North

In Northern Ireland Translink (www.translink.co.uk ) operates the Ulsterbus, Metro Bus service and NI Railways integrated public transport system.  Metro Bus serves the Belfast area while Ulsterbus has services throughout Northern Ireland.  NI Railways also provide rail services between the main centres.

Further information is available on the nidirect website – www.nidirect.gov.uk – Public transport

South

Ireland has a range of public transport system with the best services found in the major towns and cities around the country.  Dublin, being the capital city, has the best coverage with buses, local trains and the DART(light rail system) servicing Dublin city and county.  The DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) is Dublin’s suburban rail service, which runs along the coast between Howth in the north of the city and Bray in the south.  Fares are comparable to bus fares.  DART timetables can be viewed online – www.irishrail.ie

Luas is a Light Rail Transit system – www.luas.ie operating in Dublin connecting suburbs to the city centre with a high capacity and high frequency service.

Dublin Bus – www.dublinbus.ie also provides a reliable and frequent public bus service throughout the capital city.  Dublin Bus offers a scheduled service between approximately 6.30 am and 11.30 pm.

Cross-border issues

There are good cross-border bus and rail links.

Bus – Bus Eireann works in co-operation with Translink. Please visit www.buseireann.ie  or Translink Goldline for current bus schedules and prices.
More information on cross border bus services can be found at www.showbus.com/timetables/ulster.htm .
Rail – Iarnród Éireann works in co-operation with NI Railways as part of the Enterprise service between Dublin and Belfast. For further information please visit www.irishrail.ie or www.translink.co.uk – Enterprise

Cross-border free travel

Holders of a Free Travel Pass from the Department of Social Protection or a Northern Ireland Concessionary Travel Pass from the Department for Regional Development  may make cross-border bus or rail journeys free of charge between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.  For further information please visit – Border People – Free Travel Scheme for senior citizens in Ireland

See also:

• Department for Regional Development Northern Ireland – www.drdni.gov.uk
• Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport – Public transport
• CIE website – www.cie.ie
• Bus Eireann – www.buseireann.ie
• Irish Rail – www.irishrail.ie
• Citizens Information – Public transport

Page last checked: February 2016

This webpage is for general information purposes only and while we endeavour to keep it up-to-date, errors may occur.  It is very important that you check with the relevant body to ensure the information is current and is applicable to your situation: – North /  South

If you would like to suggest amendments or highlight new information that could be useful to others please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

This webpage is for general information purposes only and while we endeavour to keep it up-to-date, errors may occur. It is very important that you check with the relevant body to ensure the information is current and is applicable to your situation.

If you would like to suggest amendments or highlight new information that could be useful to others please don’t hesitate to get in touch.