Public Transport Info

Ticket Types

There are a variety of ticket types available for Dublin Bus, Go-Ahead, DART, LUAS or a combination of each.
These include single use tickets, tickets valid for a fixed number of journeys and the most popular option with foreign students, unlimited travel tickets (Leap Visitor Cards). Tickets vary in price depending on duration and chosen combination.

SLS are happy to advise any student on the best ticket for them. We can also organise the purchasing of the relevant ticket(s) and include them in the students welcome pack.

*Please note public transport tickets are not included in our base price and will be invoiced as an extra. The price charged is set by the relevant transport provider and not SLS.

The Dublin Bus fleet comprises modern double-deck vehicles (which offer a great view from the top deck). Bus drivers are generally very helpful and are usually willing to give advice on your journey, for example if you want to be alerted when you are arriving at your stop. Many bus signs and destinations are in Irish as well as English. A useful phrase to remember is “An Lár” which means City Centre. Most bus stops display “Real Time Information” which will tell you when the next bus will arrive at your stop.

Cash:
Correct change must be given (coins only). No change is provided.

Prepaid Ticket:
The ticket must be presented to the machine on the right hand side of the door when getting on the bus.

Go-Ahead Ireland (GAI) is the capital’s newest bus company. The Go-Ahead fleet comprises modern double-deck vehicles (which offer a great view from the top deck). Bus drivers are generally very helpful and are usually willing to give advice on your journey, for example if you want to be alerted when you are arriving at your stop. Many bus signs and destinations are in Irish as well as English. A useful phrase to remember is “An Lár” which means City Centre. Most bus stops display “Real Time Information” which will tell you when the next bus will arrive at your stop.

Cash:
Correct change must be given (coins only). No change is provided.

Prepaid Ticket:
The ticket must be presented to the machine on the right hand side of the door when getting on the bus.

While the rail service in Dublin is not extensive, it does serve particular areas very well. The DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) line runs along the coast, linking Howth to the north of Dublin with Bray in the south via the city centre.
Many of our Dublin host families live close to DART stations and it is often the best method to travel to the city centre. It also offers the opportunity to visit the attractive suburban towns of Howth to the north and Dun Laoghaire, Dalkey and Bray to the south of the city. Even if you don’t get off the train you can enjoy the view of the coastline from sections of the line south of Dublin.

Cash:
Tickets can be bought at DART stations using cash.

Prepaid Ticket:
The ticket must be presented to the turnstile before entering DART platform.

Dublin also has a modern, sleek, almost silent LUAS (tram service) since 2004. There are currently two lines servicing North – South Dublin and West Dublin to Dublin City Centre.

The Green Line runs from Broombridge in the North of the city through St Stephen’s Green in the heart of the city to the foothills of the Dublin Mountains. The Red Line runs from Dublin Docklands through Dublin City Centre and to the West of Dublin.

Cash:
Tickets can be bought at LUAS stations using cash or credit card..

Prepaid Ticket:
The ticket must be presented to the machine on the LUAS platform both before getting on and when you get off.

Transport For Ireland (TFI) Journey Planner is a door-to-door journey planner that provides service information, directions, and time estimates for taking a journey on Dublin Bus, Go-Ahead, DART & LUAS.

You can use the TFI Journey Planner online HERE or download the TFI Journey Planner App free. We advise all students to download the TFI Journey Planner App.