Planning a Luas journey in Dublin with a wheelchair, mobility aid, buggy or disability pushchair? Most Luas platforms have ramped access, but some stops also have lifts to help passengers reach the platforms from surrounding streets or station levels.
This guide lists the seven elevator-accessible Luas stops identified in the operator’s accessibility information, explains where the lifts are located and covers what to check before setting out. It is particularly useful for disabled travellers, autistic travellers and families who need a predictable, step-free route.
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Important: A stop having a lift does not guarantee that it is working on the day you travel. Always check the Luas website and Luas mobile app for current travel and lift updates.
Which Stops Are Elevator-Accessible Luas Stops?
The seven stops listed in the available Luas accessibility information are Kilmacud, Balally, Ranelagh, Charlemont, Connolly, Dundrum and Phibsborough.
| Luas stop | Lift arrangements |
|---|---|
| Kilmacud | One lift serving each platform. |
| Balally | One lift accessible from both platforms, on the inbound side. |
| Ranelagh | One lift accessible from both platforms, on the outbound side. |
| Charlemont | One lift accessible from both platforms, on the inbound side. |
| Connolly | One lift and an escalator beside the Luas platforms, plus an internal lift inside the main station entrance. |
| Dundrum | One lift accessible from both platforms, on the inbound side. |
| Phibsborough | Two lifts accessible from both platforms: one on the outbound side and one on the inbound side. |
These descriptions are based on the operator information for these Luads stops with lifts. They identify Luas lift locations, not real-time lift availability.
Lift Locations at Each Luas Stop
Kilmacud
Kilmacud has a lift serving each platform. Check which platform you need for your direction of travel and whether the corresponding lift is operating.
Balally
Balally has a lift accessible from both platforms. The lift is located on the inbound side of the stop. Allow time to find the correct access route, particularly if you are unfamiliar with the area.
Ranelagh
Ranelagh has a lift accessible from both platforms, located on the outbound side. If you depend on lift access, check its status before arriving.
Charlemont
Charlemont has a lift accessible from both platforms, positioned on the inbound side. Check the route between the lift and your platform when planning the journey.
Connolly
Connolly has a lift and an escalator adjacent to the Luas platforms, as well as an internal lift inside the main station entrance. If you are connecting between Luas and the railway station, check which lift or lifts you need for your complete journey rather than assuming one lift covers the entire route.
Dundrum
Dundrum has a lift accessible from both platforms, located on the inbound side. Check lift updates and identify your access route before setting off.
Phibsborough
Phibsborough has two lifts accessible from both platforms. One is on the outbound side and the other on the inbound side. Check which lift is most suitable for your route and whether both are operating.
I highly recommend using the RailsMaps website and filtering the search to trams in Ireland. Make sure you select the “include stations” option on the right side of the screen so that the stations appear as clickable circles on the tram map. You can then click each station to learn more about it, including accessibility information.
Are All Luas Stops Step-Free?
Luas platforms are designed with raised boarding areas. According to the supplied operator information, most stops have two platforms, each approximately 40 metres long and 3 metres wide. The platforms are raised around 280 mm above track level and are usually approached using short ramps approximately 5–6 metres long at one or both ends.
That means a lift is not necessary at every stop. However, the presence of a platform ramp does not tell you whether every surrounding pavement, crossing or onward connection will be suitable for your mobility needs. Check the complete route from your starting point to your destination. You can set up Google Maps to take you via the most accessible routes which means it will do things like take you to an elevator instead of an escalator.
Stops With Different Platform Layouts
Most Luas stops have a platform on either side of the track, but there are exceptions. At Harcourt and Busáras, the platforms are between the tracks. On the one-way Green Line loop between Westmoreland, Parnell and Trinity, there is only one platform at each stop.
These differences can matter when preparing a visual journey plan or explaining which side of the tram to use. Check the actual stop layout rather than assuming every Luas stop looks the same.
What If a Luas Lift Is Out of Service?
A lift outage may prevent you from using your planned route, even though the stop is normally accessible. Before leaving, check the travel updates on luas.ie or in the Luas mobile app. Recheck shortly before your journey if you rely on the lift.
If a lift is unavailable, do not assume another entrance or nearby stop will offer an accessible alternative. Check with Luas before changing your journey, especially if you use a wheelchair, disability pushchair or other equipment that cannot safely use stairs. For more travel planning information for travelling with a disability pushchair see our guide.
It may help to save a backup route and allow additional time for a connection or alternative transport. For families travelling with an autistic child, explaining the backup plan in advance may make an unexpected change easier to manage.
How to Get Help at a Luas Lift
The supplied Luas information states that all listed lifts have access to an intercom at an Emergency Help Point. This allows passengers to contact the Luas Central Control Room in an emergency. The lifts are also monitored by CCTV cameras internally and externally.
Locate the Emergency Help Point when you arrive if you think you may need assistance. If you need planned support rather than emergency help, consult the official Luas accessibility information before travelling to find the current arrangements for requesting assistance.
What Facilities Are Available at Luas Stops?
Most Luas stop platforms have steel-and-glass shelters, although there are exceptions. Shelters generally provide seating and contain ticket vending machines and Emergency Help Points.
Many shelters also display local route maps, nearby landmarks, fares and other travel information. At some stops, these information boards stand separately from the shelter. Large stop-name signs help passengers identify their location, and a coloured flag shows whether the stop belongs to the Red or Green Line.
These features may be helpful for travellers who prefer visual signs and a clear sequence of steps. However, shelter provision, seating availability and how busy a stop feels can vary.
Tips for Autistic Travellers and Families
Finding a lift, choosing the right platform and coping with an unexpected closure can add complexity to an unfamiliar journey. A little preparation can help:
- Identify your departure and arrival stops and the direction of travel.
- Check whether the lift is on the inbound or outbound side, where this is specified.
- Look at the stop layout and decide which entrance you will use.
- Explain that some stops have two side platforms, while others have different layouts.
- Check lift updates before leaving your accommodation.
- Keep a simple alternative plan in case the lift is unavailable.
- Allow extra time for ticket machines, finding the correct platform and boarding.
- Use stop-name signs and line colours as visual prompts where helpful.
For more ideas about planning a city break, see our Dublin with autistic children guide and Ireland with autistic children travel guide. For overall transport advice, our guide to accessible transport in Ireland is a good place to start.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luas Stops With Lifts
Which Luas Stops Have Lifts?
The seven stops listed in the supplied accessibility information are Kilmacud, Balally, Ranelagh, Charlemont, Connolly, Dundrum and Phibsborough.
Does Every Luas Stop Need a Lift?
No. Most Luas platforms are raised and approached by short ramps. Lifts are provided at particular stops where additional vertical access is needed.
Are Luas Lifts Always Working?
No lift can be assumed to be available at all times. Check the Luas travel updates and mobile app before your journey.
How Many Lifts Are at Kilmacud?
Kilmacud has one lift serving each platform, according to the supplied Luas stop information.
Does Phibsborough Have Two Lifts?
Yes. One is located on the outbound side and the other on the inbound side, with access from both platforms.
Is There an Emergency Intercom at Luas Lifts?
Yes. The operator information says an intercom at the Emergency Help Point can connect you with the Luas Central Control Room in an emergency.
Where Can I Check Luas Lift Outages?
Use the travel updates section of the Luas website or the Luas mobile app for current information.
Check Lift Access Before You Travel
The seven lift-equipped stops are useful to know when planning an accessible journey on Dublin’s Luas network. However, the right route depends on more than the lift itself: you may also need an accessible street approach, a suitable platform, a working lift and a reliable onward connection.
For the latest lift status and stop accessibility information, consult the official Luas accessibility page, Luas travel updates and the Luas mobile app before setting out.
Continue Planning Your Accessible Ireland Trip
- Start with learning how to plan a trip to Ireland with a disability
- Spending time in the capital? Explore Dublin with autistic children
- Plan your onward journeys with our guide to accessible transport in Ireland
- Find out more about Local Link bus services in Ireland
- Check out the “Please Offer me a Seat” badge and decide if one will be helpful for you
- Learn more about travelling to Ireland with prescription medication
- Read about special assistance at Dublin Airport to understand how to arrange airport support
- Familiarise yourself with disabled facilities at Dublin Airport before travelling
- Including Northern Ireland in your itinerary? Read our separate guide to Northern Ireland with autistic children
Continue Planning Your Europe Travel Itinerary With Children
- Start with planning your overall Europe family trip, including flights, transport, pacing and choosing destinations that suit your child’s needs
- Looking for an easier first-time Europe destination? Consider visiting Denmark with kids for organised cities, reliable transport and family-friendly attractions
- Prefer beaches and slower-paced travel? Find out more about Greece with children for island stays, outdoor dining and flexible family days out
- Planning big city adventures? Discover what to expect in Paris with autistic children, including transport, attractions and sensory considerations
- Want scenic train journeys and nature? Learn more about Switzerland with autistic children for mountain views, calm towns and predictable travel routines
Continue Planning Your Trip With Autistic Children
- Find out about the help available if you are travelling through an airport
- Discover whether a cruise with an autistic child would work for your family
- Find out how to make travelling with ADHD manageable
- Learn more about the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard
- Check out guides to all of the different destinations we have travelled to with autistic children
- Learn step-by-step how to set up the accessibility feature on Google maps
- Learn more about our favourite sensory toys for travelling
- Discover an app that helps you locate a playground anywhere in the world
- Always alerted at the last minute that the little one needs a toilet? Find a toilet anywhere with this app
Continue Planning Your Accessible Travels Using Our Guides
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