Northern Ireland's bijou expanse ensures relatively straightforward road and rail access to your destination of choice. Just choose how you'd like to travel and check out the relevant links for more information.
Northern Ireland Public Transport
Translink operates the NI-wide Ulsterbus, Goldline (connecting NI's major destinations, as well as Dublin), Belfast's Metro Bus and Glider services and NI Railways integrated public transport system.
For timetable information and to plan your journey using the Journey Planner visit www.translink.co.uk, contact (+44) (0)28 90 66 66 30 or tweet @Translink_NI. Or visit the Translink information desk at Visit Belfast, Donegall Square North, Belfast to find out more information about travelling with Translink.
Belfast bus network
Translink Metro
Hop on Translink Metro to see the best of Belfast with most services departing within Donegall Square, outside Belfast City Hall. Free Metro timetables are available from the Metro Kiosk, Donegall Square West and Visit Belfast and are colour-coded for each of the 12 corridors.
Glider
Cross-city services between east and west Belfast and into Titanic Quarter via the city centre.
dayLink travelcard (also available on mLink) provides unlimited day travel on Metro and Glider: £3.50 or £3 after 9.30am. A cash Day Ticket is £4.20. Child fares half price. £1 charge to purchase a dayLink Travelcard. Buy online at www.translink.co.uk or from any Smartlink agents, Metro Kiosk, Visit Belfast, main Translink station or Glider Halts.
Airport Services
Translink runs a number of bus services to Dublin, Belfast International, George Best and City of Derry Airports from cities across NI. They are fast, frequent and low cost, and with a number of services available to purchase online. See airport listings for more info.
Translink Goldline X1/X2A/X5A – Cross-Border to Dublin. Goldline X1/X2A/X5A services operate daily between Belfast Europa Buscentre and Dublin Airport and Dublin city. Buy online and travel to Dublin Airport with Translink’s great promotional web fares.
NI Railways – the Northern Ireland rail network serves the following routes:
Bangor line – Bangor – Belfast
Larne line – Larne Harbour to Belfast
Derry line – Derry – Coleraine and Portrush – Belfast
Portadown line – Newry – Portadown – Belfast
The range of offers on local services includes:
• 1/3 off a standard day return ticket after 09:30
• £8 Sunday Day Tracker: unlimited train travel on a Sunday within Northern Ireland
Enterprise – Cross-Border rail service
The Enterprise cross-border rail service operates between Belfast and Dublin (c. 130mins). Best value web fares available online at www.translink.co.uk.
Belfast Visitor Pass
The Belfast Visitor Pass provides unlimited bus and train travel for 1, 2 or 3 consecutive days within the Belfast Visitor Pass Zone. The pass offers discounts and special offers on attractions and food retailers.
Bus Rambler
Unlimited bus travel every Sunday and during main school holidays within NI for only £9.50 for adults and £4.75 for children.
Friends & Family ticket
Unlimited bus and train travel (within NI) for 1 day for up to 2 adults and 4 children for only £22. Additional children £4 each. Available to purchase Mon to Fri after 9.30am and every Sat and Sun with no time restrictions.
Sunday Day Tracker
Unlimited travel on all scheduled train services within Northern Ireland on Sunday (£8/£4). No time restrictions apply.
iLink – integrated bus and rail travelcard
Available for adults and children and ideal if you travel by both bus and train on a regular basis. iLink can be topped up at designated sales outlets for a day, week or month. Freedom of Belfast for £5 (1 day). Freedom of NI for £16 (1 day).
yLink - 16-23 year olds travelcard
Get a third off Translink bus and rail services within Northern Ireland plus up to 50% off Enterprise. Available for 16-23 years and only £8. Visit www.ylinktranslink.co.uk to buy your yLink card today.
- NI Bus and Rail Public Transport Network
- NI by Railway
- Top NI Attractions outside Belfast by Translink
Arriving by boat
For general ferry and shipping enquiries check out the Port of Belfast at www.belfast-harbour.co.uk.
Arriving by bus & train
Translink operates all of Northern Ireland's bus and rail services.Belfast's two main overland transport hubs are Lanyon Place (formerly Central Station) (rail) and the Europa BusCentre (bus & rail).
There are no left luggage facilities at any Translink property but luggage can be left for a fee at Irish Tour Tickets, Gt. Victoria St, opposite the Europa Hotel.
Car parking
Pay by coin or credit/debit card. If that doesn't work, call the phone number written on the meter and take a note of the meter number.
Check the street signs to ensure you don't overstay your welcome, as many spaces are restricted by time.
And don't even think about not paying and displaying - the streets are swarming with red-jacketed traffic wardens keen to bag their next prey.
Car parks are many, vary in price (from the OK to the eye-watering) and marked with prominant blue and white NCP or P signs.
Car rental
Drive on the left hand side and be aware that our speeds are in miles (not kilometres) per hour.The speed limits are 30mph in built-up areas and rise to 70mph on the motorways.
Speed cameras and road traffic police are everywhere, so keep an eye on signs wherever you're driving. Seatbelts are compulsory in the front and back seats.
NI by Rail
- Belfast - Bangor by rail
- Belfast - Derry~Londonderry by rail
- Belfast - Larne Harbour by rail
- Belfast - Newry by rail
Taxis
No other taxis can be flagged down and must be booked in advance. The city's two main companies are fonaCab (+44) (0)28 9033 3333 and Value Cabs (+44) (0)28 9080 9080.
Metred fares start at £3.00 and all journeys are based on time and distance. Expect to pay more at night, during certain public holidays or if you have luggage. However, be warned: Taxis are notoriously difficult to get at weekend closing time so either drink up or book ahead.
Belfast City Airport taxis have white plates and can only pick up from the airport or outside a five mile radius from the city centre.
Travel agents
There are a number of independent Travel Agents that often offer great deals for every kind of traveller, from budget-restricted backpacking students to the normal guy and gal just looking for a cheapy city break.Check out the listings below and see if you can bag a bargain...
