Passengers in Greater Dublin Area (GDA), Galway, Cork, Limerick and Waterford have more ways than ever to travel during the festive season, with extended evening and late-night services across the Transport for Ireland (TFI) network.
Whether you’re heading home after a Christmas party, visiting family, or celebrating New Year’s Eve, TFI is here to make your journey safe, convenient, and affordable.
Dublin Bus will continue its popular Nitelink service late into the night on Fridays and Saturdays, with additional Nitelink services available on Thursday 11, Sunday 13, Thursday 18 and Sunday 21 December , operating from midnight until 4:00 AM, while most other routes finish at approximately 11:30 PM daily.
Go-Ahead Ireland will keep passengers moving across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow this holiday season.
Adding to this, more twenty-four-hour services are now available than ever before, supported by the ongoing rollout of BusConnects. With the implementation of Phases 6a and 7 this year, the total number of twenty-four-hour bus routes stands at fifteen, marking a significant milestone in improving accessibility and convenience for passengers across the region.
Bus Éireann has extended its timetables this festive season, with many routes operating past midnight and 24-hour connections on Routes 109A and 101, ensuring towns and communities beyond Dublin remain linked. These services integrate with local routes in Navan and Drogheda, which run until late at night.
Services across Dublin Bus, Go-Ahead Ireland and Bus Eireann will resume normal timetables on 2 January.
Luas will keep Dublin moving late into the night this festive season,
Irish Rail will operate special late-night trains after midnight on New Year’s Eve to destinations including Howth, Greystones, Dundalk, Maynooth and Kildare. Passengers are advised to check times before travelling and book Intercity journeys in advance at busy periods.
Passengers can also benefit from the TFI ninety-minute fare, which allows seamless travel across Dublin Bus, Luas, Go-Ahead Ireland and most DART or commuter rail services at discounted rates, making festive travel more affordable for residents and visitors alike.
Taxi availability continues to improve, with over 17,300 drivers now available in Dublin, an increase of almost seven percent compared to last year, providing additional flexibility for those travelling late at night.
Bus Éireann now offers late evening services on key city routes serving Douglas, Mahon, Ballincollig, and Carrigaline, as well as regional routes linking Cork with towns such as Youghal, Fermoy, and Kinsale. Route 220 continues to operate as a 24-hour service, connecting Ballincollig, Cork city centre, Carrigaline, and Crosshaven.
To support festive shopping and events, additional services have been operating on Route 213 between Black Ash Park and Ride and the city centre since mid-November. These temporary enhancements, introduced in partnership with Cork City and County Councils, run on weekends only from 22 November to 21 December, providing extra capacity during peak shopping periods.
For intercity bus travel, Bus Éireann’s Cork–Fermoy–Dublin Route 245X
TFI Local Link Cork is also making rural travel easier with expanded evening services linking communities to Cork City and beyond. These enhancements, introduced as part of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, ensure reliable public transport access for rural communities throughout the festive season.
For full details on TFI Local Link timetables across the holidays, please contact TFI Local Link Cork.
Rail services between Cork and major destinations, including Dublin, Tralee, and Limerick, will also operate later during the Christmas period.
Passengers are advised to check times before travelling.
For added flexibility, more than 2,300 taxi drivers will be available in Cork throughout the festive season.
Bus Éireann has introduced late evening services on key city routes, including Raheen UHL to Westbury, Caherdavin to the City Centre, Pineview to O’Malley Park, Ballycummin to UL, and Ballynanty to Edward Street, operating between 11 p.m. and midnight.
Regional routes have also been enhanced, with improved services from Limerick to Nenagh via Birdhill, Limerick to Mitchelstown via Hospital, Limerick to Kilfinane via Bruff, and Limerick to Cashel via Newport.
A key addition to late-night connectivity in the region is Route 343, introduced in 2024, which provides a 24-hour link between Limerick and Shannon via Bunratty. This route offers vital connections for passengers to Colbert Station, TUS, and intercity services.
TFI Local Link Limerick Clare has expanded its evening services across the region, connecting communities with routes such as Ennis to Limerick via Quin and Broadford, Newcastle West to Charleville, and additional services running until midnight on weekends. These enhancements, delivered as part of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, ensure reliable public transport access for rural communities throughout the festive season.
In addition, TFI Local Link Limerick Clare launched TFI Anseo in October, a smart demand-responsive travel service offering flexible and convenient transport options.
Operating until 11:30 p.m., TFI Anseo connects passengers to key destinations including Limerick City Centre, University of Limerick, Corbally, Mill Road, and Rhebogue, making it easier than ever to travel when and where you need.
For full details on TFI Local Link timetables across the holidays, please contact TFI Local Link Limerick Clare.
Rail services from Limerick will also operate later during the festive season, with extended connections to major destinations including Dublin Heuston, Cork, Tralee and Galway. These additional services provide greater flexibility for passengers travelling for work, leisure, or holiday celebrations.
Passengers are advised to check times before travelling.
For those travelling late at night, taxis remain a flexible option, with 1,117 taxis available in Limerick.
Bus Éireann Waterford now runs extended evening services on popular city routes connecting key destinations such as Ballybeg, WIT, Meaghers Quay, Brownes Road and Oakwood. Whether you are heading to a party or finishing a late shift these routes keep the city moving well into the night.
TFI Local Link Waterford is also making rural travel easier with expanded evening services linking communities to Waterford City and beyond. Routes now connect places like Marlfield, Youghal, Dungarvan, Tallow, Tramore and Waterford Hospital bringing festive cheer to even the most remote corners.
For full details on TFI Local Link timetables across the holidays, please contact TFI Local Link Waterford.
Rail services between Waterford and major destinations including Dublin continue to operate later giving passengers more flexibility for evening travel.
Passengers are advised to check times before travelling.
Taxis continue to provide additional flexibility for those travelling late at night, with almost five hundred licensed drivers available in Waterford.
Anne Shaw, CEO of the NTA, said:
“This holiday season, we’re proud to provide evening and late-night travel options across the TFI network, helping communities come together and enjoy the celebrations. Whether you’re meeting friends, visiting family, or soaking up the festive atmosphere, TFI is here to keep you moving safely and conveniently.”
Passengers are encouraged to plan their journeys in advance using the Transport for Ireland (TFI) app or by visiting the TFI website.
Detailed schedules and updates for bus, rail, and TFI Local Link services are available to ensure passengers have the latest information.
Visit the Christmas Services details at the Transport for Ireland website for more information.
