Getting around Ireland: Leap card, buses and driving

Get a TFI Leap Card in your first week: it is up to 30% cheaper than cash single fares. Use it on buses, Luas, DART and many trains. If you want to drive, check early if you can exchange your licence.

Step by step

1. Buy a Leap Card. Check the Leap Card website for places to buy, such as many local shops and stations.
2. Top up. Add credit in a shop, at a machine or in the Leap Top-Up app.
3. Tap on every time. Tap your card on the reader when you get on a bus. For DART, commuter rail and Luas in Dublin, tap on and tap off.
4. Use the TFI 90 Minute Fare. In Dublin, one adult Leap fare of €2.00 covers 90 minutes on Dublin Bus (not Express or Nitelink), Go-Ahead Ireland city buses, Luas and DART and commuter rail in Zone 1. In Cork city, it is €1.70 on TFI Cork City buses.
5. Get a discount card if you can. Young Adult and Student Leap Cards give 50% off. In Dublin the 90 Minute Fare is €1.00 with these cards.
6. Plan longer trips. For travel between cities, check Irish Rail and intercity bus timetables, and book early for the best price.

Leap Card or cash?

Fare type	Dublin 90 Minute Fare	Notes
Adult Leap	€2.00	Up to 30% cheaper than cash single fares
Young Adult / Student Leap	€1.00	50% off adult Leap fares
Cash	Higher	Check the TFI website for current cash fares

Leap fares can also be capped, so frequent travellers pay less per day and week. Check the current caps on the Leap Card website, as fares can change.

Driving in Ireland

Ireland drives on the left. The rules for foreign licences depend on where your licence is from:

• EU/EEA licence: you can drive as long as your licence is valid, and you can exchange it for an Irish licence.
• Recognised states (for example the UK, Australia, Japan, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, New Zealand, Georgia, Moldova and some Canadian provinces): you can drive for up to 1 year as a visitor and you can exchange your licence.
• Other countries: you may drive for up to 12 months as a visitor with an international driving permit. You cannot exchange your licence. To stay on the road, start the full process with the driver theory test. You may need fewer Essential Driver Training (EDT) lessons than a new learner, so check the details on NDLS.
• Ukrainian licences can no longer be exchanged, but holders under Temporary Protection can still drive on them.

The exchange fee is €65 (free if you are 70 or over). You apply through the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS). You also need car insurance, which can be expensive for new residents, so get quotes before you buy a car.

Common mistakes

• Forgetting to tap off on Luas or DART, so you pay the maximum fare.
• Paying cash every day instead of using Leap.
• Driving on a foreign licence for too long. Check your deadline on NDLS.
• Cycling at night without lights. Always use lights, and wear a helmet for safety.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I use a Leap Card?

On many bus, Luas, DART and rail services, in Dublin and other cities and towns. Check the Leap Card website for the services in your area.

How much is the Dublin 90 Minute Fare?

€2.00 for adults with a Leap Card and €1.00 with a Young Adult or Student Leap Card, as checked in October 2026.

Can I exchange my non-EU driving licence?

Only if it is from an EU/EEA country or a recognised state. Otherwise you must start with the driver theory test.

How much does it cost to exchange a licence?

The standard fee is €65. It is free if you are 70 or over, but eyesight tests or medical reports are not free.

This page is general information, not legal, immigration, medical or tax advice. Rules and fees change, so always check the official site before you act.

Next step: protect your money and identity. Read Scams and safety in Ireland.