Fares and Tickets

Metropolitan and Outer Metropolitan Regions

Opal Cards

Opal is a reusable travel card – it’s your ticket for trains, trams and buses in Sydney and many parts of regional NSW. To travel on public transport, customers need to buy an Opal card, top it up with credit and touch on and touch off at Opal readers to pay their fare.

You can buy your Opal card and top up at:

  • around 800 shops including all 7-Eleven stores
  • Opal machines at selected stations and stops
  • premium station ticket offices
  • Transport for NSW Hubs – transportnsw.info or by calling 131 500 (allow seven days for delivery of an Opal card and around 90 minutes for online top ups)

Contactless & Linked Devices

Contactless payments are another way to pay for all public transport in the Opal network.

Use the same contactless card or device for all your travel all week to pay Adult Opal fares and to receive the same travel benefits of an Adult Opal card.

Tap on and off

On buses, you must tap on at the Opal card reader at the start of your journey and tap off at the Opal card reader at the end, just before you disembark from the bus. This ensures you have a valid ticket and pay the correct fare for your journey.

Register Online to Protect Your Card

You can choose to register online to protect your card. By registering your card online, you can:

  • secure your card’s balance if it’s lost or stolen
  • see the cost of your recent trips and balance
  • set Auto Top Up 
  • request a replacement card when yours expires every four years – manage multiple cards.

Be sure to keep your payment card separate to other contactless cards or devices, to avoid overpaying for your trip through ‘card clash’.

Concession Fares

You may be able to travel on a concession fare if you are a child, student or Australian senior. Other types of concessions are also available. Check if you’re eligible.

Always carry proof of eligibility.

School Passes

School bus passes are provided free of charge to eligible students via the School Student Transport Scheme. These passes can be obtained through your child’s school or via the Opal website. School students are required to tap on and off.

Regional NSW – Far North Coast

Passes must be produced for concession discounts each time a ticket is purchased. Unreadable passes are invalid. Passengers 16 years and over are required to pay full fare unless travelling to and from school, or upon presenting a valid school pass or the other valid ID. Note health care cards do not entitle travellers to concession fares. 

General Fares

SectionsAdultConcession/Child/Student
SingleReturnDailySingleReturnDaily
1 to 2 sections$2.30$4.60$5.00$1.10$2.20$2.50
3 to 6 sectionsBallina to Prospect Est / Angels Beach
Ballina to Northlakes Estate
Ballina to Headlands
Ballina to Ballina Heights
Byron Bay to Suffolk Park
Byron Bay to Sunrise Beach
Byron Bay to McGettigans Lane
$3.30$6.60$5.00$1.60$3.20$2.50
7 to 15 sectionsSuffolk Park to Sunrise Beach
Ballina to Lennox Head
Byron Bay to Lennox Head
Byron Bay to Mullumbimby
Byron Bay to Bangalow
$4.20$8.40$10.00$2.10$4.20$5.00
16 to 25 sectionsBallina to Bangalow
Ballina to Suffolk Park
Ballina to Byron Bay
Lennox Head to Mullumbimby
Suffolk Park to Mullumbimby
Ballina to Byron Bay
$4.50$9.00$10.00$2.20$4.40$5.00
26 plus sectionsBallina to Mullumbimby$5.90$11.80$10.00$2.90$5.80$5.00

*Please note we are currently unable to accept credit card payments on Far North Coast buses with the exception of Route 640X and 641X.  Credit card facilities will be introduced across all buses in early 2024.

640x & 641x Express Service Fares

All fares internally within the boundaries of Lismore will be based on 1 section full adult value of $2.30, with usual concessions.

All fares for travel externally from Lismore (i.e. Ballina, Lennox Head, Byron Bay, Bangalow to Lismore) will be based on a $5.90 full adult fare with usual concessions.

Concessions

Concession cards are available for a range of people. Find out if you’re eligible from below.

Special Passes

Red Tickets (All Pension Conc Cards & Seniors Cards)
$2.50 unlimited same day

Terms & Conditions

  • Credit card payment is only available only on Route 640X and 641X.
  • To gain student fare, you must be in receipt of educational institution ID.
  • Health Care Cards DO NOT entitle persons to concession fares.
  • Bicycles and animals (other than guide dogs) will not be carried.
  • Fares listed above are intended as a guide only. Variations can occur subject to pick up & set down locations.
  • Services operate as ‘Hail & Ride’ except in busy CBD areas.