Traveling to Belfast, United Kingdom
Belfast, the capital city of Northern Ireland, is accessible by various modes of transportation including air, sea, road, and rail. Below you find detailed information on how to reach Belfast.
By Air
Belfast is served by two main airports:
- George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD) – Located just 5 km from Belfast city center, it is mainly used for domestic flights across the UK and Ireland, with some routes to major European cities. Upon arrival, travelers can take a taxi, bus or hire a car to reach the city center.
- Belfast International Airport (BFS) – Situated approximately 21 km northwest of Belfast, this airport offers a wider range of international flights. A regular airport express bus service (the 300 service) runs to Belfast city center. Taxis and car rental services are also available.
By Sea
If coming from Scotland or England, you might opt to take a ferry:
- Stena Line operates services to Belfast from Cairnryan in Scotland and Liverpool in England. The ports are a short distance from the city center, and connections via bus, taxi, or train are available.
By Road
Belfast can be reached by road from any part of Ireland:
- The M1 motorway connects Belfast with Dublin to the south, with a journey time of approximately two hours.
- The M2 motorway links Belfast with the north of the province, including cities like Derry/Londonderry.
- Coach services by providers such as Translink Goldline and Aircoach offer connections to major cities across Ireland.
By Rail
Within Ireland, train services are provided by Translink's NI Railways. Regular services connect Belfast with other major towns and cities such as Lisburn, Newry, and Bangor. For traveling from the Republic of Ireland, the Enterprise train service runs from Dublin Connolly station to Belfast's Lanyon Place station several times a day.
Whether arriving by air, sea, road, or rail, once in Belfast, the city offers a variety of public transport options, including buses and trains, as well as taxis for ease of exploration.
