Getting Around Belfast: A Practical Guide
Belfast offers visitors several options for getting around the city. While it remains relatively car-dependent by European standards, the city is well served by a comprehensive public transport network operated by Translink, along with taxis, walking, and cycling options. This guide covers the main ways to navigate Belfast as a visitor.
Arriving at Belfast Airports
Belfast has two airports serving the city. Understanding which one you arrive at and how to reach the city centre will help you plan your journey.
George Best Belfast City Airport
George Best Belfast City Airport is the closer option, located just 2 miles east of the city centre adjacent to Belfast Lough. It handles flights primarily from the rest of the UK, with airlines including Aer Lingus, British Airways, KLM, and Lufthansa offering connections to a range of European and global destinations.
To reach the city centre from this airport, you have three options:
- Bus 600: Runs every 30 minutes from the airport, serving Queens Square, Victoria Square, Wellington Place, and Grand Central Station. The service operates from 6AM to 10PM daily and takes less than 15 minutes. Adult single fares are budget-friendly.
- Train: Sydenham railway station is located just southwest of the terminal, with a free shuttle bus service. You can walk to the bus 600 stop and press the buzzer to call the shuttle, or use a footbridge over the dual carriageway to reach the railway halt (note this may be inconvenient with heavy luggage). From Sydenham, trains run to the city centre and onwards to Bangor on the coast, departing every 20 minutes (hourly on Sundays) from 6AM to midnight. The train option is particularly useful if you're heading to southside locations such as Botanic station, which serves Queen's University, as a single fare covers the entire journey.
- Taxi: Taxis are available but confirm whether quoted fares include the airport supplement before you travel.
Belfast International Airport
Belfast International Airport is further out, located 20 miles west of the city centre near Lough Neagh at Aldergrove. This is Northern Ireland's main international airport, serving budget carriers including Easyjet, Ryanair, and Jet2, plus various airlines connecting to continental Europe and beyond.
To reach the city centre:
- Ulsterbus 300: The main bus service takes approximately 50 minutes from the airport via Templepatrick and Queen Street to Grand Central Station. Buses run every 20 minutes during daytime hours and hourly through the night.
- Taxi: Taxis are available but will be more expensive than from the city airport.
- Connection to Antrim: If you prefer, Ulsterbus 109A runs hourly to Antrim bus station (15 minutes), which sits next to Antrim railway station offering onward train connections to other parts of Northern Ireland.
Rail Network
Northern Ireland Railways operates the Belfast Suburban Rail system, which connects the city to surrounding areas and other parts of Northern Ireland. The network is useful both for reaching sights on the outskirts and for onward travel beyond Belfast.
Belfast's main rail hub is Grand Central Station, which opened in 2024 and replaced the previous Great Victoria Street station. It serves as the central transport hub for the city.
Four major rail routes serve Greater Belfast:
- North to Carrickfergus and Larne
- East to Bangor
- Southwest through Lisburn to Portadown and Newry
- North through Antrim, Coleraine, and onwards to Derry
Important stations within Belfast include Grand Central Station, Botanic (serving Queen's University), City Hospital, Yorkgate, and Sydenham (for George Best Belfast City Airport).
Long-distance rail services also connect Belfast to Dublin. The Enterprise train runs hourly between Dublin Connolly and Belfast Central, taking approximately 2 hours 15 minutes and travelling via Drogheda, Dundalk, Newry, and Portadown. This service offers a convenient cross-border option for visitors coming from the south.
Bus Network
Buses are the backbone of public transport within Belfast. Translink operates the bus network through two main brands: Metro for city centre and nearby suburbs, and Ulsterbus for more distant areas.
Metro services focus on connecting residential districts with the city centre using twelve quality bus corridors along main radial roads. This design prioritizes journeys to and from the centre, though connections between different suburban areas can be limited. Metro buses are pink and you can purchase tickets when boarding.
A single adult fare within the city centre costs £1.80. Day tickets and other fare deals are available and worth checking on the Translink website.
Bus services run from around 6AM to 11PM daily, with additional Friday and Saturday night buses available.
Other Public Transport Options
Taxis
Black taxis are common throughout Belfast and operate on a shared basis in some areas. Separate associations historically served different parts of the city, though private hire minicabs now outnumber traditional black taxis. Today, black taxis also offer tours highlighting the city's murals.
Cycling
The Lagan and Lough Cycle Way forms part of the National Cycle Network and runs through the city centre along the Laganside promenade. It connects north to Jordanstown via the docks and lough shore, and southwest to Lisburn along the Lagan towpath, offering an alternative way to explore the city and its surroundings.
Walkability
Belfast's city centre is highly walkable for visitors. Most central sights lie within a mile or two of each other, with attractions such as the Botanic Gardens, Queen's University, and Titanic all accessible on foot from the core. Walking is an excellent way to explore the city at your own pace.
Ticket Purchase and Planning
For detailed timetables, fares, and ticket options across the Translink network (buses and trains), visit the Translink website. This will help you plan your journeys and identify any available passes or fare deals that might suit your visit.