One of the most underused perks of reaching 66 in Ireland is the Free Travel Pass — and with a change to how it’s issued arriving in 2026, it’s worth knowing exactly what it covers and how to get the most out of it. Here are five practical tips to make sure you’re using it well.

1. Know exactly what it covers

Everyone aged 66 and over who lives permanently in Ireland can get the Free Travel Scheme (some people under 66 also qualify through certain disability or carer payments). It covers most public transport, including Iarnród Éireann trains, Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus, DART, Luas, and many Local Link and private operator routes, with no time-of-day restrictions. The Transport for Ireland free travel page has the full, up-to-date list of participating operators, which is worth a quick check if you’re planning a route you haven’t used before.

2. Get ahead of the 2026 card change

From March 2026, the paper Free Travel Pass is being phased out in favour of a Public Services Card marked with ‘FT’. If you haven’t already, it’s worth checking with the Department of Social Protection that your card is up to date so travel isn’t disrupted. Full details of the scheme and how to apply are on the gov.ie Free Travel Scheme page.

3. Use it for everyday trips, not just big days out

The pass is easy to think of only for big day trips, but it works just as well for everyday use — visiting family in another county, a mid-week trip to the coast, or simply a change of scenery on a quiet Tuesday.

4. Combine it with off-peak plans to avoid crowds

Since the pass has no time-of-day restrictions, it’s worth deliberately choosing quieter mid-morning or early-afternoon services if comfort matters more than speed — you’ll often get a seat more easily and avoid the commuter crush entirely.

5. Bring a companion pass into the plan if you qualify

Some people who need help travelling because of a disability can qualify for a Free Travel Companion Pass, allowing someone to travel with them for free. It’s worth checking your eligibility even if you’ve never needed to travel with a companion before, since circumstances can change.

It’s a genuinely generous scheme — the main barrier tends to be remembering to use it, and now, making sure your card survives the switch to the new format.