Ireland
Public Transport
As public transport, you can use buses, trains, trams, taxis and ferries. To implement all your plans for traveling around Ireland, you are offered four APP. According to the Irish, using these four APPs will help you choose the best route and the best ticket for your trip. There you will find all the necessary information about buses, trams, trains at the same time. It is interesting that the Irish also defined the taxi app as especially recommended, since taxis in Ireland also offer excursion services. So, you use one app to plan your trip, another to administer your travel card on the territory of Ireland, the third app you use to buy tickets if you are interested in a separate ticket, and the fourth app is for traveling by taxi. As for the ferries that are ready to travel around the islands and capes of Ireland, you need to contact the ferry operators directly, a list of which we have prepared for you.
Bus
Buses are one of the main ways to get around the island of Ireland, so if you don’t have a driving licence or just want a break from driving, you’re in luck. There are plenty of bus routes to choose from. Buses are the main form of transport in rural Ireland. Get a travelcard – they’re handy and can save you money if you’re using public buses. Bus travel in Ireland Bus Éireann in the Republic of Ireland and Translink in Northern Ireland run bus services across the island. But there’s also a huge choice of private bus tour operators.
Train
There are two rail networks in Ireland: Irish Rail in the Republic of Ireland and Translink in Northern Ireland. Dublin and Belfast are key rail hubs, connecting travellers to towns and cities across the island. The fast and efficient Enterprise train runs between Dublin (Connolly) and Belfast (Lanyon Place) and is generally the fastest way to travel between the two cities. Bikes are free on trains, but there may be some restrictions at peak times. Irish Rail has a handy online guide that covers everything from Wi-Fi and travelling with pets and bikes to facilities for disabled travellers. Translink also provides information on accessible travel.
One of the island’s most stunning rail journeys follows the south-east coast from Dublin to Rosslare Europort, passing through Ireland’s Ancient East.
Ferry
Ferries are more than just a mode of transport, they are the perfect way to relax, enjoy the water and see the beauty of Ireland from a different perspective. The content below will provide essential information for those interested in ferry travel, as well as introduce you to some of the most exciting journeys around the island.
Taxi
There's nothing quite like the ease and comfort of a taxi ride, especially when you're in a new place and getting your bearings. Taxi Tours Some taxis in Ireland also offer tour services, where the driver can give you a personal tour of the city or region.
The TFI Live App makes accessing live departure information and planning your journey across TFI buses, trains and trams as seamless as possible.
TFI Leap Top-Up App allows you to instantly top-up your TFI Leap Card, check your balance, collect tickets and check how close you are to reaching your daily and weekly cap values.
TFI Driver Check App allows users to check that the vehicle they are about to hire has been registered correctly and that the driver has the appropriate license to operate the vehicle.
TFI Go app allows you to buy tickets for public transport services in Ireland directly from your phone. Your ticket is downloaded to the app and can be used to travel straight away. No need for printing, just activate and show your driver while boarding.
The TFI Leap - Irish Travel Card
Once you purchase a card, you must register it. Registering your TFI Leap card protects your travel credit and tickets in case of loss. Click here to register your TFI Leap card now. TFI Leap Card Registration
Top-up TFI Leap Card
- To download Leap Top-Up app for free and use it to add credit, check balance and collect tickets
- At TFI Leap Card outlets
- At Luas, DART and commuter rail ticket machines
- On board selected bus operators
- Use Auto Top-Up for regular top-ups to be debited from your bank account
After that you can use TFI Leap card
For train and Luas: touch on and touch off
Bus: touch on at the start of your journey only
The TFI Leap Card is a pre-paid travel card that is the easiest and most cost-effective way to pay for public transport throughout Ireland. With this card, fares are 30% cheaper than tickets purchased from a ticket machine. The card is valid on most TFI services and commercial bus operators in Ireland.
Wexford
This map shows the areas that are covered by TFI Local Link Wexford.
Free Travel Pass
Contact Information
The Free Travel Scheme is administered by the Department of Social Protection (DSP) and all queries about the scheme should be directed to the Department by emailing freetravelqueries@welfare.ie or calling 071 915 7100.
More details on the Free Travel Scheme can be found on their website.
About the Free Travel Pass
The Free Travel Pass allows holders to travel free of charge on public transport services in Ireland including Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus, Go-Ahead Ireland, Iarnród Éireann, Luas, TFI Local Link and Kilkenny Services operated by City Direct. The Free Travel Pass is also accepted by many commercial bus services.
You can find a full list of all operators and routes where the Free Travel Pass is accepted on gov.ie.
How to use
If you are using a PSC Free Travel Card, please hold the card to the validator until you hear a beep or see the green light. If you are using Luas services you will need to hold the card to the validator at the beginning and end of your journey.
TFI Staff have a duty to check that you’re using a valid pass and that you are the person who appears on the pass.
Types of tickets on public transport in Ireland
By using your TFI Leap Card, you can travel around Dublin at just €2 for adults, €1 for young adults (19-25) or students, and 65 cent for children using the TFI 90 minute fare.
Most customers use travel credit to pay as you go, but you can also load a range of tickets on your card. The ticket options available to you depend on the type of card that you have.
You have a number of options depending on which transport operator you use:
- Ashbourne Connect: Adult & child weekly tickets
- Bus Éireann: zonal tickets depending on region
- Collins Coaches: Adult & student 10 trip tickets
- Dublin Bus and Go-Ahead Ireland: 5 day rambler (adult & student), 30 day rambler (adult & student)
- Matthews.ie: Adult, Child and Student 10 trip tickets and return tickets
- Swords Express: Adult & student 10 trip tickets
- Wexford Bus: Adult, Student and Child 10 journey Weekly tickets, Adult and Student Flexi 10 journey ticket and Adult, Child and Student return tickets
- Express Bus: Weekly tickets
Young Adult and Student Leap Card holders can avail of 50% discounts on additional commercial bus services. Further details on how to get the discount and the most up-to-date list of participants can be found here.
Annual and Monthly TaxSaver Tickets
Many TaxSaver tickets can now be loaded onto Adult Personalised TFI Leap Cards. These include monthly and annual tickets from Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus and Go-Ahead Ireland, Irish Rail, Luas, Ashbourne Connect, Collins Coaches, Matthews.ie, Swords Express and Wexford Bus. These tickets are ordered through your employer.
- For Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus and Go-Ahead Ireland and Irish Rail visit taxsaver.ie
- For all other transport operators visit the corresponding links below:
Ferry
Visiting the Islands Most of the islands in Ireland can be reached by ferry with a number of ferry companies providing local services. Many crossings will be weather dependent. Republic of Ireland weather forecast - Met Éireann, Northern Ireland weather forecast - Met Office. In some cases ferry companies only operate seasonally. Journey times from the mainland to the islands are rarely less than an hour. Always check departure times in advance.
Important things to know before travelling by ferry:
- Peak season for ferry travel to the islands is June-August. Some services may not operate outside these months. It is best to book in advance.
- Always check all travel details with the ferry operator before you travel. The weather always has an impact.
- Most ferries are accessible to passengers with disabilities. Check with the ferry operator whether the piers and ports have facilities for passengers with disabilities.
- You can take one dog on the ferry if you have one, and one bicycle if you need one.
- Cars may not be allowed if you are travelling to one of the offshore islands of Ireland. Check and ask in advance.
Some Ireland ferry journeys:
Wild Atlantic Way
The wildest, most spectacular coastal route in the world is the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland.
On the very edge of Europe, the Wild Atlantic Way runs 2,500km along the west coast of Ireland. It is the world's longest coastal road.
Here, the power of the ocean has carved out a coastline of wild, rugged beauty. Huge Atlantic swells crash and churn to form jagged ocean cliffs, archipelagos and inlets, sea bays, surf breaks and sheer granite cliff walls that are among the highest in Europe.
But it's not all that cold! There are many interesting warm tours offered in these areas.
Ferry operators in Ireland
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Doolin FerryDoolin Pier, R74 Doolin
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Aran Island Ferries37/39 Forster Street, H91 Galway
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Cape Clear Island - Cape Clear FerriesEnterprise Centre, Skibbereen, Ireland N/a
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Ireland's Eye Ferries3 West Pier, Howth Harbour Dublin
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Ireland's Eye FerriesBoat tours13 West Pier, D13 Dublin
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Skellig BoatOperating from Portmagee Marina Portmagee
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Fastnet Rock Tours & Cape Clear FerriesBoat toursJune-August, Pier Rd, Meenvane, Schull Co. Cork
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Dublin Bay CruisesE Pier, Glasthule Co. Dublin
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Corrib Cruises1 Camp St, Fough East, Oughterard, Co. Galway, H91 N52f, Ireland, H91 N52f Galway
- Killaloe River Cruises
Lakeside Drive, V94 Limerick
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Kinsale Harbour CruisesKinsale Quay KINSALE
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Skelligs Rock CruisesValentia Island, Co. Kerry, Ireland., V23HH39 Knights Town
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Galway Tour CompanyGround Floor, Kinlay House, Merchants road, H91 F2KT Galway
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Corrib CruisesAshford Castle Cong
* Prices and discounts for Eurail Pass holders
Irish Ferries offer Eurail Pass holders a 30% discount on standard foot passenger fares (adult or child). Cabin accommodation is available at an extra charge. You are entitled to the discount if your Eurail Pass is valid in either the country of departure or arrival. You do not need to use a travel day on a flexi Pass for this discount. You may be asked to show your Eurail Pass when you check-in for the sailing.
Stena Line routs with Eurail Pass and Global Pass
- Travel between Great Britain, Ireland, France, the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Poland, and Latvia.
- Save a travel day on your Pass when traveling with Stena Line. This benefit can be used with a valid Pass even if your travel days are over.
- Get up to 30% discount valid on Economy, Flexi and Premium passenger fares for both 1st and 2nd class Pass holders.
- To make your travel more comfortable, you can add cabins, meals, vehicles, and other extras separately.
- Traverse the Irish sea, Baltic sea, or North Sea with stunning sea views from the sun deck or panoramic ferry windows.
