Ivy,
We used the 72 hour(3-day) Leap Card the last time in Ireland Oct 2016. We had been to Dublin 2-3 times before and did most of our exploring on foot with an occasional bus ride (Guinness and Kilmainham Goal). This time, however, we wanted to explore the small seaside villages north and south outskirts of Dublin. The comuter train (Luas) or (Dart) (one service runs north and south, the other east and west) was a great way to do this and we used our leap cards for the comuter trains much like you would the hop-on hop-off busses downtown. However I don't believe the Leap card gives you access to either of the HOHO buses (red or green busses) that operate downtown. The Leap does get you on any City bus route in Dublin proper (ask for a map of both bus and train routes when buying your Leap cards.
It was a little daunting at first, but just remember, in Ireland folks are the friendliest of any where in the world! Don't hestitate to ask the people that sell you the card for maps and advice. We also got great advice & asked questions at the outlying manned stations when we got off about what there was to see or do and got really helpful advice! The Leap card can be purchased at DUB airport or at the tourist information office downtown near Suffolk street, and from there, it is just a few blocks walk to Conally station to catch the train. There is one other handy station not too far south that we also used to depart when returning to meet our friends for dinner near Trinity Colleges. We also used our Leap card to get back and forth from our airport hotel to downtown for 3 days, saving 1.85 Euro using exact change. The Leap card is so handy, get on, swipe the card, get a green light and that's it. With the train, you swipe your card at the turn style prior to boarding. I highly recommend getting the Leap card, it was a good value for the money at about 22 Euro/person if I remember right!
Enjoy your trip!
Dan

Dan, Thanks for your reply! No it doesn't include the HoHo but I was just wanting to compare them together. I wasn't sure how much would be on foot. I thought it was a bit daunting as well to just use the LEAP, but it helps to know that they have maps and its not as hard as I thought. I also just found app's on the LEAP site one is called Journey planner and it lets you put in where you are and your destination and then it tells you what buses/trains/walking route etc to take. The other is Real time Ireland to check arrive and departure times and such. I appreciate your response. I'm thinking I will get the LEAP cards instead of the HoHo.

Thanks for the advice about the airlink Michele, it's good to know :) We will only use it when we arrive, to get into the city and then to go pick up our car before heading to Kilkenny. Our last night before flying home will be at the Clayton hotel near the airport.
Thanks again for all the input, love that you are all so helpful!!! :)
Ivy

The Leap visitor card (10 for 24 hours, 19.50 for 72 hours) is what we use. Besides the convenience we usually manage to save a lot of money.

pandio wrote:

---

Thanks Roy, Yes that is what we are going to go with. I just emailed them to ask if they had them for children or if I need to buy all adult ones. Two months and counting! Can't wait :)

---

 Are you buying in advance or waiting until you get to the airport?

Ok I did receive a message back. This is what they said:

Visitor Leap Cards are for people age over 15 years old.
You can purchase a child 5 - 15 years old leap card and top up the leap card normally (5, 10, 15).
If you have any further queries, Please do not hesitate to contact us on Lo -Call 1850 824 824 or email us at customer.care@leapcard.ie