DART and Luas guide for Dublin visitors

Overview: two systems, one card

Dublin’s fixed-rail urban transport consists of two separate networks: the DART (an overground railway) and the Luas (a tram/light rail system). Both accept the Leap Visitor Card, which makes navigating them straightforward once you understand where each goes.

For the Leap card itself — prices, where to buy, how to use — see the Leap card guide. For a full overview of all Dublin transport, see getting around Dublin.

The DART: Dublin’s coastal railway

DART stands for Dublin Area Rapid Transit. It’s an electrified overground railway running along the north and south shores of Dublin Bay, connecting coastal towns to the city centre. It’s clean, reliable, and one of the best ways to reach several tourist-friendly destinations.

DART route and key stations

The DART runs on a single line from Malahide and Howth in the north (two separate branches that merge at Clontarf Road) through the city centre to Bray and Greystones in the south.

Key city centre stations:

• Connolly (Amiens Street): The main northern city centre hub. Connects to intercity trains, buses, and the Luas Red Line at Busáras nearby. For the EPIC Museum, Custom House, O’Connell Street area.
• Tara Street: Between Connolly and Pearse, close to Temple Bar on the south bank. Good for the Liffey area.
• Pearse (Westland Row): For Trinity College (Book of Kells), Grafton Street, Merrion Square.

North coast destinations:

• Howth (30 min from Connolly): Fishing village, cliff walk, seafood. See Howth day trip guide and Howth cliff walk guide.
• Malahide (25 min from Connolly): Malahide Castle and gardens are a 5-minute walk from the station.

South coast destinations:

• Dún Laoghaire (25 min from Pearse): Harbour town with excellent seafood restaurants, weekend market, ferry terminal. See Dún Laoghaire destination.
• Sandycove & Glasthule: Joyce Tower (James Joyce lived here briefly), the famous Forty Foot sea-swimming spot.
• Dalkey (30 min from Pearse): Affluent coastal village with castle and pubs. See Dalkey village guide.
• Killiney: Scenic bay views from the hill.
• Bray (35 min from Pearse): Seaside town at the base of Bray Head.
• Greystones (55 min from Pearse): Quieter coastal town; the coastal path from Bray to Greystones is a fine walk.

DART fares and the Leap card

DART fares are zone-based. City centre to Howth or Dún Laoghaire costs around €3 each way with a Leap card. Greystones is around €4–5. Always tap in and tap out at the barriers — the system calculates the correct fare from your journey.

Visitor Card holders: Tap the card at the station gate to enter; tap again when you exit. The Visitor Card covers unlimited DART travel — no fare is deducted. If you take the DART even twice on a given day, it contributes to the Visitor Card’s value.

Timetables: DART trains run approximately every 10–15 minutes during peak hours, every 20–30 minutes off-peak. Service ends around midnight; check the Irish Rail app (irishrail.ie) for last trains.

Cycling and DART: Bicycles can be taken on the DART outside peak hours (before 07:00 and between 09:30–16:30 on weekdays, plus weekends). Two bikes per carriage maximum.

Practical notes for the DART

• Barriers at main stations: Connolly, Pearse, Tara Street and most larger stations have tap-in barriers. Smaller stations (Shankill, Woodbrook) may have validators rather than barriers — still tap your card.
• Seating: DART trains fill on popular routes at weekend. For Howth on a sunny summer Sunday, expect a busy train.
• Real-time info: Irish Rail Live app and real-time departure boards at stations.

The Luas: Dublin’s tram system

Luas means “speed” in Irish. It’s Dublin’s light rail/tram network with two lines that serve the city centre and inner suburbs.

Red Line

Route: The Point (Docklands) → Spencer Dock → Mayor Square → Connolly → Busáras → Jervis → Four Courts → Smithfield → Museum → Heuston Station → Kilmainham → Fatima → James’s → and continuing southwest to Saggart and Tallaght.

Key tourist stops on the Red Line:

• The Point: For the 3Arena, EPIC Museum and Convention Centre
• Jervis: North city shopping (Henry Street, LUAS Ilac Centre)
• Smithfield: Generator Hostel, Cobblestone pub, Old Jameson Distillery area
• Museum: For Heuston Station (train connections west) and Collins Barracks (National Museum branch)
• Fatima / James’s: For the Guinness Storehouse (10-minute walk from James’s stop)
• Heuston: Main western rail terminus for trains to Cork, Galway, Limerick

Green Line

Route: Broombridge → Phibsborough → Broadstone → Dominick → Parnell → O’Connell–GPO → Westmoreland → Trinity (College Green) → Dawson → St Stephen’s Green → and continuing south to Milltown, Ranelagh, Beechwood, Cowper, Dundrum, Sandyford, Bride’s Glen.

Key tourist stops on the Green Line:

• O’Connell–GPO: O’Connell Street, GPO, Spire. 1916 Easter Rising sites.
• Westmoreland: Ha’penny Bridge, Temple Bar, Liffey quays
• Trinity (College Green): For Trinity College, Grafton Street, Dame Street
• Dawson: St Stephen’s Green north, Dawson Street restaurants
• St Stephen’s Green: The main southside hub. For Georgian Dublin, National Gallery, shopping
• Harcourt: For Iveagh Gardens, gig venues
• Ranelagh: Residential suburb with good restaurants

Luas fares

Luas fares are zone-based. Most city-centre to inner-suburb journeys cost €1.80–€2.50 with a Leap card. Buy single tickets from the machines at stops (cash or card) if not using a Leap card; singles cost slightly more.

Important: Tap your Leap card on the platform validator before boarding. Tap again when you alight at your destination. Luas inspectors check cards; fines are €100. Do not board without tapping — the trams do not have onboard readers.

The transfer gap

The Red Line and Green Line do not share a central underground station. They interwork at stops near O’Connell Street, but you need to walk a few minutes between lines:

• Red Line: O’Connell–GPO stop (Marlborough Street side)
• Green Line: O’Connell–GPO stop (O’Connell Street side)

These are very close and signed, but there’s a short surface walk between them. Plan for it.

Luas timetables

Trams run Monday–Saturday from approximately 05:30 to 00:30 and Sunday from 07:00 to 23:30. Peak frequency is every 6–8 minutes; off-peak every 12–15 minutes. Check luas.ie for live departures and disruptions.

Planning journeys with DART and Luas

The TFI Journey Planner (journeyplanner.transportforireland.ie) covers both networks and Dublin Bus, suggesting the best route for any two points in the city. The Dublin Bus real-time app and Irish Rail app are also useful for specific network schedules.

For practical day planning, see getting around Dublin. For the airport transfer by Airlink (Dublin Bus, not DART or Luas), see Dublin airport to city. For building your day trips around the DART coastal line, see DART coastal day out and the individual destination guides.