Sydney Light Rail - what you need to know
For the first time since the 1960s, Sydneysiders and visitors can travel through the streets of the CBD and beyond via a tram service. Here's everything you need to know about Sydney Light Rail.
Originally a 19-stop, circa-13km network, the revamped Sydney Light Rail has grown to a network of three different passenger routes in 2025. They comprise the L1 Dulwich Hill, L2 Randwick, L3 Kingsford lines. Separately, there’s the Parramatta Light Rail network, which currently comprises the L4 Westmead and Carlingford lines.
The light rail network links key precincts around Sydney, including sporting stadiums like the SCG and Alliance Stadium, entertainment areas, the University of NSW, TAFE and the Randwick health precinct.
The L1 Dulwich Hill light rail line service runs between Central Station (Grand Concourse) and Dulwich Hill via Darling Harbour and the Inner West.
L2 Randwick Line and L3 Kingsford Line light rail services run between Circular Quay and Randwick or Juniors Kingsford. Both lines travel via George Street, Central Station (Chalmers Street), Surry Hills and Moore Park.
The new L4 line transports passengers from Western Sydney to important venues in Parramatta, such as Commbank Stadium, Rosehill Gardens and the Westmead health precinct.
In total, the Sydney Light Rail network (including Parramatta) now takes in 58 stops and 36.7km, making it second to only Melbourne’s tram network in Australia.
How often do they run?
Sydney Light Rail offers frequent ‘turn up and go’ services seven days a week, starting at 5am and finishing at 1am the following morning.
The L1 line runs every 8 minutes between 11 am and 7 pm.
During the peak times, the L2 and L3 lines have different frequencies: every 5 minutes between Circular Quay and Moore Park, and every 10 minutes between Moore Park and Randwick/Juniors Kingsford.
Overnight, the frequency is also reduced, with the L2 and L3 lines running every 8 minutes between Circular Quay and Moore Park, and every 15 minutes between Moore Park and Randwick/Juniors Kingsford on Sundays and public holidays, and every 5 and 10 minutes respectively on Saturdays.
The L4 Parramatta line runs every 9 minutes during peak hours (7am-7pm) on weekdays and every 12 minutes during peak hours on weekends. Off-peak (weekdays and weekends) services run every 12-16 minutes.
What are the fares?
Fares on the Sydney Light Rail are calculated using a straight-line distance calculator from the origin and destination stops. Because no two stops on the existing L1, L2 and L3 lines are more than eight kilometres apart, the most that customers currently pay for a one-way journey are $5.20 for an adult single trip payment.
Adult Opal card holders and users of contactless cards get a $2 transfer discount when they switch from trains, buses or ferries to the light rail within 60 minutes of their last tap off.
Child/Youth, Gold Senior/Pensioner and Concession Opal card holders will get a $1 transfer discount. Please keep in mind that concession fares are not available using the contactless payment method (credit or debit card).
If you are entitled to concession fares, you should travel with a Child/Youth, Concession or Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal card to avoid paying a higher fare.
How do I pay?
Like the rest of Sydney's public transport network, the light rail accepts Opal, as well as contactless payments and devices, as long as they’re linked to a credit or debit card (American Express, Mastercard or Visa). You'll find Opal readers on every platform, to tap on before boarding, and to tap off when you disembark.
Where will it stop?
In total, there are more than 40 stops on the L1, L2 and L3 lines covering Sydney’s CBD and beyond.
As depicted below, they include some the city’s key infrastructure, major sporting stadiums and entertainment precincts.
For a full list of Sydney’s Light Rail network, visit Transport NSW.
Staying safe around the light rail
Whether you're walking, riding, driving or catching public transport, it's important that we all know the rules and play our part to stay safe around light rail.
Please remember that:
- Trams cannot stop easily or quickly
- Trams are quiet, pedestrians should look out (both directions) before they step out
- Bicycle riders are not permitted to ride in the tram lanes, and
- When travelling through an intersection, cross the tracks on an angle
For drivers:
- New signals are now in place for trams, always stop on the red
- Never turn in front of trams
For more safety tips and to learn about light rail penalties, click here.
