I thought this crowd might be interested in the new Leap Card for tourists that is currently available for purchase at Dublin Airport. 19.50 gets you three days of unlimited travel around Dublin on the city and Airlink buses, as well as, the LUAS and DART trains.
I used a version of this card in October and found it extremely handy... no fumbling for change, no questions about fares. The learning curve is quick once you find the "validator" on the bus or at the platform -- you just hold your card up to the reader and it'll let you know your card is valid.
Just be sure to think about how much you plan to actually use public transportation... Airlink is 6 each way, so if you're just looking to get to city centre and maybe a short bus or LUAS trip then it probably won't be a money-saver... the Leap Card will not get you on the Hop On/Off bus.
Thanks Corey. Roy (who is going to Ireland shortly) was thinking of getting the Leap Card. I don't know if he has decided yet but your article will be helpful. Hope you are having a good summer in Ireland...especially during the heat wave. Hey, isn't that an oxymoron for Ireland?
I am indeed considering getting the leap card. While we will be doing the Hop On Hop Off day two and three, we will be doing day trips in Dublin, including taking the DART to Greystone and hiking up to Bray and returning on the DART, not to mention frequent commutes from Whitehall into the city. My wife has been in contact with friends in Howth and we will be getting together with them as well. I assume this is three consecutive days? We will not be using Airlink.
We purchased the three day passes from the Spar store in Terminal 2. We saved them for days when we would be using extensive travel- such as to Greystone and then back from Bray after the cliff walk, a trip to visit friends of my wife's in Howth and a day in Malahide. First use was the bus from Whitehall, where we discovered the passes were blocked and would not work. The Dublin Bus driver was kind enough to give us a free lift to the bus headquarters on O'Connell Street. My sister-in-law was with us too but she gets the perk of free senior travel throughout the country. Being early on a Sunday morning, we had tea in Flanagan's until the office opened. We were told that the Spar store failed to load the cards with the 3 day pass- which they kindly did for us and we were on our way to get the Dart. Dublin Bus said they would call the store as apparently this has happened before. Once we got the card loaded, it worked well and was quite a savings for those three days.
Welcome back Roy. Hope you had a grand time. Thanks for your feedback on your pass. Sorry to hear you had to waste time on some clerical incompetence. Since it has happened before I would hope they sort that out sooner rather than later.
How did you enjoy your trip and staying put using public transportation? Inquiring minds would love a trip report.
Hi Michele, Bob has also asked me to write on that and hopefully I will soon. I've had some family issues to deal with since returning that have consumed much of my energy.
Sorry to hear of family issues. Hope all resolves soon. Take your time Roy. I think Bob is the all-time champion of postponed trip reports. Maybe you can give him a run for his money!