How to Pay
- 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.
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). — trains are busiest during these hours. Fares do not change by time of day, but expect crowded carriages during rush hour.
Fare Table (AUD)
| Distance | Off-Peak | Peak |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Payment Cards & Passes
Opal Card & Contactless Payment Guide
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.
- 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).
Tips to Save Money
- Use the Opal Card & Contactless Payment Guide instead of buying a single-journey ticket every time — it's faster and usually cheaper.
- Travel off-peak — 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).. Fares are lower and trains are less crowded outside these hours.
- The metro is always cheaper than taxis for the airport journey — see the airport connection guide for fares and timings.
- Check the Transport for NSW official website for any promotional passes or tourist cards that may offer unlimited travel for a fixed period.
- Plan journeys using the official app — some operators offer digital tickets that are slightly cheaper than physical tokens.
Fares are indicative and subject to change. Always verify current fares at the Transport for NSW official website.