Tickets & Travel Cards

You can pay as you go by paying on board bus services, at stations or from train conductors (when no Translink employee is available at train station). Tickets can also be purchased at ticket vending machines before you board for Glider services. This will normally be the standard fare although some special offer discounts are available. 

We have a range of pre-pay travel cards designed to save you money and offer convenience. Many of the travel cards are available to buy online and offer significant cost savings on the standard fare.

We try to offer the best value for our customers. Travel cards are great for saving money and time.

• Day, Weekly and Monthly Travel Card - Smartlink   Buy a daily, weekly or monthly travel card to save on Metro, Glider and Ulsterbus Town services. Find Out More

• Multi Journey - Smartlink You can pre-purchase up to 40 pre loaded journeys for all bus services and save up to 35% on every journey. Find Out More

• yLink  If you are lucky enough to be between 16-23 apply for a Ylink card and you can enjoy 1/3 off on all bus and rail services within Northern Ireland. Find Out More

• iLink  Available to buy online, our integrated ilink travel cards offer fantastic value for money with unlimited day, weekly and monthly bus and rail travel within specified zones across Northern Ireland. Find Out More

• aLink   The alink is an annual travel card available for your selected scheduled bus or rail commute and gives you FREE, unlimited use of scheduled bus and train services at weekends.  Find Out More

• 24+   Like it says on the tin! Discounted rail travel for aged 24+. (if you're a full time student!) - 1/3 off! Find Out More

• Belfast Visitor Pass   1,2 or 3 days travel within Belfast with lots of little extras from our business partners. Find Out More

• Concession    Half Fare and free travel concession passes available for eligible users includes, 60+ and Senior Smartpasses. Find Out More

Smart cards are available to buy online. Please allow 72 hours for postal products. You may want to check out our mLink ticketing app for mobile tickets.

Fare evasion is a criminal offence that could lead to a court appearance and a fine of up to £1000. Find Out More

You will be given a card if you have tendered a large banknote and the bus driver has insufficient change available. Translink bus drivers have been instructed to adhere to the following Company procedure:

• The driver has issued you with a valid ticket for your journey and collected the banknote.

• If the driver acquires change along the route you will receive your change before disembarking, if not the driver will obtain the correct change at the bus station. 

• If you are not travelling to a bus station where change can be obtained, please provide the driver with your name and details of where you would like to collect your change (Metro passengers can collect at Metro Short Strand Depot or at a chosen Metro location).

NI Railways operates a Delay-Repay scheme which represents a fairer way to compensate our passengers across the local network when things go wrong. Find Out More

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