Complete guide to Sydney's Metro Southwest Bankstown line: timetable, fares, stations, Opal fares, parking, and commuter tips for the new line.
Transport Desk is a contributing writer covering guides and public affairs for The Sydney Times.
Sydney Metro's Southwest extension to Bankstown is now open, converting the old T3 Bankstown line to a fully automated metro. Here's everything you need to know to navigate the new line like a pro.
| What You Need | Details | |---------------|---------| | Opal card | Adult, Child/Youth, Senior/Pensioner, Concession | | Contactless payment | Credit/debit card, phone/watch (Apple/Google Pay) | | Single trip tickets | Available at station machines (paper tickets) | | Apps | Transport for NSW Trip Planner, SydMetro app |
| Detail | Info | |--------|------| | Line colour | Teal (M1) | | Length | 15.5 km | | Stations | 5 new + 1 existing (Sydenham) | | Journey time (end-to-end) | 28 minutes (Bankstown ↔ Sydenham) | | Peak frequency | Every 4 minutes | | Off-peak frequency | Every 10 minutes | | Operating hours | ~5:00am – midnight (varies by station) |
| Station | Distance from Sydenham | Key Features | Connects To | |---------|------------------------|--------------|-------------| | Sydenham | 0 km | Existing T4/T8 interchange | T4, T8, Bus | | Marrickville | 2.8 km | New station, urban village | Bus 418, 426 | | Dulwich Hill | 4.5 km | Light rail interchange | L1 Dulwich Hill Line | | Hurlstone Park | 6.2 km | Residential, park access | Bus 418, 423 | | Canterbury | 8.1 km | Major interchange, retail | Bus 418, 423, 492 | | Bankstown | 12.5 km | Major terminus, retail, parking | T6, T3 (old), Bus |
| Period | Frequency | First Train | Last Train | |--------|-----------|-------------|------------| | AM Peak (6:30-9:00am) | Every 4 min | 5:12am | — | | Midday (9:00am-3:30pm) | Every 10 min | — | — | | PM Peak (3:30-7:00pm) | Every 4 min | — | — | | Evening (7:00-10:00pm) | Every 10 min | — | 11:45pm | | Late Night | Every 15 min | — | 12:30am |
| Period | Frequency | First Train | Last Train | |--------|-----------|-------------|------------| | Early morning | Every 15 min | 6:00am | — | | Daytime | Every 10 min | 7:00am | 10:00pm | | Late night | Every 15 min | — | 12:30am |
Pro tip: Real-time arrivals on SydMetro app, Transport for NSW Trip Planner, or station screens. Trains run every 4 min peak — you rarely wait more than 3 minutes.
| Journey | Peak (Opal) | Off-Peak (Opal) | Contactless | |---------|-------------|-----------------|-------------| | Bankstown ↔ Sydenham (full line) | $4.20 | $3.36 | Same as Opal | | Bankstown ↔ Canterbury | $3.60 | $2.88 | Same as Opal | | Canterbury ↔ Sydenham | $2.80 | $2.24 | Same as Opal | | Marrickville ↔ Sydenham | $2.40 | $1.92 | Same as Opal |
| Journey | Peak | Off-Peak | |---------|------|----------| | Full line | $2.10 | $1.68 | | Short trips | $1.20-$1.80 | $0.96-$1.44 |
| Feature | Details | |---------|---------| | Parking | 200 spaces (paid, $8/day max) | | Bike racks | 80 spaces (covered) | | Kiss & Ride | Yes, dedicated zone | | Retail | Café, convenience store, newsagent | | Connections | T6 Lidcombe line, Bus 900, 940, 960, 961, M91 | | Accessibility | Dual lifts, tactile, hearing loops |
| Feature | Details | |---------|---------| | Parking | 120 spaces | | Retail | Café, convenience | | Bus connections | 418, 423, 492, 940 | | Nearby | Canterbury League Club, Canterbury Park |
| Feature | Details | |---------|---------| | Light rail | L1 Dulwich Hill Line (Platform 1) | | Bus | 423, 426, 428 | | Nearby | Dulwich Hill village cafés |
| Feature | Details | |---------|---------| | Bus | 418, 426, 428 | | Nearby | Marrickville Rd cafés, Addison Rd Community Centre |
| Feature | Details | |---------|---------| | Parking | 80 spaces | | Bus | 418, 423 | | Nearby | Hurlstone Park shops |
| Feature | Details | |---------|---------| | Connections | T4 Illawarra, T8 Airport & South | | Bus | 418, 422, 426, 430 | | Nearby | Sydenham Green, Tempe |
| Card | Who | Cost | Where to Get | |------|-----|------|--------------| | Adult (Black) | Everyone | $10 min top-up | Retailers, stations, online | | Child/Youth (Green) | 4-15yrs, 16-18 with concession | Free | Online, Service NSW | | Senior/Pensioner (Gold) | Eligible seniors/pensioners | Free | Service NSW | | Concession (Silver) | Students, apprentices, job seekers | Free | Online, institutions |
| Feature | All Stations | |---------|--------------| | Level boarding | Yes (gap < 30mm) | | Lifts | All stations (dual at Bankstown) | | Tactile indicators | Platform edges, stairs | | Braille signage | Station names, lift buttons | | Audio announcements | Next train, delays, emergencies | | Visual displays | Next train, platform, destination | | Hearing loops | Information points, ticket windows | | Assistance | Green emergency button on platform |
| Problem | Solution | |---------|----------| | Bankstown 7:30-8:15am packed | Board at Canterbury (less crowded) | | Sydenham interchange crowded | Use Marrickville/Dulwich Hill if closer | | Lift queue Bankstown peak | Use stairs/escalators if able |
| Hack | Savings | |------|---------| | Travel off-peak (9am-3:30pm) | 30% off | | Weekly 8 journeys = free rest of week | Up to $35/week | | Transfer discount (metro↔bus) | $2 per transfer | | Contactless = same fare, no card needed | Convenience |
| Journey | Best Route | Time | |---------|------------|------| | Bankstown → Parramatta | Metro to Sydenham → T4 to Lidcombe → T1 to Parramatta | 52 min | | Bankstown → Airport | Metro to Sydenham → T8 Airport | 35 min | | Bankstown → Macquarie Park | Metro to Sydenham → T4 to Chatswood → Metro NW | 55 min | | Canterbury → Macquarie Park | Metro to Sydenham → T4 to Chatswood → Metro NW | 45 min |
| App | Use For | |-----|---------| | Transport for NSW Trip Planner | Journey planning, real-time, alerts | | SydMetro | Metro-specific real-time, disruptions | | Opal Travel | Balance, top-up, trip history | | Opal Pay | Contactless via phone |
| Station | Bike Racks | Bike Lockers | Notes | |---------|------------|--------------|-------| | Bankstown | 80 | 20 | Covered | | Canterbury | 60 | 10 | Covered | | Dulwich Hill | 50 | — | Near light rail | | Hurlstone Park | 40 | — | | | Marrickville | 40 | — | | | Sydenham | 60 | 10 | Existing |
Bikes on trains: Allowed off-peak (9am-3:30pm, 7pm-6:30am weekdays; all day weekends). Folded bikes anytime.
| Problem | What to Do | |---------|------------| | Opal not reading | Remove from wallet/phone case, tap flat on reader | | Contactless declined | Use physical card, check card not expired | | Train cancelled | Check app for next service; shuttle buses if major disruption | | Lost property | Bankstown Station Office (Level 1) or 131 500 | | Accessibility issue | Press green platform button or call 1800 684 432 |
| Situation | Action | |-----------|--------| | Fire/smoke | Follow illuminated exit signs, use stairs (not lifts) | | Medical emergency | Press green platform button, call 000 | | Security threat | Follow staff instructions, move to safe area | | Evacuation | Follow illuminated signs, listen to announcements |
| Need | Action | |------|--------| | Plan trip | Transport for NSW Trip Planner / transportnsw.info | | Real-time arrivals | SydMetro app / station screens | | Opal balance/top-up | Opal Travel app / retailers / station machines | | Lost property | Bankstown Station Office (Level 1) / 131 500 | | Disruptions/alerts | SydMetro app / transportnsw.info/alerts | | Feedback/complaints | transportnsw.info/feedback or 131 500 | | Accessibility help | Green platform button / 1800 684 432 | | Emergency | 000 / green platform button |
SYDNEY METRO SOUTHWEST — QUICK REFERENCE
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Stations: Sydenham → Marrickville → Dulwich Hill
→ Hurlstone Park → Canterbury → Bankstown
Peak: Every 4 min (6:30-9am, 3:30-7pm)
Off-peak: Every 10 min | Weekend: 10 min
Full trip: 28 min | Opal: $4.20 peak / $3.36 off-peak
Apps: Transport NSW Trip Planner | SydMetro | Opal Travel
Emergency: Green platform button / 1800 684 432
Emergency: 000
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