If you're wondering how to master the Sydney Metro for the first time, where to grab an Opal Card, or which iconic attractions like the Opera House or Bondi Beach each station serves—this guide unlocks it all. Get ready to ride with confidence and uncover the harbor city like a local!
Sydney Metro Map
Sydney Metro is Australia’s first fully automated rail system, revolutionizing urban transport in Greater Sydney since its debut in 2019. Currently spanning two operational lines (Northwest and City & Southwest), it covers 68 km of track and serves 45 stations, with trains running every 4 minutes during peak hours.
How to Take Sydney Metro
If it's your first time in China, taking the subway might seem overwhelming—but there is no need to worry! This guide will make your metro ride smooth and easy.
Plan Your Trip
- Apps & Websites: Download the official Opal Travel app (iOS/Android) or use the Trip Planner on the Transport for NSW website. These tools help you find the best route, departure times, track service disruptions, and calculate fares based on your start and end stations.
- Signage & Maps: At the station, check the large network map displayed near the entrance or on the platform. Look for the distinctive Metro "M" symbol. Station signs and onboard displays clearly show the line direction and next stops.
Pay Your Fare
- The Opal Card is Key: Sydney Metro uses the Opal card system for contactless payments, alongside contactless bank cards and mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay).
- Get an Opal Card: Purchase a physical Opal card at ticket machines in most stations (or convenience stores/newsagents). You can also get a digital Opal card via the Opal Travel app. Top up your card at machines or via the app.
- Tap On & Off: Always tap your Opal card, contactless card, or device on the yellow Opal reader when you enter the station (tap on) and when you exit at your destination station (tap off). This calculates the correct fare automatically based on the distance travelled. Remember to tap off, even when gates are open, to avoid being charged a default maximum fare.
- Opal Benefits: Opal fares offer daily and weekly fare caps, off-peak discounts, and transfers between Metro, trains, buses, and ferries within the Opal network (within the transfer time limit).
Navigate the Station
- Enter: Follow signs marked "Metro". At gated stations, tap your Opal/contactless method to open the gate.
- Find Your Platform: Check signs or electronic displays for the platform heading towards your destination direction (e.g., "Metro North West Line towards Tallawong" or "Metro City & Southwest Line towards Bankstown"). Station staff and customer service points are available for assistance.
- Platform Screen Doors: Wait behind the yellow line on the platform. Fully automated Platform Screen Doors enhance safety and will open when the train arrives and stops.
Board the Train
- Wait & Board: Trains arrive frequently. Allow passengers to exit before boarding through the doors. The doors close automatically.
- Onboard:
- Seating: Priority seating is marked for seniors, those with disabilities, and pregnant travellers. Grab rails are available throughout.
- Displays & Announcements: Digital displays and automated audio announcements clearly state the next stop and destination. Pay attention so you know when to prepare to exit.
Exit & Transfer
- Arriving at Your Stop: Exit through the train doors onto the platform.
- Tap Off: Tap your Opal/contactless card/device on the yellow Opal reader at the station exit gates or on the standalone reader near the exit.
- Transfers: To transfer to another Metro line, train, bus, or ferry, simply tap off at the interchange station and follow signs to your next service. Tap on again when boarding your next vehicle. Transfers within the Opal network within 60 minutes (for adults) usually incur a discounted fare or even zero cost depending on the journey.
Good to Know
- Peak vs. Off-Peak: Peak fares apply on weekdays (6:30 am - 10:00 am and 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm). Travel outside these times is cheaper with Opal.
- Children: Children under 4 travel free. Children 4-15 years qualify for a Child/Youth Opal card with discounted fares.
Sydney Metro Fares
Sydney Metro uses the city-wide Opal fare system, offering integrated travel across metro, trains, buses, ferries, and light rail. The good news? You have two equally convenient ways to pay: Opal Cards or Contactless Credit/Debit Cards/Digital Wallets.
How Fares are Calculated
- Distance-Based: Fares depend on how far you travel (calculated automatically when you tap on and off).
- Capped Daily/Weekly Fares: Your fare caps after reaching a set amount per day (Monday–Sunday) or week (Monday–Sunday).
- Adult Daily Cap: 18.80(Mon−Fri),16.80 (Sat), $8.40 (Sun/public holidays).
- Adult Weekly Cap: $50.00 (After 8 paid journeys Mon-Sun, rest free).
- Peak vs. Off-Peak Discounts (30%):
- Peak: Weekdays 6:30 AM - 10:00 AM & 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM.
- Off-Peak: All other times (weekends, public holidays, midday weekdays, evenings after 7 PM). 30% cheaper than peak fares.
0–10 km | 10–20 km | 20–35 km | 35–65 km | 65 km+ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adult cards & contactless (peak) | $4.20 | $5.22 | $6.01 | $8.03 | $10.33 |
Adult cards & contactless (off-peak) | $2.94 | $3.65 | $4.20 | $5.62 | $7.23 |
Other cards (peak) | $2.10 | $2.61 ^ | $3.00 ^ | $4.01 ^ | $5.16 ^ |
Other cards (off-peak) | $1.47 | $1.82 | $2.10 | $2.80 ^ | $3.61 ^ |
Your Payment Options: Opal Card OR Contactless Card/Device
Feature | Opal Card | Contactless Credit/Debit Card or Digital Wallet (Apple/Google/Samsung Pay) |
|---|---|---|
What is it? | Dedicated, reusable transport smart card. | Your everyday bank card or phone/watch payment app. |
Best For | Longer stays, families, avoiding int'l fees. | Short stays, convenience, minimal setup. |
How to Get/Use | Buy at stations/newsagents (20: 16 credit + $4 fee). Top up at machines/app. Tap on/off at yellow readers. | No purchase needed. Simply tap your own physical card or device on the yellow Opal reader to enter and exit. |
Key Consideration | Each person needs their own card. | Each traveler MUST use their own unique card/device. Sharing one card means multiple fares charged to one account (very costly!). |
Foreign Cards | Fixed cost, no extra fees. | Works with most international cards |
Essential Tips for Saving Money
- Travel Off-Peak: Save 30% by traveling outside weekday rush hours, weekends, and public holidays.
- Tap On AND Off EVERY TIME: Crucial! Failing to tap off incurs a default maximum fare ( 20+), regardless of payment method.
- Leverage Caps: After 8 paid journeys (Mon-Sun), enjoy free travel. Explore more on Sundays ($8.40 cap).
- Free Transfers: Transfer between Metro, train, bus, ferry, or light rail within 60 minutes (adult) using the same card/device for one continuous fare calculation.
- Use ONE Card/Device Consistently: Stick to the same Opal card or contactless card/device throughout your day/journey to ensure caps and transfer discounts apply correctly. This is especially important for airport trips to avoid double Access Fees.
Sydney Metro General Operating Hours
Sydney Metro trains run frequently 7 days a week.
Day | First Trains (Approx) | Last Departures (Approx) |
|---|---|---|
Monday - Thursday | 04:00 - 04:30 AM | 00:00 (midnight) |
Friday | 04:00 - 04:30 AM | 01:00 AM (Sat) |
Saturday | 06:00 AM | 01:00 AM (Sun) |
Sunday & Public Holidays | 07:00 - 08:00 AM | 00:00 (midnight) |
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The Guide to Sydney Metro's Top Attractions & How to Reach Them
Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House, Australia’s most iconic landmark, is a UNESCO World Heritage masterpiece renowned for its soaring, sail-like architecture. Designed by Jørn Utzon, this world-class performing arts venue juts dramatically over Sydney Harbour, hosting opera, theater, and concerts. Its stunning white shells and prime waterfront location make it a must-visit for photos, tours, or waterfront dining.
- Nearest Metro Station: Martin Place (City & Southwest Line).
- How to Reach:
- Alight at Martin Place, then walk 15 mins southeast through the Royal Botanic Garden.
- Alternative: Transfer to Circular Quay Station (Sydney Trains T2/T3 line) from Central Station Metro, then walk 5 mins to the Opera House.
Sydney Harbour Bridge
Dubbed "The Coathanger" for its iconic arched silhouette, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is a marvel of 20th-century engineering and Australia’s most recognizable landmark. Completed in 1932 after nine years of construction, this steel leviathan stretches 1,149 meters across Sydney Harbour, connecting the CBD to the North Shore.
Beyond its vital transport role, the bridge offers unforgettable experiences:
⭐ BridgeClimb: Scale its upper arch for 360° views of Sydney Opera House and the harbour.
⭐ Pylon Lookout: Explore history exhibits and a lookout deck atop the southeast pylon.
⭐ New Year’s Eve: Its frame transforms into a pyrotechnic canvas for Earth’s most watched fireworks.
- Nearest Metro Station: Barangaroo (City & Southwest Line).
- How to Reach:
- From Barangaroo Station, walk 20 mins west via Hickson Road to the bridge’s southern entrance.
- Tip: Combine with Opera House—walk from Circular Quay after arriving via train transfer.
Bondi Beach
Bondi Beach is Australia’s most famous coastline, renowned for its golden crescent of sand, vibrant surf culture, and electric beachside atmosphere. Located just 7km east of Sydney’s CBD, this 1-kilometer stretch offers more than scenic beauty—it embodies Sydney’s laid-back coastal lifestyle.
Access via Metro + Train/Bus:
- Take Metro to Central Station (City & Southwest Line).
- Transfer to Eastern Suburbs Line to Bondi Junction Station.
- Board Bus #333 (10 mins) or walk 30 mins downhill to the beach.
Taronga Zoo
Nestled on the picturesque shores of Sydney Harbour, Taronga Zoo is one of Australia’s oldest and most revered zoological institutions. Established in 1916, the zoo spans 70 acres (28 hectares) of clifftop land in Mosman, offering breathtaking views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Home to over 4,000 animals representing 350+ species, it combines world-class exhibits with cutting-edge conservation initiatives, drawing 1.5 million visitors annually.
- Access via Metro + Ferry:
- Take Metro to Wynyard or Martin Place (City & Southwest Line).
- Walk/transfer to Circular Quay Wharf (5–10 mins).
- Take Taronga Zoo Ferry (12-min ride). Included in Opal Card fare!
Barangaroo Reserve
Barangaroo Reserve is a visionary 6-hectare park that transformed a disused concrete container port into a thriving natural sanctuary on Sydney Harbour’s western edge. Named after a powerful 18th-century Indigenous woman leader, it re-creates the pre-colonial headland geography using 10,000 sandstone blocks quarried directly from the site
- Nearest Metro Station: Barangaroo (City & Southwest Line).
- How to Reach:
- 2-min walk from Barangaroo Station—exit via Napier Street.
Darling Harbour
Darling Harbour pulses with energy as Sydney’s premier waterfront entertainment district, stretching along the CBD’s western edge. This revitalized industrial port dazzles with world-class attractions: SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium lets you walk beneath sharks and dugongs, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo offers close encounters with koalas and crocs, and the tranquil Chinese Garden of Friendship (a Jiangnan-style oasis) provides serene lotus ponds and moon gates. By night, harbourside restaurants sizzle with global flavors—from fresh seafood at Nick’s to spicy Thai at Chat Thai—while weekends ignite with free fireworks (October–December) above Cockle Bay.
- Nearest Metro Station: Pyrmont (Light Rail access).
- How to Reach:
- Take Metro to Central Station, then Light Rail L1 to Pyrmont.
- Walk 5 mins to SEA LIFE Aquarium or WILD LIFE Sydney.
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Questions about Sydney Metro
Is Sydney Metro the same as Sydney Trains?
Sydney Metro is an operating agency owned by the NSW Government and is part of the NSW Transport cluster, operating similar to Sydney Trains.Is Sydney Metro completed?
The complex extension of Sydney Metro services from Sydenham to Bankstown will be completed in 2026 due to the ongoing impacts that industrial action has had on the project.What area does Sydney Metro cover?
Sydney Metro is revolutionising how Australia's biggest city travels, connecting Sydney's north west, west, south west and greater west to fast, reliable turn-up-and-go metro services with fully accessible stations.How to pay for Sydney Metro?
Tap your credit or debit card or use an Opal card to pay your fare. Visit Transport NSW for more information and for a Sydney Metro map.