Bus services

Different bus service operators provide urban and rural services.

Dublin Bus serves Dublin and the greater Dublin area including the Nitelink (late night) and a 24-hour service.

Bus Éireann runs commuter and intercity services countrywide for longer journeys.

Go-Ahead Ireland is a private transport company that runs Dublin city bus routes. Commercial bus operators run services for the Transport for Ireland (TFI). TFI Local Link bus services connect communities throughout rural Ireland.

The easiest way to plan your journey is to use the TFI journey planner or one of the smartphone apps.

Dublin Airport has information on its website about getting to and from the Airport.

Laws

Public bus services are regulated by the National Transport Authority under the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009, and operators need licensing under a Public Services Obligation Contract. Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) is a state-owned company that operates most of the bus services in Ireland.

Dublin Bus is a subsidiary of CIÉ, providing bus services in Dublin.

These services include:

• City Bus Services: Regular bus routes throughout Dublin.
• Airport Services (Airlink): Direct bus routes to and from Dublin Airport.
• Night Services (Nitelink): Late-night bus services.
• Express Routes (Xpresso): Faster bus services with fewer stops.
• Rail Connection: Bus services connecting Connolly and Heuston Railway Stations.
• School Services: Managed through private contractors, with all coaches displaying the Dublin Bus logo.

Bus Éireann is a subsidiary of CIÉ and provides bus services throughout Ireland except for Dublin City.

Bus Éireann services include:

• Expressway Inter-Urban Coaches: Long-distance coach services between cities.
• Town and City Services: Bus services within various towns and cities.
• Commuter Buses: Services to and from Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, and Waterford.
• Airport Services: Bus routes connecting airports to multiple destinations.
• Local Town-to-Town and Rural Services: Bus services between smaller towns and rural areas.
• School Bus Services: Operated on behalf of the Department of Education, including student services.
• Eurolines: Coach services to Britain and Europe.

The 20% discount on public transport continues in 2024 as well as a 50% reduction on the Young Adult Leap Card. See the National Transport Authority Fare (NTA) Plan 2024 for more details.

Dublin Bus fares and tickets

Generally, the fare you pay is based on the number of stages you travel.

The TFI-90 fare allows free transfers between Dublin Bus, Luas, DART, commuter rail (zones 1 to 4 in the Short Hop Zone) and Go-Ahead Ireland services. It applies to most journeys in the Dublin area, whether involving multiple services within 90 minutes or a single trip. The fare costs €2 for an Adult, €1 for a Young Adult and Student and 65 cents for Child Leap Card holders.

Bus Éireann fares and tickets

Bus Éireann services are run throughout Ireland.

Bus Éireann single city fares in Cork, Galway, Limerick, and Waterford are €1.35 for adults and €0.65 for Young Adults (19-25), Students, and Children when using a TFI Leap Card.

Bus Éireann town fares in Drogheda, Athlone, Sligo, Navan, and Carlow are €1.10 for adults and €0.55 for Young Adults, Students and Children when using a TFI Leap Card. The same fares apply to City Direct Kilkenny city services.

Get more detailed information about bus fares on the TFI website.

You can buy a bus ticket by paying with cash and giving the exact change in coins to the bus driver. You can also use a Leap Card for up to 30% savings or buy a prepaid ticket available at the bus station, through the TFI app or online for Bus Éireann services.

Paying with cash

You must have the exact fare and only coins (not notes) are accepted. No change is given. You can pay the bus driver.

Leap Cards

You can save up to 30% by using a Leap Card compared to paying with cash. Leap Cards are accepted by all Dublin Bus services, such as Airlink, Xpresso and Nitelink. They are also valid for Bus Éireann city and town services, and commuter and rural routes (TFI Local Link). They can be used to buy tickets using Expressway services.

There are different types of Leap Cards:

• Adult
• Adult personalised
• Child 5-15 years old
• Child 16-18 years old
• Young adult 19 – 25 years old
• Student
• Visitor

You can buy a visitor Leap Card and choose between a one-day or 3 days or 7-day pass. You can buy a ticket online or at various locations. See where you can buy a leap card on leapcard.ie.

Prepaid tickets

You can also pay your fare before you travel using a prepaid ticket. You can buy one ahead of time at the bus station or download it to your phone from the TFI app.

On Bus Eireann services, you also have an option to order your ticket online.

Free Travel Passes

Free Travel is available to some people who are permanently living in Ireland. You can use on most Bus Éireann services and on Local Link services. You cannot use Free Travel Passes on Airlink services.

Departure times are available on the TFI website, at certain bus stops or through the smartphone app.

You can plan your journey and access bus timetables on the Dublin Bus website.

On the Bus Éireann website, you can plan your journey and check timetables.

TFI (Transport for Ireland) Local Link provides links between rural transport and national bus and rail services throughout Ireland.

As well as regular rural services, Local Link provides door-to-door services that can be pre-booked with your Local Link office.

Find out more about rural transport and Local Link services.

Complain about a Dublin Bus service

If you have a complaint about a Dublin Bus service, you can make it by:

• Phone 01 8734222
• Letter addressed to customer comment desk
• Email customercomment@dublinbus.ie
• In-person

You should include as much detail as possible, such as the date and time of travel, the bus route number, the bus registration number and where you were leaving and going. You can read the Dublin Bus customer charter on its website.

Complain about a Bus Éireann service

If you have a complaint about a Bus Éireann service, you can:

• Phone 0818 836 611
• Fill out the contact form
• Email customercare@buseireann.ie

You can also read the Bus Éireann customer charter on its website.

Taking a complaint further

If you are not satisfied with the service providers reply to the complaint, you can make a complaint to the National Transport Authority. Information on making a complaint is available on the NTA website.

Passenger rights

Under EU Regulation 181/2011, bus and coach passengers have minimum rights when travelling in the European Union.

Public transport companies offer a range of accessibility services.

You can find information on the Dublin Bus website about bye-laws and information for people with disabilities.

You can also find travel advice, Bus Éireann bye-laws, information on carrying luggage and dogs, and accessibility of its services on the Bus Éireann website.

Read more about travelling on public transport with a disability or reduced mobility.