Do Sydney trains run 24 hours?

From midnight to 4.30am, most trains stop running. NightRide buses replace Sydney train services between midnight and 4:30am, stopping near stations along the train line. Many NightRide services leave the city from bus stops near Town Hall Station.



Generally, Sydney Trains do not run 24 hours a day on a standard schedule. Most services cease between midnight and 1:00 AM and resume around 4:30 AM or 5:00 AM. During these "off" hours, a network of NightRide buses replaces the train lines to provide transport across the city. However, for major events like New Year’s Eve or the 2026 Mardi Gras Parade (taking place today, Feb 28), special 24-hour services are often implemented. On these rare occasions, trains and the Sydney Metro run through the night with reduced frequencies—often every 20 to 60 minutes—to ensure attendees can get home safely. For daily travel, it is best to check the Trip Planner app to see when the last train departs for your specific line.

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Sydney Airport is located just 13 minutes by train from the city. Airport Link offers a fast and convenient way to reach the city and suburbs, with trains running approximately every 10 minutes. The station is located at the northern end of the terminal and accessible from the Arrivals level.

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Daily and Weekly Caps $17.80 a day (Mondays to Thursdays), $8.90 on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. $50 a week.

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The ticket to or from an Airport station comprises a Gate Pass and a rail component. The Adult Gate Pass is $17.00, or $16.68 when using an Opal Card or a contactless payment. The Child Gate Pass is $15.00 or $14.92 via Opal or Contactless. These amounts are added to a rail ticket.

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A free city centre shuttle bus (route 555) operates every 10 minutes on a circuit from Central Station to Circular Quay, along George Street, linking many of Sydney's attractions.

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Getting Around Sydney on the Cheap
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If you don't have an Opal card, you can use a contactless payment card such as an American Express, Visa or Mastercard for the same fare and benefits of an Adult Opal card. Don't forget, it is an offence to travel on public transport in NSW without being in possession of a valid ticket.

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