Getting to Belfast

There are plenty of options for getting to Belfast in spite of the fact that there are no land crossings available into Northern Ireland from mainland Britain. Roads from the Republic of Ireland are easily negotiable and arriving by car from other Northern Irish cities is also an uncomplicated process. Ferries from Scotland, England and the Isle of Man provide efficient cross-Channel options, while the city’s two airports serve flights from a variety of destinations.

By car

Access to Belfast from other parts of Northern Ireland is available via a number of major roads however the main roads leading into the city are the A1, A20, A21 and the A22. Driving to Belfast is a fairly stress-free affair from any part of the country and there are signposts to the city on all major routes.

By rail

Belfast is linked by rail to major destinations across Northern Ireland, with services commencing from or terminating at either Central or Great Victoria Street stations. From mainland Britain, it’s possible to buy a single ticket, which includes a rail journey to Holyhead, Stranraer or Liverpool, followed by a ferry crossing then a rail journey onto Belfast. Services between Northern Ireland and destinations in the Republic of Ireland are also readily available.

By bus

Bus services running from major Northern Ireland cities connect with Belfast’s Europa Bus Station or Laganside Bus Station, depending on what part of the city you are travelling to. The western part of the city is served by the Europa Bus Station, while the eastern area is served by the Laganside Bus Station. From mainland Britain, it’s possible to buy a bus ticket that includes a ferry crossing and an onward bus connection to Belfast. You can also access Belfast from some EU cities via a combination of bus and ferry; all-in-one tickets are available.

By air

Two airports provide air access to the city of Belfast; which one you land at depends on where you originated from. Belfast City Airport (BHD) is the smaller of the two and the closest to the city centre, but it serves a smaller number of destinations than the bigger Belfast International Airport (BFS), which is situated 30kms away. Both airports can be reached easily by car, train or bus and both have efficient facilities with good passenger services and amenities.

By ferry

Belfast can be reached easily by ferry from two mainland UK ports and also from the Isle of Man. From Liverpool Birkenhead, Norfolk Line Irish Sea provide twice daily crossings, with a journey time of 10 hours. From Stranraer in Scotland, Stena Line provides six crossings a week, with a journey of 2.5 hours. Finally, from Douglas in the Isle of Man, there are three crossings per week operated by Steam Packet Ferries and the journey time is 2 hours, 45 minutes. 

Belfast International Airport

Located 30kms from the city centre, Belfast International Airport is a major air facility operating a single terminal, which serves flights from a large number of EU destinations and also some transatlantic destinations. Belfast International has a good selection of facilities for passengers, with everything you would expect of a modern international airport. Bureau de change services and ATMs are readily available, while for dining and refreshments, the International Food Court offers a variety of choices. Shopping options are again plentiful and include duty-free goods, gift shops and bookstores.

Belfast airport transportation

A number of options exist for connecting with the centre of Belfast from the airport and how you choose to travel depends very much on your needs and your budget. Bus services provided by Airbus run to the city and a variety of other destinations in and around the Belfast area. For destinations further afield, Transporter coaches offer services from the airport. There is no train station based at the airport; however, a station at nearby Antrim (six kilometres away) can be connected with via bus. Taxis are available from outside of the airport terminal building and while they are the most expensive option, they are probably the most convenient mode of transport if you have a lot of luggage to carry.