Free Travel Pass Ireland 2026 — Bus, Luas, DART and Train
Free Travel Pass in Ireland
The Free Travel Pass gives free travel on Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus, Luas, DART and Irish Rail to people aged 66 and over, and to certain social welfare recipients under 66. Here is who gets it, what transport is covered, and how to apply.
Free Travel Pass — At a glance
- Automatic from age
- 66 — no application needed
- Cost
- Free
- Spouse/partner
- Can travel free on same journey
- Under 66 — how to get it
- Apply via form FT1 if on qualifying welfare payment
Key facts — Free Travel Pass 2026
Who gets a Free Travel Pass?
Automatic at 66 (no application needed):
- All people aged 66 and over who are ordinarily resident in Ireland
- Usually issued automatically when your State Pension begins
- No means test and no income limit
Under 66 — qualifying social welfare payments:
- Invalidity Pension
- Disability Allowance
- Blind Pension
- Carer's Allowance (full-time)
- Back to Education Allowance (in some cases)
- Long-term Illness Benefit recipients (in some cases)
What transport is included?
- Bus Éireann — local, intercity and Expressway services
- Dublin Bus — all city routes
- Luas — Red Line and Green Line (tram)
- DART — Dublin coastal rail
- Iarnród Éireann — all commuter and intercity routes (subject to capacity on some peak services)
- Go-Ahead Ireland — licensed bus services
- Local Link — rural transport services
- Cross-border (Translink) — some services to Northern Ireland
Companion Free Travel
Your spouse, civil partner, or cohabiting partner can travel free with you on the same journey — they simply accompany you on the same bus, train or tram. They do not need a pass of their own; they just travel with you.
Some pass holders are designated for Companion Free Travel on the pass itself — this allows any companion (not just a partner) to travel free. This designation is typically granted to people with significant disabilities or vision impairments who genuinely need assistance to travel.
How to apply (under 66)
-
Confirm you receive a qualifying payment
Check that you are receiving Invalidity Pension, Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Carer's Allowance or another qualifying payment from the list above.
-
Apply using form FT1 or online
Form FT1 is available from Intreo Centres, post offices or gov.ie. You can also apply online via MyWelfare.ie if you have a MyGovID account.
-
Receive your Free Travel Pass by post
Your Free Travel Pass is a Leap card-style card sent by post. Present it to the driver or reader on board — no ticket is needed.
Frequently asked questions
Who gets a free travel pass in Ireland?
Everyone aged 66+ who is ordinarily resident in Ireland gets one automatically. Under 66, you qualify if you receive Invalidity Pension, Disability Allowance, Blind Pension or Carer's Allowance.
What transport is free with the pass?
Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus, Luas, DART, Iarnród Éireann (all routes), Go-Ahead Ireland, Local Link, and some cross-border Translink services to Northern Ireland.
Can my spouse travel free with me?
Yes — your spouse, civil partner or cohabiting partner can travel free on the same journey as you without needing their own pass.
What is Companion Free Travel?
A designation on the pass allowing any companion (not just a partner) to travel free — typically for people with significant disabilities who need assistance to travel.
How do I apply?
Under 66: apply using form FT1 or online at MyWelfare.ie. Aged 66+: usually issued automatically when your State Pension begins.
Can immigrants get a free travel pass?
Yes — anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland with a legal right to reside qualifies. Non-EU nationals aged 66+ with Stamp 4 or refugee status qualify automatically.
Is the pass valid during peak hours?
Yes on most services. Some Iarnród Éireann intercity routes may have restrictions on peak-hour travel — check with the relevant operator.
- At 66, the pass is issued automatically — you do not need to apply unless it has not arrived within a few weeks of your pension approval
- Under 66, you must apply separately using form FT1 — it is not added automatically when you get a qualifying welfare payment
- Your spouse or partner can travel free on the same journey as you — they do not need their own pass
- Companion Free Travel (for any companion) is different to spouse travel — it must be designated on your pass and is not automatic for all pass holders
Related guides
This page was reviewed against official Irish government guidance and updated to reflect 2026 Free Travel Pass eligibility rules and qualifying payments.