How to catch a bus, train or tram
Catching public transport in Adelaide has never been easier. Follow these easy steps on how to catch a bus, train or tram.
Find your location
You can find where you need to go by using the following tools:
- Plan My Journey: You can select 'Use my location' in the journey planning tool to find your exact location and use it to best get around Adelaide by bus, train or tram. You can also use any other preferred location in the 'to' and 'from' fields to plan your journey.
- My Next Service: Use the My Next Service tool to find your nearest stop and all real-time arrivals. You can use your current location or search an address.
Pick your mode of transport
Once you you know where you're going you can use our timetables to see a full schedule of your chosen route. Our timetables are broken down into bus, train and tram and you can view what time your route will be arriving on any day.
Purchase a metroCARD
To catch public transport, you will need to purchase an Adelaide metroCARD. You can purchase a metroCARD from a retailer or facility near you.
Once you have your metroCARD, you can recharge it with a preferred amount:
Learn more about Adelaide metroCARDs.
Learn more about Adelaide Metro fares.
Tap and pay
If you do not use public transport in Adelaide often, you can also tap and pay with your bank card when you catch a bus, train or tram. Adelaide Metro tap and pay is being introduced to Adelaide’s public transport network in stages. It is currently available on all trams and O-Bahn buses, and it will be available on as buses by mid-2023.
If you need to transfer to a different (bus or train) service, or are entitled to a concession fare, Adelaide Metro tap and pay may not be your best option.
Learn more about Tap and Pay.
Tap on and go
When you catch a bus, train or tram you will need to validate your metroCARD. Simply tap on the yellow machine and go. If you do not have a metroCARD, you can tap your bank card. You will not need to tap off the bus, train or tram when exiting.
FAQs
Before validating your metroCARD, you must recharge it with a selected amount. This can be done by logging into your metroCARD account and selecting a recharge option. Different amounts can be added, or you can set up an Auto Recharge.
Once you have an amount on your metroCARD, you can validate your card when catching public transport in Adelaide. This can be done by:
- Finding a yellow validating machine when you catch a bus, train or tram.
- Hold your metroCARD to the lower part of the machine under the screen.
- This will be the same for passengers using their bank card to validate.
- Once you hear the 'ding' and see the green light, your metroCARD has successfully been validated.
- You will not need to tap off once you leave a bus, train or tram.
The yellow validation machine may also:
- Make a 'ding' sound and flash a green light once your metroCARD has been validate, but you need to add more money.
- Make a ‘ding’ sound and flash a green light once your metroCARD has been validated, but you need to add more money.
- Make a ‘ding’ sound and flash a green and yellow light once your metroCARD has been validated and has been successfully recharged.
- Make a ‘buzz’ sound and show a red light when your metroCARD has not successfully validated.
Follow these steps on how to catch the bus:
- Get to your bus stop five minutes before its scheduled arrival time.
- When your bus is approaching, hold your arm out to signal the driver to stop.
- Enter the bus from the front doors or, if on an O-Bahn service, you can also enter via the middle doors.
- Please note; if you have a wheelchair or mobility aid, the driver will tilt the bus or put a ramp out for you. Learn more about accessibility and disability.
- Tap your metroCARD or bank card to validate.
- Find a seat where possible. Priority seats and allocated spaces are near the front of the bus for people living with disability or mobility issues.
- When your bus stop is near, press the coloured ‘stop’ signals on the poles to let the driver know.
- Exit the bus from the back doors.
- If you have wheelchair or mobility aids, the driver will tilt the bus or put a ramp out for you.
Follow these steps on how to catch the train:
- Wait on the platform behind the painted safety line.
- If you have a wheelchair or mobility aid, wait on the painted blue and white disability symbol, so the driver can assist you. Learn more about accessibility and disability.
- The train will slowly approach and once stopped, press the flashing button on either the middle or side of the door to open.
- Tap your metroCARD or bank card to validate.
- Find a seat where possible. Priority seats and allocated spaces are near each door for people living with disability and mobility issues.
- Trains will stop at all scheduled stations and once stopped, press the flashing button on the middle or side of the door to open and exit.
Door safety tips:
- If the train doors are closing, stand back and let them close. It is not safe to put your arm, leg or any object between the doors to stop them from closing.
- The flashing buttons on the door means it is okay to open a closed door.
Follow these steps on how to catch the tram:
- Wait on the platform behind the painted safety line.
- If you have a wheelchair or mobility aid, wait on the painted blue and white disability symbol, so the driver can assist you. Learn more about accessibility and disability.
- The tram will slowly approach and once stopped, press the flashing button on the middle of the door to open.
- Tap your metroCARD or bank card to validate.
- Find a seat where possible. Priority seats and allocated spaces are near each door for people living with disability and mobility issues.
- When your tram stop is near, press the coloured ‘stop’ signals on the poles to let the driver know.
- When the tram stops, press the flashing button on the middle of the door to open and exit.
The O-Bahn is a guided busway that services the north-eastern suburbs, allowing for faster travel to and from the Adelaide CBD. O-Bahn buses are any Adelaide Metro buses that travel along the O-Bahn as part of their scheduled route.
You can no longer pay with cash when you catch a bus, train or tram in Adelaide. Passengers will need to purchase a metroCARD before catching public transport, or you can use Adelaide Metro Tap and Pay on selected buses, trains and trams.
