Public Transport Arrangements for Christmas and New Year 2020/2021

date-icon 22 Dec 2020  author-icon Posted by Anna Cullen


‘Tis a season like never before! If you need to travel via public transport for an essential journey over the Christmas period, we have you covered here at AA Roadwatch. See details below of the schedule changes for Irish Rail (including DART), Luas, Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus and Go Ahead during the festive season.

At the moment though, with Covid-19 restrictions in place, keep in mind that public transport should only be used for essential journeys. Capacity will be reduced from 50% to 25% during Level 5.

Remember to check the provider’s website or app for specific times and routes before you travel. You are now required by law to wear a face covering and it’s also advisable to pay your fare through contactless methods.

Stay safe during this festive season. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all at Roadwatch HQ!

IRISH RAIL (including DART)

Normal service will operate on Irish Rail services until Wednesday (23rd). Revised schedules will operate then from Thursday 24th (Christmas Eve) to Friday 1st (New Year’s Day).

Irish Rail have announced that it is mandatory to pre-book Intercity travel in advance. You can do so here.

  • Christmas Eve (Thurs 24th)
    • Normal InterCity service but with cancellations and alterations on certain routes. Last departures will be between 6pm and 8:30pm, depending on the route.
    • A Saturday service will operate on DART and Commuter services until 9pm and on Cork Commuter services until 6:30pm. 
    • Phoenix Park Tunnel (Grand Canal Dock/Hazelhatch and Newbridge) route will operate a reduced service, which will finish at 7:43pm.
  • Christmas Day (Fri 25th) and St. Stephen’s Day (Sat 26th)
    • No service.
  • Sunday 27th
    • Normal Sunday service on all routes with some alterations and cancellations.
  • Monday 28th
    • Normal InterCity service but with cancellations and alterations on certain routes.
    • Sunday service on DART and Commuter and on Cork Commuter routes.
    • Reduced service on Portlaoise Commuter routes.
    • No service on Phoenix Park Tunnel (Grand Canal Dock/Hazelhatch and Newbridge) route.
  • Tuesday 29th and Wednesday 30th
    • Normal InterCity service but with cancellations and alterations on certain routes.
    • Saturday service on DART and Commuter and on Cork Commuter services.
    • Phoenix Park Tunnel (Grand Canal Dock/Hazelhatch and Newbridge) route will operate a reduced service.
  • New Year’s Eve (Thurs 31st)
    • Normal InterCity service but with cancellations and alterations on certain routes. Last departures will be between 6pm and 8:30pm, depending on the route.
    • Saturday service on DART and Commuter services until 9pm and on Cork Commuter services until 6:30pm.
    • Phoenix Park Tunnel (Grand Canal Dock/Hazelhatch and Newbridge) route will operate a reduced service until approx 7pm.
  • New Year’s Day (Fri 1st)
    • Normal InterCity service but with cancellations and alterations on certain routes.
    • Sunday service on DART and Commuter and on Cork Commuter routes.
    • Reduced service on Portlaoise Commuter route.
    • No service on Phoenix Park Tunnel (Grand Canal Dock/Hazelhatch and Newbridge) route.
  • Saturday 2nd
    • Normal services resume.

DUBLIN BUS

A weekday service will operate on all Dublin Bus routes until Wednesday (23rd). Nitelink, Airlink and Tours will not operate. You can check timetables on their website.

  • Christmas Eve (Thurs 24th)
    • A Saturday service will operate with last departures at approx. 9pm, including the normally 24-hour routes 15, 39a and 41. 
    • Nitelink, Airlink and Tours will not operate.
  • Christmas Day (Fri 25th)
    • No service.
  • Stephen’s Day (Sat 26th)
    • A Sunday service will operate on all routes, with first departures on routes 15, 39a and 41 at 5am. 
    • Nitelink, Airlink and Tours will not operate.
  • Sunday 27th
    • A Sunday service will operate on all routes. Nitelink, Airlink and Tours will not operate.
  • Monday 28th, Tuesday 29th and Wednesday 30th
    • A Saturday service will operate on all routes. 
    • Nitelink, Airlink and Tours will not operate.
  • New Year’s Eve (Thurs 31st)
    • A weekday service will operate with last departures at approx. 9pm. Routes 15, 39a and 41 will stop operating at 10pm and begin again at midnight. 
    • Nitelink, Airlink and Tours will not operate.
  • New Year’s Day (Fri 1st)
    • A Sunday service will operate on all routes. 
    • Nitelink, Airlink and Tours will not operate.
  • Saturday 2nd
    • Services return to normal Saturday service, with some alterations.

GO-AHEAD (BUS)

Go ahead services – ODMA, 197 and Dublin Commuter – will operate to normal schedules until Wednesday (23rd). To plan your journey see here.

  • Christmas Eve (Thurs 24th)
    • Normal weekday service on all routes – Outer Dublin Metropolitan Area (ODMA), route 197 and Dublin Commuter routes (125, 126, 130). The last departures will be between 5:45pm and 9pm (check your route here).
  • Christmas Day (Fri 25th)
    • No service.
  • Stephen’s Day (Sat 26th)
    • Sunday service commencing at 9am on ODMA, route 197 and Dublin Commuter routes 125, 126 and 130.
  • Sunday 27th and Monday 28th
    • Sunday service on all routes.
  • Tuesday 29th and Wednesday 30th
    • Normal service on all routes.
  • New Year’s Eve (Thurs 31st)
    • Normal weekday service on all routes.
  • New Year’s Day, (Fri 1st)
    • Sunday service on all routes.

LUAS

There will be some alterations to Luas services over the Christmas and New Year period. There will be no night services. Check the website here for timetable information.

  • Christmas Eve (Thurs 24th)
    • Normal timetable until services end at 8pm.
  • Christmas Day (Fri 25th) 
    • No service.
  • Stephen’s Day (Sat 26th)
    •  Services from 9am to 11:30pm at Sunday frequency.
  • Sunday 27th and Monday 28th
    • Sunday operating hours and frequency.
  • Tuesday 29th and Wednesday 30th
    • Saturday service.
  • New Year’s Eve (Thurs 31st) 
    • Saturday timetable and frequency.
  • New Year’s Day (Fri 1st) and Saturday 2nd
    • Essential engineering works will take place on Marlborough St which will impact services on both lines.
    • Green Line services will not operate between St Stephen’s Green and Dominick.
    • Red Line services will not operate between Smithfield and The Point. Tickets will be valid on Dublin Bus.

BUS ÉIREANN

Bus Éireann services will operate to their normal schedules until Wednesday (23rd). Good news too for those in Navan and Drogheda as new bus routes have been introduced since last Sunday (20th). Check out our blog for more details.

  • Christmas Eve (Thurs 24th)
    • Normal weekday schedule until 9pm on all services.
    • Intercity Expressway users should check their route here.
  • Christmas Day (Fri 25th)
    • No services
  • St Stephen’s Day (Sat 26th)
    • Sunday timetable on all services from 9am.
  • Sunday 27th and Monday 28th
    • Sunday service.
  • Tuesday 29th, Wednesday 30th and New Year’s Eve (Thurs 31st)
    • All services will run as normal.
  • New Year’s Day (Fri 1st)
    • Sunday timetable on all services
  • Saturday 2nd
    • Services return to normal, with a Saturday timetable operating on the 2nd.

Written by Anna Cullen