Bus services

Public bus services are regulated by the National Transport Authority under the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009. There is a range of public bus transport services (both private and State-owned) offering services on a number of routes. Operators providing public bus passenger services must be licensed unless the service is subject to a Public Services Obligation Contract.

You can use the transportforireland.ie website, as well as smartphone apps, to help you when using public transport services.

Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) is a State company that operates most bus services in Ireland - the following information about bus services relates mainly to State-owned services.

A list of current licenced bus services is available on the Transport for Ireland website.

Budget 2024: extension of reduced fares on public transport

It was announced that reduced fares of 20% on public transport will continue in 2024. The 50% price reduction on the Young Adult Leap Card will continue until the end of 2024.

Dublin Bus is a subsidiary of CIÉ and provides bus services within Dublin, as well as to and from the surrounding areas. These services include city bus services, Airlink and Nitelink.

Xpresso: Xpresso routes have fewer stops and therefore offer passengers a quicker service.

Airlink: This airport service connects Dublin Airport to a number of city centre locations as well as the Luas Red Line, Busáras (Central Bus Station), Connolly Railway Station and Heuston Railway Station.

Rail connection: Dublin Bus operates a rail connection service that connects Connolly Railway Station and Heuston Railway Station.

Nitelink: This service is a late night bus service that runs from the city centre to the suburbs on Fridays and Saturday throughout the year. An enhanced service may operate at Christmas.

School services: Dublin Bus is responsible for school services which are operated by private contractors. All coaches have the Dublin Bus logo on the front, back and side.

Dublin Bus fares and tickets

In general, the fare you pay is based on the number of stages you travel. There is also a city centre fare.

Paying with cash: An exact fare system is operated by Dublin Bus and only coins (not notes) are accepted. No change is given.

Prepaid tickets: You can also pay your fare with a prepaid ticket. Magnetic prepaid tickets must be inserted into the bus validator when boarding. Prepaid smartcard tickets must be validated by holding the smartcard on the reader target for at least a second or until a light appears.

Leap Cards: Leap Cards can be used on all Dublin Bus services, including Airlink, Xpresso and Nitelink. They can also hold prepaid tickets. As well as Adult Leap Cards, there are Child Leap Cards, Young Adult and Student Leap Cards. Information on using Leap Cards is available at leapcard.ie.

Free Travel Passes: Free travel is available to some people permanently living in Ireland. Free Travel Passes cannot be used on Airlink services. Read further information in our page on free travel.

Travelling on Dublin Bus

On the Dublin Bus website you can plan your journey and access bus timetables. Real time information on buses is available on their website, at certain bus stops, by using smartphone app.

The website also provides information on Dublin Bus bye-laws, as well as information for people with disabilities.

Bus Éireann is a subsidiary of CIÉ and provides bus services throughout Ireland with the exception of Dublin City. Eurolines provides coach services to Britain and Europe.

Expressway: Expressway inter-urban coach services link many major towns and cities in the country.

Town and city services: Bus Éireann operates bus services in Athlone, Balbriggan, Cork, Drogheda, Dundalk, Galway, Limerick, Navan, Sligo and Waterford.

Commuter bus services: The commuter services serve city-centre destinations in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford, as well as certain business facilities around the country. There is also Nightrider, a late night service operating several nights a week on main routes out of Dublin.

Airport services: Bus Éireann provides coach services to Cork, Dublin, Shannon, Knock and Kerry airports.

Local bus services: Bus Éireann operates town to town and rural services.

School bus services: Bus Éireann operates a school bus service on behalf of the Department of Education. It also provides student services.

Bus Éireann fares and tickets

In general, you can pay your fare with cash. You can also order your ticket online. There is information on the different types of tickets available, including tickets for schoolchildren and regional commuter tickets, on Bus Éireann’s website.

Leap Cards: Leap Cards and Young Adult and Student Leap Cards can be used on all Bus Éireann’s city and town services, commuter and rural services, and to buy single tickets on Expressway services.

Free Travel Passes: Free Travel Passes can be used on most Bus Éireann’s services. Read further information in our page on free travel.

Travelling on Bus Éireann

On the Bus Éireann website you can plan your journey and access timetables. Realtime information on buses is available on buseireann.ie.

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

TFI (Transport for Ireland) Local Link provides better 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.

Free Travel passes and cash fares are accepted on all services.

Under EU Regulation 181/2011 bus and coach passengers have a minimum set of rights when travelling in the European Union. You can read more about your rights in our document on bus and coach passenger rights.

If you have a complaint about a Dublin Bus service, you can make your complaint by letter, by e-mail, by phone or 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, where you were leaving from and going to. You can read the Dublin Bus customer charter on its website.

If you have a complaint about a Bus Éireann service, you can write to the relevant Regional Manager providing as much detail as possible, such as the time of travel, origin and destination of your journey. If you are not satisfied with the reply you receive, you may request a review of your complaint by writing to the Manager, Business Development, Bus Éireann, Broadstone, Dublin 7.

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

Public transport companies offer a range of accessibility services. You can read more in our page about travelling on public transport with a disability or reduced mobility.