Dublin's public transport is one network branded TFI (Transport for Ireland), run for the National Transport Authority by several operators: Dublin Bus and Go-Ahead Ireland (city buses, many renumbered under the BusConnects redesign with letter routes such as C1, E2, G1, H3), TFI Luas (two tram lines, Red and Green, which cross in the city centre at Abbey Street / O'Connell-GPO / Marlborough), and Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail (the DART electric line along Dublin Bay from Malahide and Howth to Bray and Greystones, plus commuter trains). There is no metro: MetroLink is approved but not built, with construction expected from 2027 and no official opening date. The TFI Leap Card is how Dubliners pay: one tap on bus, Luas or DART, a EUR 2.00 adult 90-minute fare with free transfers, and daily/weekly caps. Contactless bank cards are NOT accepted on Dublin Bus, Luas or DART in 2026 (a pilot is planned for 2027, full rollout summer 2028). Dublin Bus drivers take coins only, with no notes and no card. From the airport there is no rail link: Dublin Bus routes 16, 19, 24 and 41 (Leap or coins) or the private Dublin Express and Aircoach coaches (book online, card only).
Paying: TFI Leap Card (standard adult card or the Leap Visitor Card); coins on Dublin Bus; ticket machines (cash and card) at every Luas stop and at DART stations
How to buy
Buy a Leap Visitor Card (24 hours EUR 8, 72 hours EUR 18, 7 days EUR 24, timed from the first tap) at Dublin Airport (WHSmith in Terminal 1 for 24-hour cards, the T1 convenience store in T1 Arrivals, Spar in Terminal 2) or in town: the Dublin Bus office at 59 Upper O'Connell Street, Spar at 63 Upper O'Connell Street, Spar 19-20 Dame Street, Mullins Newsagent in Heuston Station, Tom Stanley in Connolly Station, the GPO, and Spar 50 and 70/72 Talbot Street. It can also be ordered online and posted to you (it is not an e-ticket). It covers Dublin Bus and Go-Ahead Ireland city buses, Luas, and DART and Commuter Rail in Zone 1, including Dublin Bus routes to the airport; it does not cover Bus Éireann, Dublin Express, Aircoach or hop-on hop-off tours. A standard adult Leap Card (from over 2,000 shops) is better if you will only make a few trips: top it up with credit and the 90-minute fare and caps apply automatically. How to tap: on buses tap the validator on the right as you board (tell the driver nothing); on Luas tap on at the platform validator BEFORE boarding and tap off after you get off; on DART and trains tap at the gates or platform validators on entry and exit. The free TFI Leap Top-Up app lets you top up on your phone and see how close you are to the cap. Contactless bank cards and phones cannot be used to pay on Dublin Bus, Luas or DART in 2026; Luas ticket machines do take contactless cards (up to EUR 50).
Fares
Current fares (Leap Card site and NTA, checked October 2026). Adult Leap: TFI 90 Minute Fare EUR 2.00 (bus, Luas, DART and Commuter Rail in Zone 1, unlimited transfers if each boarding is tapped within 90 minutes of the first tap); Short fare EUR 1.50 (short trips of about 3 km); Xpresso and Nitelink EUR 2.40. Young adult (19-25) and student Leap: EUR 1.00; child (5-18) EUR 0.65; children under 9 travel free (with a Child 5-8 Leap Card from age 5). Leap caps for Zone 1 (Dublin Bus, Go-Ahead Ireland city buses, Luas, DART and Commuter Rail): adult EUR 6.00 a day and EUR 24.00 a week (Monday 04:30 to Monday 04:29); Nitelink, tours, Bus Éireann and commuter coaches do not count. Cash: Dublin Bus EUR 2.00 short / EUR 2.60 long / EUR 3.10 Xpresso and Nitelink, coins only; Luas single EUR 2.00 (1 zone) or EUR 2.60, return EUR 4.00 / EUR 5.20, from machines at every stop (no tickets on board; a Luas single is valid 90 minutes for one trip). Fine: a Luas Standard Fare Notice is EUR 100. Leap Visitor Card: 24 h EUR 8.00, 72 h EUR 18.00, 7 days EUR 24.00. Zone 1 reaches roughly 23 km from the centre and on the TFI zone map includes the airport, Swords, Malahide, Howth, Dún Laoghaire, Dalkey and Bray; Greystones is in Zone 2. FARES RISE IN 2027: the NTA Fares Determination 2026 (published September 2026) raises adult fares about 15% from January 2027 (travel press) or 'during 2027' after consultation (NTA): 90-minute fare EUR 2.30, short fare EUR 2.00, Xpresso/Nitelink EUR 2.75, cash Dublin Bus EUR 2.70 short / EUR 3.00 long, daily cap EUR 6.90, weekly cap EUR 27.60, Leap Visitor 24 h EUR 9.20, 72 h EUR 20.70, 7 days EUR 27.60. Check the date of your trip.
Lines and services
- BusDublin Bus and Go-Ahead Ireland city buses (TFI Dublin City Bus)
The main way Dubliners get around. Routes have been redesigned under BusConnects: spine routes carry letters (C1/C2 to Sandymount and Adamstown, E1/E2 south (E2 ends in Dún Laoghaire), F1-F3 north to Glasnevin and Ballymun, G1/G2 west via Thomas Street and Kilmainham, H1-H3 north-east to Baldoyle, Malahide and Howth Summit, N2/N4 orbital) and many numbered routes remain (16 and 41 to the airport, 39A). Board at the front door, tap your Leap Card on the validator on the right or pay the driver in coins (no notes, no cards, no tap-to-pay). Displays and stop signs are bilingual; 'An Lár' means city centre. Use the TFI Live app or the stop number on the pole for real-time arrivals. 15 routes run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 15, 39a, 41, 80, C1, C2, C5, C6, E1, E2, G1, G2, N4, F1, F2.
- BusNitelink (Friday and Saturday nights)
12 late-night routes from the city centre (D'Olier Street, Westmoreland Street, Aston Quay) to the suburbs on Friday and Saturday nights: 7n Shankill, 29n Baldoyle Road, 31n Howth, 33n Balbriggan, 42n Portmarnock, 46n Dundrum, 49n Tallaght (Kilnamanagh), 69n Saggart, 70n Tyrrelstown, 77n Tallaght (Westbrook), 84n Greystones, 88n Ashbourne. Fare EUR 2.40 Leap / EUR 3.10 cash adult; not included in Leap caps or the 90-minute fare.
- TramLuas Red Line
20 km, 32 stops: The Point (3Arena) - Spencer Dock - Busáras - Abbey Street - Jervis - Four Courts - Smithfield - Museum (Collins Barracks) - Heuston - James's (St James's Hospital, 10 minutes' walk to the Guinness Storehouse) - Red Cow - Tallaght, with a branch to Saggart and a short Connolly spur. Trams every few minutes in the daytime (scheduled about every 3 minutes between Jervis and Heuston on weekdays). Tap on at the platform validator before boarding and tap off when you get off; buy paper tickets from the machine at the stop (no tickets on board). Only folding bicycles in a bag are allowed. Engineering works: no trams between Heuston and Tallaght/Saggart on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October 2026 (replacement buses about every 15 minutes; trams still run Heuston - The Point).
- TramLuas Green Line
24.5 km, 35 stops: Broombridge - Cabra - Phibsborough - Broadstone (DIT Grangegorman) - Parnell / O'Connell Upper (northbound) - O'Connell-GPO / Marlborough (southbound) - Westmoreland - Trinity - Dawson - St Stephen's Green - Harcourt - Charlemont - Ranelagh - Beechwood - Milltown - Dundrum - Sandyford - Brides Glen. Change to the Red Line at Abbey Street (a short walk from O'Connell-GPO or Marlborough).
- TrainDART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit)
Electric railway along the coast of Dublin Bay: Malahide and Howth in the north, through Connolly, Tara Street and Pearse in the centre, Grand Canal Dock, Sandymount, Booterstown, Blackrock, Dún Laoghaire, Sandycove and Glasthule (Forty Foot), Dalkey, Killiney, Bray and Greystones. 32 stations, opened 1984; the stretch between the city and Dún Laoghaire follows Ireland's first railway, the Dublin and Kingstown Railway, with views over the bay. In the timetable valid from October 2026 trains between Tara Street and Bray run about every 10 minutes on weekdays, with Howth and Malahide each served about every 20 minutes. Tap on at the gate or validator and tap off at your destination. Last trains: Pearse to Howth/Malahide 23:40, Bray to Connolly 23:30, Howth to Connolly 23:55.
- TrainIrish Rail Commuter trains
Northern Commuter (Pearse/Connolly to Malahide, Drogheda and Dundalk; faster than DART to Malahide), Maynooth/Longford, Dunboyne/M3 Parkway, Portlaoise (from Heuston, some via the Phoenix Park tunnel to Grand Canal Dock), Southern Commuter to Gorey. Leap and the 90-minute fare work inside Zone 1. Heuston is the terminus for Cork, Galway, Limerick and Kerry; Connolly for Belfast, Sligo and the south-east.
- BusDublin Express and Aircoach (private airport coaches)
Commercial coaches, not part of the Leap network. Dublin Express 782 (quays to Heuston), 783 (Portobello, Ranelagh, Rathmines, Rathgar, Terenure) and 784 (3Arena, Eden Quay, Trinity College): from EUR 9 one way online, card or phone pay only, Leap not accepted. Aircoach 700/700X (city centre and south to Leopardstown, 24/7, up to every 15 minutes) and 702 (Ballsbridge to Dalkey): fares from EUR 6 one way when booked online, contactless accepted on board.
- TaxiTaxis
Hail on the street (yellow roof sign) or at ranks, or book by phone/app (EUR 3 booking fee). National Maximum Taxi Fare: standard rate (08:00-20:00 Mon-Sat) EUR 4.40 initial charge (first 500 m or 85 seconds), then EUR 1.32/km to a total of EUR 23.60, then EUR 1.72/km; premium rate (nights, Sundays, public holidays) EUR 5.40 then EUR 1.81/km and EUR 2.20/km; special rate 00:00-04:00 on Saturday and Sunday mornings and over Christmas/New Year EUR 5.40 then EUR 2.20/km. Extras: EUR 1 per extra adult; one child free, then EUR 1 per two children. Drivers must take cards with no surcharge and must give a printed receipt from the meter. Taxis may use bus lanes. Check the driver with the TFI Driver Check app.
- Ride-hailingTaxi apps (FreeNow, Uber)
In Ireland ride-hail apps book licensed taxis that run on the meter; the app company can add its own fees on top of the meter fare, so the app receipt can differ from the taximeter receipt (NTA). App names are listed here without a 2026 operator check (the FreeNow site blocked access).
- BikeRedClick dublinbikes
Docked bike share run by Dublin City Council and JCDecaux (sponsor RedClick): about 1,600 bikes at over 115 stations in the city centre. 1-day ticket EUR 3.50, 3-day ticket EUR 5, annual EUR 35 (e-bikes for annual subscribers EUR 60 more a year). The first 30 minutes of every ride are free; charges apply after that, so dock and re-take a bike. Sign up on dublinbikes.ie or the app.
- MetroMetroLink (not open)
Planned 16-station line from Swords and the airport to Charlemont. The Railway Order became operative in January 2026 and procurement started; construction was expected to start by 2027 and take eight to ten years, and there is no official opening date. There is no metro in Dublin to use.
Common trips
Dublin AirportO'Connell Street45 min
Dublin Bus 16 or 41 from Zone 15 to O'Connell Street (Leap EUR 2.00, or EUR 2.60 in coins)
- Dublin Express 784 to Eden Quay (from EUR 9 online)
- Aircoach 700 to the south city centre (from EUR 6 online)
- Taxi, about EUR 30-45
Dublin AirportHeuston Station40 min
Dublin Express 782, which stops outside Heuston Station (from EUR 9 online)
- Dublin Bus 16 or 41 to the centre, then Luas Red Line from Abbey Street or Jervis to Heuston on the same 90-minute Leap fare
- Taxi, about EUR 40-50
Heuston StationTemple Bar15 min
Luas Red Line towards The Point, 4 stops to Jervis (about 9 minutes), then walk across the Millennium or Ha'penny Bridge
- Dublin Bus 4, 80, C1 or C2 from Heuston Station to Ormond Quay (about 8-10 minutes)
- Walk along the quays, about 30 minutes
Connolly StationGrand Canal Dock6 min
DART southbound, 3 stops via Tara Street and Pearse (6 minutes)
- Northern Commuter trains to Grand Canal Dock (about 9 minutes)
City centre (Tara Street)Howth31 min
DART towards Howth from Tara Street, Connolly or Pearse (about 30 minutes, every 20 minutes); Howth station is beside the harbour
- Dublin Bus H3 from Lower Abbey Street to Howth Summit (about 35-45 minutes) for the cliff path
- Nitelink 31n back at weekends
City centre (Tara Street)Dún Laoghaire22 min
DART towards Bray to Dún Laoghaire (Mallin), about 22 minutes, every 10 minutes
- Dublin Bus E2 from D'Olier Street or Nassau Street (35-55 minutes, every 10 minutes, 24 hours)
- Dublin Bus 7 or 7A from O'Connell Bridge
City centre (Tara Street)Sandycove (Forty Foot, James Joyce Tower)25 min
DART towards Bray to Sandycove and Glasthule (about 25 minutes), then walk about 10 minutes to the sea
- Dublin Bus 7 or 7A to Glenageary Road Lower
City centre (Tara Street)Dalkey29 min
DART towards Bray to Dalkey (about 29 minutes, every 10 minutes on weekdays)
- Aircoach 702 from the airport and Grand Canal serves Dalkey
Connolly StationMalahide (village and castle)27 min
DART towards Malahide (about 27 minutes, every 20 minutes) or a Northern Commuter train (14-20 minutes), then walk to the castle park
- Dublin Bus H2 from Busáras / Lower Abbey Street to Malahide Village (40-60 minutes)
Temple BarKilmainham Gaol20 min
Dublin Bus G1 or G2 from Wellington Quay to Old Kilmainham (about 14 minutes, every 15 minutes), then walk about 5 minutes
- Dublin Bus 13 from Lord Edward Street to Old Kilmainham
- Dublin Bus 60 or 69 to the 'Kilmainham G' stop at the gaol door (hourly)
- Luas Red Line to Heuston and walk about 15 minutes
O'Connell Street / Temple BarGuinness Storehouse20 min
Luas Red Line from Abbey Street or Jervis to James's (about 10 minutes), then walk about 10 minutes
- Dublin Bus G1, G2 or 13 to Thomas Street (about 8 minutes from Wellington Quay)
- Walk from Temple Bar along Thomas Street, about 25 minutes
O'Connell StreetCroke Park15 min
Walk (about 15 minutes from the city centre) or Dublin Bus 1, 16, 19 or 41 to Drumcondra station, 5 minutes' walk
- Train to Drumcondra station
- DART or Luas Red Line to Connolly, then 15-20 minutes' walk
City centrePhoenix Park (main gate, Parkgate Street)15 min
Luas Red Line to Heuston (about 9 minutes from Jervis), then walk 5 minutes to the Parkgate Street entrance
- Dublin Bus 80 or C1/C2 along the quays to Parkgate Street
- Inside the park, Go-Ahead route N2 from Heuston Station runs past the Military Cemetery near Dublin Zoo
O'Connell StreetGlasnevin Cemetery and National Botanic Gardens18 min
Dublin Bus F1, F2 or F3 from O'Connell Street Upper to De Courcy Square (about 18 minutes, every 15 minutes)
- Dublin Bus 40D from Parnell Street
Trinity CollegeDún Laoghaire25 min
DART from Pearse Station (5 minutes' walk from Trinity's Pearse Street gate), about 20 minutes
- Dublin Bus E2, 7 or 7A from Nassau Street (30-50 minutes)
To and from the airport
DUB (Dublin Airport)
- Bus · 45 minLeap 90-minute fare EUR 2.00 (also covers onward bus, Luas or DART within 90 minutes) or cash EUR 2.60 in coins only, no notes, no cards; Leap Visitor Card valid. A Dublin Bus 90-minute paper ticket (EUR 2.60, Dublin Bus routes only) is sold at Wright's shop in the transport zone, where card and notes are accepted.
Dublin Bus 16 (to O'Connell Street Upper, Drumcondra, then south to Rathfarnham and Ballinteer; about every 12 minutes in the daytime, 06:00-23:30 from the airport) and 41 (to Drumcondra, O'Connell Street and Lower Abbey Street; 24 hours) leave from Zone 15; 19 and 24 (to Merrion Square via Glasnevin/Phibsborough) from Zone 11. Scheduled time to O'Connell Street about 30-55 minutes on route 16 and 25-45 on route 41, longer at rush hour. TFI routes 33a, 101, 102 and 109A also serve the airport.
- Bus · 25 minFrom EUR 9 one way online (Dublin Express, Oct 2026); card or phone pay only, no cash, no Leap; students with a Young Adult/Student Leap get 50% off through the TFI Go app.
Dublin Express 782 to the quays (Custom House Quay, Eden Quay drop-off, Aston Quay for Temple Bar, Wellington Quay, Usher's Quay, Heuston Station, Arran Quay for Smithfield), 784 to the 3Arena, North Wall Quay, Eden Quay and Trinity College, and 783 to Portobello, Ranelagh, Rathmines, Rathgar and Terenure. Fastest trip 14 minutes. Departs from Zones 1 (T1) and 21 (T2). Tickets are valid on standby 12 hours either side of the booked time.
- Bus · 30 minFrom EUR 6 one way or EUR 8 return booked online (Aircoach Dublin page; the home page advertises the new double-deck 'Dublin Airport Flyer' from EUR 9); contactless, Apple Pay and Google Pay on board.
Aircoach 700/700X to the city centre (Kildare Street / St Stephen's Green area, Leeson Street) and on to Donnybrook, Stillorgan and Sandyford/Leopardstown, 24/7, up to every 15 minutes; 702 to Ballsbridge, Grand Canal and Dalkey. 20-40 minutes to the centre. Departs from Zone 2 (T1) and Zone 20 (T2).
- Taxi · 30 minAbout EUR 30-45 to the city centre, EUR 40-50 to Heuston, EUR 25-40 to Busáras on the meter (Dublin Airport); card payment without surcharge.
Ranks with dispatchers outside both terminals. Fares follow the NTA maximum: higher after 20:00, on Sundays and public holidays. Ask for the taximeter receipt.
Good to know
- Get a Leap Card on arrival: at the airport shops in both terminals, or any Spar/newsagent with the Leap sign. With a Leap Card a bus, tram or DART trip costs EUR 2.00 for 90 minutes including changes, and you never pay more than EUR 6 a day or EUR 24 a week (adult, 2026).
- Do the maths before buying a Leap Visitor Card: 72 hours costs EUR 18, but three days of normal Leap use is capped at EUR 18 too. The visitor card wins only if you would hit the cap every day; it also saves topping up.
- Dublin Bus takes coins only: no notes, no cards, no phones. Carry a Leap Card or exact change.
- On the Luas, tap on at the platform validator BEFORE you board and tap off when you get off, even with a cap or visitor card. Inspectors issue EUR 100 Standard Fare Notices; if you forget to tap off and tap again within 120 minutes, the machine reads it as a tap-off.
- 'An Lár' on a bus destination screen means 'city centre'.
- Taxis must accept cards without surcharge and give a printed meter receipt. Rates go up after 20:00, on Sundays and on public holidays, and highest between 00:00 and 04:00 on weekend nights.
- Night: Nitelink runs only on Friday and Saturday nights (EUR 2.40 Leap, outside the caps); 15 BusConnects routes, including 41 to the airport and E2 to Dún Laoghaire, run 24/7.
- For the coast, take the DART south: the line runs along Dublin Bay through Booterstown, Blackrock, Dún Laoghaire, Dalkey and Killiney.
- Fares rise in 2027: adult 90-minute fare EUR 2.30, daily cap EUR 6.90 and Leap Visitor 72 hours EUR 20.70 once the NTA Fares Determination 2026 takes effect.
- Contactless bank cards do not work on Dublin Bus, Luas or DART in 2026. A pilot is planned for summer 2027 and full rollout in summer 2028.
- Dublin Express and Aircoach are private: book online for the lowest fare and a guaranteed seat; Leap is not accepted (Aircoach and Dublin Express sell on board by card subject to space).
Useful apps
- TFI Live (NTA: real-time departures for Dublin Bus, Go-Ahead Ireland, Luas and Irish Rail, journey planner across all operators, timetables; no account needed)
- TFI Leap Top-Up (top up the Leap Card by phone, check balance and cap progress)
- TFI Go (used for Young Adult/Student Leap discounts on Dublin Express)
- TFI Driver Check (check a taxi driver's licence)
- RedClick dublinbikes app
- Dublin Express and Aircoach apps/websites for airport coach tickets
- FreeNow and Uber (book licensed taxis; app fees can apply)