Sydney Opal Card

Are you moving from the UK or Seattle? If you’re, you will be familiar with the Sydney’s Opal card since it is equivalent to the Oyster card as well as the Orcas card but truth be told it doesn’t matter from where you are moving from ; getting an Opal card is a must even though you are a tourist staying for a couple of weeks. 

All About Sydney’s Opal Card

The Opal card is a free public transport card that you load value onto so you can travel conveniently on all public transport systems which includes; bus, train, ferries as well as trams in Sydney. While it is a free card, the minimum cost is $10 for the adult card and $5 for the child’s cards. 

The best part about the Opal is that you can order it online and have it sent to you or pick one up at a newsagent, supermarket or even a convenience store. You would be surprised to know that there are over 1000 places where you can get your Opal Card. 

One thing that you should be aware of is that some of the retailers may have credit card fees for purchases under a certain amount. To avoid these extra fees just load up your card above the given amount to avoid this paying the surplus fee and the same applies for when you’re topping up your card.

The 5 Types of Opal Card

Adult Opal Card : For individuals over 16 years of age. 

Child Opal Card : For individuals aged between 4 – 15 years of age including full-time NSW/ACT school students aged 16 years and older with an NSW Senior Secondary Student Concession card that is issued by their establishment. 

School Opal Card : NSW school students are eligible for free travel or subsidized travel on public transport.

Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal Card : This card is available for people who possess either an NSW Seniors Card, Pensioner Concession Card or an NSW War Widow/ers Card. Interstate seniors and asylum seekers may also be eligible for this card but check the Opal Card website for more information on the two last ones. 

Concession Opal Card : For this card you will find a full list of participating universities and tertiary institutions in which you can be part of which will furthermore allow you to travel freely. 

How to Use the Opal Card

The Opal card has the same system as the tap and pay. All you have to do is load value on your card and tap it on the Opal card reader before you board on a transport and again when you arrive at your destination. The balance on your card will automatically deduct when you tap it on the Opal card reader. 

Be sure you always tap on before you start your journey on Sydney’s public transport. Even if the gate is open and you can just walk straight in. This is essential because if you forget, or just plain don’t tap on, you will be traveling without a valid ticket and therefore you might be subjected to fines.

How to Recharge Your Opal Card

For recharging your Opal card, you can also visit any Opal retailers or use an Opal top-up machine in any selected train, light rail stations, or ferry wharves that are in the Opal Card network. You can also set up an automatic top-up method as is it more convenient. 

Useful Links: 

Opal Card Website:

https://transportnsw.info/tickets-opal/opal#/login

Where you can purchase Opal Card: 

https://transportnsw.info/trip#/opal-retailers

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