Dublin Public Transport

Leap Card

The Leap Card can be used on all Dublin public transport. Visitors to Dublin should consider purchasing the Leap Visitor Card which is a prepaid ticket that provides you unlimited travel for up to 72 hours/3 days on Dublin public transport.

Dublin Tram Network

Dublin city has a tram network called the LUAS which consists of two lines (currently under expansion):

• Red Line: 20kms in length and 32 Stops, the Red Line runs from Tallaght to The Point and from Saggart to Connolly.
• Green Line:5km in length and 22 Stops, the Green Line runs from Brides Glen to St. Stephen’s Green through Sandyford.

There are electronic displays at each stop advising you of when the next tram is due, as well as announcements. The Dublin Transport Real Time Ireland App can be used in conjunction with this service. The trams tend to get very cramped, so be prepared to squeeze yourself in.

 

Dublin LUAS Tram Ticketing

You can purchase your tram ticket from the ticket machine located at each stop, but for a cheaper fare use a Leap Card.

How Do I Use My Leap Card on the LUAS Tram?

Touch your card on the Leap Card device on the platform before getting into the tram. It will deduct the maximum fare, but when you get off the tram, you need to touch your card to the Leap Card device at the station you are departing at. It will then adjust the fare accordingly and charge you the correct fare for your trip, unless of course your trip costs the maximum amount.

Dublin Buses

Dublin City Buses

Buses are the most widely used form of public transport in Dublin city. They are operated by Dublin Bus. The Bus Arrival Information Service is based on the GPS locations of buses, provides real time estimates of bus arrivals on electronic information boards at each stop. The Dublin Transport Real Time Ireland App can be used in conjunction with this service.

Dublin Commuter Buses

• Matthews Coaches – Between Dublin, Dundalk and Bettystown
• Swords Express – Between Dublin and Swords
• Wexford Bus – Between Dublin and Wexford
• Collins Coaches – Between Dublin and Carrickmacross and once a day to Ballybay

The Leap card can be used on these Dublin commuter services.

Dublin Bus Ticketing

You can purchase your ticket from the driver on board the bus, but for a cheaper fare use a Leap Card.

How Do I Use My Leap Card on the Bus?

Touch your Leap Card onto the device located beside the driver and tell them where you wish to go. They will deduct the correct fare. You do not need to touch off.

On the Airlink 747 bus, touch the ticket against the Leap Card validator device on the right-hand side as you enter the bus. However, if you want a cheaper return ticket, you will need to purchase it with cash from the driver. Make sure you keep the ticket in a safe place as you will need it for your return trip.

Dublin Commuter Rail System

Dublin has a commuter rail system. There are four main lines, designated Northern Commuter, Western Commuter, South Eastern Commuter, and South Western Commuter. The trains are operated by Irish Rail.

The Dublin Area Rapid Transit (locally known as the DART) serves the Dublin bay commuter belt:

• Northern Commuter – Dublin Pearse to Dundalk.
• South Eastern Commuter – Dublin Connolly to Wicklow.
• South Western Commuter – Dublin Heuston to Kildare.
• Western Commuter – Dublin Pearse / Docklands to Longford.
• Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) – Greystones to Howth/Malahide.

There are electronic displays at each stop advising you of when the next train is due, as well as announcements. The Dublin Transport Real Time Ireland App can be used in conjunction with this service.

Dublin DART Ticketing

You can purchase your train ticket from the ticket machine located at each stop, but for a cheaper fare use a Leap Card.

How Do I Use My Leap Card on the Train?

To get to your train, you will need to touch your card on the Leap Card device at the platform entry to get through the electronic gates. It will deduct the maximum fare. However, once you get off at your stop and touch your card on the Leap Card device to get through the exit gates. It will charge the correct fare for your trip and credit your account for the difference, unless of course your trip costs the maximum amount.

Dublin Transport Real Time Ireland App

You can download the free Real Time Ireland app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. It provides real time data for Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, DART, LUAS and Irish Rail. It also gives reminders to notify you when the bus is approaching your stop, or when you are near a certain bus stop, enables you to create reminders and access travel updates etc…

Real Time Ireland App Features

• Allows you to set alerts to inform you when your bus is 10, 20 or 30 minutes away from a certain bus stop, so you can plan when to leave home or work.
• Informs you when you are approaching a particular bus stop.
• View Stops and Routes on a map and navigate through the map for additional stops and information.
• Transport updates from Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, LUAS, DART and Iarnród Éireann.
• Setup favourites so that you can access the Real Time passenger information for your regular stops quickly.

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