If you’re visiting Dublin in 2026, you’ll meet two excellent rail systems: DART Dublin (the Dublin Area Rapid Transit coastal commuter line) and the Luas tram (two light-rail lines crossing the city). They’re fast, frequent, scenic and largely traffic-immune — the local commuters’ default and the smartest tourist choice for many journeys. Here’s both systems in detail: routes, fares, how to ride, where they go, when to use them, and the common mistakes that catch first-time tourists.
Every fare, stop and timing below is verified against Transport for Ireland 2026 data. By the end of this guide you’ll know which line gets you to Howth in 25 minutes, which Luas runs to the Guinness Storehouse, and how to combine DART and Luas with Dublin Bus for the most efficient sightseeing day.
Quick Picks: When to Use DART vs Luas
- Going to Howth or Bray: DART (faster than bus by 30+ minutes)
- Trinity to Stephen’s Green to Heuston Station: Luas Green Line then Red Line
- Connolly to Smithfield to Guinness Storehouse: Luas Red Line
- Stephen’s Green to Sandyford (south Dublin): Luas Green Line
- City centre to Dun Laoghaire or coast south of city: DART
- City centre to Kilmainham Gaol: Luas Red Line to Suir Road + 10-minute walk
- Day trip to Greystones: DART to Bray then bus 84 (or full DART extension)
The Luas Tram System
Luas (the Irish word for “speed”) is Dublin’s light-rail tram system, opened in 2004. Two lines, no direct interchange (they crossed in 2017 via a city-centre link). The Luas is the fastest way to move across central Dublin during the day.
Luas Green Line
Runs north-south from Broombridge (north of Phibsborough) through the city centre to Brides Glen (south Sandyford). 36 stops. The most-used tourist stops on the Green Line:
- Broombridge: Iarnrod Eireann interchange (Sligo/Maynooth trains)
- Cabra: For Phoenix Park north entrance
- Dominick: Hugh Lane Gallery, Garden of Remembrance
- O’Connell – GPO: O’Connell Street, GPO, Spire
- Marlborough: Abbey Theatre, Connolly Station
- Trinity: Trinity College, Bank of Ireland
- Dawson: Grafton Street south, Stephen’s Green
- St Stephen’s Green: Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre
- Charlemont: Portobello/Camden Street strip
- Ranelagh: Ranelagh village (restaurants, boutiques)
- Beechwood: Beechwood Avenue/Triangle area
- Cowper: Donnybrook
- Milltown: Royal Dublin Society, Aviva Stadium walking distance
- Windy Arbour: Royal Hospital Donnybrook
- Dundrum: Dundrum Town Centre shopping mall
- Sandyford: Business park, Beacon Hospital
- Brides Glen: End of line
Luas Red Line
Runs east-west from The Point (eastern docklands) through the city centre to Tallaght (south-west) and Saggart. 32 stops. Key tourist stops:
- The Point: 3 Arena venue, North Wall, EPIC Museum
- Spencer Dock: Convention Centre Dublin, Bord Gais Energy Theatre
- Mayor Square: IFSC financial district
- George’s Dock: Famine Memorial
- Connolly: Connolly Station (DART, Belfast and northern intercity rail)
- Busaras: Bus Éireann main station
- Abbey Street: O’Connell Bridge area
- Jervis: Jervis Shopping Centre, Henry Street
- Four Courts: Four Courts, Smithfield walking distance
- Smithfield: Smithfield Square, Jameson Distillery
- Museum: National Museum of Ireland Decorative Arts & History (Collins Barracks)
- Heuston: Heuston Station (Cork, Galway, Limerick trains)
- James’s: Guinness Storehouse, St James’s Hospital
- Fatima: Pearse Lyons Distillery
- Suir Road: For Kilmainham Gaol (10-min walk)
- Drimnagh: Royal Canal Park
- Bluebell: Bluebell industrial area
- Red Cow: Park-and-ride for M50
- Tallaght: Tallaght Shopping Centre, Tallaght Hospital
- Saggart: End of line
Luas Frequencies
- Peak hours (7-9am, 4.30-7pm Mon-Fri): Every 4-5 minutes
- Off-peak weekdays: Every 7-10 minutes
- Saturdays: Every 8-12 minutes
- Sundays: Every 10-15 minutes
- First service: 5.30am (Mon-Fri), 6.30am (Sat), 7am (Sun)
- Last service: 12.30am (Mon-Sat), 11.30pm (Sun)
The DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit)
The DART is the electrified suburban rail line running along Dublin Bay’s coast. Opened in 1984. Connects Howth and Malahide in the north through the city centre to Greystones in the south. The DART is Dublin’s most scenic transit ride — views of Dublin Bay, Sandycove’s Forty Foot, Killiney Bay “Dublin’s Bay of Naples.”
Northern DART (City to Howth/Malahide)
- Connolly: Main interchange with Luas Red Line, Belfast/northern intercity trains
- Tara Street: City centre south of Liffey
- Pearse: Trinity College, Westland Row
- Grand Canal Dock: Docklands, Aviva Stadium
- Lansdowne Road: Aviva Stadium (rugby/football)
- Sandymount: Sandymount Strand walking access
- Sydney Parade: Quiet residential area
- Booterstown: Booterstown Marsh nature reserve
- Blackrock: Blackrock village (Liath Michelin restaurant)
- Seapoint: Seapoint beach (cold-water swim)
- Salthill & Monkstown: Coastal residential
- Dun Laoghaire: Major port, James Joyce Tower, Forty Foot
- Sandycove: Sandycove beach, Forty Foot
- Glasthule: Sandycove village
- Dalkey: Dalkey village (Bono, Enya country)
- Killiney: Killiney Hill, Killiney Beach
- Shankill: Shankill village
- Bray: Bray promenade, Bray Head walks
- Greystones: End of southern line; coastal village
DART Frequencies
- Peak hours: Every 10 minutes (3 trains in each direction)
- Off-peak weekdays: Every 15-20 minutes
- Weekends: Every 15-30 minutes
- First service: 6am (Mon-Fri), 7am weekends
- Last service: 11.45pm (Mon-Sat), 11pm Sundays
Paying for Luas and DART
Leap Card (Recommended)
For both Luas and DART, the Leap Card is the standard payment. Both systems use tap-on AND tap-off:
- Luas: Tap at the orange validator pillar at your boarding stop. Tap again at the orange validator at your destination stop. Both pillars are clearly marked.
- DART: Tap at the green/orange validator at the station entry (some stations have gates that won’t open without a valid tap). Tap again at the exit.
If you forget to tap off: The system charges the maximum fare (about €3.30 Luas, €5+ DART). First-time mistakes are often refunded as courtesy via Leap Card customer service.
Leap Visitor Card
The 1, 3 or 7-day Leap Visitor Cards (€8/€19/€40) include unlimited Luas and DART rides within the Short Hop Zone. Tap on/off the same way as standard Leap; no extra fare deducted.
Cash and Ticket Machines
Every Luas stop and DART station has a ticket machine. Single ticket prices:
- Luas single: €2.10 cash, €1.55 Leap (city zone)
- DART single (city zone): €2.30 cash, €1.55 Leap
- DART Howth from city centre: €3.30 cash, €1.55 Leap
- DART Bray from city centre: €3.85 cash, €2.10 Leap
The cash savings via Leap are substantial (35-65%); always use Leap Card for Luas and DART.
Contactless Card
Transport for Ireland began contactless card rollout in 2024-2025 on Luas. As of 2026, most Luas stops accept contactless Visa/Mastercard/Apple Pay; fares are the higher cash-rate — still cheaper than buying a paper ticket but more expensive than Leap. Tap on/off the same way as Leap Card.
Best DART Day Trips for Tourists
Howth (25 minutes from city)
The classic Dublin coastal day trip. DART from Connolly to Howth runs every 15-20 minutes. Howth offers cliff walks (the Bog of Frogs 6km loop is the most popular), seafood restaurants, a working harbour, the Howth Market Saturday-Sunday. See our Howth Cliff Walk Guide.
Dun Laoghaire (35 minutes)
Major port town with the East Pier promenade walk, the James Joyce Tower at Sandycove (the setting of the opening chapter of Ulysses), the Forty Foot cold-water swim spot, plus excellent fish-and-chips at Caviston’s Glasthule deli. Sunday brunch at Cinnamon Cafe is a Dublin tradition.
Sandycove & Forty Foot (35 minutes)
The James Joyce Tower museum (free) is housed in a Martello tower where Joyce briefly lived. The Forty Foot below the tower is Dublin’s most famous open-water swimming spot — locals swim year-round including the Christmas Day plunge tradition.
Dalkey (45 minutes)
Affluent coastal village; Dalkey Castle & Heritage Centre (15th-century tower house); Bono and Enya country (both live in nearby Killiney). Dalkey Hill walks; Vico Road views.
Killiney (50 minutes)
Killiney Hill summit walk for the “Dublin’s Bay of Naples” view across Dublin Bay. Killiney Beach for swimming. Casual day-trip pair with Dalkey.
Bray (50 minutes)
Beach town with Edwardian promenade. Bray Head walk (climb to the 1.5km summit). National SEA LIFE Bray Aquarium. Easy onward bus 84 to Greystones.
Greystones (60 minutes)
End of the DART line south. Quiet coastal village. The Cliff Walk from Bray to Greystones (7km, 2 hours) is one of Dublin’s great walks — take the DART to Bray, walk the cliff, return by DART from Greystones.
Best Luas Stops for Tourists
Trinity (Green Line)
Direct access to Trinity College and the Book of Kells. Walking access to Grafton Street and Dublin Castle.
St Stephen’s Green (Green Line)
The southern terminal of the Green Line until 2017 (now continues to Broombridge). Direct access to Stephen’s Green park, the Shelbourne, the National Concert Hall.
James’s (Red Line)
The stop for Guinness Storehouse. Exit and walk 5 minutes east to the visitor entrance. Also Roe & Co Distillery walking distance.
Smithfield (Red Line)
Jameson Distillery Bow Street and the Cobblestone pub. Lighthouse Cinema. Generator Hostel.
Suir Road (Red Line)
Closest Luas stop to Kilmainham Gaol (10-minute walk south).
Heuston (Red Line)
Heuston Station for trains to Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford. Phoenix Park southern entrance.
Dundrum (Green Line)
Dundrum Town Centre — Ireland’s largest shopping mall. Eight Luas stops south of Stephen’s Green.
How to Ride the Luas
- Find the orange Leap Card validator pillar at the platform.
- Tap your Leap Card on the validator. The reader beeps and shows your balance.
- Wait at the platform for your tram (real-time arrivals show on the digital screen).
- Board through any door. There’s no gate or driver to check tickets.
- Stand or sit; seats are first-come.
- The tram doesn’t announce stops as loudly as the bus — watch the platform signs and the digital strip inside the tram.
- Exit at your stop.
- Tap off at the orange validator pillar before you leave the platform.
How to Ride the DART
- Enter the DART station. Some stations (Connolly, Tara Street, Pearse) have entry/exit gates.
- Tap your Leap Card on the validator (or feed paper ticket through gate slot).
- Check the platform number for your destination — northbound and southbound use different platforms.
- Board any door when the train arrives.
- Most carriages have airline-style seating with luggage racks above. Carriages are not air-conditioned in older units.
- Audio and visual stop announcements are standard.
- Exit at your station.
- Tap off at the exit gate or validator. The gate opens if you have a valid tap.
Common Luas and DART Mistakes
- Not tapping off. The system charges maximum fare. Always tap off at Luas and DART.
- Tapping on Luas at the wrong end of a station. Each platform has its own validator; tap on the platform you’re departing from.
- Boarding without tapping. Inspectors fine €100+ for fare evasion.
- Trying to use Leap on Aircoach. Aircoach is separate; doesn’t accept Leap.
- Riding the wrong direction on DART. Connolly Station has trains going north (Howth/Malahide) AND south (Bray/Greystones). Check platform signs.
- Missing the Luas line interchange. The Green Line and Red Line do not connect directly at any single stop. The closest connection is between Abbey Street (Red) and Marlborough/O’Connell (Green) — a 3-5 minute walk.
- Sitting in priority seats. The front of each tram/carriage has priority seats for elderly and mobility-impaired passengers. Give them up.
- Croke Park or Aviva Stadium match days. The Luas Red Line becomes severely overcrowded after Croke Park GAA matches; DART after Aviva Stadium rugby/football. Build extra time into journeys those days.
Combining Luas, DART and Dublin Bus
The three systems work together using the Leap 90 rule: tap on a second service within 90 minutes of your first tap, and the second journey is free (with some restrictions).
Example: 10am tap on Luas Green from Stephen’s Green to Trinity (€1.55). 11.30am tap on Dublin Bus 13 from Aston Quay to Phoenix Park — this is free under Leap 90. 12.30pm walk through Phoenix Park; 2.15pm Dublin Bus 40 return to city centre — this is paid (€1.55) because more than 90 minutes have passed.
The daily Leap cap (€7.30 adult) means heavy travel days — 5+ rides combining bus, Luas and DART — cost no more than €7.30 total. Your sixth and subsequent rides that day are free.
MetroLink: The Future of Dublin Rail
The MetroLink project will be Dublin’s first underground metro line, connecting Dublin Airport through the city centre to Sandyford. Currently in the planning approval phase; construction scheduled to start 2026-2027. First passenger services expected 2034-2035.
For tourists in 2026-2034, the existing Luas Green Line and Airlink 747 bus remain the primary city-to-airport equivalents. The MetroLink will eventually deliver the direct rail-to-airport service Dublin has long lacked.
Accessibility on Luas and DART
- All Luas trams are wheelchair-accessible with low-floor entry and dedicated wheelchair space.
- Most DART stations have step-free access; older stations (Sandymount, Sydney Parade) may have only stairs.
- Ramps are deployed by station staff at gated stations for passengers needing assistance.
- Audio announcements on every tram and DART carriage.
- Visual displays show next stop and direction of travel.
- Wheelchair-accessible toilets on Connolly, Tara Street and Pearse stations.
Related Reading
For more transport guides, see Dublin Leap Card, Dublin Bus Guide for Tourists, Dublin Airport to City Centre, Dublin Taxi Guide, Walking in Dublin, and Howth Cliff Walk Day Trip.
Why DART is Dublin’s Most Scenic Transit Ride
For a €1.55 fare, the DART delivers one of Europe’s most scenic urban-rail rides. The southbound journey from Pearse Station hugs the coast from Sandymount onwards, passing Booterstown Marsh (a working tidal nature reserve with herons and oystercatchers), the elegant Edwardian terraces of Sandycove, the Forty Foot bathing place, the colourful boats of Dun Laoghaire harbour, and finally the cliff-edge run between Killiney and Bray with views across Killiney Bay — nicknamed Dublin’s “Bay of Naples” for its similar curve and southern exposure. Sit on the left (east) side of southbound trains to maximise sea views.
Northbound from Connolly, the scenery is more workaday until you pass through Killester and arrive at Howth Junction, where the line splits. The Howth branch then climbs the Howth peninsula, with sweeping bay views over the city skyline behind. Best photo opportunity: the train pulling into Howth Station with the harbour and Ireland’s Eye visible behind. On a clear day you can see the Mourne Mountains in Northern Ireland from the Howth platform.
When the Luas Beats the Bus (and Vice Versa)
The Luas is dramatically faster than parallel Dublin Bus routes during weekday rush hours. The Green Line from Stephen’s Green to Sandyford takes 22 minutes regardless of traffic; the equivalent Dublin Bus 11 takes 35-50 minutes during 4-6pm congestion. The Red Line from Connolly to James’s (for Guinness Storehouse) takes 11 minutes; the parallel Dublin Bus 13/40 takes 25-35 minutes. For any city-centre journey that lies within Luas reach, the tram wins on time, predictability and comfort.
Dublin Bus wins for everywhere the Luas doesn’t reach — which is most of the city. Phoenix Park, Kilmainham (10-minute walk from Suir Road Luas), the southside suburbs (Rathmines, Ranelagh, Donnybrook), the north inner-city neighbourhoods (Stoneybatter, Drumcondra), and most outlying day-trip points all need a bus. The combined Luas-Bus-DART network with a single Leap Card cap (€7.30 daily) makes mixing modes a no-brainer.
DART, Luas and Match Days
Dublin’s two main stadium events affect public transport noticeably. Croke Park GAA matches (Sundays, occasional Saturdays from May-September) draw 80,000+ spectators; the nearest Luas stop is Connolly (Red Line) plus a 25-minute walk, but most fans take Dublin Bus routes 1, 11, 13, 16, 31, 32, 33 which become severely overcrowded 30 minutes before and 60 minutes after games. Aviva Stadium (Lansdowne Road; rugby and football) sits directly on the DART line at Lansdowne Road station; the southbound DART after matches is standing-room-only and queues at the platform stretch up to the road.
If you’re sightseeing on a match day, plan around the post-game window: leave Phoenix Park before 5pm on a Croke Park Sunday, or avoid the DART along Dublin Bay for 90 minutes after Aviva kickoff. Hotel concierges can confirm fixtures — the Sunday newspapers also list the day’s GAA card. Match days aren’t a reason to skip transit, but they reward a 30-minute time shift.
DART & Luas Dublin: FAQ
What is the difference between Luas and DART?
Luas is Dublin’s tram (light rail) system with two lines crossing the city centre. DART is the heavy-rail electric commuter line running along Dublin Bay’s coast from Howth to Greystones. Luas is faster across central Dublin; DART is faster for coast-bound day trips.
How much is a DART ticket?
City zone single €2.30 cash or €1.55 Leap Card. Howth from city centre €3.30 cash, €1.55 Leap. Bray €3.85 cash, €2.10 Leap. Daily Leap cap €7.30 covers all city Dublin DART rides plus bus and Luas.
Which Luas line goes to Heuston Station?
The Luas Red Line. Heuston is 4 stops west of Connolly Station; journey 8-10 minutes. Heuston Station serves Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford intercity trains.
Does the Luas connect to Dublin Airport?
No — neither the Luas nor the DART serves Dublin Airport. Use the Airlink 747 bus or the Aircoach. The proposed MetroLink underground metro will eventually connect the airport but isn’t expected until 2034-2035.
What is the Luas frequency?
Every 4-5 minutes at peak times, every 7-15 minutes off-peak. First service 5.30am, last service 12.30am Mon-Sat (11.30pm Sundays). Real-time arrivals displayed at every stop.
How do I get to Howth from Dublin?
DART from Connolly Station to Howth: 25 minutes, every 15-20 minutes. Tap your Leap Card on the validator entering and exiting. Howth is one of Dublin’s best half-day trips for coastal walking and seafood lunches.
Can I use my Leap Card on DART and Luas?
Yes — both DART and Luas accept Leap Card. Tap on AND tap off at the orange validator pillars (Luas) or the entry/exit gates (DART). Standard Leap Card 30-40% cheaper than cash fare; Leap Visitor Card includes unlimited rides.
Are Luas and DART wheelchair-accessible?
Yes — all Luas trams are low-floor wheelchair-accessible. Most DART stations have step-free access; older suburban stations may have stairs only. Station staff deploy ramps on request.
