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How do I get around Dublin?

Sheila Mahon
Sheila Mahon
  • Updated

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This is an introduction to public transportation services in Dublin. ​They are all overseen by Transport for Ireland (TFI) ​

Recommend App to download:

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Leap Card

A leap card is a prepaid card which can be used on various means of transport in Dublin: Dublin Bus, Dart, Commuter, Luas and Bus Eireann. ​

Using a leap card to travel around Dublin is cheaper than paying single/return fares. ​

There is a Student Leap Card which is even better value as it will also grant students discounts in several shops across the city/country. 

You can apply and pay for a leap card online and then make your way to an express agent, i.e. Dublin Bus head office on O’Connell Street

You need to :​

  1. Apply online​
  2. Pay €10​
  3. Upload photo ​
  4. Provide your student card or your registration letter from NCI​

Before you can use the travel card you have to add travel credit. You can add travel credit by the following ways,

  • Online​
  • At a Leap Card agent (e.g. newsagent) ​
  • Irish Rail & Luas ticket machines ​
  • Leap Card top up app

 

If you are between 19 and 25, you can get a Young Adult Leap Card (which is similar) - you will be asked to provide the following:​

  • your date of birth;​
  • a photo of your passport or driving licence to prove your age;​
  • A €5 refundable deposit, plus a minimum of €5 travel credit.​

Your card will be posted to your nominated home address.

 

TFI 90 Minute Fare:

To get the TFI 90 minute fare, simply use your Leap Card as you normally would within 90 minutes. You must touch on every time you board a service to demonstrate you hold a valid ticket for each journey:​

  • ​Tag on before bus journey​
  • ​Tag on before and touch off after a LUAS, Train or DART journey​

You can see how much time you have left within your 90 minutes by checking your Leap Top Up App.

 

Dublin Bus

Dublin bus is the biggest transport provider in Greater Dublin area with approx. 136 bus routes. The majority of weekday services run from approx. 6am – 11.30pm. The weekend/bank holiday schedules differ and some routes even run 24 hours​

Most bus routes operate in a linear way from suburbs into city centre. ​Not all buses cross the city from suburb to suburb north/south and east/west, some terminate in the city.​

To stop a bus you need to hold your hand out to signal the driver you want to get on. ​

You can pay by using a Leap Card or by paying in cash (coins only)​

Please note that if you pay in coins your ticket is only available for 1 single journey (no return trips) and there is no change given on bus. The cash fare is also more expensive than the Leap Card fare so we highly recommend that you use your Leap Card instead of coins.​​

More info is available on their website: www.dublinbus.ie 

 

Rail Dart

The DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) ​is a train service along the coast of Dublin from Malahide (north) to Greystones (south). Normal weekday services run from approx. 6am – 11.30pm however the weekend/bank holiday schedules differ. ​

The DART has 4 lines and runs frequently - approx. every 15mins. ​​

  • Northern (Dublin – Dundalk) ​
  • South Eastern (Dublin – Gorey) ​
  • Western (Dublin – Longford) ​
  • South Western (Dublin – Portlaoise) ​

You can pay for the DART with your Leap Card or by Cash.​

Cash Fare: single and return tickets can be bought from ticket machines in stations / more expensive than Leap Card Fare ​

More info: www.irishrail.ie 

 

Luas

The Luas is a very frequent service and comes up to every 5 minutes during peak times and up to every 15 minutes at night. The normal weekday services are from approx. 5.30am – 00.30am however the weekend/bank holiday schedules differ. ​The Luas Tram service has 2 lines the Red and Green line.

  • Red Luas Line runes east to west - connection from Connolly/The Point to Tallaght/Saggart. ​Note: The NCI/Mayor Square stop is on the Red Line. ​
  • Green Luas Line runes north to south - connection from Broombridge to Brides Glen/Sandyford.

You can pay for the Luas with your Leap Card or by Cash.​

Cash Fare: single and return tickets can be bought from ticket machines at stops / more expensive than Leap Card Fare ​

More info: www.luas.ie 

 

Bus Eireann

Bus Éireann offers a wide range of transportation services for people across Ireland.

  • Local bus services throughout Ireland
  • City bus services in Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford
  • Town bus services in Athlone, Balbriggan, Drogheda, Dundalk, Navan, and Sligo
  • Commuter bus services radiating from Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, and Waterford

Tickets for student/young adult fare rates will only be available of holders of a Student and Young Adult (19-25) Leap Cards only. The NCI student card and any other forms of student identification will not be accepted as a valid form of student ID.

 

Alternative ways to get around Dublin:

Dublin Bikes:

This is a popular and eco-friendly way to navigate the city.​

  • 1,600 bikes available at 115 docking stations located across central Dublin​
  • Users can pick up and drop off bikes at any station​
  • Long term student subscriptions, but also 1 or 3 days tickets​

More info: https://www.dublinbikes.ie/en/home

 

Taxi:

Taxis are available throughout the city, and you can hail one on the street, find them at taxi ranks, or book through popular apps like FreeNow. Fares are metered, and pricing is regulated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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