Leap Card for Students — Practical guide (K7)

Everything a student commuter in Ireland needs: eligibility, how to apply, top-up methods, partner discounts and travel tips for campus and city travel.

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Emma O'Connor

Student travel specialist

Overview

Leap Card offers reduced fares and flexible top-up options for students across Ireland. K7 refers to our student guidance package tailored for school and university routes.

-30%

Average student savings on local routes

Fast top-up

Online, app, and retail outlets

Accepted

Bus, tram, and many commuter trains

Eligibility & Documentation

Students of full-time second-level and third-level education in Ireland can qualify for discounted Leap fares. Typical requirements:

Valid student ID or official letter from the institution.
Proof of age for junior discounts where applicable.
Completed application (if applying for a personalized student Leap card).

Quick checklist

Have student ID ready.
Choose between anonymous and personalized Leap card.
Select top-up method that suits your schedule.

Ask an eligibility question

How to get a student Leap Card

Decide if you want a personalized card (helps with concessions and balance protection).
Apply online via the official Leap Card portal or visit selected retail agents to purchase an anonymous card.
If personalized, upload or present student ID during the application.
Activate and top up your card before the first journey.

Personalized cards are recommended for long-term students to use direct discounts and automatic caps.

In-person options

Many local retailers and station ticket offices.

Find local agent

Top-up methods

Choose the most convenient way to add travel credit or period passes:

Online & App

Top-up on the official Leap app and manage travel history.

Retail outlets

Quick cash top-ups at newsagents and participating stops.

Ticket machines

Available at major stations for period tickets and credit.

Student Discounts & Partners

Many third-level institutions and bus operators offer additional schemes for students using Leap Cards. Typical partner benefits include capped fares and bundled campus passes.

Fare estimator (interactive)

Estimate monthly travel cost with a quick calculator. Choose typical daily trips and frequency.

Trip type

Days per week

Return journeys per day

Select options and press Estimate

FAQ

International students enrolled in eligible full-time courses typically qualify when they can produce an official student ID or letter confirming enrolment.

Personalized Leap cards allow balance recovery if reported lost. Anonymous cards do not offer the same protection.

Use the official app for fastest top-up, or visit campus retail partners and ticket machines located at major stops.

Resources & links

Helpful links for students:

Study commute tips

Plan trips to avoid peak hours and check student caps on monthly travel.

Lost card?

Report via official channels or visit a Leap vendor for support.

Campus passes

Some institutions offer integrated passes linked to Leap benefits.