Tedferg Posted August 25, 2023 #1 Share Posted August 25, 2023 I think I read on here that tap credit card is easy to use on ferry and light rail, is that correct or do we need an Opal card? Would one Opal card work for two people? I am thinking two separate cards are easier to use than one but then you need to top up two cards. Seems like credit card would be simpler. We will be in Sydney for three days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yarramar Posted August 25, 2023 #2 Share Posted August 25, 2023 Each traveller must have their own card, either Opal or credit/debit card. The system will only allow one tap on and then off per journey and will also calculate the total days limit. I.e., it will stop charging you after you have reached the daily cap, even if you keep travelling and tapping. If you only have the one credit or debit card, the other person will need an Opal card. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Big_M Posted August 26, 2023 #3 Share Posted August 26, 2023 If you have 2 credit cards, that will be the easiest. No benefit to getting opal cards in that case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedferg Posted August 26, 2023 Author #4 Share Posted August 26, 2023 Thanks for info - credit cards it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nebr.cruiser Posted September 13, 2023 #5 Share Posted September 13, 2023 We used credit cards. Cheap and easy. No need for an Opal card, as far as I can see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedferg Posted September 15, 2023 Author #6 Share Posted September 15, 2023 On 9/12/2023 at 8:04 PM, Nebr.cruiser said: We used credit cards. Cheap and easy. No need for an Opal card, as far as I can see. Thanks, on our British Isles cruise this summer we found the tap card to be universal. I just wondered if Sydney rapid transit might be different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yarramar Posted September 16, 2023 #7 Share Posted September 16, 2023 17 hours ago, Tedferg said: Thanks, on our British Isles cruise this summer we found the tap card to be universal. I just wondered if Sydney rapid transit might be different. Sydney public transport can be used with Amex and Visa/Mastercard credit or debit cars as well as the Opal card. They must be contactless and no other card is accepted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retird Posted September 21, 2023 #8 Share Posted September 21, 2023 In 2016 we used an opal card and kept replenishing it from our bank account/credit card. Found it super easy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedferg Posted September 22, 2023 Author #9 Share Posted September 22, 2023 18 hours ago, retird said: In 2016 we used an opal card and kept replenishing it from our bank account/credit card. Found it super easy My concern was that we would both need Opal cards and difficulty in estimating how many $ to top them up. Assumed any unused residual might be lost. Since we both have tap credit cards, that's an easier solution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
possum52 Posted September 23, 2023 #10 Share Posted September 23, 2023 7 hours ago, Tedferg said: My concern was that we would both need Opal cards and difficulty in estimating how many $ to top them up. Assumed any unused residual might be lost. Since we both have tap credit cards, that's an easier solution. If you both have credit cards, that's the way to do it. Very easy tap and go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
possum52 Posted September 23, 2023 #11 Share Posted September 23, 2023 On 9/22/2023 at 8:16 AM, retird said: In 2016 we used an opal card and kept replenishing it from our bank account/credit card. Found it super easy Back in 2016, you couldn't use your credit card to tap and go on NSW public transport. Now, using the CC, it saves on having the necessity of obtaining an Opal card. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retird Posted September 23, 2023 #12 Share Posted September 23, 2023 29 minutes ago, possum52 said: Back in 2016, you couldn't use your credit card to tap and go on NSW public transport. Now, using the CC, it saves on having the necessity of obtaining an Opal card. Thanks , i didnt realize you could use a credit card now. So does the system bill your credit card every time you tap in and then out? And does it still track your daily use to stop charging when you reach the max for that day? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
possum52 Posted September 23, 2023 #13 Share Posted September 23, 2023 13 minutes ago, retird said: Thanks , i didnt realize you could use a credit card now. So does the system bill your credit card every time you tap in and then out? And does it still track your daily use to stop charging when you reach the max for that day? Yes it does. A much easier way to pay. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nebr.cruiser Posted September 23, 2023 #14 Share Posted September 23, 2023 We used credit cards only on the various and many forms of travel in Sydney last winter (their summer), taking ferries, trains, subway, buses, etc. I was amazed at how little we actually ended up paying when I got home and checked our credit card bill. It was amazing. And easy, even from us 'country' folks in rural Nebraska. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minorhawk Posted June 21 #15 Share Posted June 21 On 9/22/2023 at 8:42 PM, possum52 said: If you both have credit cards, that's the way to do it. Very easy tap and go. Will be ok if we have two separate cards that have the same number, or does it have to be two different accounts all together? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
possum52 Posted June 21 #16 Share Posted June 21 4 minutes ago, Minorhawk said: Will be ok if we have two separate cards that have the same number, or does it have to be two different accounts all together? Thanks! Just two different cards is all that is required. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minorhawk Posted June 21 #17 Share Posted June 21 Just now, possum52 said: Just two different cards is all that is required. Perfect!! Thank you very much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yarramar Posted June 21 #18 Share Posted June 21 6 hours ago, Minorhawk said: Will be ok if we have two separate cards that have the same number, or does it have to be two different accounts all together? Thanks! You can have the same account but the cards must be unique in their identification. They also have to be contactless cards, i.e. you tap them to make the transaction. They cannot be inserted or swiped. If you have mobile phones that can be used by tapping (NFC) Apple or Android Pay, these can also be used to tap on and off the transport system. If you have none of the above, you will need to purchase Opal cards. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Globaliser Posted September 18 #19 Share Posted September 18 On 9/22/2023 at 5:48 PM, Tedferg said: My concern was that we would both need Opal cards and difficulty in estimating how many $ to top them up. Assumed any unused residual might be lost. There's a related issue that I recently encountered: it appears that the minimum top up at a machine or a counter is $20. So even if you know you only need to top up less than that, you can't do it either of those ways. I was helping someone run an Opal card down to zero, but having to top up by $20 rather than $10 means that there's still $10 left on that card. I've since seen on the website that it may be possible to top up by $10 online. But standing in one of the airport stations minding my luggage as well wasn't the right time or place to start trying that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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