Check your card before multiplying fares
Eligible day, night and specified special services are free when you validate a personalised tallinja card. A bank card used for contactless payment is different: it pays a fare. Tallinja Direct and On Demand services are outside the regular free travel scheme.
The calculator estimates journey fares. It does not add card application, delivery or replacement costs. Allow for those separately if you are arranging a card for the first time.
Count paid ticket periods, not every bus you board
A normal cash or contactless day ticket lasts two hours and permits transfers within that time. Changing buses during a valid ticket period does not automatically mean buying a second ticket.
For a morning journey and an evening journey, budget for two paid ticket periods. If you mean two connecting buses on the way to work, check whether both fit within one period. Include the journey home as well.
The five-day example
The winter day fare is €2 from 18 October 2026 to 12 June 2027. The published summer day fare is €2.50. Night, special and Direct services have different fares, so the example below uses ordinary day services only.
Two paid ticket periods a day, five days a week
- Winter week: 2 × 5 × €2 = €20.
- Four-week block: €20 × 4 = €80.
- Summer week at €2.50: 2 × 5 × €2.50 = €25.
- Eligible personalised tallinja travel on included routes: €0 in journey fares.
Use the number of weeks you actually travel
Four weeks is a useful short budget, but it is not an average calendar month. There are 52 weeks in a standard budgeting year, so multiplying a weekly cost by 52 and dividing by 12 gives an average monthly provision.
For a full year, split summer and winter travel into separate calculations. Subtract leave, working from home and other days when you do not commute. Save each result so the assumptions remain visible.
If you are comparing the bus with a car, use fuel, parking and ownership costs rather than fuel alone. A cheaper fare does not tell you whether the route suits your shift times or accessibility needs.
Make it your own
Put your numbers to work.
Adjust the inputs, see the workings and save a result with the assumptions attached.
Work out your bus costsSources and review
This guide was checked on 3 November 2026. Tariffs and conditions can change. Follow the operator or regulator links before making a commitment. Read our editorial policy.