Ranelagh LUAS Stop

Interesting that the other reviewers have seen the ticket-​checking folks in this area. I usually only see them at Dundrum and beyond. Maybe its a time-​of-​day thing. Anyway, I’ve done the math and they seem to check frequently enough to justify buying the ticket. I get checked every 10 – 15 rides, so a € 45 fine works out to € 3 — 4.50 per ride. More expensive than the ticket. Although if you think you can talk your way out of the fine every now and then (say, with a bewildered look and a German accent) you might find the calculus tipping in your favor.
Not that I would advise such behavior.
Anyway, this is a lovely stop. The viaduct means that interference with Ranelagh is minimal, even though the Luas cuts right though the center of the village. It really couldn’t be more convenient. I’m also going to echo Dani on the coffee at Pinocchio. Definitely worth a visit, if you can spare the time.

Yes, this is probably one of the more pleasant Luas stops, the ticket machines usually work and there are no dodgy characters lurking when you get off late at night. Unfortunately it’s also the stop where you’ll usually find the guys who check tickets, another reason why the station feels so secure. The one reason I feel this stop should be mentioned in particular is the fact that you can get the possibly best coffee in Dublin here. Pinocchio is at the Ranelagh Luas Kiosk and nothing will wake you up like a cup of their Espresso.

Ranelagh Luas station is one of the more pleasant Luas stops located on a viaduct above the main village, overlooking such renowned Ranelagh landmarks as Superquinns and the popular indoor Village Market on one side and Ranelagh Road that leads onto Charlemont Street that will take you into town on the other.
The station provides a sheltered seating area and one ticket machine either side of the Luas tracks. The station is seldom busy owing to it being only three stops away from St. Stephen’s Green (the last stop on the Green Line taking you all the way into the city centre) and hence most people travelling into town would have already boarded by now together with the reason that walking from this point only takes 20mins max and henceforth unless you are feeling quite sluggish or in such a rush you figure saving an extra few minutes will help your critical cause most people just walk instead of potentially paying for the Luas. I say ‘potentially’ because the method of payment to use the Luas is quite a contentious subject.
There are no ceremonial means of having your ticket checked. What happens is that you board the tram, say with a ticket bought from the freestanding machines at each stop and unless an inspector in a fluorescent orange jacket suddenly boards at one of the stops to check tickets you will not have your ticket inspected.
The inspectors, in my experience of living in Dublin are rarely seen and so it is customary behaviour by numerous people, especially students who have limited money to spend, not to buy a ticket at all. At a hefty € 1.90 it is hard to justify paying this price for such a short journey, maybe if the local transport company did not charge such a bold price people would be more keen to pay, even if it was just to get rid of some loose change and ensure that if an inspector did board you were safe.
If you do get caught ticketless the fine is an excruciating € 45. The gamble is yours to either take or, well, not to take.

They have a cool stop here… though i will have to agree, if you are ever going to be caught for ticket evasion it will happen around here. they must have some sort of office in the area and they pop out to nab some customers for a laugh whenever they are bored. But can you blame the public when the ticket prices jump to a hugely high level at this point just to get to town. you pay over a euro extra return compared to the next closest stop 100 meters down the track… there is something so wrong with that.

Luas stops in general aren’t the best… there’s no mechanism to facilitate ticket checks, so they must trust people implicitly (silly people). Ranelagh must be one of the marked stations though, because it’s one of the most common ones to see ticket inspectors either getting on or off of… Ranelagh being known as a bit of a dodgy area obviously… It’s also the point when the price of the Luas really hits home, and a single from town jumps to € 1.90.