# Leap card | Transportation | Moving to Ireland > If you’re planning to use public transport in Ireland, you might have heard about the Leap Card. This rechargeable smart card is an essential item for… Source: https://www.movingtoireland.co/guides/transportation/leap-card/ Transportation · Step 2 of 9 # Leap card 2 min read · Updated 13 September 2026 If you’re planning to use public transport in Ireland, you might have heard about the Leap Card. This rechargeable smart card is an essential item for anyone who wants to travel around Ireland’s major cities with ease. Here’s everything you need to know about the Leap Card. ## What is the Leap Card? The Leap Card is a smart card that can be used to pay for travel on public transport in Ireland. It can be used on Dublin Bus, Luas, DART, Commuter Rail, Bus Éireann, and Wexford Bus services. With the Leap Card, you can avoid the hassle of buying tickets and get access to discounted fares. The card is valid for five years, and you can top it up with credit as needed. ## Where can you get a Leap Card? You can get a Leap Card from any Leap Card agent, which includes selected newsagents, post offices, and retail outlets (e.g., Spar). You can also buy a Leap Card online from the Leap Card website. The card costs €5, and you will need to top it up with credit before you can use it for travel. ## How do you use the Leap Card? Using the Leap Card is easy. Simply touch your card to the validator on the transport service you’re using, and the cost of your journey will be deducted from your card’s credit. You can also use the Leap Card to pay for multiple passengers at once, as long as they are travelling together. The card also has a daily and weekly cap, which means that you won’t be charged more than a certain amount each day or week, even if you take multiple journeys. ## What are the benefits of using a Leap Card? Using a Leap Card comes with several benefits, including: **Discounted fares** – You can save up to 31% on fares compared to buying a cash ticket. **Convenience** – You don’t have to worry about buying a ticket every time you travel, and you can easily top up your card online or at a Leap Card agent. **Daily and weekly caps** – The card has a daily and weekly cap, which means you won’t be charged more than a certain amount each day or week. **Multi-operator** – The card can be used on multiple transport services in Ireland, including Dublin Bus, Luas, DART, Commuter Rail, Bus Éireann, and Wexford Bus. **Better for the environment** – Using the Leap Card helps reduce the amount of paper waste from tickets, making it a more eco-friendly option. In summary, the Leap Card is an essential item for anyone planning to use public transport in Ireland. It’s easy to use, convenient, and offers discounted fares, making it a smart choice for regular commuters and visitors alike. Get your Leap Card today and enjoy hassle-free travel around Ireland. * * * ## ★ Useful links - [Official Leap Card website](http://www.leapcard.ie/) ![](https://www.movingtoireland.co/apple-touch-icon.png) You have read 26% of this guide ## Keep reading in the Moving to Ireland app The rest of **Leap card** — about 2 minutes more — is in the app, free to download, alongside 98 other guides and a checklist built around your own move. Still to come in this guide - Where can you get a Leap Card? - How do you use the Leap Card? - What are the benefits of using a Leap Card? [Download free on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/moving-to-ireland/id6446055261) iPhone and iPad · no account needed ## More on transportation [All 9 guides in this section](https://www.movingtoireland.co/guides/transportation/) - ### [Public Transportation System of Ireland](https://www.movingtoireland.co/guides/transportation/public-transportation-in-ireland/) Ireland has a relatively efficient public transport system that includes buses, trains, trams, and taxis. While it may not be as extensive as some other… 2 min read - ### [Driver's license in Ireland](https://www.movingtoireland.co/guides/transportation/drivers-license-in-ireland/) Getting a driving license in Ireland is a relatively straightforward process, but it does require some time, effort, and preparation. In this article… 2 min read - ### [Exchange a driving licence from a non-recognised state](https://www.movingtoireland.co/guides/transportation/exchange-your-existing-driving-license-non-recognized-state/) As you may have a valid driving license from a non recognized country, you can drive in Ireland for up to 12 months. Thereafter, you will need to obtain… 2 min read · For Non-recognised licence holders - ### [Exchange a driving licence from a recognised state](https://www.movingtoireland.co/guides/transportation/exchange-your-existing-driving-license-recognized-state/) As you may have a driving license is from a country that is recognized by the Irish government, you can exchange it for an Irish driving license. To… 1 min read · For Recognised licence holders Keep going ## Get the full transport roadmap in the app Moving to Ireland turns 99 guides into a personal checklist. Tell it your passport, whether you have moved yet, and who is coming with you, and it lays out every step in order — from the visa to the bins. - Step-by-step checklist - Tailored to your passport - Pre-move & post-move - Family & pet sections [![Download Moving to Ireland on the App Store](https://www.movingtoireland.co/images/app-store-badge.svg)](https://apps.apple.com/app/moving-to-ireland/id6446055261) ★★★★★ 4.9 on the App Store [![Expats who settled in Ireland, two five-star App Store reviews, and the Moving to Ireland app showing its relocation checklist](https://www.movingtoireland.co/images/app-social-proof.webp)](https://apps.apple.com/app/moving-to-ireland/id6446055261)