How to Book Train Tickets with a Free Travel Pass Online (Ireland)
Last updated: 6 July 2026
Quick answer: Free Travel Pass holders in Ireland can reserve train seats online for free. The fastest way is the free Passenger.ie app (iPhone & Android) — type your journey in one sentence (for example, "From Westport to Dublin on Friday") and your ticket arrives by email in about a minute. You can also book manually on the train operator's journey planner by selecting "Free Travel Pass or Valid Ticket Holder" as the passenger type.
Option 1: Book in one sentence with the Passenger.ie app
Passenger.ie was built with Free Travel Pass holders in mind. There are no dropdowns or forms to work through:
- Download the free Passenger.ie app for iPhone or Android and tap Book Ticket.
- Type your journey naturally, e.g. "I want to go to Dublin Heuston from Westport on the 14th".
- Pick from the real, live train times shown — only trains with free reservations still available are listed.
- Enter your name and email. Your ticket is booked and emailed to you, ready for Apple Wallet.
The app can book all train tickets, not just Free Travel Pass journeys. Your first booking is free; after that, a once-off €9.99 unlocks unlimited bookings (no subscription).
Option 2: Book manually with the train operator
If you prefer to book directly with Iarnród Éireann, the national train operator, follow these five steps:
- Go to the operator's online journey planner.
- Enter your departure station, destination and travel date.
- Click the passenger dropdown and change the default "Adult" to "Free Travel Pass or Valid Ticket Holder".
- Choose your train time and pick a seat on the seat map.
- Confirm the booking and keep the confirmation with you when travelling.
Important: whichever way you book, you must carry your physical Free Travel Pass (Public Services Card) on the train to show the inspector.
Why book a seat at all if travel is free?
Your Free Travel Pass entitles you to free travel, but it does not guarantee a seat. On intercity routes (for example Dublin–Cork, Dublin–Galway or Dublin–Westport), trains can be fully reserved, especially at weekends and holidays. Each service has a limited number of €0.00 Free Travel Pass reservations — once they're gone, only paid reservations may remain. Booking online in advance means:
- A guaranteed seat with your name on it
- No queuing at the station
- A ticket in your email and Apple Wallet before you leave home
Frequently asked questions
Can I book same-day travel with my Free Travel Pass?
Yes. You can book same-day, next-day or any future date, subject to free reservations still being available on that train.
Can I book a return journey?
Yes. Both Passenger.ie and the operator's journey planner support return bookings — you select an outbound train and a return train in the same booking.
Do I need to print my ticket?
No. Your emailed ticket on your phone is accepted, and you can add it to Apple Wallet. Bring your physical pass as well.
I have a companion pass (FT+S / FT+C). Can my companion travel too?
Yes — passes marked FT+S (spouse/partner) or FT+C (companion) allow an eligible second person to travel with you for free. Check your pass class and see our Free Travel Pass Ireland guide for details.
Does the Free Travel Pass work on buses and Luas too?
Yes. The Free Travel Scheme covers trains, Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus, Go-Ahead Ireland, Luas, DART and many Local Link and private services. Seat booking mainly matters for intercity trains. More in our full guide.
How do I book a seat on the train with my Free Travel Pass?
Book online and the seat reservation is included. Passenger.ie reserves your free seat automatically when you book; on the train operator's journey planner you pick a seat from the seat map after selecting "Free Travel Pass or Valid Ticket Holder". Reservations are free while €0.00 seats remain on that train.
Is there an app for booking train tickets with a Free Travel Pass?
Yes. Booking is done through the free Passenger.ie app — iPhone or Android: type your journey in one sentence and your ticket is booked and emailed to you. The app can book all train tickets, not just Free Travel Pass journeys.
Can I see the train timetable before I book?
Yes. When you search your journey, live train times for your route and date are shown — real departures and arrivals, with only the trains that still have free reservations listed.