Amanda Smith
Athena Cocoves
You can tap on with a credit or debit card on a train in Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Adelaide — and soon in Melbourne and Canberra.
» MORE: Can you tap on with credit card on a bus?
Train and tram systems throughout Australia
Train travel is the most popular type of public transport in Australia. It’s the preferred way to get around cities. A good public transport system isn’t just about trains running on time, an extensive schedule that covers all suburbs and enjoyable travel — it’s also about how easy it is to purchase tickets.
All Australian cities and major areas have train, tram and rail systems. While trains are more common in cities, rail networks connect to the suburbs. As with all bigger cities, the bigger the population, the more public transport options there are.
Major train systems
Australia doesn’t have a national public transport network or a central process for accepting payments. Most states have a dedicated network that covers trains, trams, light rail, buses and ferries, but will vary in the services they provide.
Australia’s major train systems include:
- Sydney
- Newcastle
- Melbourne
- Brisbane
- Gold Coast
- Perth
- Adelaide
- Canberra.
Hobart and Darwin only operate bus systems.
Payment methods accepted by different networks
The networks that allow passengers to tap on with a credit or debit card include Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Adelaide. Melbourne and Canberra will soon accept credit cards on public transport.
| City | Train system | Primary payment method | Credit or debit card payments | Other payment methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adelaide | Adelaide Metro | metroCARD | Yes | Mobile wallets and smart devices |
| Brisbane | Translink | Translink Go Card | Yes | Mobile wallets and smart devices |
| Canberra | Transport Canberra | MyWay | No | None |
| Darwin | No train service | Tap & Ride Card System (for buses) | No | Cash |
| Gold Coast | Translink | Translink Go Card | Yes | Mobile wallets and smart devices |
| Hobart | No train service | Greencard (for buses) | No | Cash |
| Melbourne | Public Transport Victoria | Myki | No | Android mobile wallets |
| Newcastle | Transport for NSW | Opal Card | Yes | Mobile wallets and smart devices |
| Perth | Transperth | SmartRider | No | Cash, but no change will be given |
| Sydney | Transport for NSW | Opal Card | Yes | Mobile wallets and smart devices |
Where can you tap on with a credit card?
Adelaide (South Australia)
Adelaide Metro is the public transport network, and trams in Adelaide City are free.
- Primary payment method: metroCARD.
- You can buy or recharge a metroCARD at physical locations around the city or online.
- Recharge the card in increments of $5-10 up to $200.
- Can you tap on with a credit card? Yes.
- Credit or debit card, mobile wallet and smart device payments are accepted on all trams and trains departing Adelaide Railway Station.
Brisbane (Queensland)
Translink is the public transport network in Brisbane. It also services towns and cities beyond the Brisbane metropolitan area.
- Primary payment method: Translink Go Card.
- You can buy the Go Card online, at a local retailer or by calling 13 12 30.
- Can you tap on with a credit card? Yes.
- Credit cards, debit cards and mobile payments are accepted on trains.
Canberra (Australian Capital Territory)
Transport Canberra is the public transport network for light rail. Canberra doesn’t have a train system, only trams and buses.
- Primary payment method: MyWay network card.
- Cards are available online or from various locations across Canberra.
- Can you tap on with a credit card? No, not yet.
- The government announced plans for the updated MyWay+ system, set to launch in November 2024, allowing credit card, debit card, smartphone, and watch payments.
Gold Coast (Queensland)
Translink also operates throughout the Gold Coast.
- Primary payment method: Translink Go Card.
- Can you tap on with a credit card? Yes.
- Tap on and off a train with a credit card, debit card or mobile device.
Melbourne (Victoria)
Public Transport Victoria is the network for Melbourne residents and visitors. Tram travel around Melbourne City is free. V/Line is the provider of trains between Melbourne and regional hubs.
- Primary payment method: Myki.
- You can travel on Melbourne’s trains, trams and buses with Myki.
- Reload your Myki money through the online account or app.
- Can you tap on with a credit card? No, not yet.
- Melbourne transport readers won’t accept credit card payments until 2025.
- Passengers with an Android phone can use Google Wallet.
Newcastle (New South Wales)
Newcastle has a light rail service operated by Newcastle Transport.
- Primary payment method: Opal card.
- Can you tap on with a credit card? Yes.
- You can pay for your ticket directly by tapping a credit, debit card or mobile wallet.
Perth (Western Australia)
Transperth is the public transport network for the metropolitan area of Perth and includes an electrified train system, buses, and ferries.
- Primary payment method: the SmartRider network card.
- You can autoload a card, top up at train stations, authorised retailers, and via BPAY.
- Can you tap on with a credit card? No.
- You can’t tap on a train with a credit card, but you can link your credit card to your online account to buy a ticket at a pay station.
Sydney (New South Wales)
Transport for NSW provides Sydney’s train, light rail, bus and ferry services.
- Primary payment method: Opal card.
- You can buy and top up an Opal card from a retailer, the website, the Opal Travel app or at pay stations.
- There are different types of Opal cards — for adults, children, seniors, NSW residents, and students.
- Opal cardholders enjoy additional benefits, such as a weekly travel reward and off-peak savings.
- Can you tap on with a credit card? Yes.
- Passengers can use a credit card, debit card or mobile wallet to tap on a train or reload an Opal transit card.
How to tap on or off a train
Contactless payments have become more popular in recent years. It’s convenient, faster and safer for passengers, especially in cities. Tap-on train, tram and light rail payments make commuting and exploring cities all the more enjoyable.
Use the tap-on function for contactless train payments the same way you would at checkout:
- Place your card over the reader, above the paywave symbol, but not touching the reader.
- You’ll hear a beep or see a notification.
- If it doesn’t register your card, move it around in a circular motion to make sure you’re not tapping in the wrong spot.
If you have any trouble, you can always ask a fellow passenger for help.
About the Author
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