Quick Read
- From Dublin Airport, the quickest options into the city are the Dublin Express and Aircoach coaches (from ~€6–€9 booked online); the cheapest are TFI buses 16 and 41 with a Leap Card. (The old “Airlink 747” no longer runs.)
- Do things in the right order: register at your college first — its enrolment letter unlocks your IRP, bank account and PPS number.
- Register your immigration permission (IRP) within 90 days of arrival — now done through ISD (Burgh Quay in Dublin), fee €300, and you must show private medical insurance and proof of funds.
- Get a PPS number (needed to work), open an Irish bank account, grab a prepaid SIM, and get a Leap Card for cheap transport.
- On Stamp 2 you can work 20 hours/week in term and 40 hours/week in set holiday periods.
You’ve packed, you’ve flown, and you’ve landed in Ireland — now what? The first week is mostly admin, and doing it in the right order saves you a lot of stress. This is the “after you land” companion to our Ireland pre-departure checklist: how to get from Dublin Airport to your campus, and the exact first-week tasks — immigration registration, PPS, bank, SIM and transport — that turn you from “just arrived” to “settled in.”
Everything below was checked against official Irish sources in September 2026. Rules and fares change, so confirm the current details before you rely on them — but this is where things stand today.
Getting from Dublin Airport to the city (and your campus)
Dublin Airport has no rail link, so you’ll take a coach, a public bus, or a taxi. Here are the current options:
| Option | Approx fare | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Dublin Express (coach) | from ~€9 online | Fast run to city-centre stops (Trinity College, O’Connell St, Heuston) |
| Aircoach (coach) | from ~€6 online | 24/7, frequent; serves the city, wider county and UCD Belfield |
| TFI / Dublin Bus 16 or 41 | cheapest (use a Leap Card) | Budget travel; 41 runs 24 hours; 16 serves the DCU area |
| Taxi | around €25–€35 to the city (estimate) | Late arrivals, heavy luggage, going straight to accommodation |
A couple of tips: the old “Airlink 747” express bus was discontinued, so ignore older guides that mention it. If you’re heading to UCD (Belfield), Aircoach runs there directly and UCD has shared a 10% discount code (UCD10) for online bookings. For your very first trip with heavy bags, a coach or taxi is usually easier than a crowded public bus — you can switch to the cheap Leap Card options once you’ve found your feet.
Your first week — do things in this order
Register at your college first. Almost everything else — your IRP appointment, your bank account, your PPS number — needs a letter from your university confirming you’re enrolled (and often your local address). So make college registration and getting your student card your day-one job; it unlocks the rest.
The sensible sequence:
- Register at your college → get your enrolment/attendance letter and student card.
- Book and attend your IRP (immigration) registration.
- Open an Irish bank account.
- Apply for your PPS number (once you have an address and a reason, e.g. a job or college letter).
- Get a SIM and a Leap Card along the way.
Register your immigration permission (the IRP card)
This is the big one. As a non-EEA student you must register your immigration permission and get your Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card to legally stay beyond your initial landing stamp — you have up to 90 days from arrival, but book as early as you can because appointments fill up. First-time registration is now handled by Immigration Service Delivery (ISD): in Dublin at the Registration Office, Burgh Quay, booked through the online customer portal; outside Dublin, through your regional registration office (check the ISD website for yours).
The registration fee is €300, paid by card at the appointment, and your IRP card typically arrives by post within about 10 working days. Bring:
- Your passport
- Proof of college enrolment and fees paid
- Private medical insurance (mandatory)
- Proof of funds (see below)
- Proof of your Irish address
- The €300 fee
Two things students get caught on: private medical insurance is required to register (first-year students can use travel insurance covering the full year with at least €25,000 accident and €25,000 disease/hospital cover), and you must show proof of funds of about €10,000 for a one-year course. Sort both before your appointment or you’ll be turned away.
Get a PPS number (you’ll need it to work)
A PPS (Personal Public Service) number is your unique reference for tax and public services — and you’ll need one before you can be paid for a part-time job. Apply online through MyWelfare.ie (you’ll set up a MyGovID account), then attend an in-person appointment; the number is posted to you afterwards. There’s no fee. You’ll need proof of identity, proof of your Irish address (usually under three months old), and a reason you need it — a job offer or a college letter both work.
Open an Irish bank account
An Irish account makes rent, wages and day-to-day life far easier. The main retail banks are AIB and Bank of Ireland. You’ll typically need your passport, proof of your Irish address, and proof of enrolment — many banks accept a university letter of attendance as address proof, and having your IRP card helps. Requirements vary by bank, so check the specific bank’s student-account page before you go, and bring originals plus copies.
Get an Irish SIM and a Leap Card
Pick up a cheap prepaid SIM at the airport or any phone shop — the main providers are Three, Vodafone, eir and GoMo, and a prepaid SIM needs no PPS or bank account. For transport, get a TFI Leap Card: it’s the cheapest way to use buses, the Luas tram and the DART, with daily and weekly fare caps. Students can apply for the discounted TFI Student Leap Card (or the Young Adult card if you’re 19–25) for bigger savings once you have your student ID.
Working while you study
Once you’re registered on Stamp 2, you can work up to 20 hours a week during term and up to 40 hours a week during the set holiday periods (June to September, and 15 December to 15 January). You’ll need your PPS number and to register the job with Revenue for tax. For the full rules, see our guide to working while studying in Ireland.
Your first-week checklist
- Register at your college and collect your student card
- Get your enrolment/attendance letter (you’ll reuse it everywhere)
- Book and attend your IRP registration (bring insurance, funds, €300)
- Open an Irish bank account
- Apply for your PPS number
- Buy a prepaid SIM and a Leap Card
- Confirm your accommodation and register your address
- Find your campus, timetable and orientation events
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Dublin Airport to the city centre?
By coach (Dublin Express or Aircoach, from ~€6–€9 online), by TFI public bus 16 or 41 (cheapest with a Leap Card), or by taxi (around €25–€35). The old Airlink 747 express no longer runs.
How long do I have to register for my IRP after arriving?
Up to 90 days from arrival, but book your appointment as early as possible — slots fill quickly, especially around the start of term.
How much does IRP registration cost?
€300, paid by card at your appointment. Your IRP card usually arrives by post within about 10 working days.
Do I need a PPS number as a student?
You need one to work and to be registered for tax once you have a job; it’s also used for some services. Apply free via MyWelfare.ie.
Is private medical insurance really compulsory?
Yes — you must show it to register your immigration permission. First-year students can use travel insurance covering the full year (minimum €25,000 accident and €25,000 disease/hospital cover); from your second registration, proper private medical insurance is expected.
How many hours can I work while studying?
On Stamp 2, up to 20 hours a week during term and up to 40 hours a week in the holiday periods (June–September and 15 December–15 January).
Related reading from The Mentors Circle
- Ireland pre-departure checklist: 30-day countdown
- Your first weeks at UCC: arrival & settling-in guide
- Working while studying in Ireland: Stamp 2 rules
- Ireland student visa checklist 2026
- Study in Ireland: full guide for Indian students
Sources & further reading
- Irish Immigration Service (ISD) — registering your permission (first time)
- Citizens Information — immigration rules for non-EEA students
- gov.ie — get a PPS number
- Dublin Airport — buses to/from the airport
- Transport for Ireland — Leap Card
About The Mentors Circle. We’ve guided Indian families through Ireland, UK, New Zealand and beyond since 2014 — an Enterprise Ireland endorsed agent with a 97% visa success rate, officially listed as an authorised India agent by leading Irish universities. Flying out soon? Talk to a TMC counsellor — we’ll walk you through arrival, registration and settling in.
Details verified September 2026 against official Irish sources (irishimmigration.ie, citizensinformation.ie, gov.ie, dublinairport.com, transportforireland.ie). Coach fares are indicative “from” online prices and the taxi figure is an estimate; immigration rules, fees and fares change — confirm current details on the official sites before you travel or register.
