How the public ferries work
Sydney's public ferries are part of the Opal network. You tap on with an Opal card, a contactless bank card or a phone wallet, and tap off at the end of the trip. Most visitors use four lines: F1 to Manly, F2 to Taronga Zoo, F4 to Pyrmont Bay and F9 to Watsons Bay. Cockatoo Island is served by F3 and F8.
Circular Quay is where trains, ferries and light rail meet, and The Rocks is right beside it. That makes it the natural starting point for a first ferry ride.
A public ferry is a point-to-point trip on a regular line. If you want a set route with a guide, a Sydney harbour cruise is a different product with its own ticket. The comparison is further down this page.
The main ferry lines
Where each line goes and what it is good for.
| Line | Goes to | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| F1 | Manly | Manly Cove, the ocean beach and the walk to Spit Bridge |
| F2 | Taronga Zoo | Taronga Zoo Wharf, the start of the walk around Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay |
| F4 | Pyrmont Bay | The stops around Pyrmont Bay; check the map for the stop nearest your plan |
| F9 | Watsons Bay | Gap Park, South Head and Camp Cove |
| F3 and F8 | Cockatoo Island | Free day entry to the island, from Circular Quay or Barangaroo depending on the connection |
Wharf numbers and journey times change with the timetable. Check the current timetable on the day, especially for the last departure in the evening.
Our pick: a hop-on hop-off pass
Our take: if you want commentary and set stops, this pass is an alternative to the public ferries.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in Australian dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Harbour cruises and boat tours
Guided cruises, hop-on-hop-off passes and trips to the islands, with live prices and availability.
Opal ferry fares in 2026
Adult and child fares for a single journey.
The fares below date from 14 July 2025 and stay at that level for another 12 months from July 2026. Fares depend on the distance of the journey. The change to the way train distances are calculated on 29 June 2026 does not apply to ferries.
| Ticket | Adult | Child/Youth or Concession |
|---|---|---|
| Opal, up to 9 km | A$7.35 | A$3.67 |
| Opal, over 9 km | A$9.20 | A$4.60 |
| Single Trip, up to 9 km | A$8.80 | A$4.40 (child/youth) |
| Single Trip, over 9 km | A$11.00 | A$5.50 (child/youth) |
Concession fares need an entitlement linked to your Opal card. They are not a general senior rate for visitors. For most visitors, tapping on with a contactless card or phone is the simplest choice and costs less than a Single Trip ticket.
Daily caps and how to pay
What you pay if you ride more than once.
Daily and weekly caps
Adults pay at most A$19.30 a day from Monday to Thursday and at most A$9.65 a day on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. The weekly cap is A$50. Child/Youth and Concession caps follow the same pattern at A$9.65, A$4.80 and A$25. Gold Opal for eligible senior and pensioner holders has a daily cap of A$2.50.
Use one card or device
Use the same card or phone for all trips in a day, so the journeys add up towards the cap. Opal cards, contactless credit and debit cards and digital wallets all work. A normal foreign bank card does not give an automatic concession.
No ferry off-peak discount
The 30 percent off-peak discount in the general Opal rules applies to metro, train, bus and light rail. It does not apply to the harbour ferries.
Airport fee is separate
The airport station fee is charged on top and does not count towards the normal daily caps. See the Sydney Airport to Circular Quay guide for the airport fares.
The fast ferry to Manly, cruises and other boats
Not every boat is a public line.
The fast ferry to Manly is an Opal network service. It charges the same single-journey fare as F1 and gives the same Opal benefits. It runs daily, takes about 20 minutes and uses Circular Quay Wharf 2 and Manly Wharf 2. Our Manly guide covers the beach and the walks.
Private operators sell their own tickets. A company that accepts OpalPay still sets its own prices, so its tickets are not public line fares. The table compares a few examples with 2026 prices.
| Option | What you get | Adult price |
|---|---|---|
| Public ferry (Opal) | A trip on a regular line | A$7.35 or A$9.20 by distance |
| Sightseeing cruise | A guided 1-hour trip from Circular Quay | From A$37 |
| Express sightseeing | About 65 to 80 minutes to Manly with short stops | A$37 (child 4 to 15: A$26) |
| Hop-on-hop-off | Re-boarding on 1 or 2 days, stops include Darling Harbour, Watsons Bay and Manly | A$48 for 1 day, A$68 for 2 days |
| Shark Island ferry | Return trip from Circular Quay, national park fee included | A$20 (child 4 to 15: A$17) |
Prices are valid from 1 April 2026 and can change by date and booking channel. For most visitors who just want to cross the harbour, a public ferry is enough. Choose a cruise if you want a set route and commentary.
Plan the rest of your trip
Where the ferry lines take you.
Sydney ferries: frequently asked questions
How much is a Sydney ferry in 2026?
An adult Opal fare is A$7.35 for a journey up to 9 km and A$9.20 over 9 km. A Single Trip ticket costs A$8.80 or A$11.00. Daily caps limit what you pay if you ride several times.
Are Sydney ferries free in 2026?
No. Fares apply and you tap on and off for every trip.
Is the fast ferry to Manly more expensive than the F1?
No. It is an Opal network service with the same single-journey fare and the same Opal benefits as F1. It takes about 20 minutes. Check the F1 timetable for its current journey time.
Does a foreign bank card give a discount?
No. A normal foreign bank card does not give an automatic concession. Concession fares need an entitlement that is linked to your Opal card beforehand.
Which ferry goes to Cockatoo Island?
The F3 and F8 lines serve Cockatoo Island, from Circular Quay or Barangaroo depending on the connection. Day entry to the island is free.
Is this the official Sydney Ferries website?
No. This is an independent guide and not connected to the ferry operator or the transport authority. Check the current timetable and fares with them before you travel.