Travel to Northern Ireland and the islands with Free Travel
This page helps you choose the right information if you want to use Free Travel for:
- Journeys between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland
- Journeys within Northern Ireland using a Senior SmartPass
- Extra journeys if you live on the Aran Islands or Tory Island
Use this topic if you or someone you support want to:
- Already has Free Travel and is planning a cross border trip, or
- Wants to understand how a Senior SmartPass fits with Free Travel, or
- Lives on an island and wants to know about extra trips to the mainland
Choose the route that fits your situation
Most common special case
Travel between Ireland and Northern Ireland
Use this if you have an Irish Free Travel card or paper pass and want to travel free on named cross border bus or rail services between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Use a Senior SmartPass within Northern Ireland
Use this if you want to understand what a Senior SmartPass is, who can get one under the All Ireland Free Travel Scheme, and how this separate card is used on local buses and trains within Northern Ireland.
Extra journeys if you live on the islands
Use this if you live permanently on the Aran Islands or on Tory Island and want to know about the **extra Free Travel return journeys** allowed each year between the islands and the mainland.
Tip
If you are still unsure, you can:
- Start with the cross-border overview**, or
- Make a note of your situation and bring this page or printout to your local Citizens Information