Skip to content

Extra Free Travel journeys from the islands

This page explains the extra Free Travel journeys that may be available if you live permanently on:

  • One of the Aran Islands in Co. Galway, or
  • Tory Island in Co. Donegal
Use this topic if you or someone you support:
  • Lives on one of the islands and already has Free Travel, or
  • Helps an island resident to plan travel between the island and the mainland

Note

This page offers plain language guidance. It is not a legal document.
Only the Department of Social Protection (DSP) can make an official decision about free travel eligibility.

Quick overview

If you live permanently on one of the islands and have Free Travel, you may get:

  • Extra return air journeys each year between the islands and the mainland hub town
  • The option to make more journeys at a reduced fare when your free trips are used up
  • Free travel for a spouse, civil partner, cohabitant or companion, if that person is already included on your Free Travel entitlement

Important

These extra journeys are in addition to your normal Free Travel use on buses, trains or other services.

These island journeys:

  • Are managed by specific transport operators
  • Are usually counted per calendar year
  • Do not change your normal Free Travel use on buses, trains or other services

Open each section for the details that matter for your trip

Who these extra island journeys are for

To qualify for the extra Free Travel journeys you must:

  • Hold a valid Free Travel card or paper pass, and
  • Be permanently living on:
    • One of the Aran Islands . Inis Mór, Inis Meáin or Inis Oírr, or
    • Tory Island, Co. Donegal

Permanent residents can get a limited number of free air or helicopter trips each year between the island and the named mainland town.

If you are not permanently living on the islands, you cannot use these extra free journeys. You may still be able to get a reduced fare if you have Free Travel.

Aran Islands residents: extra air journeys to and from Galway

If you have Free Travel and live on an Aran Island on a permanent basis:

  • You are entitled to travel free of charge on the air service between:
    • The Aran Islands and Galway City, and
    • Galway City and the islands

Key points:

  • You may take up to 12 single journeys, or up to 6 return journeys, each year between the islands and Galway City.
  • These trips are usually provided by Aer Arann between the islands and Aerphort Chonamara at Indreabhán, with a shuttle bus between Aerphort Chonamara and Galway City.
  • When your free allocation is used, you may still travel at a special reduced rate.
  • If your Free Travel card shows a Companion Free Travel entitlement, one adult companion aged 16 or over may normally travel free with you on these island journeys.

If you are not permanently resident on the Aran Islands, you may be able to use the air and bus services at a reduced cost, but not free of charge, using your Free Travel entitlement where the rules allow.

Tory Island residents: extra helicopter journeys to and from the mainland

If you have Free Travel and live permanently on Tory Island, Co. Donegal:

  • You are entitled to travel free of charge on the seasonal helicopter service between Tory Island and Falcarragh on the mainland.

Key points:

  • You may take up to 8 single journeys, or up to 4 return journeys, each year on this helicopter service.
  • These journeys are usually available during the winter period, when sea conditions can make travel difficult.
  • If your Free Travel entitlement includes a spouse, civil partner, cohabitant or companion, that person may normally travel free with you on these extra helicopter journeys.

If you are not permanently resident on Tory Island, you may be able to travel at the normal or a reduced fare, but cannot use the extra free allocation.

How companions and cross border travel fit in

For island residents who have Free Travel:

  • If your Free Travel card or pass includes your spouse, civil partner, cohabitant or companion, that person may usually travel free with you on your extra island journeys.
  • The companion must travel with you on the same flight or helicopter journey.
  • If you are travelling on a cross border Free Travel journey that also includes the Aran Islands, the usual cross border rules apply. Check the conditions before booking.

If you are unsure about a particular journey, ask the airline, helicopter operator, ferry company or the Free Travel Section to confirm what is covered.