Exploring Expressway Bus Payment Options For Your Next Trip

If you're wondering how to pay for your Expressway bus ticket, you've come to the right place. Expressway is Bus Éireann's premium inter-regional coach service, operating across Ireland. There are a few ways to pay for your Expressway bus ticket. You can book your ticket online and pay via the Expressway website. You can also pay with cash on board, but it's recommended that you have the exact fare ready to speed up the journey for yourself and other customers. Another option is to use a Leap Card, which offers discounted fares for young adults and students. You can also load a range of tickets onto your Leap Card. So, whether you prefer to book online, pay with cash, or use a Leap Card, there are convenient options available for paying for your Expressway bus ticket.

TFI Leap Card

The TFI Leap Card is a reusable, pre-paid travel card that can be used to pay for public transport across the TFI public transport network. It was introduced in the Greater Dublin area in 2011 and has since expanded to cities nationwide and some longer-distance commuter routes. It is a convenient way to pay for your travel, saving you up to 30% on Adult fares and 50% with a Young Adult or Student Card.

The Leap Card is a contactless smart card that can be topped up in several ways, including via the Leap Top-Up App, at LUAS or DART ticketing machines, and in convenience stores offering Payzone services. The minimum top-up amount is €5, and you can use it to pay for single trips or load it with weekly, monthly, or annual subscriptions. With the TFI 90-Minute Fare, you can use the TFI network in Dublin for 90 minutes for just €2 for adults, €1 for young adults or students, and 65 cents for children. This fare applies to most journeys in Dublin, including Dublin Bus, Go-Ahead Ireland services, Luas services, and DART and Commuter Rail services.

You can check your balance and transaction history online or via the Leap Top-Up App. If your card is lost, stolen, or faulty, you can apply for a replacement card or refund if it has been registered. Anonymous Leap Cards can be purchased at Payzone outlets or certain Luas or Irish Rail ticketing machines for €10, which includes an initial credit of €5. Personalised cards for use with period tickets are provided free of charge but without any credit.

The Leap Card is a convenient and cost-effective way to pay for public transport in Ireland, offering integrated ticketing and fare capping to help you save money on your travels.

Online booking

• Find a Reputable Booking Platform: Start by searching for a reliable online booking platform that offers expressway bus tickets. Look for a user-friendly website that provides comprehensive information about schedules, routes, and payment methods.
• Select Your Departure and Destination: On the booking platform, you will need to specify your departure and destination locations. This will help the system generate available bus options for your trip.
• Choose Your Travel Date and Time: Decide on the date and time of your travel. This will allow the booking platform to display the available bus schedules that align with your preferred timing.
• Compare Different Bus Options: Once you have entered your travel details, the platform will present you with various expressway bus options. Compare the different buses based on factors such as price, departure and arrival times, duration of the trip, and onboard amenities offered.
• Select Your Preferred Bus and Seat Class: After comparing the options, choose the expressway bus that best suits your preferences and budget. Some buses may offer different seat classes with varying levels of comfort and amenities, so select the one that matches your needs.
• Provide Passenger Information: During the booking process, you will be required to provide passenger information, including the number of adults, children, or students travelling. This information is essential for booking the correct number of tickets and ensuring any applicable discounts are applied.
• Proceed to Payment: After finalizing your bus selection and providing passenger details, it's time to make the payment. Online booking platforms typically offer various payment methods, such as credit cards, debit cards, or other accepted payment gateways. Choose your preferred payment method and securely enter your payment details.
• Receive Your Booking Confirmation: Once your payment is successfully processed, you will receive a booking confirmation. This confirmation can be in the form of an email, a booking reference number, or an e-ticket. Make sure to keep this confirmation safe, as you may need to present it when boarding the bus.

By following these steps, you can conveniently book your expressway bus ticket online, ensuring a smooth and stress-free travel experience. Remember to read through the terms and conditions, cancellation policies, and other relevant information provided by the booking platform to make an informed purchase.

Onboard

If you haven't booked your ticket in advance, it is recommended that you have the exact fare ready for the driver when boarding the bus. This will speed up journey times for you and other customers. If you already have a ticket or pass, make sure to have it ready for inspection when you board the bus. Tickets must be retained for the duration of your journey and produced for inspection if requested by the driver or conductor.

Children under the age of four will be carried free of charge if accompanied by a fare-paying passenger, provided that the child does not occupy a seat to the exclusion of another passenger. Children under 12 years of age will not be carried on Expressway services unless accompanied by a responsible person over the age of 16. One child under the age of five may travel free of charge on Expressway services when accompanied by a person or persons aged 16 or over with responsibility for their welfare. Additional children under the age of five will be charged the standard child fare.

Student Tickets are issued at discounted fares on the production of a current International Student Identity Card (ISIC) or a valid Student Identity Card issued by a recognised third-level college in the Republic of Ireland. The full list of colleges whose Student Identity Cards are recognised by Bus Éireann for entitlement to student fares is given in the "Your Journey/Student Travel" area of the Bus Éireann website.

Family Return Tickets are issued to family groups consisting of one or two adults and up to a maximum of three children under 16 years of age.

Guide dogs and assistance dogs accompanying passengers are permitted to travel on all Bus Éireann services free of charge and without restriction. An assistance dog must be clearly identifiable either by coat or harness to distinguish it as a working dog and not a pet. No other dogs, cats, or animals of any kind will be carried.

Only Certified Service animals are allowed on Expressway buses. Pets are not allowed on the bus or in the hold of the bus.

Child fares

Children under the age of 16 can purchase a Child Ticket. One child under the age of 4 will be carried free if accompanied by a fare-paying passenger, provided that they do not occupy a seat to the exclusion of another passenger. Children under 12 years of age will not be carried on Expressway services unless accompanied by a responsible person over the age of 16.

Children under 16 may avail of Single, Return, and 10 Journey tickets at Child fare rates. Child fares are also available for those with a non-personalised Child Leap Card (5-15 years) and a Personalised Child Leap Card (16-18 years).

Unaccompanied children aged 5-11 will be carried on any service where the journey is less than 30km and before 7pm. After 7pm or for journeys over 30km, children under 12 must be accompanied by a responsible person over 16. Children under 5 must be accompanied by a responsible person over 16 with a valid ticket or pass on all services, regardless of distance or time of day.

Student fares

Student tickets are available at a discounted rate for those who can present a current International Student Identity Card (ISIC) or a valid Student Identity Card from a recognised third-level college in the Republic of Ireland. The full list of colleges whose Student Identity Cards are accepted can be found on the Bus Éireann website under the "Your Journey/Student Travel" section.

Student tickets are valid for one outward journey and one return journey based on the ticket type selected. They are also available as single tickets, which are valid for one single journey on the date of issue as shown by the fare paid and/or other details on the ticket. Students can also take advantage of the 10 Journey Ticket, which is valid for ten journeys within seven consecutive days, including Sundays, for the selected journey only. For example, a weekly ticket purchased on Tuesday will be valid until the following Monday.

It is important to note that students under 12 years of age will not be carried on Expressway services unless they are accompanied by a responsible person over the age of 16. This restriction is detailed in the Expressway timetable booklet.

Frequently asked questions