to go to Circular Quay, with bus or train, will I need Opal card? If so, where I will be able to get those on the airport?

I reckon the bus a lot cheaper that the train right? Take 400 bus and then what? Can you please provide me with more info? Thanks a lot

can an international child visitor use the child opal card?

You can use your credit or debit card to tap on and off, no need for an Opal on such a short visit. The 400 bus to Mascot station and then the train to the city will probably be your best bet. Honestly, though I would pay the extra $40 or so dollars for a quick 20 minute trip over losing lots of time in airport traffic and then still having to wait for a train.

Any child between 4-15 years can use a child’s opal card. If your child is nearing 15 or looks older than have a copy of ID handy.

You can use your credit or debit card but be aware that your bank may charge you international transaction fees. In this case, buying an Opal will save you money.

Hi, we are from melbourne for a few days. We were advised to buy the 14 year old son a child opal for $10 but now os the second day and it is running low. We ate currently on the train and the app wpnt allow registration. So i cannot top it up using the app. Is it okay if l top it up at the next station?

Hi Jen By the time we saw this I assume you had the answer. In future you will get much quicker responses on the Facebook Group 🙂

Hello. Will be visiting Sydney for 3 days. Will be staying at Circular Quay area. I’m not sure if I should use an Opal card? Plan is, will be traveling an airport train to Circular Quay vis-a-vis and use the Hop On Hop Off for movement. I read about using a credit card to tap on instead? Directly tap it on? No need to buy tickets at the booth? And you cannot tap the same credit card if you are with someone? If in case I need to ride a train on our stay, will there be individual ticketing stations just in case I won’t get an Opal Card to go around Sydney? Should I still buy an Opal Card? Any suggestions? Big thanks in advance. xx

You can buy individual tickets from machines at the stations – they just cost 30% more. The HOHO bus is not the most efficient way to get around the city. It is fun for sightseeing but for transport, you will be much better off using regular buses. The maximum cost of public transport is $15 a day. DOwnload the opal app or citymapper (both free) and you can work out which buses or trains you need to get between sites.

Hi, We are arriving Sydney (first time) 1210/19 for three days, boarding cruise ship on 15th departing 6.45pm (18.45). . We’re staying at Amora hotel, Jamison. We want to see the sights of Sydney, walk on Bondi from Bronte (“Iceberg” recommended for lunch ?), see Manley Beach. Should we rely on HOHO bus, if so can tickets be purchased on line in advance etc. Any advice most welcome

You can do all of that by public transport but if you like the commentary and order of a HOHO service you can buy tickets online. Before you do read these posts where we have a review of the bus itself and some tips for taking it https://sydneyexpert.com/hop-on-hop-off-bus-sydney/ and our self-guided version using public buses. https://sydneyexpert.com/self-guided-sydney-bus-tour/

4 adults in Sydney over night , staying Travelodge king street airport , wanting to get across to Mossman , then back to Travelodge , then to ANZ stadium in night and return to hotel best means of transport

You will be best off on the train – from Mascot station, it goes directly to Circular Quay where you can take a ferry to Mosman. For ANZ take a train to Central from Mascot and change to a service to Lidcombe where you will find a shuttle train to the stadium. if it is a big event there will be direct trains to the stadium from Central.

Hi, I am travelling to Sydney in Dec with my family of four, planning to go to the Blue Mountains on our own from our hotel near Circular Quay Railway Station. I understand that taking the train paying by OPAL will be cheaper to reach Katoomba Station. I would like to seek your advice how should we plan our route to cover most of the scenic area and rides in the Blue Mountains in one day, and still be able to catch any bus or train back to Circular Quay? We can also consider stopping by half-way to take a ferry back to the CBD, if there were such alternatives that can make our trip fun, but the only concern is the time management, which we wouldn’t want to miss any last departure time of any transport mode. Hope to get some advice on this. 🙂

In addition, I understand that there is this Blue Mountain Bus Explorer that starts at 9.15am and ends at 4.20pm, and the drivers provide excellent service in giving advice on exploring the Blue Mountains. May I know if OPAL can be used for this Hop on Hop off Explorer Bus? If not, what are the alternatives, and will these alternatives easily be accessed with many bus stops? Should I forgo using the OPAL and pay for the Explorer Bus instead?

Lastly, how do I buy the Scenic World Unlimited Discovery Pass? I understand that there is a specific time slot for entrance ticket which we have to choose when we purchase it online. But we do not know how our journey is going to be on that day, and were afraid that we might miss the entrance time. What is your advice on this?

I apologize for the long queries above as I was stuck with it and hope to seek your advice so that I could plan my journey smoothly. Thank you! 😀

Hi Janice, Are you on Facebook? We have a very helpful group there that is a much quicker way to get detailed answers.

We have created several articles to help you plan your day both with the public bus and the HOHO bus. The HOHO bus is not part of the Opal system. You should enter Scenic World as early as you can. there are itineraries using the train here – https://sydneyexpert.com/blue-mountains-itinerary-by-train/ To take the ferry back you get off the train at Parramatta and walk or take the bus to the wharf.

I’ll be travelling to Sydney for 4 days on March 10-14, that’s Tuesday-Saturday. I’m planning to stay at an Airbnb in Banksia (near the airport and near the train station to it). What would you recommend me to do? Should I buy Opal card and top up with how much?

I’m planning to see just the tourist spots of Sydney. -if the blue mountains is accessible by Public Transport, I’d like to go too.

The Blue Mountains is easily accessible by train, we have written instructions here. https://sydneyexpert.com/blue-mountains-itinerary-by-train/

You can buy an Opal card and put $40 on it. You can top up if you need to via the Opal app or the machines on most stations, although I am not sure if Banksia has one, it didn’t last time I was there. You can also just use your credit card (but check what foreign transaction fees your bank might charge for each tap) Have a great time!

Hello! My husband and I will be staying one night in Potts Point (near Kings Cross Station) before leaving on a cruise. We were planning on doing the sunrise Coogee to Bondi walk on your recommendation before boarding the ship late that afternoon. Should we purchase an Opal card for this or just use our credit cards? Also, we will be taking the airport train from the cruise terminal two weeks later. Again, should we just use our credit cards for that or an Opal card? Thank you so much for all of your great information!

Hi Shannon, just use your credit cards, as long as you have one each you will be fine. They recently applied the same benefits as using Opal to contactless payments so unless you are here for a while and have foreign transaction fees to worry about your own card is fine. Just make sure it works for paywave type payments, some American cards, for example, don’t.

Hi, I am travelling to Newcastle, stay there for 2 days and then travel to Sydney for 5-6 days. Can i buy OPAL card in Newcastle and then use the same card in Sydney. Thanks Ravi

Yes Ravi you can 🙂

Hi! If I buy at the airport with the minimum $35, the airport fare of $14.30 will be deducted from the top up?

Yes exactly 🙂

Sydney’s public transport is free for children under four years of age. Kids aged 4-15 can buy a child’s Opal card.  Once 4 you need to pay.

Visiting Sydney March 2020. Want to get to Dubbo & return. What is most economical way from Sydney Central Railway Station?

I would qualify for Gold Opal card.

I’ll be visiting Sydney (1 adult and 1 child) for a single day and taking the train from the airport to a City Circle station in the morning, then from a City Circle station back to the airport in the evening.

Will the $35 initial top up cover the return trip from the airport to any City Circle station, then any City Circle station back to the airport?

Does the child Opal card purchased at the airport also have a minimum $35 initial top up? If so, rather than leave unused credit on the card, would it be just as cost effective for the child to use a contactless card, even though it would be charged as an adult?

Regards, Craig

Sorry for the delay. I have been recovering from an injury.

It is my understanding that you would meet the weekly cap for your airport fare of $29 a week so in a one-day return trip it would not cost more than $29 total of the airport gate fee plus your return fare to the city. The child opal top-up is lower as far as I know. A contactless card will not give you the weekly airport access cap.

Hi we are coming to Sydney in April 2adults, 2children. I have worked out most places are 15-20mins walk from the hotel but might want to go further to say opera house or Bondi or manly beach. Are ferries to manly and buses to Bondi included? Will it be cheaper to get an opal card or arrange a tour (hop on hop off type thing)

Hi there. Can I tap in and out with a debit card on “Prepay” buses? The TransportNSW website just isn’t clear on this. Thanks Brian

Yes Brian you can use these cards on all transport now. You can also use Google Pay or Apple Pay

Hi, AmyMarie All Sydney public transport is included on the Opal card, but for adults, you can use your credit or debit card. You need to use a different card for each person. Opal has a daily cap of $16 or so after which all travel is free. On Sundays, that cap is $2.80. The weekly cap is $50

To be able to get reduced prices for children aged 4-15, you need to use an Opal card. Children over 15 are adult price. The card has no cost you add credit you need. When taking ferries, be sure to use the green public ferries as these are cheaper. There are some private ferries, and they accept Opal, but the costs are higher and the ride does not count towards your daily cap. Public transport will be much cheaper than the HOHO bus

My sister is coming for 6 weeks from UK she is 72 what sort of opal card should she buy we will probably be on and off buses etc and train and ferry

She will just need to by a regular adult Opal card. Overseas seniors are not eligible for reduced fares

Hi Colin not sure why your message disappeared. Are you an Australia citizen or resident? Apply for the Gold Opal now. There is a train at 7am that takes about 6hrs and 31 minutes to reach Dubbo which I believe is the cheapest way.

I will be spending 4 to 5 days in Sydney, Australia and will be going to Blue Mountain and some other cities tour. Is it better to have the opal card and can it be used in Melbourne, Perth Brisbane and Adelaide? Thanks

Charles (and everyone?) helping with these simple explanations. Thank you!

Hi, Will be arriving in Sydney airport a day prior to the cruise on February 29, 2020. Would that be a better idea to have an Opal Card to cover the Airport to City and few city trips during 2 days ?

Hi The Opal can only be used in Sydney. If you have a credit or debit card with a chip you can use that instead. Alternatively buy an Opal but figure our your expected costs before putting too much credit on it as you can not get a refund.

Hi Handoko You can use a credit or debit card with a chip or Apple Pay or Google pay if you have those

Hi, I’m travelling to Sydney with my partner and some friends this March for 7days (Monday to Sunday). We’re leaving on Sunday and basing on our planned itinerary we’ll likely be covered by the weekly cap ($50). I was wondering if on Sunday when we take the train to the airport, will I still be charged 2.80$ (Sunday fare) + 14.87$ station access fee, or will we be charged just the station access fee given we’re already at the 50$ weekly cap? Appreciate your response!

I would expect you would just be charged the station access fee in this case.

Hello, Thank you very much for all this detailed information on Sydney public transport. In June 2020, I will spend one week in Sydney with my husband and our 3 children (2 above 4 years old and one below). I have a question regarding the weekly cap (Monday to Sunday). We will arrive on a Friday and leave the following Friday. Does it mean that all the trips we might make over the weekend will not be taken into account for the weekly cap? We are also planning to go to the Blue Mountains using the train. Will that count too? What is the amount of the weekly cap for the children’s Opal card? Can I recharge my Opal card at a train station using cash? Thank you very much for your help. Marie

I’m from the UK working at the international Airport on a two week business trip. I’m staying in one of the airport hotels. What’s my best option if I want to get to the city multiple times during my stay. Will I be charged the airport fee every trip?

what are our best travel options, my wife and i are coming to sydney, staying in Parramatta we fly in on a Thursday, back out on the Monday planning to have a trip or two into sydney, what is the cheapest way for us to get around, thanks

There is a cap on the airport transfer fee of about $28 from memory so once you have travelled there twice in one week it’s free. Double-check the current cap but there is a system in place for people who work at the airport.

If you have credit or debit cards that work with paypass or tap and go just use those for such a short trip. The Opal caps are $16.10 a day, $50 a week, or $2.80 on Sunday. Remember The Opal week runs from Monday to Sunday.

Yes, the Opal week runs from Monday to Sunday. So the Friday and weekend won’t count in your cap. The caps for adults are $16.10 a day, $50 a week, or $2.80 on Sunday. Kids are $8 a day, $25 a week, or $2.80 on Sunday. I would download the Opal app and recharge via your can using the app. Much more convenient and the app has timetables etc. You can, however, use cash at some of the machines if you wish.

Alternatively, there is no entry fee at Mascot airport, which may be walking distance depending on your hotel.

I’m hoping this fabulous feed still gets checked. I’m traveling to Sydney with 4 fulltime High School students from Vic Ages are from 15 to 18. Will they all need Adult Opal or are we able to use their school student ID Cards that we use here for concession fares.?

Sorry Kate for some reason we didn’t get a notification of your comment. I think they may need an adult opal as a student opal can only be ordered online. Child opals are for those under 15 years. I would suggest you call 131500 and ask directly as I have had two different answers when I checked. Sorry I can’t be more help.

We will be traveling from Wollongong to Manly and I wonder if there is still a train-ferry combo we could use. Thanks.

We will be visiting Sydney for 5 days after arriving by Disney Cruise Ship on Oct. 27, 2023. We both have an American Express card that doesn’t charge transaction fees, but both cards have the same number. Will one of us have to use a different card?

Comments are closed.

Roaming Required

Getting around sydney with an opal card.

Last updated: 25 June 2023

Originally published March 2019. Are you planning a visit to Sydney Australia soon and looking for the best way to get around Sydney like a local? Well, you’ve come to the right place because I’m going to share everything you need to know about using the Opal Card (the public transport system card) to travel all across Sydney quickly and easily.

The Opal Card , similar in nature to London’s famed Oyster Card, allows users to simply tap in and out across various modes of public transport, including the train, bus, ferry, and the light rail (basically a tram) networks. The Opal Card is ideal to get you from your hotel on the city circle line to Sydney Harbour and the sensational Circular Quay to capture views just like these.

Oh and speaking of Circular Quay, if you’re interesting in finding out why Circular Quay is my favourite place in Sydney then check out the link here . One suggestion is that after you’ve spent time in Circular Quay then I suggest that the next evening you head over to Darling Harbour to soak up the atmosphere. 

How Does the Opal Card Work?

Once you pick up your Opal Card (details on how to do that below) you simply TAP ON at the Opal Card touchpad located at the entrance gates of the trains and ferry terminals and at the front of the buses and the front & middle of the light rail.

When you have arrived at your stop, you will need to TAP OFF in order to pay the correct fare. You’ll see the touchpads as you exit so you just need to remember TAP OFF but the good news is that you’ll see everyone else do it plus you’ll hear the chime when someone taps off so chances are you won’t forget…  

All in all, it’s a fairly straightforward system.

Opal Card for Tourists: Getting Started

Here’s what you need to do;

Step 1: Purchase an Opal Card from either online  or in person from any number of retailers  including newsagents and convenience stores.

Step 2: Choose the amount of credit that you need initially. I opted for a $10 Opal Card to get me started. The card itself is free and it’s packaged with a credit amount so the $10 package I purchased included the Opal Card and $10 credit.

Step 3: Use the Opal Card on your first train/bus/ferry/light rail and enjoy your Sydney travels

Tip: If you’re visiting Sydney for a few days and looking to travel around (and let’s face it, who wouldn’t?) we recommend starting off with a balance of $50 (£30) which will be enough for 3 days of substantial travel due to the Daily Cap  (more details below)  

Opal Card for Visitors: Which One? 

There are different types of Opal Cards available to you depending on whether you meet the criteria. The most common type is the Adult Opal Card which is used by anyone over the age of 16 and generally pays full fare.

The other types of Opal Cards available include;

• Child (50% of adult fare and available for children aged 4-15 inclusive)
• Concession (50% of adult fare and available for eligible full-time tertiary students)
• Gold Senior/Pensioner (Fares capped at $2.50 for seniors with a NSW Seniors Card)
• School (Designed specifically for school children)

There is one final type of Opal Card which you may encounter during your Sydney travels and that is the Opal single trip tickets . Like its name implies, it’s designed for single one-time tap on/tap off journeys on the train, ferry, and light rail services on the DAY OF PURCHASE only. If you want a single one trip ticket for the bus then you need to purchase it on board (except on prepaid buses).

To be honest, I don’t really think you’re going to get much use out of single use Opal card if you’re visiting Sydney, you’re better off picking up an actual Opal Card that you can top up as needed.   

Getting Around Sydney: Where Can I Use It?

The Opal Card can be used extensively in the Sydney city centre and metropolitan area but also includes the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Newcastle, Hunter and Illawarra areas.

Here are the specifics if you’re looking to travel outside of Sydney during your stay.

• All NSW TrainLink Intercity services
• All Sydney trains
• All buses in the Sydney, Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Newcastle, Hunter and Illawarra
• All Sydney ferries and Stockton Ferry in Newcastle

To Register or Not Register

If you purchase your Opal Card from a retailer then there is no need to register and you can start using it straightaway which is great however it does mean that you miss out on some of the additional benefits available .

Benefits include;

• Auto Top Up which means when your balance drops below $5 it will automatically top up to a predetermined amount (great to avoid some embarrassing moments on the bus)
• Opal Card Protection means that if your card is lost/stolen then you can have your balance transferred to a new card
• Activity Statement means you can access and download your travel history
• SMS/Email Alerts can be activated for account updates

Opal Card Prices: Topping Up Your Balance

There are a variety of ways to top up your Opal Card balance;

• Online – www.opal.com.au
• Phone – 13 67 25 (13 OPAL)
• Vouchers purchased through retailers

However, the EASIEST option is using the Opal top up machines located in the train stations

Opal Top Up: Daily Cap

One of the best things about using the Opal Card is the daily cap which means that your daily travel will be capped at $16.10  (weekly $50 cap for an adult), perfect for visitors to Sydney who rely on a variety of public transport to get around.

Oh and if you do use the daily cap then you’ll be happy to know that your fare will never exceed $50 for the week and there is also the Sunday Travel Cap which means that all day travel on Sunday is capped at $2.80. 

Weekly Travel Reward

One really cool benefit of using the Opal Card is when you complete 8 journeys between Monday and Sunday then the fares for the rest of the week are half price! The exception is the airport which isn’t included in the half price offer.

Opal Trip Advantage

As a visitor to Sydney you’re probably going to be heading from one side of the city to the other and the best news about that is when you use an Opal card on a single mode of transport and make multiple changes within 60 min of the last time you tapped off then it all counts as a single fare, which is pretty sweet. The only exception to this is using the Manly ferry.

The Opal Card Travel App

And just to make things a little more manageable, the Opal Card has an app which is available on both Android and iOS.

The app allows you to check your balance, top up your Opal Card, plan your journey (perfect for a full day of sightseeing), and keep up to date with any service disruptions.

Sydney Airport Transfers & the Opal Card

There are many ways to get from Sydney International (and Domestic) Airport to the city and back again but the train still remains the simplest option . It is what Roma and I use every time we’ve ever travelled in and out of Sydney, travelling via Central Station. 

Once you clear immigration and customs then all you need to do is follow the signs to the trains and you’ll arrive at the ticket office in no time. The good news is that you can purchase an Opal Card from the ticket windows at both the international and domestic terminals which makes it nice and easy.

The cost of an adult fare from Sydney International Airport is $17.90 and child fare is $14.40 so when you purchase the Opal Card make sure you include a minimum top up amount to cover the airport fare. Children under 4 travel for free.

The reason why airport train fares are much higher than the rest of the line is because the fare includes an extra surcharge called a Station Access Fee . The Station Access Fee for an adult is $14.90 and for a child is $13.20. Standard train fare is much more affordable as no other station attracts this Station Access fee surcharge.

Final Thoughts

The Opal Card has been running in Sydney since 2013 with more services added in the following years and it’s at a stage now where it now the dedicated public transport service across Sydney and the greater NSW area.

This means that if you’re planning a visit to Sydney and intend on using public transport on getting around then you’re going to need to get yourself an Opal Card. But hopefully now after reading this post you can see that the Opal Card system is easy to use , easy to manage, and will get you to where you want to go.

And if you’re looking for some great suggestions on where to visit in Sydney then make sure you check out Roma’s post on her favourite places in Sydney

Have you visited Sydney?  Did you use the Opal Card?

Born and raised in Sydney Australia and currently based in London, I absolutely love exploring the UK and Europe at every opportunity. It still thrills me that all it takes is an hour flight to be in a new country with a completely different history, language, food, and culture that is just waiting to be experienced. We started our blog, Roaming Required, as a way to keep in contact with family and friends, and over the last 10 years, the blog has grown and evolved and it remains a real passion project. We've travelled a lot in the 10 years living in London and there's still plenty more to experience. So, why not join us for the adventure and come roam with us!

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Comments (2)

Hey, Russell. Welcome back to Sydney! This is such a comprehensive guide about the Opal card. I have been using it as well and it is really convenient to have. It is also easy to use like you said.

Thanks for the warm welcome back, Glen! We had a wonderful trip back to Sydney, a great trip home! I’m really glad to hear that you enjoyed my post on the Opal Card, just made it so easy to get around. Thanks so much for the kind comment.

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NSW government announces Opal fare increase with cheaper Friday fares

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Posted: 20 September 2023 | Intelligent Transport | No comments yet

The NSW government’s annual Opal fare adjustments, commencing in October 2023, will introduce a 3.7% increase, with the added benefit of discounted Friday fares.

Credit: Transport for New South Wales

In an effort to ensure sustainable public transportation services and alleviate the financial strain on commuters, the New South Wales (NSW) government has announced that Opal fares will undergo an annual price rise, starting from 16 October 2023. However, this increase has been strategically planned to be less than the rate of inflation, with additional perks such as substantial discounts on Fridays.

Fares across the Opal network will see an average increase of 3.7%, equating to less than $1 extra per week for the average commuter. According to the NSW government, this measured increase has been designed to minimise the impact on passengers’ wallets and it has been delayed to ensure they remain below the latest annual Sydney consumer price index movement of 7% in the June 2023 quarter.

Furthermore, one of the most significant changes that has been introduced is the extension of cheaper weekend fares to include Fridays. This means that travellers can enjoy a 30% fare discount on Metro, train, bus and light rail services when journeying on Fridays. The all-day travel cap for these trips will be capped at $8.90, while Child/Youth and Concession passengers will have a reduced fare cap of $4.45 for all-day Opal travel.

The weekly travel cap , however, remains unchanged at $50 for adults and $25 for concession cardholders and children. Seniors and pensioners will continue to enjoy their daily cap of $2.50.

Intelligent Transport Podcast Episode 24 – Katherine Conrad, NEORide

The decision to discontinue half-price trips after eight journeys is based on Opal data, which indicates that nearly 90% of passengers do not reach this cap. With more people adopting flexible work arrangements and commuting fewer days a week, the introduction of cheaper Friday fares is expected to benefit a larger number of commuters.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen said: “Every weekend will soon be a long weekend when it comes to Opal fares, as we make Friday travel cheaper for everyone. Trimming the cost of visiting the city, be it for work, shopping, or enjoying a day and night out on the town.

“We know people are having trouble paying the bills. That’s why we’ve made sure that the average fare increase will see an average difference of just $1 to a passenger’s weekly fare.”

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A Simple Visitor’s Guide on How to Use an Opal Card in Sydney

If you are visiting Sydney without a car, then you are going to need to know how to use a Sydney Opal card, as it is the most cost-effective and simplest way to get around Sydney on public transport.

Please note, that this guide is for visitors/ new residents to Sydney and is not intended to provide comprehensive information for local users with complex questions,  I would suggest consulting the official  Opal website  in this instance. However, if you’re a tourist visiting Sydney this quick guide will cover everything you need to know.

If you are travelling from the UK to Australia, then the Opal card is Sydney’s version of the Oyster card, commonly used in London.   It is essentially an electronic ticketing system.

A Quick Guide on the Sydney Opal Card

How Does the Sydney Opal Card Work?  

Where to Buy An Opal Card In Sydney?  

You can buy an Opal card in Sydney either from retail outlets or online. There are over  2000 retailers that sell Opal cards .  

The primary locations for visitors to purchase Opal cards include:  

Sydney Airport 

You can buy an Opal card at WH Smith or Newslink at both international and domestic terminals in Sydney Airport. You will need to buy an Opal Card if you are considering using the train/bus to get to the city when you first arrive.

If you buy your Opal card at Sydney Airport, the minimum top-up fee is $35. This is because Sydney Airport station is privately owned and therefore a station access fee is charged going to and from this station in addition to the train fare.

❗️The Sydney Airport Station Access Fee is $16.68 for adults ($14.92 for Child Opal Card holders). You will need to load up your card to cover this fee plus the cost of your journey. Hence the minimum top-up fee of $35.

Near City Train Stations

If you are thinking they must sell Opal cards at the train station, think again! The only train stations that sell Opal cards are the two Sydney Airport Stations.

However, most train stations have a convenience store either inside or near the train station where you can buy a card. 

Supermarkets/ Newsagents/ Convenience stores

Many news agencies and convenience stores such as 7Eleven, which are heavily located around the city and suburbs sell Opal cards. Look for the Opal card sticker in shop windows for an easy way to identify if they sell Opal cards or provide top-ups.  You can buy Opal cards at Woolworths, which is a great place to top up.  

Be aware that many retailers have credit card fees for purchases under a certain amount, this is common in Australia. To avoid these extra fees, you should top-up your Opal card above the amount.  

❗️Good to Know:

• Opal cards are not available to purchase directly on the bus. 
• Opal machines at train stations and ferry wharves only sell single-use tickets.  

How Much Does a Sydney Opal Card Cost?

The Opal card is a free public transport card that you pre-load money onto so you can travel on all transport systems (bus, trains, ferries, light rail) within Sydney in a convenient way. 

❗️If you are visiting Sydney for a few days and are looking to see lots of sights, we recommend starting with a balance of $35 (or $60 if using the train station at Sydney airport), which will be enough for a couple of days’ travel when you take into account the Opal daily spending cap (explained in detail below).

Do I Have To Register My Opal Card?

Opal Cards bought online are registered at the point of purchase however, if you buy your Opal card from a retailer, the card will not be registered.   

If you bought your card from a retailer and wish to register your Card, then you can do so on the Opal website.

There is no need to register your card  however,  you will miss out on some additional benefits if you do not register  such as:

Can I use my Credit or Debit Card Instead of Buying an Opal Card?

❗️If you are an overseas traveller, please note that you may be charged an overseas transaction fee by your home bank. Therefore I would always recommend that tourists/visitors to Sydney buy an Opal card.

Can you get an Opal Card As a Tourist?

Yes, visitors to Sydney are entitled to an Opal card.

There are five different types of Opal Cards in Sydney. As a visitor, you will only be entitled to either an Adult Opal Card or a Child Opal Card. 

Everyone over the age of 4 years old will need their own Opal card to travel.  Children under four years of age travel for free on public transport.  

❗️You cannot use an Opal Card or credit/debit card for more than one person at any one time due to the nature of tapping on and off transport.  

The only other type of Opal card you may encounter is the Opal single trip ticket and as the name implies, it is to be used on one single tap on/tap off journey. They are valid on the day of purchase only.

As a visitor to Sydney, you are not going to get much use out of single tip tickets, so you are better off getting set up with an Opal card.  

How to Use the Sydney Opal Card to Tap on and Tap off Public Transport

Using an Opal card in Sydney is very simple and is a case of taping on and off when you travel.

You will need to tap on the Opal touchpads located at the entrance gates of train stations, ferry terminals and at the exits on buses and light rail services. Simply hold your card over the reader and wait for the light to go green, you will hear a beep when it works.

The reader also tells you when your balance is running low and when you don’t have enough funds for the trip.

When you have arrived at your destination, you need to remember to tap off to pay the correct fare. You will normally hear a chiming noise when it has worked correctly.  The Opal card system will automatically deduct the fare amount from your card when the journey is completed.  

❗️ If you forget to tap off, you will be charged the maximum fare for that journey.  In this instance, you can contact Opal who may reverse this charge for you.

What If You Are Changing Buses, Ferries Or Trains?

You need to tap off when exiting train stations however, you do not need to tap off when you are changing trains.

So for example, if you are going from Circular Quay to Bondi Junction. You would tap on at Circular Quay, and change trains at Town Hall (no taping on/off required because you are not leaving the train station). When you arrive at Bondi Junction you will tap off as this is where your journey ends.  

For ferries, it’s relatively the same process. You will tap on when you arrive at the wharf and tap off when you leave.

For buses, you will be taping on and off each bus you get onto. The Opal Card network knows that you are changing buses if you do so within 60 minutes   and therefore will calculate your trip as one journey instead of two trips.  

Where Can I Use An Opal Card In Sydney? 

The Opal card can be used widely in the Sydney central business district area (city centre) and the metropolitan area on all public transport.  It can be used on Trains, Buses, Light Rail and Ferries. 

Can You Use The Opal Card For Areas Outside Sydney? 

The Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Hunter, Southern Highlands and Illawarra are areas outside of Sydney Metropolitan Transport for which you can use your Opal Card in NSW.   

Recharging your Opal Card and Checking the Balance

When you tap on/off your balance is displayed on the card reader’s screen every time you use your card. However, the most convenient way to check your Opal Card balance and top-up is to download the  Opal Travel App , which most people living in Sydney use.  

You can also top-up your Opal card online or by phone on 13 67 25.  

The Opal Card Travel App

The Opal Card Travel App is available on both Android and iOS platforms. I highly recommend downloading it for several reasons: 

Can You Get A Refund Of Your Unused Opal Card Balance? 

Whilst it is possible to get a refund for any unused balance remaining on your Opal card, it is not an easy process. You can only get a refund to an Australian bank account and therefore if you are a tourist/ visitor to Sydney, I would suggest you only top up your card with the amount required for your journey.  

Opal cards are valid for 9 years,  so you could even use the remaining balance if you decide to come back to visit Sydney!  

If you don’t think you’ll be back, why not hand it to a fellow traveller or local, a nice random act of kindness to finish your trip!  

Understanding Opal Card Travel Discounts

I always recommend that anyone coming to Sydney should get an Opal card as it is the cheapest, most convenient way to travel. Plus, there are discounts you will benefit from by using an Opal card.   

Daily, Weekly And Weekend Caps 

With an adult Opal card, you can travel around Sydney as much as you want on the train, metro, bus, ferry and light rail services. The fares are capped at the maximum amounts you will pay, and therefore you will never pay more than the following: 

Therefore, if you reach your cap you are essentially travelling for free thereafter. Great for anyone wanting to see all the sights around Sydney .

Please note, that the Sydney Airport Station access fee is not included in the above caps. 

❗️You can use an Opal Card to visit the Blue Mountains – do this at the weekend to get real value for money!

Opal Transfer Discount

$2 discount when you switch between metro/train, ferry, bus, or light rail within 60 minutes of the last tap-off as part of one journey. Child Opal card holders get a $1 discount.

30% discount on fares for off-peak travel

Peak times are below:.

Not available with Opal single ticket

Opal Trip Advantage 

If you are visiting Sydney as a tourist, then you are probably going to be heading from one side of the city to the other; luckily when you use your Opal card on a single mode of transport and make multiple changes within 60 minutes of your last tap off, it will all be counted as a single journey (rather than multiple small trips) and so you will be only charged one fare.

Manly Ferry is the only exception to the Opal Trip Advantage, where the transfer time is 130 mins from the first tap-on.

How to Top-Up Opal Card and Check Your Opal Card Balance

When you tap on/off your balance is displayed on the card reader’s screen every time you use your card. However, the most convenient way to check your Opal Card balance and top-up is to download the Opal Travel App , which most people live in Sydney use.  

You can top-up your opal card online, via the app or by phone on 136725.  There are also top-up stations at some train stations.

Arriving at Sydney Airport and Getting to the City using the Opal Card

There are various ways to get from Sydney Airport to the city, but the most convenient way is by train and it is the option I always take when arriving in Sydney. 

Once you have cleared immigration and customs, follow the signs which will lead you to the train ticket office. Opal cards are available to purchase from the ticket windows at both international and domestic terminals.  

When you enter or exit the train station at Sydney Airport, a station access fee is charged, on top of your train fee. 

Important note: The Opal 60-minute transfer, which counts tap on/offs as one journey, does not apply at the airport. Therefore if you tap off at the airport and tap on again within 60 minutes you will be charged two station access fees as well as two journeys. 

What to do if your Opal Card is lost/ stole n

If your Opal card is registered, you will be able to log into your account online or through the app and lock your card. This ensures that any remaining balance on the card is frozen and you can transfer the balance over to a new card.

Final Thoughts  

Ultimately, if you plan on visiting Sydney or are moving to Sydney permanently and do not intend to buy a car in Australia , I advise you to get an Opal card as this is what most locals use. Hopefully, this guide on how to use an Opal card in Sydney has made you realise that the Opal system is easy to use, convenient and the most cost-effective way to travel.

Sydney Opal Card FAQs

Can two people use the same, opal card.

No, two people can’t use the same Opal card at the same time, due to the need to tap on/ tap off. 

Do Opal Cards Expire?

Yes, Opal cards will eventually expire, however, you have nine years to use the credit on your card. 

Can the NSW opal card be used in Queensland?

No, the Opal card is exclusive to New South Wales. The travel card in Queensland is called a Go Card. The travel card is called Myki in Victoria, Metrocard in Adelaide, SmartRider in Perth, Greencard in Tasmania and MyWay in Canberra.

Travel Expert

Chloe Scorgie, the creative force behind Passport Down Under, offers an insider's perspective on relocating and exploring Australia. A British expatriate who made the leap to Australia in 2022, she leverages her firsthand experiences to guide and inspire others embarking on a similar journey. Her experience of navigating the complexities of moving to Australia with a young child adds a unique and relatable perspective for families. From finding the best beaches for surfing to understanding the intricacies of emigration, Chloe's insights are invaluable for anyone considering an Australian adventure, particularly those with young families.

Passport Down Under has proudly featured in major publications such as BBC Travel, Go!Banking Rates, Yahoo! Finance and Best Life Online.

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Transport for nsw introducing $50 weekly travel cap for opal.

The New South Wales Government will start placing a weekly cost cap of $50 on Opal cards from Monday June 24.

The new cap is about 20 per cent lower than the current cap of $63.20 a week, and is expected to save public transport users up to $686 a year. These savings will also extend to users of the recently launched North West Metro, saving $563 a year for an adult customer travelling to and from Tallawong station and Central five days a week.

Examples of regular weekly commuters who could save $686 a year under the new plans include those travelling from Meadowban to Barangaroo via ferry, Tuggerah to Central and Kiama to Sutherland routes.

State premier Gladys Berejiklian said that the new cap would help to ease cost pressures for around 55,000 customers across NSW public transport services (including ferries).

Caps for concession holders will also be reduced as part of the plans. Opal card benefits such as weekly travel rewards and transfer discounts will also survive the new cap.

“We want to make public transport more affordable and that is why we are lowering the cap,” Ms Berejiklian said. “From Monday adults will pay no more than $50 a week and the concession cap will also be reduced from $31.60 to $25 a week.”

State transport minister Andrew Constance added that from Monday fares would rise in line with inflation at 1.9 per cent as opposed to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) recommendation  of 4.2 per cent.

“This means catching the train, bus, ferry, metro or light rail is still a much cheaper option than driving,” he said.

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Backpacking in Australia

• Visiting the Blue Mountains by Train from Sydney

The Blue Mountains in Australia is a popular Sydney day trip destination, but my biggest tip for visiting the National Park is to NOT take a day trip from Sydney!  The Blue Mountains are well worth spending more time here – several days if you can – in order to make the most of this beautiful place.  If you’re considering a Blue Mountains day tour, let me share my tips for visiting the Blue Mountains by train from Sydney, including my pick of the best things to do in the Blue Mountains to keep you busy for several days.  

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What & Where is the Blue Mountains National Park?

Let’s begin with the basics.  The Blue Mountains National Park is part of the UNESCO-protected Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, in the New South Wales region of Australia, to the west of Sydney. The park covers more than 260,000 hectares and is the most visited national park in New South Wales.

If you’re wondering how the Blue Mountains got their name it is because the vast number of Eucalyptus trees in the park release droplets of oil, which together with dust and water vapour create a mist that hangs over the trees.  When the hot Sydney sunshine comes into contact with the mist, the light bounces off the droplets and creates a blue haze.

How Long Should You Spend in the Blue Mountains? 

While a Blue Mountains day trip from Sydney might be a popular option for many people, I have to tell you that is a HUGE mistake!  There are far too many things to do in the Blue Mountains to cram into one day, so do yourself a favour and book at least one or two nights here to explore.

I spent 4 nights here and it wasn’t enough, so I would recommend at least two days in the Blue Mountains at a minimum, with three days being more comfortable – especially taking into account the journey time from Sydney if you come by train.

Everything I’ve mentioned below is based within a relatively small area, centred around Katoomba and Leura, it doesn’t even take into account any activities around Blackheath like the popular Govetts Leap, or anything in the Greater Blue Mountains area, so this really just scratches the surface.

The point is that however long you spend here it should definitely be more than a day!

A Blue Mountains Day Tour vs Train

If you can only spare one day in the Blue Mountains then either you should be prepared to get up early and take the train first thing in the morning to get you to the Blue Mountains early enough to make the most of the day, or take a Blue Mountains tour from Sydney which will include bus or coach transport. 

However, instead of actually spending a full day in the Blue Mountains, the day tours only spend a few hours there.  Tours usually include a visit to Echo Point to see the Three Sisters and a ticket to Scenic World, perhaps followed by lunch in Leura, then the tours leave the Blue Mountains to visit a wildlife park close to Sydney and finish with a ferry trip on the river. 

While you will get to see Scenic World and the Three Sisters (the top attractions in the Blue Mountains), you will miss out on all of the other incredible things to do in the Blue Mountain National Park.  However, if you don’t have any more time to spare a tour will whizz you around and get you back to Sydney quickly and easily.

These are some of the highest-rated Blue Mountains tours depending on what you want to include. 

• From Sydney: Blue Mountains Full-Day Trip with Cruise : Includes a visit to Featherdale Wildlife Park, Echo Point, three rides at Scenic World and a cruise on the Parramatta River to Circular Quay in Sydney.  There are various other tours with very similar itineraries to choose from, but this one has the most positive reviews.

From Sydney: Blue Mountains, Scenic World All-Inclusive Tour : Another highly rated and popular tour which is a small, all-inclusive tour to the Blue Mountains on a day trip from Sydney with a guide. The tour includes a visit to Scenic World, the Three Sisters, Wildlife Park or zoo, lunch and a ferry cruise all in one day.

• From Sydney: Blue Mountains Nature and Wildlife Tour : Includes a visit to Featherdale Wildlife Park, Echo Point, and a guided bushwalk in the Blue Mountains to see a waterfall and lookout point instead of the rides at Scenic World.

From Sydney: Blue Mountains Aboriginal Experience Day Tour : This unique Blue Mountains Tour allows you to discover the cultural roots of Australia’s First Nation People on an Aboriginal Tour. The expert Aboriginal guide will share local mythology and enlighten you on native bush foods and medicines during a 2-hour Catherine’s Walk through the Blue Mountains National Park.  

FIND MORE BLUE MOUNTAINS TOURS

Blue Mountains Day Trip by Train

If you are backpacking Australia on a budget or prefer to travel independently then getting to the Blue Mountains by train from Sydney is straightforward and cheap.  It is possible to do a day trip to the Blue Mountains by train, but it will mean a very early start (which is totally worth it!) and a late return back to Sydney, so spending more time here is better if you can.

How to Get to the Blue Mountains by Train from Sydney

When travelling independently, the best way to get to the Blue Mountains from Sydney is by train.  The Sydney to Blue Mountains Trains run regularly on the BMT Blue Mountains Trainline from Sydney Central Station and take around two hours to Katoomba. 

The trains are double-decker, with a few seats on the same level as you walk through the door, then with steps up and down to get to the main seating areas on the top or bottom level.  The trains I took were clean and safe, and excellent value.

I loved the public transport system in Sydney, as you can just use a contactless credit card to swipe as you go onto the train platform and swipe off again as you get off the train.  You can also buy an individual single ticket (which costs a bit more) or swipe on and off using an Opal Card which you might have if you’re spending a long time in Sydney.

The journey from Sydney to the Blue Mountains by train works like this too, you can just use a contactless credit card to swipe on and off the train and that will calculate the cost of your trip and deduct it from your bank account automatically.  Just make sure you remember to swipe off when you get off the train otherwise you’ll be charged the maximum possible fare for your trip!

Visiting the Blue Mountains by train is a cheap and eco-friendly way to travel, with tickets costing less than $10 each way.  Services arrive or depart from Central Station platforms 1 to 15.  Currently, the first train from Sydney to Blue Mountains destinations leaves at 4.22am and is due to arrive in Katoomba 2 hours later at 6.22am.  You can check the up-to-date Blue Mountains train timetable here .

When I visited there were maintenance works going on along the train line and replacement buses were used for part of the journey so it took longer than usual to get to and from Katoomba.  Plan your trip on the Transport NSW website here .

You can also use your Opal card or contactless card for the public buses in Katoomba, as well as the train.  This means that the train and buses in the Blue Mountains are included in the travel caps for the Opal card or contactless card payments for public transport in Sydney. 

As of February 2024, During the week the travel cap is $17.80 a day for an adult, and if you travel at the weekend the travel cap is just $8.90 a day for an adult and $4.45 for a child. 

So, you can take the train to the Blue Mountains then take all of the buses you want and it won’t cost you any more than $16.80 a day during the week or $8.90 per day at the weekend – bargain!

NB – If you are travelling directly to the Blue Mountains from Sydney Airport, the travel cap doesn’t apply for the journey from the airport as that is a more expensive route and charged differently.  I bought a single Opal card ticket for my trip from Sydney Airport to the Blue Mountains and it cost me $27.20.  I didn’t realise it at the time but just using my credit card to swipe on and off the train would have been cheaper.  Ah well!

Getting Around the Blue Mountains By Public Transport

If you come to the Blue Mountains by train on a day trip or for a longer stay and don’t have a car there are a few options for getting around the Blue Mountains on public transport by train, bus and the Hop on Hop off Bus service, as well as hiking along the many walking trails.  

Blue Mountains Trains from Town to Town 

Once you arrive at your chosen destination, you can also take the train between the towns in the Blue Mountains.  Some stations are very convenient, like Katoomba and Leura stations, which are close to the main streets.  Others such as Wentworth Falls are further away from the town and attractions, so you might find the buses to be more suitable.

The buses also run more frequently, usually every 30 minutes or so whereas the train service is generally one per hour, so factor that into your planning too.

Public Buses in Katoomba

Public buses can take you almost everywhere you’ll need to go, and you just use your contactless credit card to swipe on and off the buses.  As I mentioned earlier there are transport price caps in place throughout the Greater Sydney area, and buses in the Blue Mountains are included in that.

You can check the Blue Mountains bus routes here , some popular routes include: 

The 686 bus which goes from Katoomba to Scenic World via Echo Point (Loop Service) – check the timetable here

695   Katoomba to South Leura (Loop Service) – check the timetable here

685   Katoomba to North Wentworth Falls (Loop Service) – check the timetable here .

There is also a taxi service in Katoomba too (Katoomba Taxis: 02 4782 1311) if you do get stuck!

Blue Mountains Explorer Bus Hop on Hop off 

The Blue Mountains Explorer Hop on Hop off bus ticket is decent value if you’re staying for a few days.  The ticket is usually valid for one day but you can extend it to cover the duration of your stay for free if you ask at the ticket office. 

Children also ride for free when travelling with an adult so it’s a great option if you’re visiting the Blue Mountains with kids.  Make sure you sit at the top on the left-hand side of the bus for the best views during the route.  

I’d recommend booking your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment – the prices are the same on GetYourGuide as they are on the official website, but booking through GYG means I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you which helps me to maintain this website and keep content free for you!

The ticket doubles as a guidebook with suggestions and directions for walks at many of the stops.  Tickets also include live commentary from the bus drivers as you trundle around the Blue Mountains, and there are some discounts available at selected local attractions, hotels and cafes too.

Blue Mountains Hop on Hop Off Tickets

Prices start from $29 AUD per adult, for a one hour sightseeing tour without getting off the bus, or $49 AUD for a full day hop on hop off bus ticket, which you can extend for free to use throughout your stay.  I got the full-day pass >>>CHECK DETAILS HERE

The downside is that the first bus leaves Katoomba station at 9am, and runs on the hour until the last bus leaves at 4pm, so you need to time your days carefully to make the most of the buses and avoid getting stranded!  To make the most of the pass make sure you’re in Katoomba before 9am ready for the first bus.  

If you do miss the last bus in most cases you can hop on a local bus which run a bit later, but check to make sure they are available when and where you want them – Google maps is pretty accurate when it comes to that, or see the timetables I’ve linked to above. 

Combined Scenic World and Hop on Hop Off Bus Ticket

If you plan to visit Scenic World you can also get a combined ticket to include the Blue Mountains Explorer Hop on Hop Off Bus and and entry ticket to Scenic World. >>>CHECK DETAILS & PRICES

Where to Stay in the Blue Mountains

I know you might have come here looking for information about a day trip to the Blue Mountains but I will say again that it really is worth spending the night here to explore more of this beautiful area.

There are some great places to stay in the Blue Mountains, and I recommend staying in Katoomba, as that is a central place to base yourself, close to the major attractions in the Blue Mountains.  Katoomba is a nice little town with lots of shops and restaurants and an excellent selection of street art too! 

The train from Sydney to Katoomba takes around 2 hours and Katoomba is a good transport hub with regular buses and trains to other Blue Mountains destinations, as well as the Blue Mountains Hop On Hop Off Bus.

Unique Blue Mountains Accommodation  

No. 14 lovel st.

I stayed at No. 14 Lovel St which is a lovely eco-friendly guesthouse in Katoomba with a mix of private rooms and shared dorms.  It is a great choice if you are looking for unique accommodation in the Blue Mountains or are visiting the Blue Mountains on a budget – I loved my stay here and definitely recommend it.  Keep an eye open for my full review coming soon!

No. 14 Lovel St was first built in 1913 and still has some original features, and is painted bright yellow to welcome you home with a smile on your face!  It’s about 10 minutes’ walk from Katoomba train station, located at number 14 Lovel Street in case you hadn’t guessed!

There is a fully equipped kitchen (including oven and pizza trays), a group dining area with sofas, a cosy library, and a terrace for chilling out and getting to know fellow guests.  You can choose to book a dorm bed, a private room or even the whole house for a fabulous stay in the Blue Mountains. 

No. 14 is run by Annette and Gavin, who I met at a hostel conference back in 2019, and they invited me to stay for a few days and made me feel right at home.  From chatting with other guests I wasn’t the only one getting the “family” treatment, as Annette would offer to drive people to the train station or into town, as well as sharing her wealth of knowledge about the area.

Annette clearly knows her stuff, so much so that she actually wrote a book about the Blue Mountains called OUT OF THE BLUE , which you can buy at the guesthouse, online or at various outlets around the Blue Mountains to properly prepare for your Blue Mountains trip.  

Blue Mountains Hotels

If you prefer a little more luxury you might prefer to stay at one of these hotels in Katoomba:

The Carrington Hotel

If you like classic hotels, The Carrington is a heritage-listed refurbished manor offering elegant rooms and old-style glamour in the lounge.  Breakfast is included in the rate and you have lots of places to eat in Katoomba to choose from for your other meals as well as the bar and restaurant on-site.

CHECK PRICES & AVAILABILITY

Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort & Spa

Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort & Spa is a grand country house just a few minutes’ walk from the Three Sisters viewpoint at Echo Point.  There is a spa on-site (reservations recommended) so you can have some R&R after a long day hiking!  It’s a 25-minute walk from the station so I’d advise a bus or taxi journey to and from the hotel.

The Best Things to Do in the Blue Mountains

Now to convince you to spend longer than a day in the Blue Mountains!  As I mentioned earlier there are so many fabulous activities and attractions in the Blue Mountains that you could stay here for a week and still not do everything.  Here is my pick of the top things to do in the Blue Mountains for you to choose from:

Scenic World

The top attraction in the Blue Mountains is Scenic World. All of the day tours to the Blue Mountains come here and it’s definitely worth a visit BUT it gets very busy, so you’ll want to get here as soon as it opens to beat the crowds and so you can be first on all the rides!

The Unlimited Discovery Pass day ticket to Scenic World includes as many times on the rides as you like that day, so take your time and make the most of it, especially if you are spending a weekend or several days in the Blue Mountains.

Prices start from $50 AUD per adult, with child tickets starting from $30 (kids under 3 go free).  Entry times vary from 9am to 10am, with closing times between 4p, amd 5pm.

BUY YOUR TICKETS ONLINE

I suggest buying your ticket online , either individually from Scenic World or as part of your Hop on Hop Off Bus Pass.

This means you can catch the first Blue Mountains Hop On Hop Off Explorer Bus at 9am (or taking a public bus) to get there as close as you can to opening time at 9am or 10am depending on that day’s opening times.  If it opens at 10am then you could go to the Three Sisters first although it might start to get busy by the time you arrive here.

Whenever you do arrive, jump off the bus at Skyway East Station where you can take the Skyway cable car across the Valley to the main entrance and pick up your Scenic World wristband.

Take a peek through the glass floor of the Skyway and get incredible views of Katoomba Falls and Mount Solitary as you cross the valley.

Once officially inside Scenic World, head over to the Blue Mountains Scenic Railway to go down into the valley on the steepest railway in the world (which is more like a roller-coaster than a train!)  Getting here early gives you a good chance to bag the front seat like we did, or wait a while to choose your favourite spot.

Down in the valley take a walk around the wooden pathways, learning about the mining history here – and spot dinosaurs along the way.  I think the dinosaurs are a temporary exhibit but there is usually something to keep kids of all ages entertained.

We took the cableway back up which seemed to be what everyone else did too so that was quite busy, then we stayed on to go back down into the valley and get a better spot by the window, and took the scenic train back up – again getting a seat at the front!

It was getting busy by this time but I was so glad to have had a whole morning here to get the best out of everything.  Keep an eye on the time so you can be back at the bus stop either for the 11.17 am or 12.17 pm Hop on Hop Off Bus depending on how long you spend here.  Alternatively, if you finish before that check the public bus timetables.

Scenic World has also recently launched Indigenous Experiences where you can discover Gundungurra Country with an indigenous guide and learn more about the culture of the people who lived here long before white settlers arrived.  Tickets for this special tour are limited and include all Scenic World rides and time to enjoy the rest of the park after your tour.   >>>CHECK DETAILS AND PRICES

Echo Point Lookout & The Three Sisters

The Three Sisters is a striking rock formation, made up of three stone towers standing in a row on the tip of a cliff and is probably the most famous place in the Blue Mountains along with Scenic World.

If you’re taking the Hop On Hop Off bus, the first bus is at 9am from Katoomba and I’d recommend either getting off at stop 6 (Honeymoon Lookout) and following part of the Prince Henry Cliff Walk path to the Three Sisters and Echo Point Lookout, or just going straight to Echo Point to see the Three Sisters as that’s the most popular stop.

Alternatively, if you visit Scenic World first, take the bus around the loop from Scenic World to get you back here.

There are several viewpoints here to enjoy the beautiful scenery as you look out onto Jamison Valley.  Queen Elizabeth Lookout just underneath Echo Point was my favourite, but follow the trails and see where they take you. 

If you’re feeling energetic you can descend the Giant Stairway but as its name suggests there are A LOT of stairs to head down into the valley.

Hiking in the Bue Mountains

There are some fantastic hikes in the Blue Mountains, taking in clifftop trails, walking through the Jamison Valley or exploring waterfalls and lookouts.  If you are into hiking then you are spoilt for choice here!

There are Blue Mountains walking trails suitable for all ages abilities, from flat paved boardwalks to beautiful viewpoints, to steep steps into and back out of the valley.  My knees couldn’t handle heading down into the valley on foot, but if you have some major hiking in mind then you’ll need to allocate more time to hiking and less to exploring – or spend even longer here!

Some of the hikes take less than an hour, whereas others can take all day depending on your fitness levels and stamina.  If you set out to do some hiking and head down into the valley, if you can’t face the walk back up the steps then you could buy a ticket for Scenic World to transport you back up!

TOP TIP: Before you head out on any hikes, check to make sure the trails and Blue Mountains lookouts you want to visit are open – with the fires and floods over the best couple of years some trails are sadly closed until they can be made safe again.

Katoomba Falls & Katoomba Cascades

One of my favourite easy walks in the Blue Mountains was an accessible pathway to Katoomba Cascades and the viewpoints to see Katoomba Falls and Orphan Rock.  You can get here either by walking along the Prince Henry Cliff Walk from Scenic World or Echo Point, or hop off the bus at Cliff Road Lookout and walk there from the road.

From the Cliff Road Lookout, follow the path to the Cascades.  Here you can get a close up view of the waterfall as it tumbles down the rocks.  There are stepping stones to get across the water, or a bridge if you’re not feeling brave enough!  

Follow the pathway alongside Kedumba Creek to a selection of Lookouts, including the Duke and Duchess of York Lookout and the Watchtower Lookout where you have great views of the valley and the Skyway Cable Car, and to Katoomba Falls Lookout for a lovely view of Katoomba Falls as it tumbles into the valley.

The pathway and Katoomba Cascades are also lit up for evening walks so you can watch the sunset from the lookouts and walk back after dark, something you definitely can’t do on a Blue Mountains day trip!  I loved walking along the path among the greenery, and the view from the Katoomba Falls Lookout as the sun set and the Sulphur Crested Cockatoos squawked below us before coming in to roost.

Join a Jewellery Making Class

Did you know you can also take a jewellery-making workshop in the Blue Mountains?  I joined Fran at Ladybird Design Creative to make some gorgeous silver earrings which I am so proud of!  I loved the whole process, from designing what the earrings would look like to cutting and shaping the silver and adding a flourish of coloured beads.

Fran offers various creative workshops from silver jewellery (earrings, a ring or pendant) and sip and paint classes, to making beeswax wraps in her home and studio in Wentworth Falls.  Check the website for private classes or to see what workshops she has running while you’re in town.

Explore Street Art in Katoomba

Katoomba has a lot of street art to explore on Beverly Place and around the Cultural Centre, as well as a gorgeous mural in the tunnel under the train line.

Beverly Place is home to the Katoomba Street Art Walk, which makes use of the back side of buildings which would normally be quite an ugly area and turns it into something dynamic and beautiful, with all sorts of graffiti designs and murals.

Be sure to take a walk around The Gully, which used to be an Aboriginal settlement before the people were evicted and their homes destroyed to make way for a race track.  It has now been officially recognised as an Aboriginal Place where you can take an Interpretive Walk and learn about the people who used to live there.

The Gully is about 10 minutes’ walk from central Katoomba and is a nice break if you want some peace and quiet.

Birdwatching in the Blue Mountains

One of my favourite things about hiking and being in nature is spotting the wildlife in the area.  The birds in Australia are so different to the ones I know from the UK, so seeing even common Australian birds was fascinating for me.

The Blue Mountains is home to the lyrebird, which is known for its ability to mimic sounds and for the male’s impressively long tail plumage.  I think I may have spotted a female but the closest I got to a male was hearing noises around me and spotting this statue!

I did however see plenty of white sulphur-crested cockatoos, and a black cockatoo, as well as a bright red and blue Crimson Rosella, and some pink Galahs.  You might also see a wedge-tailed eagle and a variety of other birds as you explore – don’t forget to bring some binoculars if you are keen to spot everything you can!  

Stargazing 

One of the best things to do in the Blue Mountains at night is to gaze up at the stars.  I was hoping to do this on my last day in the Blue Mountains but sadly the weather ruined that plan, it was too cloudy and rainy to see anything so the tour was cancelled.  

Of course, on a clear night you can look up and see the beautiful night sky, but with a star gazing tour like this one you’ll also have access to a professional-grade telescope and someone to explain just what you’re looking at!  You can book a star gazing tour online, the meeting point is at Wentworth Falls so you’ll need to arrange a taxi to get there and back.  

BOOK A STAR-GAZING TOUR

Visiting The Quaint Towns in the Blue Mountains

Leura is a lovely little town with quirky shops and more great Blue Mountains restaurants and cafes.  There are antique and second-hand shops as well as unique stores like Bilingarra – Indigenous Art and Culture, which is well worth a visit for a special souvenir of your time in the Blue Mountains.  They sell a variety of art and handmade items from Aboriginal artists and craftspeople.

If you want to grab some food on the go to eat later, Leura Gourmet is a fabulous deli with some meal options to take away such as spinach and filo pie and tiramisu. 

If you prefer to sit down and eat, I loved Leura Dumplings (next door to Josophan’s Fine Chocolates which sells incredible brownies and chocolates), or how about afternoon tea in a teapot museum at Bygone Beautys ? 

If you can’t stretch to a full afternoon tea, at least treat yourself to a buy-one-get-one-free cream tea, with a serving of two delicious scones, jam and cream and a hot drink, if you have a voucher from the Hop On Hop Off Bus or Annette’s “OUT OF THE BLUE” book.

As well as the street art in Katoomba, it is worth wandering around the town, browsing in the shops and getting something to eat.  There are a couple of supermarkets here to stock up if you want to cook something yourself, or there are some excellent restaurants in Katoomba to choose from too.

For lunch I had a delicious falafel wrap from Cedar Take Away , and you can’t go wrong with a pizza from Station Bar and Woodfired Pizza .  Their delicious pizzas have some unique toppings like saltwater crocodile or roast duck, alongside classic favourites with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available.

If you fancy a drink in the evening you could head to the classic Carrington Hotel for a glass of bubbly in front of the open fire (on a cold day that is delightful!) or have a cocktail or two at Bootlegger Bar, which has a rooftop bar and live music at the weekends.

Other Fun Things to Do in the Blue Mountains

Trust me when I say there is something for everyone here.  While the Blue Mountains is known for hiking and lookout points, you certainly won’t get bored here – even if you don’t want to hike at all!

If you’re feeling adventurous you could try out some of the following Blue Mountains activities that I didn’t have chance to try!

• Abseiling or Canyoning Experience

Blue Mountains 3 Hour Army Truck Adventure

Mountain e-Bike Ride to Hanging Rock

• Blue Mountains 1-Hour Trike Tour of Three Sisters

See what I mean?  There are just too many fabulous things to do in the Blue Mountains to fit into two or three days, let alone a single day trip!  I hope this article has persuaded you to not just take a day trip to the Blue Mountains and has given you some ideas to plan your own Blue Mountains itinerary by train. 

While some places are definitely easier to visit if you have a car, visiting the Blue Mountains by train is a great way to explore the area in an eco-friendly and budget-friendly way!

Want More Australia Travel Ideas?

• 10 Free Things to do in Perth, Western Australia
• 10 Unmissable Day Trips from Perth Western Australia
• My Australia Bucket List: Awesome Places to Visit in Australia before You Die
• How to Travel Australia for Cheap

Hi! I'm Claire Sturzaker, a 30-something foodie traveller who loves to enjoy the best of a destination without breaking the bank. I'm here to help you and all women backpackers to plan their best budget travel adventure. I am an avid supporter of female solo travel, and took my first solo trip 20 years ago! I love to write about travel, hostels, backpacking and van life.

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Ticket prices for the Trans-Siberian Railway also depend on the current ruble exchange rate.

Is the Trans-Siberian Railway expensive?

Before starting on your Trans-Siberian Railway adventure you naturally want to know what the entire trip will cost. Although this sounds like a simple question, it is pretty difficult to answer. The Trans-Siberian Railway price of travel depends on the following factors:

• Which travel class do I want to use? The price for a first class ticket is about three times the price of a 3rd class ticket
• Am I willing to buy the tickets myself and assume responsibility for the organisation of the trip?
• How many stopovers do I want to make? The more breaks, the higher the total price.
• What sort of accommodation do I want? Will it be a luxury hotel or will a hostel dormitory be sufficient?
• What tours and excursions would I like to go on?
• What is the current exchange rate for rubles?

Basically, everything from a luxury to a budget holiday is available. If you buy yourself a 3rd Class nonstop ticket at the counter, a few hundred Euros will cover the price. All you will experience is a week on the Trans-Siberian train and will see nothing of the cities on the way. There is, however, any amount of room for upward expansion. Everyone makes different choices about which aspects they are willing to spend money on. I personally prefer to save money on accommodation and railcar class, visit as many cities and do as many trips as possible. To enable better classification of your travel expenses I have contrasted two typical traveler types. In the third column you can calculate the total cost of your own journey on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Please keep in mind that these are only rough estimations and not exact prices.

The all-in costs seem fairly high at first. However, they cover everything and it is quite a long journey taking four weeks. Many people forget to consider that when looking at the list. We should also deduct the running costs for food and leisure at home. I think most visitors to this page will classify themselves somewhere between the two categories, that is around the € 2,000 – € 2,500 range. When comparing these prices with other travel packages, you get the impression that it is hardly worthwhile travelling individually on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Please keep in mind that most packages last no more than 14 days and you are herded like cattle through the most beautiful locations.

If you spend less time on the Trans-Siberian Railway you will, of course, pay less. I chose this particular travel length because I prefer not to do things by halves. If you fulfill your dream of travelling on the Trans-Siberian Railway, enjoy it and don’t rush things. But it’s up to you, of course. Try playing around with the form a bit to find the appropriate price for your trip.

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Local security forces brought 15 men to a military enlistment office after a mass brawl at a warehouse of the Russian Wildberries company in Elektrostal, Moscow Oblast on Feb. 8, Russian Telegram channel Shot reported .

29 people were also taken to police stations. Among the arrested were citizens of Kyrgyzstan.

A mass brawl involving over 100 employees and security personnel broke out at the Wildberries warehouse in Elektrostal on Dec. 8.

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