Public transport by city — the smartcards
Every capital has its own contactless smartcard. Opal, Myki, go card, SmartRider, metroCARD, Greencard, MyWay — what you tap, the discounts, and whether your bank card now works instead.
Published 17 May 2026 · Last reviewed 17 May 2026
Australia is huge and thinly populated outside the cities. Most newcomers settle in capital cities where public transport is decent. Beyond the cities, you generally need a car. This guide covers urban public transport — for driving rules and licensing, see driving rules and getting a licence.
Every Australian capital has its own contactless smartcard. You buy one, top it up, tap on when you board, tap off when you alight. Concession fares (for students, pensioners, some health card holders) require a registered card with your details on file — anonymous cards don't get the discount.
| City | Card | Network operator | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney + NSW | Opal | Transport for NSW | https://transportnsw.info/ |
| Melbourne + VIC | Myki | Public Transport Victoria | https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/ |
| Brisbane + SEQ | go card | Translink | https://translink.com.au/ |
| Perth + Mandurah | SmartRider | Transperth | https://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/ |
| Adelaide | metroCARD | Adelaide Metro | https://www.adelaidemetro.com.au/ |
| Hobart + greater Tasmania | Greencard | Metro Tasmania | https://www.metrotas.com.au/ |
| Canberra | MyWay | Transport Canberra | https://www.transport.act.gov.au/ |
| Darwin | tap and travel (some routes) | Public Transport NT | https://nt.gov.au/driving/public-transport-cycling |
Contactless bank card and phone payments
- Most major networks now accept contactless Visa, Mastercard and digital wallets directly. You tap your bank card or phone instead of a smartcard.
- Smartcards usually still give discounts and are needed for concession fares.
- For visitors, contactless bank card is easier. For residents, get the smartcard for the savings.
Sydney + NSW — Opal
The Opal network covers train, bus, ferry and light rail across Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Newcastle and the Central Coast.
Fares (typical, 2026)
- Weekly cap on most fares — once you've spent a set amount in a week, the rest of the week's travel is free.
- Off-peak discounts on most trips (typically 30% off — outside 6:30–10:00 am and 3:00–7:00 pm weekdays).
- Daily cap on Sundays. Verify the current cap at https://transportnsw.info/
- Free transfers between modes within 60 minutes.
Buying a card
- Major train stations, 7-Elevens, news agencies.
- Register the card online for top-up convenience and to report loss.
Apps
- Opal Travel app — top up, plan, see balance.
- Google Maps and Apple Maps have NSW transit data built in.
Melbourne + VIC — Myki
Myki covers tram, train and bus across Melbourne and most regional V/Line train and coach services in Victoria.
Fares (typical, 2026)
- Zone 1 and Zone 1+2 fares for Melbourne.
- Daily and weekly caps apply.
- The Free Tram Zone in central Melbourne — you don't tap on within the inner-city tram zone. Outside it, you must tap on or face fines.
- From 1 January 2026, all travel is free for under-18s in Victoria — but they need a "Youth Myki" to tap on and off.
Buying a card
- 7-Elevens, some train stations, Myki machines at major stops.
- A small card-purchase fee applies. Verify at https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/
Apps
- Myki app — top up, balance, journeys.
- PTV (Public Transport Victoria) app — journey planner.
Brisbane + SEQ — go card
Translink runs trains, buses, ferries and the new Brisbane Metro across South East Queensland.
Fares (2026)
- Translink "50c fares" — most journeys are now flat 50c, a deeply discounted fare introduced in 2024 to encourage use.
- Free transfers between buses, trains and ferries within a journey period.
Buying a card
- 7-Elevens, news agencies, major train and bus stations.
- Minimum top-up applies. Verify at https://translink.com.au/
Apps
- MyTranslink app.
- Google Maps for real-time journey planning.
Perth + WA — SmartRider
Transperth covers Perth and Mandurah trains, buses, ferries.
Fares (2026)
- Distance-based zone system.
- From January 2026, a $3.50 cap applies to single journeys in Perth (verify on Transperth site).
- Daily and weekly caps.
- Free Transit Zone in central Perth (CAT buses are entirely free).
Buying a card
- Transperth InfoCentres, Australia Post, news agencies.
Adelaide + SA — metroCARD
Adelaide Metro covers Adelaide trains, trams, buses.
Fares (2026)
- Single-trip and 2-section fares.
- Daily cap available with metroCARD.
Buying a card
- Adelaide Metro InfoCentre, station vending machines, agents.
Hobart + TAS — Greencard
Metro Tasmania runs buses in Hobart, Launceston and Burnie. Train and ferry not used for general transport.
Buying a card
- Metro shops, agents.
Canberra — MyWay
Transport Canberra runs buses and light rail.
Fares (2026)
- Off-peak discounts.
- Daily caps.
If you're between cities a lot, note that the smartcards are not interoperable — the Opal in your pocket won't tap onto a Myki gate. Pull out the local card or use a contactless bank card.