Visiting Dublin for the weekend? Save Money With A Leap Card

The Leap Card will get your from a to b without breaking the bank!

Like most things in Dublin, public transport isn't cheap, and anyway you can make your experience with public transport easier and cheaper is always a bonus.

The Leap Card is a public transport payment card that you can top up at public transport terminals like the Luas tram line, train station payment kiosks or through an easy to use app on your smart phone.

It can be used on trains, the Luas which is Dublin's tram system, the bus system, and also Dublin bikes which is another fantastic way to explore the city. You can find out more about Dublin bikes here.

When you first purchase your Leap Card it will cost you a minimum of €5 and the €5 will be added to your card as credit. It should save you on average 31% compared to purchasing a single use ticket on the bus, Luas or train.

Visitors Leap Card

For visitors outside of Ireland visiting for a very short stay, we have the Visitors Leap Card.

The Visitors Leap Card is a more affordable option where you are given a card that you can use for a given period of time.

A 24 hour use card costs €10

A 72 hour card costs €19.50

And a 168 hour (1 week) card costs €40 and the period of time start from your first scan onto public transport.

You can also use it in other Irish counties like Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford as well as all the surrounding counties of Dublin. If you are trying to get from Dublin Airport to the City Centre or anywhere else you can use your Leap Card on the public transport system and purchase a card at one of the shops in the arrivals hall. Both 'Easons' and 'The Kiosk' newsagents sell Leap Cards.

Be careful that you don't approach one of the private transport services like 'Dublin Coach'. These are a private company that don't accept the Leap Card, and you must pay for a ticket directly from the driver.

Using the Leap Card on the Luas

With the Luas, there are scan on/scan off terminals at each stop that you will simply hold your card up to the reader and it will register you are scanning on. You will hear a 'dong' sound indicating the Leap Card is read and it will display the amount or credit you have.

When you leave the Luas, you will need to scan the card again at the stop you leave at and again it will 'Dong' to display what your remaining balance is.

Using the Leap Card on the Bus system

With the bus system there are two options;

1. When you walk onto the bus you will see a scan terminal on the right hand side attached to the hand rail. If you are going the full distance, you can scan your card here and it will deduct the full amount for the journey.

2. If you are only going a few stops, just go to the drivers window and tell him where you are going. The driver will input the appropriate balance and then you can scan your card on the terminal that is located at his window.

You don't need to scan off the bus when you are leaving. The amount will already have been deducted so don't worry if you're looking for the scan off location, everything is taken care of.

Using the Leap Card on Irish Trains

On the Irish Rail system there are barriers to access the relevant train and on these barriers again there is an option to scan your Luas card. 'Iarnróid Éireann (Irish Rail) can only be used in conjunction with the Leap Card for commuter towns in and outside Dublin so you won't be able to make a trip from Dublin to Galway with your Leap card. You will need to purchase a full train ticket at the kiosk at the station.

If you are making a trip within the commuter zone, my only advice here is to ensure you have enough credit on your Luas Card for your journey.

You can download the app for Android here

Unfortunately, the Leap Card does not seem to be available for Apple devices yet.

You can calculate your fare for the journey here