Sydney has a long toll network; roughly 110km of the freeway network is tolled. This can be expensive and frustrating to commuters, regardless of how much time may be saved. In almost all cases, however, there is a faster route that can be taken, which is generally not as long. These are most preferable to tourists or those who don’t use the route often. All toll roads in Sydney are cashless. You can only play electronically. Can I pay with cash on Sydney’s Motorways? No. All of Sydney’s tolled motorways are cashless. You cannot pay tolls on a motorway without a toll tag or pass. What is a toll tag? A toll tag is the more standard payment system. An electronic tag can be detected once you pass underneath a toll gantry, with the corresponding payment subtracted from your account. This is the most desirable method of payment. One toll tag can be used on any Sydney motorway, regardless of its brand What is a toll pass? Alternatively to a toll tag, a toll pass may be used. This is best for tourists, and allows the number plate to be recorded by cameras if a tag has not been detected after passing underneath the toll booth. The toll payment will then be made to the account you registered with. There is a $1.50 surcharge alongside a $0.75 processing fee for each toll road used attached, which may not be worth the money or hassle. Hence, you may wish to drive on a free alternate route as a visitor. Purchase your toll tag and toll pass here. Good news; a toll tag from any other city in Australia will still work in Sydney
What if I have a tag from another city in Australia eg; Go-Via? Don’t worry; regardless of which city you buy your toll from (Melbourne and Brisbane are the only two other cities with tolls), you can use it in Sydney. Toll tag are universal; they will work in any city; Sydney tags work in Melbourne, Brisbane tags work in Sydney, and vice versa. Remember that Transurban owns almost all of Australia’s toll roads, and hence a universal tag has been allowed to exist, including for those roads that Transurban doesn’t own. What if I use the motorway without a tag or pass? If you do not have a toll tag, your licence plate will be recorded. Your registration will be used to send you a notice to pay the toll plus an admin fee (about $10). Failure to pay this may incur a Penalty Notice which could result in a court appeal. All over a small toll; just pay the toll! How do I know if the road I am on is tolled? It is safe to assume that it is tolled; almost all motorways in Sydney are tolled. In Sydney, a yellow toll sticker will be present on the sign as you enter the freeway. This tells a motorist whether a toll needs to be paid on the road or not. If there is no sticker, it is not tolled. For example, on the sign on the right a TOLL sticker is next to the M7 marker as this road is tolled. If the road you are on becomes a toll road after a certain exit, there is usually a sign that clearly denotes this so you may exit to avoid the toll if you wish. Sydney does not have yellow-on-blue signage for toll roads. Only Melbourne does. Can I just avoid toll roads altogether? Yes, you definitely can. Alternate routes to each tolled motorway that do not involve tolls have been specifically outlined below. These routes are slower, so do allow extra time to travel on these routes. For the best directions on avoiding toll roads in Sydney, use Google Maps, ensuring you select the "avoid tolls" setting in the app or website. There is only one route that you cannot avoid paying a toll on, and that is crossing the famous Sydney Harbour. Both the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Harbour Tunnel are tolled. |
Tolled Motorways & Prices
View a map of all the toll roads in Sydney here.
Each tolled motorway has been outlined before, as well as alternate routes to these motorways that do not involve tolls.
Toll prices change very readily, so prices have not been included. To find prices, refer to the Toll Calculator below:
View a map of all the toll roads in Sydney here.
Each tolled motorway has been outlined before, as well as alternate routes to these motorways that do not involve tolls.
Toll prices change very readily, so prices have not been included. To find prices, refer to the Toll Calculator below:
Toll-Free Alternative Routes
The following is a brief list of alternate routes to each tolled motorway in Sydney, as well as the route clearly defined in Google Maps.
Note that these routes offer alternative ways to bypass the entirety of the tolled motorway; if your route only requires you to bypass a small section of the motorway (for example, bypass the tolled M2 Hills Motorway from Beecroft Road to Pennant Hills Road), your route will likely not follow the alternate route set out below.
For more specific directions on avoiding toll roads in Sydney, especially if you only intend to bypass a small section of a tolled motorway, use Google Maps. Ensure that you select the "avoid tolls" setting in the app or website (click here for instructions on how to do this).
The following is a brief list of alternate routes to each tolled motorway in Sydney, as well as the route clearly defined in Google Maps.
Note that these routes offer alternative ways to bypass the entirety of the tolled motorway; if your route only requires you to bypass a small section of the motorway (for example, bypass the tolled M2 Hills Motorway from Beecroft Road to Pennant Hills Road), your route will likely not follow the alternate route set out below.
For more specific directions on avoiding toll roads in Sydney, especially if you only intend to bypass a small section of a tolled motorway, use Google Maps. Ensure that you select the "avoid tolls" setting in the app or website (click here for instructions on how to do this).
M2 Hills Motorway
Toll Free Route- Epping Road, Carlingford Road, Pennant Hills Road, Old Windsor Road
Toll Free Route- Epping Road, Carlingford Road, Pennant Hills Road, Old Windsor Road
M2 Lane Cove Tunnel
Toll-Free Route- Epping Road
Toll-Free Route- Epping Road
Sydney Harbour Bridge and M1 Sydney Harbour Tunnel
Unfortunately, there is no toll-free alternative way to cross Sydney Harbour.
Unfortunately, there is no toll-free alternative way to cross Sydney Harbour.
Cross-City Tunnel
Toll-Free Route- Various city streets (follow Google Maps for guidance)
Toll-Free Route- Various city streets (follow Google Maps for guidance)
M1 Eastern Distributor
Toll-Free Route- Various roads (follow Google Maps for guidance)
Toll-Free Route- Various roads (follow Google Maps for guidance)
M5 South-Western Motorway
Toll-Free Route- A34 (left map) OR Hume Highway (right map); this depends on your destination
Toll-Free Route- A34 (left map) OR Hume Highway (right map); this depends on your destination
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M5 East
Although not tolled as of 2019, the M5 East will be tolled from 2020 onwards.
Toll-Free Route- D5 (this route does not appear on Google Maps but as of 2019 appears on road signs in the area)
Although not tolled as of 2019, the M5 East will be tolled from 2020 onwards.
Toll-Free Route- D5 (this route does not appear on Google Maps but as of 2019 appears on road signs in the area)
M7 Westlink
Toll-Free Route- Cumberland Highway
Toll-Free Route- Cumberland Highway
M4 East and M4 Western Motorway
Toll-Free Route- Parramatta Road
Toll-Free Route- Parramatta Road
Tolls are a pain, but unfortunately they're here to stay in Sydney. Make sure you're prepared by referring back to this page whenever you are unsure about tolls here in Sydney. For all those travelling through Sydney, happy travels!
links
Links-
- http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/sydney-motorways/toll-calculator/
- http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/sydney-motorways/tags-passes/index.html#Passes
- http://www.roam.com.au/content/using/feature.asp?CC=19&CN=76
- https://www.m5motorway.com.au/toll-price
- http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/roads/using-roads/motorways-tolling/paying-tolls/m5-cash-scheme.html