Child (5-8) TFI Leap Card

You can apply for a Child (5-8) TFI Leap Card online here. Just follow the steps on screen.

Please note: you will need to use a valid email address when applying for a card.

You’ll need to upload:

• The parent or guardian’s passport, driving licence, learner permit, or National ID card
• The child’s birth certificate or passport

No, either a birth certificate or a passport is required for application.

No, each application must be submitted separately.

Yes, but each child’s application must be completed online individually. If applying for more than one child please allow time for processing of a card before attempting to apply for a second and subsequent cards.  You will receive an email confirming when your first application is processed. Processing usually takes 2 days.

Cards are usually delivered within 10 working days.

Registration is possible but isn’t necessary. If the card is lost, you need to reapply.

The card is valid on all Transport for Ireland (TFI) services within the Republic of Ireland, including buses, trains, and trams. This includes:

• Dublin City Bus services (Operated by Dublin Bus and Go-Ahead Ireland)
• Bus Éireann bus services nationwide (Excluding Expressway and the School Transport Scheme)
• All Luas and Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail services
• All TFI Local Link bus services
• Kilkenny Town bus services KK1, KK2 operated by City Direct
• Bus Route 139 operated by JJ Kavanagh and Sons
• Bus route 975 operated Andrew Wharton Coach Hire
• Bus routes 143 and 144 operated by Finnegan Bray
• Portlaoise town bus routes PL1 and PL2 operated by City Direct
• Routes 410, 411, and 412 operated by City Direct

No, commercial services are not included in this scheme.

No, Expressway is a commercial service and not covered by the scheme.

Your child can use a Child (5-15) TFI Leap Card on eligible commercial bus services. This will allow your child to travel on these services on a discounted child fare.

They must tap-on bus, train and Luas services using the validator before boarding and tap-off Luas and train services after their trip.

When using train stations without validators, your child should travel with the card as their ticket and show it to a member of staff, if requested.

To travel free, your child must tap on and off for train and tram services and tap on for bus services. If they don’t, the card may not be valid for that journey.

No, this card is for free travel only and cannot hold credit. For paid travel on commercial services, use a Child (5-15) TFI Leap Card.

No, the Child (5-15) card offers discounted fares but not free travel. To travel free, your child must use a valid Child (5-8) TFI Leap Card.

Yes, children must be accompanied by a responsible person with a valid ticket.

Generally, children aged 5–8 should be accompanied by a responsible person with a valid ticket. However, some operators allow unaccompanied travel under specific conditions. Please check the Conditions of Carriage of the relevant operator for full details.

The Child (5–8) TFI Leap Card expires at the end of the month of your child’s 9^th birthday. After that, they can use a Child (5–15) TFI Leap Card for a discounted child fare.

Call the TFI Leap Card team at 0818 824 824 for assistance.

You’ll need to apply for a new card. Once you do, the old card will be blocked and can’t be used

No, this initiative is separate and applies only to scheduled TFI public transport services.

No need! Children under 5 already travel free and don’t require a TFI Leap Card.

Yes, to avail of free travel, children aged 5–8 must hold a valid Child (5–8) TFI Leap Card.

We ask a parent/guardian for ID verification for the following purposes:

1. Safeguarding and Child Protection

• To validate the identity of the parent/guardian applying for the Under 9 Free Travel Card on behalf of the child.
• This helps prevent unauthorised access to or use of sensitive information in relation to the child.

2. Data Protection Compliance

• Under laws like the GDPR, organisations must ensure that personal data is only shared with individuals who have the legal right to access it and data is only processed when an organisation is entitled to do so. Thus, requesting an ID ensures that a responsible adult has submitted the information for the NTA to process.
• Having the under 9’s free travel card  eliminates a need for a child to carry ID when using public transport or providing such ID to bus operators (especially if the age of the child is not evident).

3. Preventing Fraud or Misrepresentation

• As this expands the free travel program, verifying identity helps prevent fraudulent use of the free travel card.