How to pay for the Sydney Metro in 2026: Opal card, contactless bank card, daily and weekly caps, and the Sunday $2.80 deal explained.
How to Get the Opal Card & Contactless Payment
Opal card: buy at Sydney Airport stations, convenience stores (7-Eleven), newsagencies, or Opal retail outlets (opal.com.au for pickup locations). Minimum $10 top-up. Or simply tap your contactless bank card/phone, no card purchase needed.
Opal Card & Contactless Payment Benefits
- Contactless bank card or phone works directly, no Opal card needed.
- Daily cap: $50/day, once reached, all further trips are free for the day.
- Sunday cap: $2.80 for all-day unlimited travel (airport surcharge extra).
- Weekly cap: $50 from Monday, after 8 trips, travel is free for the rest of the week.
- Opal card records your trip history and allows fare disputes at opal.com.au.
Fare Reference (AUD)
Payment methods: Opal card · Contactless Visa/Mastercard/Amex · Apple Pay · Google Pay · Samsung Pay.
💡 Tap on with any contactless bank card or phone, no Opal card needed. The daily cap ($50 adult) and Sunday cap ($2.80) make weekend travel extraordinarily cheap. The weekly cap ($50 from Monday) kicks in after 8 trips, making all further rides free for the week.
| Journey | Off-Peak (AUD) | Peak (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Single trip (1–3 zones) | $2.69 | $3.22 |
| Single trip (4–8 zones) | $4.87 | $5.85 |
| Airport surcharge (T1/T2/T3) | $15.40 | $15.40 |
| Daily cap (adult) | $50.00 | $50.00 |
| Sunday cap | $2.80 | $2.80 |
| Weekly cap (Mon–Sun) | $50.00 | $50.00 |
Peak hours: Peak fares: 07:00–09:00 and 16:00–18:30 Mon–Fri. Off-peak: all other times. Airport stations have a $15.40 surcharge (one-way)..
Opal Card & Contactless Payment vs Single-Journey Ticket
| Opal Card & Contactless Payment | Single-Journey Token / Ticket | |
|---|---|---|
| Fare benefit | Contactless bank card or phone works directly, no Opal card needed. | Standard full fare |
| Queue time | Tap and go, no queue | Buy at a machine each time |
| Initial cost | $10 | Journey cost only |
| Best for | Frequent riders | A single one-off journey |
Tips for Using the Opal Card & Contactless Payment
- Tap in and tap out with the same card at every gate. The fare is worked out when you exit.
- Top up before you travel, through the official Sydney Metro app or website where available, or at station machines.
- If you lose the card, contact Transport for NSW. Many systems can move the balance to a new card.
- Travelling to or from the airport? See the airport transfer guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Opal card or contactless bank card?
For most visitors, a contactless bank card or phone is sufficient, no purchase needed and the fares are identical. An Opal card is useful if you want named card trip history, or if your bank card doesn't have contactless. Both get the same daily/weekly caps.
Can I get a refund on my Opal card?
Yes, Opal card balance is refundable at select Opal retailers or by contacting Opal (opal.com.au). There is no card deposit fee. Minimum balance to travel is $0 (you can go into negative). Any remaining balance can be refunded to your bank account.
Do I need a separate card for trains and buses?
No, the Opal card (or contactless bank card) works on Metro, Sydney Trains, light rail, buses, and Manly Ferry all on the same card. One card for all Transport for NSW services.
Does the weekly cap reset on Monday?
Yes, the Opal weekly cap runs Monday to Sunday. It resets at midnight Monday. If you arrive Saturday, Sunday's $2.80 cap applies that day, then the weekly cap starts fresh Monday.
See also: Sydney Metro ticket prices · Airport connection · Full Sydney Metro guide
Source: Transport for NSW. Fares and card terms change from time to time, so verify before travel.