The network: Transport for NSW
Newcastle's public transport is run by Transport for NSW, covering bus, train, ferry, light rail. You can plan any trip door-to-door with the official journey planner or in Google Maps.
Tickets & how to pay: Opal
Tap on and off with an Opal card or a contactless debit/credit card or phone. Daily and weekly caps apply, and travel is free after your weekly travel-reward threshold on Opal.
Good news for visitors: you can tap on with a contactless debit/credit card or phone, so there's no need to buy a local card for a short stay.
See current Opal fares & details →
What it costs
Distance-based fares with daily, weekly and Sunday caps. A 30-minute transfer discount applies when you change between modes.
Handy apps
- Opal Travel app
- Google Maps
Local tips
- Regional Northern Rivers buses are limited — check timetables before relying on them, and consider a hire car for the Byron hinterland.
- Newcastle has its own light rail along the foreshore plus the Stockton ferry, all on Opal.
- The Sunday cap makes weekends the cheapest time to explore by train and ferry.
Looking for somewhere to go? Browse the best things to do in Newcastle, or see them all on the map.