Belfast is two hours from Dublin and well connected to Britain. Remember that you are entering the United Kingdom: there are normally no checks on the road or railway from the Republic, but UK entry rules still apply — see the travel guide.
Routes at a glance
| From | By | Time | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin (Connolly) | Enterprise train | ≈2 h 05 min | Roughly hourly to Belfast Grand Central station; book ahead for the best fares. |
| Dublin city / Dublin Airport | Coach | ≈2–2 h 30 min | Frequent direct services day and night; the simplest route from Dublin Airport. |
| Dublin | Car | ≈2 hours | M1/A1, about 170 km; one toll on the M1. Speed limits change to mph at the border. |
| Belfast City Airport (BHD) | Bus / taxi | ≈10–15 min | About 5 km from the centre. |
| Belfast International (BFS) | Airport Express bus | ≈35–45 min | About 30 km north-west of the city. |
| Cairnryan (Scotland) | Ferry | ≈2 h 15 min | To Belfast port; a second route sails to Larne, 35 minutes north. |
| Derry~Londonderry | Train / coach | ≈1 h 45 min–2 h | The coastal railway via Coleraine is very scenic. |
Times are typical and fares change — check current timetables and prices before you travel.
Arriving
Trains from Dublin and most Translink coaches arrive at Belfast Grand Central, the city’s integrated station, a ten-minute walk west of City Hall. Local trains also call at Lanyon Place, east of the centre, and Botanic. Drivers will find plenty of multi-storey car parks; on-street parking is paid and time-limited.
Getting around the city
- On foot: City Hall, the Cathedral Quarter and St George’s Market are within 10–15 minutes of each other.
- Glider: purple rapid-transit buses. G1 runs east–west through the centre and along the Falls Road; G2 links the centre with the Titanic Quarter. Buy a ticket before boarding.
- Metro buses radiate from around City Hall. Contactless payment is accepted; day tickets are good value.
- Taxis: plentiful and metered; black cabs also run shared services on some west Belfast routes.
- Belfast Bikes is the public bike-share scheme.
Money and units
Northern Ireland uses pound sterling. Cards are accepted almost everywhere. Distances and speed limits are in miles. The Republic’s Leap Card does not work here.
Onward travel
For the Giant’s Causeway, take a day tour, drive (about 1 h 15 min) or go by train to Coleraine and bus from there. Trains and Goldliner coaches serve Derry~Londonderry; coaches run to Enniskillen, Armagh and Newcastle for the Mourne Mountains.
