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 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 service 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:
Other ways to pay
If you do not use public transport in Adelaide often, you can also Tap and Pay with your bank card or use the Adelaide Metro Buy & Go app when you catch a bus, train or tram.
Adelaide Metro Tap and Pay is only available on buses and trams, and for transfers to trains departing from the Adelaide Railway Station.
The Adelaide Meto Buy & Go app is available for free download from your app store. Ticket prices are the same as metroCARD fares, and you can use them on any Adelaide Metro bus or tram, and to transfer to trains departing from the Adelaide Railway Station.
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 or smart device, or scan your Buy and Go QR code ticket. You will not need to tap off the bus, train or tram when exiting.
Common questions
Before validating your metroCARD, you must recharge it with a selected amount. This can be done by logging into your metroCARD account or at a retailer or facility.
Validating your metroCARD when catching public transport can be done by:
- Hold your metroCARD at 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/smart device, or scan your Buy & Go (QR code) ticket 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.
Follow these steps on how to catch the train:
- Wait on the platform behind the safety line.
- If you have a wheelchair or mobility aid, wait over the white and blue International symbol of Access icon, 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 to validate.
- 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 safety line.
- If you have a wheelchair or mobility aid, wait over the white and blue International symbol of Access icon, 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/smart device, or scan your Buy & Go (QR code) ticket to validate (Only between South Terrace and Brighton Road).
- 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.
