Public transportation
Passengers using the TFI public transport network can avail of a variety of transport modes for getting around Ireland. Whether it is by bus, train, tram or even taxi, there is just what you need to plan your journey. The TFI Journey Planner is a door-to-door journey planner that provides service information, directions, and time estimates for taking a journey on all licensed public transport providers across Ireland.
The planner covers the entire island, and you can also download a handy series of apps to keep you in the loop while you’re on your travels via website.
There are six network maps that cover Dublin, Cork, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick and Waterford cities. They highlight the different bus, train and tram (Dublin only) routes for each city. See more details on website
There are a number of different transport modes and operators within the TFI public transport network.
By Bus:
- Dublin Bus operates a bus network in the Greater Dublin Area, extending to County Wicklow and County Kildare. See more details on website.
- Bus Éireann caters to services outside the Greater Dublin, with some operating out of Dublin. See more details on website.
- TFI Local Link provides a nationwide bus service throughout rural areas in Ireland. The services are operated and managed by 15 offices throughout Ireland. See more details on website.
- Additionally, some bus services are operated by commercial operators on behalf of Transport for Ireland:
- Andrew Wharton Coach Hire – Route 975
- M&A Coaches – Route 828
- JJ Kavanagh – Route 139
- Go-Ahead Ireland – Route 197
- City Direct – Kilkenny City Bus services
- Interconnection buses between Ireland’s main cities:
- Expressway, Bus Éireann’s premium coach service, provides direct and regular services on over 22 routes throughout Ireland. See more details on website
- GoBus.ie, was Irelands first non-stop motorway coach service offering fast, friendly, reliable, and comfortable travel on up to 20 daily return services for as little as €13 one way. See more details on website
- Aircoach provides a range of high frequency, quality scheduled coach services. They operate five key services connecting Dublin Airport with Dublin City Centre and its suburbs, as well as non-stop express services connecting Dublin Airport with both Cork and Belfast. See more details on website
- Irish Citylink has been providing luxury intercity coach travel in Ireland with its network of routes. Based in Galway and operates six main routes offering 100 daily departures from Galway to Dublin City and Dublin Airport, Express services from Galway to Limerick, Cork City & Cork Airport, Express services from Limerick to Dublin Airport. See more details on website
How to pay for the Bus tickets: by Coins or TFI Leap Card
TFI Leap Card is a convenient way to pay for public transport across Dublin and surrounding counties, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford, Sligo, Athlone, Kilkenny and Wexford. It can also be used on commuter and Rural services within the TFI public transport network.
It saves you carrying change and TFI Leap Card fares are up to 31% cheaper than cash single tickets! TFI Leap Card users in the Dublin area also benefit from smart discount features such as Capping and the Leap 90 Discount. Using your TFI Leap Card is easy. Simply buy your card, Top-Up with Travel Credit or a period ticket and away you go. See more details on website.
By Tram:
The Luas is Dublin’s tram network. There are two Luas tram lines, the Red Line and the Green Line. The Red Line is 20kms in length and has 32 Stops. The Red Line runs from Tallaght to The Point and from Saggart to Connolly. The Green Line is 24.5km in length and has 35 Stops. The Green Line runs from Brides Glen to Broombridge. See more details on where the two lines intersect on the Luas website.
By Train:
Irish Rail operates intercity services throughout the TFI public transport network as well as city and commuter services in Dublin and Cork. See more details on website.
Save on your travel with Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail by using a TFI Leap Card, which can be used in the following locations:
- All stations in the Dublin ‘short hop zone’
- From Kilcoole to Balbriggan
- Commuter stations from Dublin City Centre to Kilcock
- From Dublin Heuston to Sallins and Naas
- From Cork to Cobh/Midleton
By Taxi:
A taxi can be hired on the street, at a taxi rank or pre-booked. Taxis must be fitted with a taximeter, printer and roof sign. Taxis can also use bus lanes when working.
Main Taxi services in Ireland:
By Bicycle:
The TFI Cycle Planner App provides information on the best cycling routes for trips in the Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford city areas.
Just Eat dublinbike stations and Coca-Cola Zero Bike stations (located in Cork, Limerick and Galway) are present on the TFI Journey Planner, you can plan all or part of a journey using a rental bike.
Just Eat dublinbikes is a self-service bike rental system. It is open to those aged 14 years and over.
Each bike station has a minimum of 15 stands. The service allows you to travel freely across the city at your own pace. The annual subscription fee is €25 where you will be supplied with a Just Eat dublinbikes Annual Card. For short-term use or for visitors, a number of terminals have credit card facilities enabling you to purchase a 3 Day Ticket also. The first 30 minutes of hire is for free and a service charge is applied for hires longer than 30 minutes.
Every Just Eat dublinbikes station has a terminal. This terminal allows you to select a bike, check your account, view availability of bikes and stands at other stations and check the station map.
If you have a TFI Leap Card you can use it as an access card instead of a Just Eat dublinbikes annual card. If you are signing up for the first time simply log on to dublinbikes.ie where you will be requested to choose either the TFI Leap Card or a Just Eat dublinbikes annual card.
If you’re an existing member and you wish to use your TFI Leap Card, you just need to log in to your account at dublinbikes.ie and follow the on-screen instructions to associate a TFI Leap Card with your existing account.
For further information please visit the Just Eat dublinbikes website.
Please be advised you have the option to use a TFI Leap Card OR a Just Eat dublinbike card; but you can only have one card associated with your account.
Coca-Cola Zero Bikes is a self-service bike rental system that is available for hire in cities Cork, Limerick and Galway. It is open to those aged 14 years and over.
Bike stations are conveniently located across each city with a terminal and stands for the bikes.
The annual subscription fee is €10 where you will be supplied with a Coca-Cola Zero Bikes card. For short-term use or for visitors, there is a convenient 3-Day ticket option available online only.
The first 30 minutes of hire is for free and a service charge is applied for hires longer than 30 minutes. The bikes are easy to hire, but should you have any difficulty follow the steps below:
Log in with either your Subscriber Access number from your 3 Day pass, or present your Membership Card to the card reader on the terminal, then enter your PIN code.
Choose the Bike you wish to use by typing in the stand number of an available Coca-Cola Zero Bike.
A code for the combination lock is then provided for the Coca-Cola Zero Bike.
The Coca-Cola Zero Bike can then be removed from the stand, by pressing the button on the chosen stand. You have 60 seconds to press the button, and then 5 seconds to remove the Coca-Cola Zero Bike before the stand automatically locks again.
Coca-Cola Zero Bikes are provided by Transport for Ireland in partnership with Galway City Council, Cork City Council and Limerick City and County Council.
For further information please visit the Coca-Cola Zero Bikes website.
Three Day Ticket: If you are visiting Cork, Limerick, Galway or Dublin Coca-Cola Zero Bikes and Just Eat dublinbikes both offer a three day ticket. This will allow you to use the bike share services in the city without having to subscribe for a whole year.
Coca-Cola Zero Bikes 3 day ticket is €3
Just Eat dublinbikes 3 day ticket is €5
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