What is TFI Leap Card?

TFI Leap Card is a convenient way to pay for public transport across the TFI public transport network. It is a re-usable, pre-paid travel card that can save you up to 31% versus cash single fares. Just top-up, touch on and travel.

TFI Leap Card can be used on the following services:

  • Bus Éireann
  • Dublin Bus
  • Go-Ahead Ireland
  • DART and Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail commuter rail services in the Short Hop Zone and on the
  • Cork to Cobh/Midleton train lines in Cork
  • Luas
  • Private operators such as Ashbourne Connect, City Direct, Matthews Coaches and Wexford Bus

For a full list of operators, please see the TFI Leap Card website.

Types

There are several different types of TFI Leap Card.

  • Adult
  • Adult Personalised
  • Student
  • Child 5 – 15
  • Child 16 – 18
  • Visitor

There are differences in fares, usage and entitlement depending on which card you are eligible to purchase.

Where to buy

Adult anonymous and child 5 – 15 cards can be purchased at any TFI Leap agent, on the TFI Leap Card website or at selected DART ticket machines in Dublin.

Adult personalised can be ordered on the TFI Leap Card website

Child 16 – 18 cards can be ordered online. The age of applicants must be verified at a validation centre before a card will be dispatched.

Student Cards can be applied for at Student Leap agents, at the Student Leap Roadshows that take place each September and January at 3rd level colleges around the country or via post.

TFI Leap Visitor Cards can be purchased on the TFI Leap Card website or at selected agents in Dublin Airport and Dublin City Centre.

How to top-up

You can top-up your TFI Leap Card in a number of ways:

  1. If you have a NFC-enabled Android phone, the easiest way to top-up is by downloading the Leap Top-up App. With the app you can top-up your card instantly from your phone.
  2. By setting up Auto Top-up on your TFI Leap Card, you will never run out of travel credit. Once your credit falls below €10 it will automatically top-up by your chosen amount (€30, €40 or €50).
  3. At TFI Leap Card payzone outlets. Find your closest agent on the TFI Leap website.
  4. At Luas, DART & Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail commuter rail ticket machines.
  5. On board selected bus operators including Wexford Bus, Matthews Coaches and Swords Express.
  6. Online; but please note, if you Top-Up online, you still have to collect your Travel Credit or ticket at either a TFI Leap Card agent or another nominated load location.

FAQs

Depending on the operator, you can save up to 31% as opposed to paying for your journey in cash. TFI Leap Card can be used on different operators including Dublin Bus, Luas, DART & Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail commuter rail, Go-Ahead Ireland and Bus Éireann, along with other bus operators such as Swords Express, Ashbourne Connect, Wexford Bus, Matthews Coaches (certain services) and Collins Coaches.

Check out TFI Leap Card fares for details on each operator.

TFI Leap Card caps your travel credit spend, so once you hit an applicable cap on Dublin Bus, Luas, DART and Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail commuter rail and Go-Ahead Ireland services in Dublin you can travel for free on those services for the rest of the day or week (Mon-Sun).

Find out more about TFI Leap Card Capping here.

When you use Travel Credit to pay for two or more journeys within 90 minutes of your previous journey, an automatic discount will apply to the second and subsequent fares. This allows you to switch between Dublin Bus, Go-Ahead Ireland, Luas, DART and Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail commuter rail services.

This does not apply to Luas – Luas or DART/ Commuter rail – DART/ Commuter rail as these trips already have specific discounted fares.

For more information and conditions on the available Leap 90 discounts see here.

  • If you have an NFC-enabled Android phone, you can check your balance with the Leap Top-up App. Just hold your TFI Leap Card to the back of your phone.
  • You can also view your travel credit balance online as well as previous transactions on your card. (It can take up to 24 hours for transactions to appear on your online account).
  • You can also view your balance by asking for a balance enquiry at any TFI Leap Card payzone agent or by placing your card in the card pocket at any Luas/DART/Commuter Rail ticket machine and following instructions on the ticket vending machine screen.

Once you register your TFI Leap Card, you can apply for a replacement card or a refund, depending on your card type:

  • Adult and child cards can be replaced or refunded. If you are replacing a personalised card you may need to resubmit your photo.
  • Tax Saver TFI Leap Card can also be replaced through the TFI Leap website.
  • Student cards can only have travel credit and tickets refunded (not the €10 Student Card fee).
  • Simply log-in to your online account, select the ‘Refund or Replace’ option and follow the process.

If your card is lost or stolen and has not been registered, you cannot apply for a replacement/refund. We recommend you register your card as soon as you receive it to protect your balance if your card is lost or stolen.