Travel Blog

Belfast, Northern Ireland’s capital city, is approximately 100 miles (167 Km), and a 2½ hour drive from the city of  Dublin. Unfortunately there are no direct flights connecting Dublin to Belfast as of Sept 2011, unless you want to fly via London and take half the day to get there.

Fortunately there are alternatives which include; there’s a 24 hour bus service, take a train, or if you prefer total independence, you can hire a car, or drive your own rental car. Make sure you have an international drivers license if you do rent a car.

Dublin to Belfast – By bus…

The Belfast to Dublin route is well serviced by bus. There’s a joint cross-border bus service provided by Bus Éireann, the Republic of Ireland’s bus service. Also Ulsterbus for the Belfast to Dublin Airport or Dublin City route. Ulsterbus is operated by Translink, and is a division of Translink, Northern Ireland’s public transport operator, and the route to Dublin is operated by the Goldline Express. The departure point for bus travel from Belfast to Dublin is the Europa Bus Centre during the day and from Glengall Street at night. The Europa is a combined train/bus station, and is just a short distance from the Grand Opera House, and close to the Europa Hotel.

There’s an hourly service, day and night, from Belfast to Dublin Busaras or Dublin Airport, operated by Goldline Express or Bus Eireann. This is a pleasant journey where you can enjoy the fine scenery of the North East of Ireland. The trip takes about a 2½ hours

It’s important to remember that nighttime services from Belfast operate from Glengall Street, not the Europa Centre, which closes at night.

For a full and comprehensive listing of bus services have a look at the timetable.

The Europa Bus Station is located at Great Victoria Street, Belfast. Busaras in Dublin is located on Store Street, Dublin 1, and close to O’Connell Street.

Dublin to Belfast – By rail…

The train station in Belfast is located at Great Victoria Street, in the same complex as the Europa Bus Centre. Like with bus travel between the two cities, there’s a great cross-border service jointly operated by Northern Ireland Railways and Iarnrod Eireann (Ireland’s rail service). This service operates eight journeys in each direction Monday to Saturday, and 5 journeys on Sundays.

The trip by rail takes just over two hours. There are stops at Portadown, Newry, Drogheda, Dundalk and arriving at Dublin’s Connolly Station. Connolly Station is located on the Northside of the city on Amiens Street. It is a short journey from Dublin city centre.

For further details on train times etc. check out the Translink website.

Dublin to Belfast – By car…

If you’re driving from Belfast to Dublin it is a very pleasant drive with plenty scenery. There are places of historic interest along the way. And to shorten the route, the main urban locations of Newry, Dundalk and Drogheda are now bypassed via the M1 motorway. There is a toll bridge, the Toll Plaza on the M1. Access for a car is just 1.80 Euros. From Belfast just follow signs for the M1.

Driving from Belfast to Dublin.

Maybe you’d like to hire a car.

Belfast & Dublin Airports

Belfast has two airports, the George Best Belfast City Airport and the Belfast International Airport. The former is located just 2 miles from Belfast city centre. The latter is that bit further out, approximately 18 miles from the City Centre.

So if you’re venturing forth for some retail therapy, business or sightseeing and need somewhere to stay, there are multiple ways to get there. Having been there three times, the writer can attest that it is a great place to visit. Explore the history as well.

More posts about Dublin and Belfast, click here.

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