travel card in adelaide

Public Transport In Adelaide: A Complete Guide

The Adelaide public transport system, like most other networks in Australia’s capital cities, is unique but easy to navigate.

The system takes commuters via bus, train and tram to all parts of the city.

When I first moved to Adelaide, there were a lot of things I had to learn about taking public transport.

I figured out how to buy and recharge a metroCARD (which can be used to pay for using the network), and also quickly discovered that buses don’t always arrive every 15 minutes like they’re supposed to.

I’ve created this complete guide to using public transport in Adelaide to make it easier for commuters – especially those who are visiting the city for the first time – to understand the system.

Paying for fares

Can i travel for free.

There are specific services that allow for free travel aboard Adelaide public transport, but they are limited (keep scrolling to see which bus, train and trams services this applies to).

Unless otherwise specified, you need to pay a fare to use these services.

Adelaide Metro officers regularly travel aboard trains, buses and trams to make sure commuters have paid.

The standard fine for not paying is $220, with a maximum penalty of $1250 for each offence.

Only children under five years of age can travel free at all times.

How do I pay?

Unlike some of Australia’s other capital cities, passengers still have the option of paying cash to use Adelaide’s public transport network – however, it’s much easier to purchase a metroCARD.

Commuters can buy 28-Day, 14-Day, 3-Day Visitor, and Regular metroCARD passes.

The regular card costs $5 and will require an extra $5 minimum of credit to get you started, but there are savings to be made for regular commuters by utilising the other options.

Click each of the links to visit the Adelaide Metro website to find out more details.

If you’re not interested in a metroCARD, or have already bought one but don’t have it with you when you go to use public transport in Adelaide, you can pay using cash or debit card to buy a single trip ticket.

These tickets can be transferred to bus, train or tram services within two hours from when it was validated.

Do students and seniors get discount?

Absolutely.

Student and seniors concession card holders do get discounted rates for using public transport in Adelaide, however they have to provide photo identification if requested by an Adelaide Metro officer.

According to the Adelaide Metro website, to be eligible for concession, commuters must be able to produce a Transport Concession Card, available through the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion, or a valid student card issued by their educational institution.

Similarly, seniors card holders travel free before 7am, 9am to 3pm and after 7pm weekdays, and all-day Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.

Can I bring my bike aboard public transport?

Bikes are only permitted to be brought aboard train services – they are not permitted on buses or trams.

They can be carried free aboard trains on weekdays from 9am and 3pm, and after 6pm, and on weekends when space is available.

Outside of these times, the commuter will be required to pay a peak concession fare.

Passengers can also secure their bikes via new ‘bike cages’ that have been rolled out across interchanges right across Adelaide, with more information detailed here .

Modes of transport

There are hundreds of bus routes in Adelaide, which will take you virtually anywhere you need to go.

Typically, they’re clean, air-conditioned, and comfortable to travel on.

Many services will run from as early as 4.30am, and usually cease operations around midnight.

Buses are meant to arrive every 15 minutes, but this can vary greatly, especially if you’re catching one from the CBD.

From my own experiences, it’s typical to not see your desired bus for 30 minutes, only to then have two arrive one after the other.

There are two free ‘City Loop’ buses routes that do trips around the CBD.

The ‘Green’ service, which comprises buses 98A and 98C, runs seven days a week every 30 minutes.

The ‘Red’ service, which uses buses 99A and 99C, also runs every 30 minutes, but is only available on weekdays.

These two routes will take you along some of Adelaide’s most popular city streets, including North Terrace and King William Street, but only run until 7.15pm from Monday-Thursday, and 9.15pm on Friday.

You have to pay to use all other services.

There are five train lines that branch out from Adelaide Railway Station on North Terrace: Belair, Gawler, Grange, Seaford and Outer Harbor.

Belair and Seaford take you south – the first towards the Adelaide Hills, the second towards the beach – while Grange heads straight west in the direction of the coast.

Gawler travels directly north, while Outer Harbor heads more north west.

The State Government has already electrified the Seaford line, and is in the process of installing the necessary infrastructure to do the same with the remaining diesel lines, which will make them quieter, faster and more comfortable for commuters.

Train services typically start at around 4.30am and don’t usually run past midnight, so if you’re having a late night out in the city then you’d better consider planning an alternative mode of transport to get you home.

The only time you’ll be able to ride the trains for free are when there are big sporting events being held at Adelaide Oval (such as AFL matches, or the Adelaide Test match), but the State Government has flagged possibly removing this concession in the future.

And if you’re thinking of trying to sneak on without paying, you may want to think again – there are onboard officers who will check your MetroCard, or ticket, to ensure you’ve paid.

There are two key tram lines in Adelaide that will take you to and from North Terrace in the CBD and Glenelg Beach, and also from the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Port Road to North Terrace.

The trams never used to run along the east end of North Terrace, but an extension that was completed in 2018 has since made this possible, and enables the service to stretch all the way to the Adelaide Botanic Gardens.

The services run from around 6am to midnight each day, and you will need to pay a fare for the most part.

The only free trips are between South Terrace, the Entertainment Centre, the Botanic Gardens and Festival Plaza, and the entire length of Glenelg’s main thoroughfare, Jetty Road.

The O-Bahn is a unique part of the Adelaide public transport network, and is best described as a guided busway that delivers passengers to and from Adelaide’s eastern suburbs and the CBD.

Three main interchanges are located at Tea Tree Plaza, Paradise and Klemzig .

The service operates along a 12km guided concrete track, enabling a quick commute into the CBD as the buses can travel at 100 km/h.

The line enters the CBD by travelling under Rundle Park and Rymill Park.

Because there are no train lines servicing Adelaide’s north eastern suburbs, the O-Bahn is the quickest and most direct mode of transport into the city.

The fares are no different to Adelaide’s other modes of public transport.

Getting around Adelaide

With free trams and buses within the city centre, getting around Adelaide is quick and easy.

By Mark Sariban

Adelaide is an easy city to get around, with a great range of options for public transport, driving, cycling and walking. Here’s how to get around Adelaide with ease.

Transport in Adelaide

Adelaide, SA © South Australian Tourism Commission

Adelaide, South Australia © South Australian Tourism Commission

Airport Transfers
Accessibility

Adelaide has an extensive public transport system of buses, trains and trams. To use the network, it’s recommended that you purchase a MetroCard. You can purchase a regular metroCARD at Adelaide Airport or from participating retailers in the city. Use the Adelaide Metro’s My next service tool to find your nearest stop and real-time service information.

You can also purchase a metroCARD Visitor Pass , which gives you three days of unlimited travel on the Adelaide Metro network for one fixed fee. These cards can be purchased from the Adelaide Metro InfoCentre at the Adelaide Railway Station .
If you choose a regular metroCARD, you’ll need to load it with some money to cover your fares. You can do this participating retailers , at metroCARD retail agents or by using ticket machines at train stations.
You can use a contactless credit card, debit card or mobile device to tap and pay on trams and O-Bahn busway buses. Note that the tap and pay option does not provide the benefit of discounted transfers to other services.
To start your ride, tap your card on the reader when you board your selected mode of transport and be sure to tap off when you disembark.

Tip: If you arrive on a cruise ship, you can purchase an inexpensive one-day Cruise ship metroCARD at the Outer Harbor railway station or the Adelaide Metro InfoCentre.

Adelaide is serviced by Adelaide Airport (ADL) near the city centre. There are several options for reaching the city from the airport.

Public buses are an easy way to get from Adelaide Airport to the city. J1 and J2 buses run from the airport to the city approximately every 30 minutes. You can use a metroCARD to pay for this airport service.
You’ll find taxi ranks and rideshare pick-up areas at the front of each terminal – simply follow the signage. The journey from the airport to the city takes around 15 minutes.

In Australia, airlines, trains, buses and ferries have accessible options for people using mobility devices, as well as services for hearing and vision impaired travellers. Many hotels and attractions in South Australia , including surrounding areas such as Adelaide Hills , are also accessible.

Adelaide Airport provides special assistance for people with disabilities and can help with baggage, getting around the airport, and getting on and off the plane.
The majority of buses, trams and trains have accessible options – check the Adelaide Metro website for information on using public transport before your trip.

Getting around Adelaide on public transport

Tram, Jetty Road, Adelaide, SA © South Australian Tourism Commission

Tram, Adelaide, South Australia © South Australian Tourism Commission

Adelaide has a useful tram service that operates through the city centre and inner suburbs. It’s most convenient for travel within the city and reaching the popular coastal suburb of Glenelg. The service runs every 10-15 minutes from around 7am to midnight.

The tram is free to use in Adelaide city centre between Entertainment Centre Station and South Terrace Station.

Adelaide’s rail network is a great way to visit attractions outside of the city centre. From Adelaide Railway Station, you can catch the Outer Harbor line train to reach destinations such as historic Port Adelaide and the beachside suburb of Semaphore.

Adelaide has a free City Connector bus service operate in both clockwise and anticlockwise directions in the city centre.

Use 98 City Connector buses to travel between Adelaide’s downtown hotels and attractions such as the South Australian Museum , Adelaide Botanic Garden , Adelaide Zoo and Adelaide Oval .

Getting around Adelaide by car

The Parade, Norwood, SA © South Australian Tourism Commission

The Parade, Norwood, South Australia © South Australian Tourism Commission

Driving in Adelaide is easy and safe, but you may find it’s easier to use a combination of taxis, rideshares and public transport to get around town. You can also book tours to many of the stunning destinations outside of Adelaide and leave the driving to someone else.

If you do opt to rent a car at the airport or in the city, you may want to check whether your hotel charges a daily parking fee.

The City of Adelaide operates nine UPark off-street car parks with approximately 6,000 car parking spaces.
Download the free City of Adelaide Park Adelaide app to find parking spaces and make contactless payments on your smart device.

Adelaide is served by three major taxi companies: Independent taxis , Suburban taxis and 13cabs (Yellow Cabs) .

You can hail a taxi on the street (a taxi is available if its rooftop light is on) or at taxi ranks in built-up areas.
You can also book a taxi by phoning individual companies, downloading their apps or using the GoCatch app.

Most major ridesharing platforms operate in Adelaide, including Uber , Ola and DiDi , as well as local operator GoCatch.

Tip: Female travellers can also book a ride with Shebah , a rideshare service with all-women drivers catering to women. (Adult men can use the service if they need to transport a child who requires an approved child safety seat.)

Make the most of your time in Adelaide with a guided driving tour, such as Adelaide Sightseeing’s Adelaide City Highlights tour.

Where to stay in Adelaide

Other forms of transport in Adelaide

Temptation Sailing, Adelaide, SA © Tourism Australia

Temptation Sailing, Adelaide, South Australia © Tourism Australia

Cycling & scooting

Taking a sightseeing cruise on Adelaide’s rivers is a great way to see the city.

Cruise the River Torrens through the city centre on the charming river boat Popeye .
Spot the dolphins of the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary during a Port River Cruises tour on Port Adelaide River.

The City of Adelaide’s cycling networks make riding around the city easy and enjoyable.

Follow the Adelaide Bike Art Trail to see 11 large-scale sculptures located next to public bike racks.
Download an app from Beam or Neuron to access a pool of shared e-bikes and e-scooters across Adelaide.

Get around Adelaide by bus, train and tram

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South Australian Seniors Card members are entitled to free travel at all times. For more information please see our Seniors Card page.

You can use an Adelaide Metro concession fare if you have a:

Australian Pensioner Concession Card
Veteran Gold Card
Transport Concession Card
South Australian full-time post-secondary student ID card (as approved by the South Australian government).

Concession cards giving you free travel at all times :

Mobility Pass
Vision impairment Travel Pass
Plus One FREE COMPANION or Companion card (free travel is only for the companion)
Incapacitated Ex-service Personnel Travel Concession Card – for Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) clients who meet certain disability pension or impairment conditions. To apply for this card, first contact the DVA and ask them to provide you with proof/confirmation of your assessment. When you receive the document from them, contact us to apply for the card.

You must have your concession card with you whenever you are using a concession metroCARD or Buy & Go ticket. View examples of acceptable Adelaide Metro concession cards and acceptable regional concession cards .

When you buy a new concession metroCARD (excluding Seniors Card), you pay $3.50 for the physical card and need to load a minimum of $5 to it before you can use it. You can recharge it in blocks of $5, up to $200.

Special Hospital Workers metroCARD

Free public transport is valid for holders of a Special Hospital Workers metroCARD for travel to and from the following metropolitan hospitals only:

Flinders Medical Centre (FMC)
Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre (HRC)
Lyell McEwin Hospital (LMH)
Modbury Hospital
Noarlunga Hospital
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (TQEH)
Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH)
Women's and Children's Hospital (WCH)
Repat Hospital (Repat)

All enquiries regarding this initiative should be directed to SA Health at: [email protected]

See the conditions of use for more information.

You aren't eligible for concession fares if you have a:

Health Care Card - but you may be eligible for a Transport Concession Card
Student card from interstate or for part-time, online or correspondence studies.

Last updated 23/02/24

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Travel concession and allowances

Public transport concessions.

Accompanied children under 5 years of age travel free at all times on public transport.

Students are entitled to concession rates on public transport but must carry approved student identification cards. Student ID cards can be arranged through your school or tertiary education institution.

Students with disabilities may be eligible to travel free on public transport, such as with a mobility pass or vision impairment travel pass.

Use the public transport concession tool to check if you're eligible and find out how to apply or phone Adelaide Metro on 1300 311 108 for more information.

School travelling allowance

Eligibility.

Primary and secondary school students living 5 kilometres or more from the nearest public school or school bus run can apply for a travelling allowance.

How to apply

Lodge the application for student travelling allowance (PDF 171KB) with the school.

When you receive notification from the Department for Education that your application has been received, you can make a claim for travelling allowance (PDF 229KB) .

Where to get help

Phone the Department for Education on 8226 2406 if you have any questions about the allowance.

Tertiary education fare allowance

Tertiary students living away from home to study may be eligible for fares allowance .

Eligible students can claim fare allowances for pre-booked travel or as a reimbursement.

State Education Allowance

The State Education Allowance is available to geographically isolated parents with children at secondary level who board away from home to attend school. The allowance assists with travel, boarding and other expenses associated with the education of their children. Four payments are made each year at the end of each school term.

To be eligible for the State Education Allowance parents must have been approved by Centrelink to receive the Assistance for Isolated Children allowance.

Submit a state education allowance claim form (PDF 183KB) to the Department for Education address specified on the form.

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Travel free with your Seniors Card – all day, every day!

From today, South Australian Seniors Card members can travel for free on Adelaide Metro buses, trains and trams – all day, every day.

You don’t need to do anything to access the free travel; simply continue to validate your Seniors Card each time you board a service or pass through barrier gates.

Any unused credit on Seniors Cards can be refunded or transferred to a different metroCARD.

To request a refund, please visit the Adelaide Metro InfoCentre at the Adelaide Railway Station.

If you are unable to travel into the city, please call the Adelaide Metro InfoLine on 1300 311 108 for assistance (7am-8pm, daily).

There is no time limit on when you can receive your Seniors Card refund. Please travel to the Adelaide Metro InfoCentre for your refund, at a time that is convenient for you.

If you would like your credit transferred to a different metroCARD, please visit the Adelaide Metro InfoCentre with your Seniors Card and the metroCARD or call the Adelaide Metro InfoLine on 1300 311 108 (7am-8pm daily).

Please note:

refunds at the Adelaide Metro InfoCentre will be in cash only
refunds and credit transfers require the Seniors Card member to be present or available via phone
if you have less than $5 credit, the refund or credit transfer will need to be completed at the Adelaide Metro InfoCentre
credit, and a recent validation, will still be required on Seniors Cards to access the discounted parking at the Tea Tree Plaza Park ‘n’ Ride .

Previously, SA Seniors Card members were required to pay a concession fare during peak weekday times. This change will make Adelaide Metro services simpler and easier to use for South Australian Seniors Card members, regardless of when they need to travel.

Interstate Seniors Card members will continue to be able to use Adelaide Metro for free for 14 days in a row, during the following times:

Monday to Friday
midnight to 7am
9:01am to 3pm
7:01pm to midnight
All day Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.

A concession fare is required from 7am to 9am and 3pm to 7pm, Monday to Friday.

Find more information about this change here.

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3 Day Adelaide Itinerary Without a Car: a local’s guide to Adelaide

Adelaide is a beautiful city and has been consistently ranked one of the most liveable cities in the world. It is known as a 20-minute city, where you can visit Adelaide’s stunning beaches and hills, all within a 20-minute drive.

Having lived in Adelaide for 10+ years, I believe 3-day is the minimum for visiting Adelaide. With a 3-day visit, you should have enough time to explore the beautiful Adelaide city, picturesque Adelaide Hills, and stunning Adelaide coastline.

Adelaide also offers an efficient and extensive public transport system with buses, trains, and trams. All these services can be accessed with one single Metro ticket or MetroCard.

With a convenient public transport system, you do not need a car to visit Adelaide. You can easily spend multiple days in and around Adelaide with only public transport services.

In this article, I will take you through a detailed and practical 3 Day Adelaide Itinerary to explore this charming city without a car.

If you are visiting Adelaide by car, this itinerary will also work for you. That simply means you will have more freedom to explore each attraction at a time that suits you.

3 Day Adelaide Itinerary without a car

Although Adelaide is smaller in comparison to many other Australian capital cities, you can have excellent food, wine, culture, art, event, and wildlife experiences, without ever stepping outside of its CBD. However, to get the most out of your 3-day visit to Adelaide, this itinerary will also take you to explore the famous Adelaide Hills and stunning Adelaide coastline.

Day 1: Adelaide CBD

Start your day with breakfast at the famous Peter Rabbit.

Their extensive menu offers a great vegetarian selection as well as non-vegetarian choices.

Bonus point & the biggest eye candy: cute rabbits to admire (real rabbits inside).

North Terrace

Take a casual stroll along North Terrace (eastward direction) after breakfast.

North Terrace is lined with a range of historically and culturally significant buildings. Along this walk, you will be walking past:

First opened in 1856 & still operating as a train station today.
Be sure to wander in to admire its impressive windows and high ceilings.
Note: part of the station building is currently used by Adelaide Casino & SkyCity Adelaide, which you may also want to check out.
East of Adelaide Railway Station

It may not look spectacular from the outside, but be sure to check out its Mortlock Wing on the eastern end of this library.
If I can only pick one building to visit on North Terrace, this is it!
The 3-level open-plan Mortlock Chamber is like a scene from Harry Potter. Feel free to grab a chair and a book to enjoy some solitude while visiting this Victorian library.
House a large collection of specimens and artefacts.
Can be especially appealing for people interested in geology and Aboriginal culture.
Can easily spend at least a couple of hours here.
For art lovers, this is where you may want to visit.
With a decent collection of art, you can easily spend an hour or two here.
Guided tours are available twice a day (with a fee).
A prestigious university and the third oldest university in Australia.
You can find many historic buildings on this campus.

All these North Terrace attractions are free to visit, but you may not have time to explore all of them. I suggest choosing only one attraction for deeper exploration while having a quick walkthrough of the others.

Mortlock Wing, State Library of South Australia

Adelaide Botanic Garden

Towards the end of your walk along North Terrace, you will find the beautiful Adelaide Botanic Garden.

Adelaide Botanic Garden is an oasis in the middle of a buzzing city centre. It is the perfect place to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. With a variety of plantations, it is also a great place to visit all year round.

Rundle Street to Rundle Mall

After lunch, you will slowly wander back to the city centre via Rundle Street and Rundle Mall.

Rundle Street and Rundle Mall is the heart of retail and entertainment in Adelaide. However, they are quite different in many ways.

Rundle Street

On the eastern side of Pulteney Street
Offers boutique stores with mostly higher-end brands.
You can find many interesting restaurants and cafes around Rundle Street.

Rundle Mall

On the western side of Pulteney Street
A pedestrian-only street and a street mall
Offers a large variety of shops and department stores
You can find many budget-friendly food courts in Rundle Mall
Where the famous Mall’s Balls (officially ‘The Spheres’) and the Rundle Mall Pigs (officially ‘A Day Out’) live

Adelaide Central Market

Take a stroll or catch a free tram along King William St to visit the Adelaide Central Market.

On your way to the central market, you will find the Adelaide Town Hall building on your left and the colonial era’s GPO (General Post Office) building on your right. At the southeastern corner of Victoria Square, you will also find the impressive St Francis Xavier’s Catholic Cathedral – worth a visit if you have the time.

Adelaide Central Market is a must-visit in Adelaide.

Over the years, Adelaide Central Market has transformed and developed into more than just a hub for fresh produce. In Adelaide Central Market, you can also find artisan bakeries, delicious cheese & wine stalls, organic products, thriving bars and cafes, and many more.

Adelaide Chinatown

Adjacent to Adelaide Central Market, you will find the booming Adelaide Chinatown.

In Adelaide Chinatown, you can find a range of international cuisines. There is also a variety of shops selling a wide selection of groceries from different regions in the world. Many of these stores also have longer trading hours than other shops in Adelaide, so it can be a great place for you to explore after dinner.

There is a huge selection of eateries around Adelaide Central Market and Adelaide Chinatown. Depending on your preference, there is a range of different cuisines to choose from. My favourites are:

Argentinian : Gaucho’s Argentinian Restaurant – you can never go wrong with an Argentinian steak.
Chao Chow – dry & soup base hotpot.
Tasty Biang – best BiangBiang noodles & cold skin noodles in Adelaide.
Ying Chow Chinese Restaurant – a restaurant that’s been around for years; specialises in stir-fries, can get very busy.
Japanese : Wasai Japanese Kitchen – I loved their curries & their sushi was also great.
Vietnamese : Thanh Thanh Vietnamese Restaurant – one of the best Pho in town.

After dinner, if your tummy still has room for it, make sure you check out some of the dessert options around here. My favourites are:

Matcha House : for everything matcha related; my personal favourites are their Matcha Ice Cream Parfait and Matcha Panna Cotta, absolutely delicious; a must-visit if you like matcha.
Meet Dessert : for a selection of icy cold desserts; they also offer 1L Mega Cup Milk Tea – very satisfying to drink.
Gyoza Gyoza : offers a selection of soft serves (as well as dinner options); as a matcha lover, their matcha soft serve is what drives me there over and over again.
L’Amour Patisserie : a cute patisserie that opens to 9 pm on most days; lovely decorations; cakes are not overly sweet (I personally do not like sweets much).

Mad March Events

If you are visiting Adelaide during Mad March (mid-February to late March), it may be worthwhile checking out some of the events around Adelaide.

The most popular ones are Adelaide Fringe Festival, WOMAD, and Clipsal 500.

Most of these events are spread out around Adelaide, which can be easily visited when staying in Adelaide CBD.

Day 2: Adelaide Hills & North Adelaide

The 2nd day of this itinerary starts with a trip to the remarkable Adelaide Hills and finishes with a relaxing stroll along the charming streets in North Adelaide.

For more detailed information on visiting the Adelaide Hills on a day trip from Adelaide, you may wish to also read this ‘ Adelaide Hills Day Trip & Free Things To Do ‘.

Mount Lofty Summit

Adelaide Hills is best known for its stunning nature, lush tree-lined streets, brilliant wineries, and mouth-watering German sausages. It is also home to the impressive Mount Lofty Summit.

You can hike to the Mount Lofty Summit from Waterfall Gully, but there are no direct bus services to Waterfall Gully. To make this trip more practical, you will need to catch a bus directly to the Mount Lofty Summit instead.

This bus ride from Adelaide to Mount Lofty Summit takes just under 1 hour. Alternatively, you can also use a rideshare service for around AUD30 from Adelaide CBD (average price at the time of writing this article – April 2022).

Mount Lofty Botanic Garden

Mount Lofty Botanic Garden is located on the eastern slope of Mount Lofty. It is a great place to reconnect with nature.

Mount Lofty Botanic Garden is a great place to visit all year round. I especially enjoy the views here during the Autumn months (March to June), when the trees are all turning into an array of gold and red. With its cooler climate, it is also a great place to visit in the hotter months (December to February).

Check out the delicious burgers from Crafers Bean Cafe in Crafers before catching a bus to Hahndorf.

Alternatively, you can check out the amazing food options in Hahndorf instead.

A less than half an hour’s bus ride from Crafers, you will arrive at Adelaide’s most famous German town, Hahndorf.

Hahndorf has a strong German heritage. Along your walk around Hahndorf, you will find a range of picturesque German-style buildings. Since this little town is a well-touristed area, you can also find a wide variety of shops selling interesting gifts and crafts.

Sitting in the heart of Adelaide Hills, Hahndorf is also in no short supply of fresh local produce and quality wine options.

Beerenberg Farm is by far my favourite place in Hahndorf & a must-visit in this area.

Handorf is famous for its German sausages. Multiple restaurants serve German sausages in Hahndorf. I have tried the German sausages in two popular restaurants in Hahndorf, but I did not find them as appetising as the sausages in Germany. Each to their own, I’ll let you decide for yourself.

Since Adelaide Hills is famous for its wines, you can also find many cellar doors around Hahndorf. If time allows, feel free to join a wine tasting as well.

North Adelaide

Once you have returned to the city, be sure to head towards North Adelaide along King William Street for some beautiful street and river views.

North Adelaide is a suburb north of Adelaide and only an easy 30-minute walk from Adelaide CBD. It is an affluent suburb with streets lined with picturesque restaurants, boutiques, and heritage architecture.

Along this walk, you will be walking past the beautiful Elder Park, peaceful River Torrens, famous Adelaide Oval, and breathtaking St Peter’s Cathedral.

If time allows, make sure you also take a casual stroll or a bike ride along the River Torrens to enjoy Adelaide from a different perspective. Paddle Boats are also available in Elder Park to cruise around River Torrens.

There is a wide range of restaurants to choose from in North Adelaide, especially near O’Connell Street and Melbourne Street. Most of these eateries are very well presented and provide amazing food experiences, so it is more a matter of personal preference.

My personal favourites for dinner are:

Beyond India North Adelaide for a great selection of Indian food
The Kentish Hotel for an excellent pub meal
Himalayan Kitchen for tasty Nepalese food
Yakitori Takumi for a cosy Japanese experience
Krung Thep Thai for mouthwatering Thai food
Marrakech Restaurant for an impressive Moroccan experience

For desserts:

Bakery on O’Connell for some delicious baked goods & they open 24/7
St Louis House of Fine Ice Cream and Deserts for a delicious ice cream

For late-night drinks:

Stacked Social

Day 3: Hallet Cove Conservation Park & Brighton Beach / Glenelg Beach

Try out Coffee Branch on Leigh Street for an excellent coffee to start the day.

Hallett Cove Conservation Park

In addition to the stunning coastal views, Hallett Cove Conservation Park also provides a display of magnificent geological formations from the ice age (280 million years ago).

I suggest starting your walk from the Boatshed Cafe and follow the famous Hallett Cove Boardwalk for the best views and experience.

The Hallett Cove Boardwalk is a clifftop boardwalk overlooking the incredible St Vincent Gulf. Along this boardwalk, you will find an extensive display of Permian Glaciation on the cliff side. There is also a set of staircase to take you down the rocky oceanfront to explore this geological formation further.

You can complete a return walk in Hallett Cove Conservation Park within as little as 1 hour, but I suggest planning at least 2 hours to pace yourself and truly enjoy the breathtaking views.

Right next to Hallett Cove Conservation Park, you can join Boatshed Cafe for lunch.

Alternatively, you can also find many great cafes and restaurants near Brighton & Glenelg Beach.

Brighton Beach and/or Glenelg Beach

After visiting Hallett Cove, you can either take a short train ride to visit the beautiful Brighton Beach or take a combined train and bus ride to visit the famous Glenelg Beach.

Glenelg Beach is popular among both locals and tourists. It offers a soft sandy beach, stunning waterfront, heritage architecture, convenient location, and abundant shops and cafes.

Brighton Beach offers most of the things you can find from Glenelg Beach but on a smaller scale. Since it is not as well known to tourists, you do find much fewer people around Brighton Beach.

I do love the beautiful views from Glenelg Beach, but not how populated it usually is. So, Brighton Beach has always been my go-to place on those hot summer days.

If you are interested, you can also take a walk along the beach between Brighton and Glenelg to visit both of these beaches and everything in between. This walk takes only 1 hour (one way). There are also cafes and parks along the walk for you to sit down and relax.

For more information on choosing the best beach to visit in Adelaide, feel free to check out this: Best Adelaide Beach to Visit – a comparison of all beaches 1-hour from Adelaide .

Depending on your plans, you may wish to enjoy some beautiful sunset views near the bay before heading back to the city. If this is you, there are multiple places near Brighton and Glenelg for you to sample some delicious dinner.

If you are heading back to Adelaide CBD for dinner, you may wish to check out Leigh Street or Hutt Street for some dinner ideas.

Options for spending 4 to 6 Days in Adelaide without a car

If you have more than 3 days to spend in Adelaide and don’t mind joining guided tours, be sure to check out some of the day tours to visit the stunning country towns near Adelaide.

Day 4: Barossa Valley

Barossa Valley is well known for its big, bold Shiraz. You can find several high-profile, world-renowned wineries in this region, as well as many smaller wineries.

Most of these wineries offer cellar door tastings. Some of them also have adjacent restaurants/cafes for you to enjoy a delicious meal with a glass of paired wine.

In addition to the wines, Barossa Valley also offers an extraordinary view. Here, you can find picturesque vineyards, charming churches and stone cottages, and glorious chateaus.

Day 5 +/- Day 6: Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island is the third-largest island in Australia. Being geologically isolated from the mainland, it offers a magnificent nature experience.

For more detailed information on Kangaroo Island, feel free to check out my articles on:

Kangaroo Island 2 Day Road Trip Itinerary and Useful Tips
Kangaroo Island Day Trip: a practical road trip itinerary

Day 6: Victor Harbor +/- McLaren Vale

Victor Harbor is just over an hour’s drive south of Adelaide.

As a beautiful coastal town, Victor Harbor is another popular attraction to visit in South Australia.

Along the drive to and/or from Victor Harbor from Adelaide, you can also visit another famous South Australian wine region, McLaren Vale .

Public Transport in Adelaide Metropolitan Area

Adelaide metro price.

Free public services are available on trams within Adelaide CBD and along Jetty Road, Glenelg. You can also catch the free city connector buses to get around Adelaide CBD (98A, 98C, 99A, 99C) and North Adelaide (98A, 98C).

Fares apply to all other transport services. They are the same across all buses, trains, and trams in Adelaide’s metropolitan area. However, they differ significantly depending on the time of the day you are travelling in & whether you are using a concession ticket.

The type of fares you may require is highly dependent on how many days you are travelling for, how often you are travelling each day, and when you are travelling.

Where to purchase MetroTicket and/or MetroCard

For visitors arriving in Adelaide by air, there is also a bus interchange in Adelaide Airport for purchasing and recharging a MetroCard.

If you wish to purchase a Visitor Metro Card, it is currently (April 2022) only available for purchase at Adelaide Railway Station (in the city).

From Adelaide Airport to Adelaide CBD

It is usually only a 15-minute drive between Adelaide Airport and Adelaide CBD. An Uber or Didi ride-share service will cost around AUD15-25 (at time of writing – April 2022), depending on the service you pick.

You can also commute between Adelaide Airport and Adelaide CBD by bus. J1 and J2 buses take only about 30-minutes to drive between Adelaide Airport and Adelaide CBD , which can be a very affordable and convenient option for many travellers. The fare is the same as all other public transport services in Adelaide.

Adelaide Metro Timetables

As can be expected, public transport services are generally less frequent on weekends and public holidays. There are also fewer services outside of peak hours. However, as long as you plan ahead, you are still able to visit the attractions on this itinerary with ease.

To plan your trip, you can use either Adelaide Metro’s Journey Planner or Google Maps. I have used both of them to plan my trips, and they both work well. However, I do find Google Maps offers more flexible options.

With Google Maps, it offers a combination of Adelaide Metro, ride-share, and walking options, which can work out much better in bringing you to where you need to be. If you are in an e-Scooter operating zone, it will even show you that option too.

Where to Stay when Visiting Adelaide

Since Adelaide CBD is a central hub for all Adelaide Metro services, it only makes sense to stay in the Adelaide city centre for this 3 Day Adelaide Itinerary.

Within Adelaide CBD, I highly suggest staying near the intersection of King William Street & Currie Street/Grenfell Street. Most of the public transport services are near this area, and there is also a great range of cafes, restaurants, and bars nearby.

A Review of Australia Public Transport Cards

Michela Australia Travel Planning Getting Around Australia 5

When it comes to make a travel plan and figure out all travel expenses for travelling to Australia, Public transport is also something you need to include in your budget. Australian cities are spread out, and going from A to B implies long distances. These tips will help you maximise your stay in Australian cities.

Table of Contents

Why use public transport cards in Australia

All main Australian cities like Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide offer public transport cards that you can purchase everywhere. While purchasing a travel card may seem very practical, it’s not always the best choice. If you stay 2-3 days in cities, getting a day-rider is probably the best choice.

But if you plan to stay longer, then getting a public transport card is the best way to save money on your trip. The average cost of purchasing the ticket is between 2 and 10 Australian dollars.

Pros and Cons of using Australia Public Transport Cards

The big advantage of using an Australian public transport card is the save-money aspect. If you plan to get about by public transport on a regular, daily basis, you will need a ticket.

Public transportation in cities is the only sustainable way that allows you to travel cheaply on long distances within metropolitan areas and city suburbia. It’s also an environmental way of exploring a city, and it’s better than using a rental car and paying high parking fees. You can read more here on how to save money in Australian cities .

All Australian public transport cards under-the-lens

In my solo trips around Australia , I had the opportunity to try out all public transport cards in 6 different Australian cities. Here you can read about my detailed portrait of each travel card with all features, benefits and prices.

How Australian travel cards work

All Australian Transport Cards work more or less the same way. After purchasing the card, you can add money to it and use it on all city public transport services. You can top-up your card whenever you want, and there is no limitation concerning money and time of use. Usually, cards do not expire so that you can keep them for future city trips.

Tag-on-Tag-off also plays an important role. If you accidentally forget to tag off your card, the system will automatically charge the card with the highest daily ride fare. Each public transportation network has its website to consult for info about fares, train and buses timetables. Furthermore, each public transport city website offers a useful journey planner page, which I highly recommend if you are a first time traveller to Australian cities.

The Go-Card for Brisbane and Gold Coast City Public Transport

This is one of the last 2 Australian transport cards I have tried. I could use it during my five weeks in the Gold Coast of Australia . It costs 2 dollars, and the highlight of this card is that you can top it up on all buses, so you don’t need to go to a newsagent or use the counter or the automatic machine.

That’s a plus, as you can hop on a bus and top it up immediately. Ticket fares are structured according to peak time and low-traffic time, so from 7-9 am and 3 pm, it is more expensive to travel with public transport than during the day’s core hours. You can use it to go to the airport from and to Brisbane and the whole metropolitan area. Another benefit is that if you make 8 journeys a week, you’ll pay half-price for all other journeys.

The Opal Card for Sydney Public Transport

In June this year, I tried out the Opal Card for Sydney . The Opal Card is the only one in Australia to be free. You can get it at the airport, train stations or any newsagent shop at zero cost. You can add money and top it up like all other cards. You can also use a contactless credit/debit card or linked Apple Pay or Google Pay devices. The contactless is very useful if you have a card that doesn’t have international exchange fees. The card can be used on the entire metropolitan transport network, with tag-on and tag-off as usual.

This card’s great benefits are the daily, weekly, Saturday, and Sunday caps. There used to be a 2.50 AUD Sunday cap, but this increased to 8.15 AUD on all public transport, including the Sydney Ferries. There is the same cap for Saturday. For the day cap, the price is 16.30 AUD, and the weekly cap is 50 AUD.

Over the weekend, you can travel wide and far within the Sydney metropolitan transport network for half-prices of the daily cap. It includes cruising the Sydney harbour on all public ferries.

On top of that, there are more benefits to using the Opal card for airport transport. You will get a free return ticket for frequent flyers leaving on Monday and returning before Sunday. You get a 2 dollars discount on transit mode (switching from rail to ferry), and if you make 8 journeys in a week, you’ll pay half price for the rest of your journeys.

I’d say this is the least complicated Australian transport card. Moreover, the fact that it is free is a huge benefit for short-term visitors to Sydney.

The Myki Card – Melbourne Public Transport

The Miky Card was the first card I purchased in Melbourne . As I stayed with friends in Melbourne, eastern suburbia, I needed a transport card to save money on travelling around. The Myki Card is very popular among locals and travellers alike. After purchasing it for 10 Dollars, you can top it up everywhere. You can use the digital mobile version on Android/Google Pay.

You can do the Myki Recharge at the Top-Up machines , but if you want, you can activate the online top-up too . However, the automated top-up doesn’t bring any bonus nor discounted transport fares.

Melbourne public transport ‘s fares work upon travel zones, and the maximum you will spend on a day is 7.80 Dollars, the same fare as a day rider. Although this may sound expensive, you must consider that all Melbourne trams are free within Melbourne CBD (since Jan 2015).

Moreover to travel long distances across various zones is not expensive. I remember going for 2,5 hours from Eastern Melbourne to the northern suburbs for 7.80 dollars, both ways.

That’s cheap about the travel distances covered. So, the Myki card fares will save you money on long travel distances. On this page, you can read more about the Myki Card . The MyKi Card is free for early birds travelling between 5 am and 7.15 am from Monday to Friday.

I know Australians are unhappy with public Transport and often complain about it being expensive. While there is something that could be improved , I didn’t find the Australian public transport system so bad at all.

Adelaide Metro Card – the most complicated card

When I touched base in Adelaide , I was unsure whether the Adelaide Metro Card was something for me. After spending 5 dollars on bus fare to travel within the city, I thought the metro card would save money. In Adelaide, public transport consists mainly of buses and trams.

There is no underground. I found the Adelaide Metro Card fares expensive regarding travel distances (within the city), and the transport fare structure is somewhat complicated.

It differentiates fares from weekdays from weekends. Peak time is around office time and is the most expensive; if you don’t have the Metro Card , a ride on a Saturday will cost you 5.10 dollars (the most expensive day) while Sunday is the cheapest, only 1.80 dollars.

The Adelaide Metro Card itself is cheaper than in other Australian cities, but because Adelaide’s public transport is mainly buses and trams, it could improve service and fare structure.

Smart Rider Perth – the most rewarding card

Perth was the last Australian city and where I spent the longest time, nearly seven weeks. If you stay in the town, you will not probably need a Smart Rider because the Perth free buses : The yellow Cat, the Red Cat and the Blue Cat cover the Perth CBD and suburban areas.

If you stay in Perth’s outskirts, then you need a SmartRider. The Smart Rider Perth Card works at all major public transport cards in Australia, with a topping-up to recharge the card and the tag-on-tag-off charge system.

However, the SmartRider card offers some extra perks. a 15% discount on all Perth transport fares and a 25% if you decide to activate the online Smartrider Autoload . How does this work? You need to register your card with your details and credit cards to allow an automated top-up whenever your card has reached the minimum of around 4 dollars.

That’s helpful because you don’t have to rush to the counter or queue at the top-up machines. The autoloading system does that for you, automatically entitles you to a 25% discount on all transport fares.

I have calculated that I saved 40-50 dollars on autoloading for only over one month. The Smart Rider Perth card is the most rewarding, easier to use than other cards, with an excellent public transport network service (most trains ride every 15 minutes).

Perth public transport network is cheaper concerning travel distances. I travelled with my SmartRider Card from Perth to Mandurah for only 8 dollars considering there are 75 km, the train ride was cheap.

Darwin Public Transport – Tap and Ride Card – 20 dollars 7 day-ride

While Darwin is not always easy to get information as a traveller, it is built for locals, which often disregards travellers’ needs.

I learned about this great Darwin Card in August and got the connected card . You can purchase the card for seven days at 20 Dollars for unlimited use. Considering Darwin is a very spread-out city, you need a card to get around.

If you don’t want to hire a car, then this card is a must. The Darwin bus network is good, and it covers all of Darwin attractions and much of the city suburbs worth visiting. So, definitely, I give a thumbs-up to this card. By the way, you can also use the Tap & Ride Darwin Car in Alice Spring.

Final thoughts about public transport cards in Australia

I find Australia public transport is excellent regarding networks and services. Among these six city transport cards, the best cards are the Opal Card Sydney and the Smartrider Card in Perth for the smooth and rewarding fare system, the network and the train timetables.

The second place is Myki Card in Melbourne , and the Go-Card in Brisbane , as they offer a great value public transport card to travellers. The third place is Darwin, and the last is Adelaide, where I think there could be room for improvement. Brisbane and Adelaide are soon moving to contactless payment for their transport cards.

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Paula March 10, 2016 @ 9:00 pm

Thanks for this really helpful post. I love using public transport when I travel. Sounds to me that Sydney’s Opal card is most like Adelaide’s with a pretty complex pricing structure and a lot of rules. The best thing for travellers is that after 8 trips in a week travel is free so if you plan your time carefully you can visit the Blue Mountains for nothing! I wrote a long post about it on my blog to try to make it easy for visitors to understand.

Rocky Travel Australia November 16, 2016 @ 3:11 pm

Hi Paula, that’s a great tip. I didn’t know about the Opal Card either. I knew about the 2.50 dollars cap. Thanks for adding it to this list.

Charles McCool December 19, 2016 @ 5:32 am

Very useful travel resource for Australian public transportation. Thank you.

Ian mcdonald September 19, 2019 @ 11:01 am

To get a metro card in Adelaide if you hold a interstate seniors card go to Adelaide central railway station and present your seniors card and get fourteen days free travel on the public transport system I rang up Adelaide this afternoon and that’s what I got told

Rocky Travel Australia September 20, 2019 @ 1:52 pm

Thanks for adding this piece of information! That’s great to know about it.

Privacy Overview

The SIM card shop is outside; I sketched a map to help

Finding a Tourist SIM card in Adelaide: Airport or City

To help tourists and short-term travellers to Adelaide figure out where to buy a SIM card and which one to buy, I put together this guide. I understand how confusing it can be to arrive in a new city and be overwhelmed by options. Hopefully this guide clears up some of that confusion.

It is possible to buy a short term SIM card if arriving at Adelaide Airport. SIM cards from the three largest providers in Australia (Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone) are typically available from the WHSmith shop at the airport, stock depending.

There is one shop selling prepaid SIM cards at Adelaide Airport:

If transiting in Sydney on the way to Adelaide , it is possible to buy a Vodafone or Optus SIM card at Sydney Airport. I included this option in my Sydney SIM card guide, check it out here: Where to find a SIM card at Sydney airport

Is it better to pick up a SIM card after leaving Adelaide Airport?

For convenience, I find it better to buy a SIM card at Adelaide Airport: All big providers are available, each offering good deals for coverage, data, and phone calls.

Leaving the airport can open up options for smaller brands that re-sell the networks of these big providers. It can be a few dollars cheaper to leave the airport, but for most short trips I find this not worth the trouble.

I find the Optus plans available at the airport to be good overall.

Optus Prepaid Epic starts from $10 AUD 1 and includes 5GB of data and 100 mins of calls to Australian numbers.

Other options are available, I’ve taken a look below at which are good…

For better coverage (Telstra)
For cheaper phone calls (Vodafone)
For even more data (Coles Mobile)

Better coverage

I’ve found Telstra provides consistently the best coverage of any of the mobile networks in Australia. Coverage is important in Australia if you plan on travelling outside the major cities and towns.

The Adelaide Hills and wine regions generally have acceptable coverage with all networks (Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone), but may have some blackspots particularly due to hills. I found Telstra and Optus to offer consistently acceptable coverage, while Vodafone had some areas without coverage.

If driving out of Adelaide, the best coverage currently appears to be with Telstra and Optus. Both cover the larger roads and towns. Not all roads are covered, including to popular destinations such as the Flinders Ranges. Some travellers may consider a satellite phone for emergency communications if travelling extensively in the Australian outback.

McLaren Vale , all three networks provide good coverage.
Barossa Valley , Telstra and Optus provide good coverage, Vodafone is limited.
Flinders Ranges , Telstra consistently appears to offer the best coverage (although there are patches it may be unavailable) for roads and towns near the ranges. Optus covers the larger towns only. Vodafone does not appear to cover even that. I’ve never found any coverage at the ranges themselves.

Telstra SIM cards should be available at the WHSmith, depending on their stock available. Plans start from $10 AUD 2 .

Better value calls

For calls back home, Vodafone includes generous minutes with its prepaid SIM card to dozens of countries . The price for this SIM card seems to be inconsistent, either it’s $20 or $40 AUD 3 . I feel it’s a good deal at either price point if you are interested in making phone calls back home.

The Vodafone prepaid SIM includes:

500 minutes of calls to: Singapore, Malaysia, China and territories, Japan South Korea, UK, US and territories, and many more
100 minutes of calls to: Most of South America, Most of Europe, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and also many more

Vodafone has shops in Adelaide CBD, including at Rundle Mall and Central Market, typically open 9am to 5:30pm with reduced hours on weekends.

Coles, a large supermarket chain in Australia, offers a $20 AUD plan that includes 28GB of data 3 . It is valid for 35 days. Coles has a large number of shops that you can buy this SIM card from. Network coverage is the same as Optus. Unlimited local calls are available though the international call rates aren’t as good as Vodafone.

Any Coles supermarket should sell Coles Mobile prepaid SIM cards. There are Coles located in the Adelaide CBD on Rundle Street or on Grote Street.

Getting to the city centre to buy a SIM card

Adelaide airport is connected to the city and surrounding suburbs by various bus routes, Uber, and taxi.

SIM cards can be found near popular accommodation spots, particularly in the Adelaide CBD. Many of the shops run by the mobile phone providers close early, some of the 24 hour convenience stores sell SIM cards however.

Airport bus services are provided by Adelaide Metro with various services travelling to areas surrounding the airport, or Adelaide city itself.

Near bus stop F2 Grenfell St - North Side is Rundle Mall where Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, and Coles all have shops. Shops selling SIM cards are usually closed by 5:30pm, except some convenience stores.

Buses may have free Wi-Fi, which works well if not many people on the bus are using it.

Uber and ride-share, using the airport Wi-Fi to book

Uber is current available at Adelaide Airport. The pick up area is located in the car park, away from the terminal building. This means it’s a walk to the carpark to find the Uber. I haven’t had any experience with the airport Wi-Fi at Adelaide, but I imagine it doesn’t provide coverage out to the car park.

I don’t like to use Uber when it isn’t available at the terminal. Airport Wi-Fi often doesn’t stretch to remote Uber pick up locations (and I don’t like walking there with my luggage). If there is a problem finding the driver, it can be awkward walking back to the terminal to get Wi-Fi again.

I assume Wi-Fi is not available once in the car.

Alternatives to Uber from Adelaide airport include Talixo and Jayride.

Taxis in Adelaide do not have Wi-Fi.

Is Wi-Fi available at Adelaide Airport?

Yes, free Wi-Fi is available at Adelaide Airport. Connect to Adelaide Airport to use the Wi-Fi.

Do I need ID to buy a SIM card at Adelaide Airport?

Yes , identification is required to buy a SIM card at Adelaide Airport and anywhere else in Australia. A passport is sufficient, and the address you’re staying at will also need to be supplied. An activation process may be required for the SIM. Staff at the shops are generally friendly and can help you through the activation process. It’s done either on their computer or on your phone.

Recording identification is done either when you buy the SIM card, or when you activate. If you’re not sure about the process, buy from a shop where they can help you activate the SIM card.

Can I roam with my Australian SIM card to another country

New zealand.

Optus offers 5 days of 10GB data roaming with its prepaid sim cards for an extra $20. This is only worth it for trips to New Zealand of 5 days or less. For trips longer than 5 days, local SIM cards can be bought at most airports that have flights from Australia and further abroad.

This Optus prepaid data roaming also works in Hong Kong, Singapore, USA and UK.

Prepaid roaming credit can be added on the Optus recharge website or in an Optus shop.

I’ve written guides to picking up local SIM cards at:

Christchurch

Despite being neighbours, roaming a prepaid Australian SIM card into Indonesia is expensive.

Telstra offers a very expensive $29 AUD for 100MB of data.

Vodafone is slightly cheaper at $25 AUD for a mix of data or calls (up to 200MB data), but it only lasts 3 days. A 7 day option is available for $35 AUD.

I don’t like the idea of taking an Australian SIM card to Indonesia, especially when there are so many local options available.

From Brisbane, it’s a 6.5 hour flight over to Bali, Indonesia.

For short trips of up to 5 days, the Optus prepaid 10GB data roaming plan is $20.

References:

Optus prepaid plans

Telstra prepaid plans

Vodafone prepaid plans

Coles mobile plans

Tags: sim-card adelaide australia

← Where to Find SIM Cards at Johannesburg Airport, Map Included
Finding a Tourist SIM card in Darwin: Map Included →

Written by Chris who travels frequently for work and understands what it can be like to arrive somewhere new and unfamiliar.

I wrote Landing Last Minute to help the hurried traveler get necessary information about any destination.

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Our picks feature the best travel cards for every budget and include no-annual-fee, low-annual-fee, premium and business cards.

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Our editorial team has spent well over a thousand hours analyzing, evaluating and comparing the top credit card offers in the market. We carefully vet each card’s fine print in order to understand their features, limitations and potential benefits for consumers. We review cards independently, ensuring our content is accurate and guided by editorial integrity. Read our full methodology to learn more.

46 travel credit cards evaluated
10+ data points used, including ongoing fees, reward programs and welcome offers
100+ sources reviewed

Money.com has partnered with CardRatings.com for our coverage of credit card products. Money and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. This site does not include all card companies or all available card offers. O ur top picks are listed strictly in alphabetical order.

Our Top Picks for Best Travel Credit Cards

Best no-annual-fee travel credit cards.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card – Best no-annual-fee travel card for flat rate rewards
Bilt Mastercard® – Best no-annual-fee travel card for paying rent
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card – Best no-annual-fee card for travel partners
Chase Freedom Unlimited® – Best no-annual-fee travel card for domestic travel
Discover it® Miles – Best no-annual-fee travel card for simple rewards
Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card – Best no-annual-fee travel card for everyday spending

Best low-fee-annual-fee travel credit cards

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card – Best travel card for flat-rate rewards
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card – Best travel card for flexible rewards

Best premium travel credit cards

American Express® Gold Card – Best travel card for dining
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card – Best low-cost premium travel card
Chase Sapphire Reserve® – Best premium travel credit card
The Platinum Card® from American Express – Best travel card for lounge access

Best business travel credit cards

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express – Best business travel card

Best airline travel credit cards

United℠ Explorer Card: Best airline credit card

Best Travel Credit Cards Reviews

Our top picks are listed in alphabetical order.

Best No-Annual-Fee Travel Credit Cards

No annual fee
No foreign transaction fees
Earns 1.5x points on all purchases
No bonus category for travel
Few benefits compared to other cards
Limited redemption options

Why we chose it: The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card is an easy-to-use card best suited for travel reward beginners or those who are already Bank of America customers.

Some cardholders can earn up to 75% more points if they are Bank of America Preferred Rewards members — that’s up to 2.62 points for every dollar spent.

However, the card doesn’t offer hotel and airline point transfer partners, travel insurance or extended warranty and purchase protection. Additionally, you can only redeem your points as statement credit to cover travel and dining purchases.

All information about Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Money.com

No annual or foreign currency conversion fee (Click herehttps://www.wellsfargo.com/credit-cards/bilt/terms/">here; for rates and fees)
Use it to pay your rent and earn rewards without incurring any processing fees
You can earn double points on all purchase categories (except rent payments) on the first of every month (up to 10,000 points)
Earn 2x points on travel (when booked directly through an airline, hotels, car rental agencies and cruise lines)
No welcome bonus or introductory APR period
Points redeemed for statement credits are worth 0.55 cents each
You must make at least five transactions in a statement period to earn points
Rent payments can only be made to one rental property per month

Why we chose it: The Bilt Mastercard® lets you earn travel rewards on rent payments without incurring any processing fees — unlike most credit cards that typically charge around 2.5% to 2.9% per rent payment.

You can use the card to pay rent without worrying about surcharges. Once you get approved for the card, all you have to do is set up an account through the Bilt app or website and use your assigned routing and account number to pay rent through your usual payment portal. You can also use your card even if your landlord only accepts checks, and Bilt will send a check on your behalf.

Additionally, Bilt doubles the card’s rewards rates on the first of every month, which means you can earn 6x points on dining, 4x points on travel and 2x points on other purchases (up to 10,000 points per month). However, this bonus doesn’t apply to rent rewards.

On the downside, the Bilt Mastercard® doesn’t offer a welcome bonus, and points redeemed for statement credits are only worth 0.55 cents each.

Can transfer your miles to 16 travel partners
Earns 5x miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
Doesn't earn bonus points on airfare
No domestic travel partners

Why we chose it: The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is a great option if you’re looking for a no-annual fee travel credit card with a simple rewards structure.

You can use your miles to book travel through the Capital One Travel portal or as a statement credit to cover travel purchases made from airlines, hotels, rail lines, car rental agencies and more.

You can also transfer your points to one of Capital One’s 16 travel partners, which include international airlines such as Avianca and British Airways. This option is notable since travel credit cards with no annual fee don’t typically offer the option to transfer your reward to airline and hotel partners.

However, the card’s list of bonus categories is limited compared to some other no-annual-fee credit cards, and Capital One doesn’t offer bonus points on airfare booked through Capital One Travel.

Includes trip cancellation/interruption and car rental insurance
Features a high flat cash back rate combined and popular bonus categories
3% foreign transaction fee

Why we chose it: The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is the best credit card for traveling domestically. It offers a 1.5% flat cash back rate on most purchases plus it has several appealing bonus categories, including travel and dining.

This card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee, that is, on any transactions made in currency other than US dollars. However, if you mostly travel within the U.S., this card is an excellent option.

For one, you’ll earn an additional 1.5% on each of the card’s bonus categories during the first year of card membership (or up to the first $20,000 spent).

Also, although using this card abroad is not recommended, you can still use it to book international trips while you’re home, and you’ll earn 5% cash back if you book it through Chase Travel℠.

You can redeem your rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and even transfer them to other cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards® points. It’s also worth noting that this card is one of the few no-annual-fee credit cards with rental car coverage and trip cancellation and interruption insurance.

No annual or foreign transaction fees
Discover matches the total miles you earned at the end of the first year
Earns 1.5x miles on all purchases
See your FICO score on the Discover mobile app, online and on statements
Few benefits compared to other travel cards
Doesn't include extended warranty or purchase protection

Why we chose it: The Discover it® Miles Credit Card is a no-frills card ideal for travelers who don’t want to keep track of bonus categories, earning caps or redemption values.

The card earns a flat 1.5x miles on all eligible purchases without any annual caps. You can redeem your miles for statement credits and account deposits at a rate of 1 cent per mile. You can also use your rewards through Amazon and PayPal checkout with the same value.

Also, the card’s welcome bonus is easily one of the best in the market: Discover matches every mile you’ve earned at the end of your first membership year — without any spending requirements.

However, while the Discover it® Miles Credit Card is a great starter travel card, its lack of bonus categories could hinder your reward-earning potential in the long run. Additionally, Discover cards aren’t as widely accepted internationally as Visa Signature and World Mastercard, for example.

All information about the Discover it® Miles Credit Card has been collected independently by Money.com.

Earn 3x points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, select streaming services and cell phone plans
Includes cell phone protection plan
No airline or hotel transfer partners
Doesn't include travel insurance
Netflix and HBO are not eligible for streaming bonus

Why we chose it: The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is the best travel reward card for everyday spending, offering high rewards on several popular spending categories, including travel, dining, gas, streaming services and cell phone plans.

Its travel bonus category is particularly noteworthy because you can earn points regardless of where you make your reservations, whether it’s directly with an airline or through a third-party travel site like Booking.com. (Most travel credit cards limit travel rewards to bookings made exclusively through the card issuer’s travel portal.)

The card also includes rental car insurance and a cell phone protection plan when you use it to pay your monthly bill.

All information about the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card has been collected independently by Money.com.

Best Low-Annual-Fee Travel Credit Cards

Earn 2x miles per dollar on most purchases
Up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck(R)
Includes travel accident and car rental insurance
Fewer bonus categories than other cards with a similar annual fee ($95)
Doesn't offer travel rewards for flights
Car rental insurance is secondary

Why we chose it: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is the best credit card for travel miles if you want to earn a high reward rate and not worry about bonus categories.

The Capital One Venture Rewards is ideal for those who want to get the most out of their spending without worrying about tracking bonus categories and spending caps.

You can redeem your miles on the Capital One travel portal and as statement credits to cover travel purchases at a value of one cent per mile. Additionally, you may transfer your miles to more than 15 airline and hotel partners.

However, keep in mind that Capital One doesn’t have domestic travel partners, which can be a drawback if you mainly travel within the U.S.

Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel purchases through Chase TravelSM
Receive a point bonus each account anniversary
Includes primary rental car insurance
Earn 3x per $1 on dining, including eligible delivery and takeout meals, select streaming services and grocery purchases
$95 annual fee
Doesn't offer a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck(R) application fee credit

Why we chose this card: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the best travel credit card for frequent travelers who want to earn valuable rewards while paying a low annual fee.

The card features six reward categories that offer outstanding rewards on flights, hotels, restaurants and more. You can redeem your points for statement credits, account deposits, gift cards and more. But you can get the most bang for your buck by redeeming them for travel purchases through the Chase Travel℠ portal, which increases your point’s usual one-cent value by 25%.

You can redeem your points for statement credits, account deposits, gift cards and more. But you can get the most bang for your buck by redeeming them for travel purchases through Chase Travel℠, which increases your point’s usual one-cent value by 25%.

You can also transfer your points to one of Chase’s 14 travel partners at a 1:1 ratio (one Chase point equals one hotel point or airline mile). These include popular airlines and hotels like JetBlue, Southwest, United, Marriott and Hyatt.

Best Premium Travel Credit Cards

Earns 4x points on restaurants worldwide, takeout and food delivery within the U.S.
Up to $120 in annual dining credits, issued as a $10 statement credit per month for select restaurants (enrollment required)
Up to $120 as Uber Cash annually ($10 per month) for food delivery orders and rides in the U.S. after you add the American Express(R) Gold Card to your Uber account
Earn 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x)
High annual fee ($250)
Includes few travel perks and insurance policies compared to similarly priced cards

Terms apply. Please click here for applicable rates and fees.

Why we chose it: The American Express® Gold Card is ideal for foodies, offering a high reward rate at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets, takeout and food delivery. (Terms apply.)

The American Express® Gold Card also offers statement credits worth up to $240 combined — almost enough to offset the card’s $250 annual fee. These include:

Up to $120 every year in dining credits ($10 per month) for select restaurants and food delivery services. The list includes Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and Shake Shack (Enrollment required)
Automatically get $10 monthly in Uber Cash to use on Uber Eats or Uber rides in the U.S. (after you add the American Express® Gold Card to your account)
$100 credit for dining, spa services and other activities when you book a two-night minimum stay at a hotel from The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel
Terms apply

However, note that the American Express® Gold Card offers fewer travel perks than some other premium cards — for instance, it doesn’t offer trip cancellation and interruption insurance or TSA PreCheck® or CLEAR® Plus fee credits.

10,000 bonus miles every year
Statement credit of up to $300 for bookings made through Capital One Travel
Up to a $100 credit on Global Entry or TSA PreCheck(R)
Skip the line and get car upgrades when renting a car with Hertz
High annual fee ($395)
Fewer bonus categories than other premium cards
No domestic airline transfer partners

Why we chose it: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the best credit card for travel miles if you want to earn a high reward rate and not worry about bonus categories.

The Capital One Venture X also includes noteworthy perks such as:

10,000 bonus miles every year (starting on your first anniversary)
$300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel
Up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges worldwide with Priority Pass™ Select and Plaza Premium Group
Authorized users at no extra cost (many cards have an annual fee of $75 or more for each additional user)

All in all, the Venture X is a solid option that can easily compete with other premium travel cards, especially considering its more affordable annual fee.

Up to $300 in statement credits each anniversary year to cover travel purchases
Transfer your points to 14 travel partners (including United, Southwest, JetBlue and Marriott)
Points worth 50% more when redeemed for travel expenses through Chase TravelSM
Comprehensive travel insurance coverage, including emergency dental insurance
High annual fee ($550)
Doesn't include a cell phone protection plan

Why we chose it: The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is the best credit card for travelers looking for a high reward rate on travel and additional benefits like comprehensive travel insurance and airport lounge access worldwide.

Your points are worth 50% more when you redeem them for travel through the Chase Travel℠ portal. This means each point is worth 1.5 cents per point instead of one cent, like most travel cards. Also, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® provides several high-end benefits such as:

$300 annual travel credit to cover travel-related purchases like airfare, hotels, car rentals, rideshares, buses, trains, tolls and/or parking
Access for you and two guests to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide (after a one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select)
Statement credit of up to $100 every four years for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or Nexus

The Sapphire Reserve does have a $550 annual fee. But if you take advantage of the $300 annual credit and other perks, the benefits can definitely outweigh its cost.

Access to the widest network of airport lounges of any card
Complimentary elite status in the Marriott and Hilton hotel loyalty programs
Hundreds of dollars in annual statement credits for travel, dining and more
High annual fee ($695)
Doesn't include baggage delay, travel accident and primary rental car insurance
Limited bonus categories

Terms apply. Click here for rates and fees.

Why we chose this card: The Platinum Card® from American Express offers a list of premium benefits that no other travel card offers, including the widest network of airport lounges and room upgrades at Hilton and Marriott hotels. (Terms apply.)

The Platinum Card® from American Express features an impressive list of high-end travel benefits, including:

Complimentary access to over 1,400 airport lounges, including Priority Pass, Delta SkyClub and Amex’s own Centurion lounges (enrollment required)
Gold status in the Marriott and Hilton loyalty programs, which makes you eligible for room upgrades, free breakfast and late checkouts (enrollment required)
$200 back each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings made through American Express Travel and paid with your Platinum Card® (Hotel Collection bookings require a minimum two-night stay)
Up to $200 per year when incidental fees, such as checked bags, are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card® (with one selected qualifying airline)
Complimentary premium status in Avis Preferred®, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards®, and/or National Car Rental® Emerald Club (must enroll through your Amex online account using your card)

The Platinum Card® from American Express does have a hefty $695 annual fee. However, for people who travel often and will take advantage of its annual credits and travel perks, it might almost pay for itself.

Best Business Travel Credit Cards

5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com
Around $1,000 in yearly statement credits for select business purchases
Access to a wide network of airport lounges (terms apply)
Around $600 in perks in Fine Hotels + Resorts(R) locations booked through American Express Travel (for stays of two nights)
Secondary rental car coverage**

Why we chose it: The Business Platinum Card® from American Express features an extensive list of benefits that make it an ideal travel and business credit card.

With this card, you can access over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, comprehensive travel insurance and extra amenities at hundreds of hotels, like daily breakfast and free internet access. Additionally, you get a $200 credit to cover baggage fees, in-flight refreshments and more and up to $100 for Global Entry or $85 for TSA PreCheck® every four or 4.5 years respectively. (Terms apply.) (Enrollment required.)

The card also offers several yearly statement credits for business-related purchases that include up to $400 per year ($200 between January and June and $200 between July and December) for U.S. purchases with Dell.

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express does have one of the steepest annual fees ($695) among travel credit cards, but its extensive list of benefits makes it a no-brainer for business owners who travel frequently.

Best Airline Travel Credit Cards

Free first checked bag for you and a companion
Up to $100 as a statement credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck(R) or NEXUS every 4 year
25% back as a statement credit on food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights
Complimentary priority boarding for you and companions traveling on the same reservation
$95 annual fee (after the first year)
No intro APR period
Rewards are only valuable when used with United

Why we chose it: The card_name has a low annual fee and gives you valuable benefits that make up for it, such as priority boarding for everyone on the reservation and a free checked bag for you and one companion.

Other perks the card includes are:

Two one-time passes for United Club℠ airport lounges each account anniversary year
25% back as a statement credit on in-flight purchases like food, beverages and Wi-Fi
Up to $100 every four years to cover the cost of TSA PreCheck®, Global Entry or NEXUS
Comprehensive travel insurance (auto rental collision damage waiver, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip cancellation/interruption insurance and trip delay reimbursement)

The United℠ Explorer Card earns miles on United purchases, including tickets, inflight food, beverages, Wi-Fi and more. You also earn rewards at restaurants and select hotel stays.

You can use your miles to book flights on United Airlines or its partners, including Avianca, Lufthansa and Air Canada. You can also redeem them for seat upgrades, inflight Wi-Fi passes and more — although United miles are usually more valuable when used for airfare.

Travel Credit Cards Guide

The best credit cards for travel do more than offer high reward rates on flights and hotel stays. They also provide rewards for everyday spending and perks such as travel insurance , airport lounge access and annual statement credits.

Here’s a rundown of how these cards work:

What is a travel credit card?

Travel credit cards offer benefits and rewards geared towards individuals who travel frequently or want to earn travel benefits.

They provide high rewards for travel-related expenses such as flights, hotels, rental cars and dining. You can then use these rewards (in the form of points or miles) to book travel reservations. Some cards also let you transfer your rewards to hotel and airline partners or redeem them for statement credits, cash back, gift cards and more.

On top of the rewards, these cards often feature several travel-related perks, such as no foreign transaction fees, hotel discounts, travel insurance, free checked bags and airport lounge access.

How do travel credit cards work?

Travel credit cards give you a certain number of points or miles per dollar on eligible purchases. They often offer around 5x points or more for airfare, hotel rooms, rental cars and more. Some cards may also count parking, bus fares, taxis, tolls and ferries as travel purchases.

Besides travel, you’ll typically get bonus points in additional spending categories. For example, some cards may offer 3x points per dollar on dining, groceries, drugstores or streaming services. All other eligible purchases usually get at least one point (1x) per dollar.

You can then redeem your points for flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises and more. Card issuers also usually let you redeem your points for non-travel options like statement credits, cash back or gift cards.

How to use credit card points for travel

Travel credit cards have rewards programs through which you can earn points (or miles). Well-known point programs include Chase Ultimate Rewards®, American Express Membership Rewards® and Citi ThankYou® Rewards.

To redeem your points, go to your travel card’s rewards program portal. The process may differ across credit card issuers, but you’ll usually be able to access it through your online account on the issuer’s website or app.

Points are usually worth one cent each. However, some issuers increase their value if you redeem them for travel. For example, Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card points are worth 1.25 cents when used to book flights through the Chase Travel℠ portal.

Points may also be worth less than a cent, depending on how you redeem them. For example, some cards allow you to use your points at Amazon checkout. While this might sound convenient, this option may bring down the value of points to around 0.8 cents.

Some cards also allow you to transfer your rewards to select airline and hotel partners. Typically, you can transfer rewards to these loyalty programs on a 1:1 ratio, meaning that 1,000 credit card points are worth 1,000 loyalty program points.

Difference between points and miles

You’ll earn points or miles depending on which travel credit card you have. For example, Chase travel credit cards earn points, while Capital One travel cards earn miles. Miles and points typically have similar value (around one cent each) and redemption options.

However, keep in mind that several cards that earn miles are tied to a specific airline — like the United℠ Explorer Card. In this case, you can only use your rewards for purchases with the issuing airline such as flights, seat upgrades, inflight dining and more.

Pros and cons of travel credit cards

Some cards offer up to 10x points per dollar on travel purchases.
Many have additional bonus categories for dining, grocery shopping and more.
They may include travel benefits like priority boarding, airport lounge access and late hotel checkouts.
Points or miles can also be redeemed for cash back, statement credits, gift cards and more.
Highest reward rates are usually limited to purchases made through the card issuer's travel portal.
They might not offer high rewards on spending outside of the travel category.
Some of the best ones can have steep annual fees and require good to excellent credit
Redeeming points or miles for anything other than travel can reduce their value to less than one cent per dollar.

Types of travel credit cards

Here’s a rundown of the differences between the three main types of travel credit cards:

Airline credit cards

Airline credit cards are ideal for people who regularly fly with the same airline. These cards earn miles you can redeem for flights, seat upgrades, inflight dining, airport lounge access and other travel-related purchases but typically only with the issuing airline.

Some of the best airline travel credit cards include benefits like free checked bags, priority boarding and discounts on in-flight purchases.

Hotel credit cards

With hotel credit cards, you can only redeem your points for stays, discounts and other benefits with one particular hotel chain.

For example, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card earns points for Hilton’s loyalty program, which you can redeem for free nights in the company’s properties, including Hilton Garden Inn and Waldorf Astoria hotels.

Hotel credit cards may also offer complimentary breakfast, room upgrades, late checkouts and bonus points for purchases made during your stay.

General travel credit card

General travel credit cards are more flexible than airline or hotel cards. They aren’t affiliated with a single airline or hotel chain, so their points can be used to book flights, hotel stays, rental cars and more from different companies.

These cards may also offer useful perks for frequent travelers, like airport lounge access. They can also cover the cost of a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® membership, which allows you to skip the long lines at airport security or customs.

How to choose a travel credit card

Picking the best travel rewards credit card boils down to how often you travel, which cardmember perks you’d benefit the most from and the categories you spend the most on.

Here are some factors to keep in mind when choosing the best card for you:

Do you travel often? A travel rewards credit card offers high reward rates on travel spending, and you’ll get the most bang for your buck when you use their points on flights, hotels and car rentals. If you don’t take trips often but want to pile up rewards, a cash-back credit card might be a better fit.
Assess your everyday spending. Many travel cards have additional bonus categories other than travel, like dining, supermarkets, streaming services and drugstores. Consider your day-to-day spending habits and pick a card with bonus categories that fit your lifestyle.
Consider the card’s annual fees. No-annual-fee travel cards usually have few travel benefits. The best travel credit cards charge annual fees of at least $90 and can go as high as $700. However, these are often best for those that travel enough to take advantage of their benefits.
General travel card vs co-branded cards. General travel cards have more flexible redemption options. On the other hand, co-branded cards are often tied to a specific airline or hotel, which can limit your options. Still, they do provide valuable perks like free checked bags, in-flight discounts and hotel upgrades.
Compare extra travel perks. Some cards offer extras like annual statement credits for flights and hotels or upgrades when renting cars. Take the time to compare each card’s roster of add-ons and pick one that will best suit your travel plans.
Compare insurance policies. The best credit card travel benefits include insurance policies that cover travel accidents, rental cars, trip cancellations and more. These policies can vary widely based on the issuer and the card’s annual-fee tier.
Beware foreign transaction fees. Most travel credit cards don’t charge foreign transaction fees. Some cash-back cards may offer outstanding rewards for travel purchases but charge around 3% fees on purchases outside the U.S.
Look beyond welcome offers. A 60,000-point welcome bonus can be enticing. However, it shouldn’t be your deciding factor, especially if you’ll end up paying a high annual fee without getting your money’s worth.

How get the most out of your travel credit card

To get the most out of your travel credit card, you need to use it as often and strategically as possible. This way, you can earn points or miles with each purchase, which you can then redeem for free or discounted flights, hotels and more.

Use your travel card to pay most of your purchases and bills and then pay your card off in full each month. This will help you earn points while avoiding interest charges and high credit card debt , which can impact your credit score.

Here are some other tips to maximize your rewards and benefits:

Consider adding an authorized user to your account. They’ll earn points with every purchase they make, and those will get added to your overall total. However, make sure to pick someone who will use the card responsibly since you’ll be legally liable if they ever fail to pay their monthly bills.
Redeem your rewards for travel through the card issuer’s website. This redemption option usually offers the highest value compared to gift cards or merchandise, for example.
If your card offers travel protections (like travel accident or luggage insurance), use it to pay for your passenger fares. This way, you could be reimbursed in the event of an accident or lost luggage, for example.
Use your airline or hotel card to sign up for the company’s frequent flyer or frequent guest loyalty program. You’ll often earn extra points or miles when you’re a member and use your co-branded card to pay for flights, hotel stays and more.
If you can transfer points from other credit cards to your travel card, take advantage of this feature. This way, you can accumulate extra points for travel booking and sometimes even increase their value.

Best Travel Credit Cards FAQs

What is the best travel credit card, what is the best credit card for international travel, how to travel for free with credit cards, what is the best credit card for travel miles, what is a welcome bonus on a credit card, how we chose the best travel credit cards.

We ranked the best credit cards for travel based on their annual fees, benefits, reward rates and redemption flexibility.

Fees: We compared interest rates and foreign, cash advance and balance transfer fees for more than 50 credit cards. We also considered their annual fee, looking for those that offered the most for the money.

Ongoing benefits: Intro APR and bonus offers are attractive, but they can only get you so far. We focused on cards with year-round benefits such as travel insurance or cell phone protection plans.

Reward rates: We preferred cards that allow you to earn extra points from travel expenses, as well as those that provide significant bonus rewards in popular spending categories, like dining, supermarkets or streaming services.

Redemption flexibility: Our picks don’t limit your redemption options to just travel. Some let you use your points for Amazon purchases, for example. We also preferred issuers that allowed cardholders to transfer their points to airline and hotel partners.

Summary of Money’s Best Travel Credit Cards of May 2024

Discover it® Miles Credit Card – Best no-annual-fee travel card for simple rewards

Money.com has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Money.com and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

To see rates and fees for the American Express® Gold Card, visit this link . Terms apply.

To see rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express, visit this link . Terms apply.

To see rates and fees for The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, visit this link . Terms apply.

* Insurance disclosures for American Express Cards on this page:

Trip Delay Insurance: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Baggage Insurance Plan: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Global Assist Hotline: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

** Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

*** Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

This article originally appeared on Money.com and may contain affiliate links for which Money receives compensation. Opinions expressed in this article are the author's alone, not those of a third-party entity, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed. Offers may be subject to change without notice. For more information, read Money’s full disclaimer .

IMAGES

How To Use Adelaide Public Transport
Adelaide Metro fares (2022)
How to Compare Best Travel Cards in Australia
Visiting Adelaide is something that you should definitely do while
An Essential Adelaide Travel Guide
11 Things To Do In Adelaide That Are Kid-Friendly

COMMENTS

Adelaide metroCARD
Adelaide metroCARDs are rechargeable plastic cards that you can use to travel on buses, trains and trams. You can create your account or manage your Adelaide metroCARD online via the link below. Learn more: setting up an account. You can: order a metroCARD online and we will post it to you. metroCARDs and products associated with the metroCARD ...
SA.GOV.AU
A Transport Concession Card entitles the holder to concession travel on Adelaide Metro bus, train and tram services. People who receive certain payments from Centrelink can apply. Check eligibility if you haven't already done so. You'll need: your Centrelink Customer Reference Number (CRN) file number. Self-Employment Allowance recipients: A ...
Where to buy or recharge a metroCARD
Auto recharge. through your online metroCARD account, in person at the InfoCentre at the Adelaide Railway Station, by calling the InfoLine on 1300 311 108. On-board vending machines accept credit/debit cards and coins. Vending machines at stops and stations don't accept cash. If you have a South Australian Seniors Card, it is also a metroCARD.
Public Transport In Adelaide: A Complete Guide
Unlike some of Australia's other capital cities, passengers still have the option of paying cash to use Adelaide's public transport network - however, it's much easier to purchase a metroCARD. Commuters can buy 28-Day, 14-Day, 3-Day Visitor, and Regular metroCARD passes. The regular card costs $5 and will require an extra $5 minimum of ...
Getting around Adelaide
Use the Adelaide Metro's My next service tool to find your nearest stop and real-time service information. You can also purchase a metroCARD Visitor Pass, which gives you three days of unlimited travel on the Adelaide Metro network for one fixed fee. These cards can be purchased from the Adelaide Metro InfoCentre at the Adelaide Railway Station.
All about Adelaide Metro Concession fares
View examples of acceptable Adelaide Metro concession cards and acceptable regional concession cards. When you buy a new concession metroCARD (excluding Seniors Card), you pay $3.50 for the physical card and need to load a minimum of $5 to it before you can use it. You can recharge it in blocks of $5, up to $200.
SA.GOV.AU
Check eligibility for public transport concessions. Answer these questions to check if you're eligible for concession travel on public transport, and find out how to apply. Accompanied children under 5 years of age travel free at all times. 1. Do you hold one of these cards?
Public transport
Travel free with your Seniors Card. From Friday 1 July 2022, South Australian Seniors Card members can travel for free on Adelaide Metro buses, trains and trams - all day, every day. Any unused credit on SA Seniors Cards can be refunded or transferred to a different metroCARD.
Trains, trams & buses
See their website for: Journey Planner or My Next Service (real time information) train, tram and bus timetables. information on fares and tickets. free and special services. events and service disruptions. You can also call the Adelaide Metro InfoLine on 1300 311 108 between 7:00 am to 8:00 pm daily.
SA.GOV.AU
Students with disabilities may be eligible to travel free on public transport, such as with a mobility pass or vision impairment travel pass. Use the public transport concession tool to check if you're eligible and find out how to apply or phone Adelaide Metro on 1300 311 108 for more information. School travelling allowance Eligibility
Seniors Card
Illuminate Adelaide 2024 Program. From 4 to 21 July, Illuminate Adelaide will once again set South Australia alight, bringing the best and boldest in art, light, music, and technology from around Australia and the world to Adelaide. Office for Ageing Well and Seniors Card are proud supporters of Illuminate Adelaide.
Travel Money Oz
If you find a better price, we'll guarantee to beat it. Compare exchange rates for 60+ foreign currencies. Use our currency calculator to work out how much you need in cash, or loaded on one of our travel money cards, for your overseas trip. When you're ready, order online or head to any of our 130+ stores Australia wide.
Travel free with your Seniors Card
Interstate Seniors Card members will continue to be able to use Adelaide Metro for free for 14 days in a row, during the following times: Monday to Friday. midnight to 7am. 9:01am to 3pm. 7:01pm to midnight. All day Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. A concession fare is required from 7am to 9am and 3pm to 7pm, Monday to Friday.
3 Day Adelaide Itinerary Without a Car: a local's guide to Adelaide
Information regarding the Adelaide Metro system and where to stay in Adelaide is also provided. A practical itinerary for spending 3 to 6 days in Adelaide without a car, to visit all the must-visits in Adelaide. ... MetroCard Peak Hour Travel Rechargeable Card with a Once-Off Card Purchase Fee of AUD 5: 3.95:
Australia Public Transport
Adelaide Metro Card - the most complicated card. When I touched base in Adelaide, I was unsure whether the Adelaide Metro Card was something for me. After spending 5 dollars on bus fare to travel within the city, I thought the metro card would save money. In Adelaide, public transport consists mainly of buses and trams. There is no underground.
Finding a Tourist SIM card in Adelaide: Airport or City
M-F: 5:30am - 8pm, Sa-Su: 7am - 8pm. On the outer side of the terminal building, see map above. Telstra, from $10 AUD. Optus, from $10 AUD. Vodafone, from $20 AUD. Location of the SIM card shop at Adelaide Airport. If transiting in Sydney on the way to Adelaide, it is possible to buy a Vodafone or Optus SIM card at Sydney Airport.
Travel Card & International Payments
Comprehensive range of foreign exchange and travel needs. Send funds overseas 24/7 using e-banking. Order or exchange foreign cash. Send funds overseas. Receive overseas payments. Holiday with a pre-paid travel card. Apply for one of our credit or debit cards. Cover yourself with travel insurance.
Travel Money Card
When you open a new Travel Money Card account online via NetBank or in branch. $0. Initial load/reload fee. When you initially load/reload funds onto your Travel Money Card or transfer funds from your Travel Money Card to an eligible CommBank account via NetBank or the CommBank app. The rate applicable is the CommBank Retail Foreign Exchange ...
14 Best Travel Credit Cards of May 2024
The top credit cards for travel offer high rewards on travel purchases, which can be redeemed for airfare, hotel nights, cash back, statement credits or more.

Public Transport In Adelaide: A Complete Guide

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3 Day Adelaide Itinerary Without a Car: a local’s guide to Adelaide

3 Day Adelaide Itinerary without a car

Day 1: Adelaide CBD

North Terrace

Adelaide Botanic Garden

Rundle Street to Rundle Mall

Adelaide Central Market

Adelaide Chinatown

Mad March Events

Day 2: Adelaide Hills & North Adelaide

Mount Lofty Summit

Mount Lofty Botanic Garden

North Adelaide

Day 3: Hallet Cove Conservation Park & Brighton Beach / Glenelg Beach

Hallett Cove Conservation Park

Brighton Beach and/or Glenelg Beach

Options for spending 4 to 6 Days in Adelaide without a car

Day 4: Barossa Valley

Day 5 +/- Day 6: Kangaroo Island

Day 6: Victor Harbor +/- McLaren Vale

Public Transport in Adelaide Metropolitan Area

Where to purchase MetroTicket and/or MetroCard

From Adelaide Airport to Adelaide CBD

Adelaide Metro Timetables

Where to Stay when Visiting Adelaide

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Michela Fantinel