We know that when in a new city, navigating your way through the public transport system can be difficult. Even in a city like Dublin, which is small, understanding how to use the different forms of transport can be confusing. So, we are here to help with some top tips!
- Getting your Leap Card and topping up
The Leap Card is the travel card which gives you better rates for travel than buying individual tickets every time. As a student you are entitled to the student rate of travel, so it will be cheaper for you.
If you haven’t gotten a Leap Card, you can get one in House 6, Front Square on the Trinity campus throughout the year. Be sure to register the card, in case you lose it, you can get a replacement card!
Once you have your card you can download the app to your phone for quick and easy top-ups and ticket purchases.
To put credit on your Leap Card, you can go into any newsagent in the city, the Student Union shops on campus and at any Luas station. You can also download the Leap Card app from the Apple Store or Google Play which allows you to top up your card via your phone!
The Leap Card has TFI 90 Minute Fare where you can use the FTI network (Dublin bus, Luas and Dart) for 90 minutes with your Leap card only for €1!
2. Dublin Bus
Dublin Bus has many routes and chances are you will use it at some point. Dublin Bus uses the Transport for Ireland (TFI) app for live updates on route information, maps, and ways to plan your journey. If you want to get anywhere, you can type in the address and it will show the bus route that will be most convenient.
When waiting for a bus at a bus stand make sure to put your hand out to signal to the bus that you want to get on, otherwise it won’t stop! When you are on, go up to the bus driver, place your Leap Card on the small machine in front of them and just say where you want to go and they will charge you accordingly! Alternatively, the panel opposite the bus driver will charge you the maximum rate for that route. Information on fares can be found on the Dublin Bus website.
For more on these apps, read this article on the 7 apps every Trinity student needs.
3. Luas tram line
The tram service in Dublin consists of two different lines, the Red Line and Green Line. To use the trams, you simply go onto one of the stations, tap your Leap Card on the small greyish machines on the platform at each station and get on the next Luas. When getting off the Luas, you must TAP OFF at the those machines, so that you will be charged the right amount for your trip. You can check out the Red and Green line routes on the Luas website.
4. The DART and other train services
You may have noticed Pearse Street Station located right outside of Trinity, near the gym. Stations like this are for train lines within the city and certain parts outside of the city. So, for example, if you want to go to popular places like Greystones or Bray for a hike, you can take the DART to those places from Pearse Station.
The DART stands for Dublin Area Rapid Transit and its the name for some of the train routes that service areas within Dublin County and other nearby areas. You can view the DART routes, times, and fares on the website. To use the DART, follow the same steps as the Luas: simply tap your Leap Card on the small greyish machines at each station and tap off when you are done so you will be charged the correct amount.
For trips further afield, Irish Rail is the name of the train lines which go beyond Dublin County. These trains travel to towns across Ireland, including Cork and Kerry, but also service areas within Dublin County and neighbouring areas. A full list of routes, including a handy destination searcher, can be found on the Irish Rail website.
If you are trying to use a train service other than the DART, you must buy tickets online or at the inter-city train stations in central Dublin, Connolly Station and Heuston Station. If you buy tickets online, you can pick up the tickets at the Heuston or Connolly Stations, where you can take the train from. These stations are not far from the city centre and can be reached by the Red Luas line or Dublin Bus route number 145. Remember: You qualify for a student-priced ticket, so ensure you have your Leap Card with you to prove you are a student if you are checked.
5. Airport coach services
A number of Dublin Bus routes serve the airport, including the 16 and 41 routes from Zone 15 outside Dublin Airport Terminal 1. However, there are also a number of private coach operators, including Aircoach, Dublin Express, and Airport Hopper.
Aircoach operates several routes into the city centre and on to suburbs in south Dublin. The Aircoach service has stops at Terminal 1 and Dublin Airport Terminal 2. Aircoach operates all year-round, except for Christmas Day. Journey time will depend on traffic congestion, but it is usually 30 minutes to the city centre and around one hour to destinations close to the end of the route.
A trip into the city centre will cost around €7, with stops closer to the route ends costing €15. You can get a student discount for Aircoach, which is €3.50 one way and €4.50 return with your Leap Card ID.
Tickets can be purchased at the Aircoach airport departure points or from the bus driver using a bank card, Apple / Google Pay, or cash.
Dublin Express operates premium coaches between Dublin Airport and more than 15 stops in the city centre, including Trinity. The Dublin Express buses run from both airport terminals. Buses operate between 4am-12:30am, seven days a week. The journey time will depend on traffic conditions and other travel factors, but it is usually 30 minutes to the city centre. The standard one-way fare to the city centre is €8. You can purchase tickets at terminal bus stops using bank card or Apple / Google Pay (but cash is not accepted).
The Airport Hopper runs to Dublin’s outer suburbs, including Liffey Valley, Lucan, and Tallaght, and on to nearby towns. Buses run from the DAA Coach Park outside the airport up to 18 times per day. The journey time can take up to 50 minutes in good traffic conditions. Tickets are between €12-€17. You can purchase tickets on the bus or online in advance of your journey (this will save you a few euros!)
Got all that?? Don’t worry, it can be very confusing! If you have a destination to get to and still don’t know how to get there, then please visit the team in the Global Room and we can help you out. Safe travels!
Looking for more top tips for living your best life at Trinity, then check out the Trinity Experience blog.
