A number of Ulsterbus routes connect Belfast with its various commuter towns and beyond, bridging the gap in areas without rail access. Here is a quick guide to the Ulsterbus services that serve the Belfast area.

What is an Ulsterbus?

The bright blue Ulsterbuses are ubiquitous in Northern Ireland for local bus services in areas outside Belfast. They provide crucial connectivity between towns and their outlying rural areas.

Ulsterbus routes in Belfast

Most Ulsterbus routes serving Belfast serve either the new Grand Central station or the Laganside Bus Centre, where the routes usually terminate. Below are summaries and groupings of Ulsterbus routes that serve both Belfast bus centres. For a full list of Ulsterbus services serving Belfast, please consult Translink’s website.

On 8 September 2024, the Europa Bus Centre was closed and all Ulsterbus services at Europa were transferred to the new Belfast Grand Central station. There is currently no word on what will happen to bus services at Laganside.

Routes calling at Belfast Grand Central

Ulsterbus Route No.	Areas served
13a, 513	Drumbo
22, 22a, 522	Drumbeg, Edenderry Village, Lisburn
24a, 524, 524a	Edenderry Village, Drumbeg, Tullynacross, Lambeg, Lisburn
538	Banbridge, Newry
103	Ballymacash, Lisburn, Crumlin
109	Lisburn, Crumlin
523	Lisburn (via Dunmurry)
525	Dunmurry, Lisburn, Old Warren Estate
530, 530a, 532, 532a	Lisburn, Derriaghy
551, 551a, 551b	Lisburn, Moira, Lurgan, Craigavon, Portadown
651	Sprucefield Park & Ride
651a	Hillsborough, Dromore Square

Routes calling at Laganside

Ulsterbus Route No.	Areas served
1, 2a 502a, 502b	Holywood, Bangor
5, 5f, 505	Newtownards
5d	Dundonald, Newtownards, West Winds Estate
7, 507	Newtownards, Donaghadee, Ballywalter
9, 9b, 10, 10b	Portaferry (via Ballywalter, Carrowdore, Kircubbin, Rubane)
11, 511, 511b	Comber, Shrigley Mill
12, 512	Ballygowan, Raffrey
120, 573	Ballymena
153, 153a, 156, 653a, 653b	Ballyclare, Larne
222	Randalstown
263, 263a, 563, 563b, 563c, 563e, 563f	Greenisland, Carrickfergus, Kilroot, Whitehead
563d	Carrickfergus
568, 568a, 568b, 568c	Carrickfergus, Ballycarry, Whitehead

How to buy Ulsterbus tickets

Ulsterbus tickets are sold onboard and there also travel cards available for discounted / multi-journey travels. Here are the ways of buying tickets to travel on the Ulsterbus to/from Belfast:

• Paying cash onboard (for Single and Day Return tickets);
• Paying via contactless cards onboard (for Single and Day Return tickets);
• Buying a ticket via Translink’s mLink app (for Single and Day Return tickets); and
• Travelling with a travel card (yLink, iLink, dayLink, Smartlink).

All Ulsterbus tickets must be validated onboard the bus during boarding. Note that Single and Day Return tickets sold onboard are only for that specific Ulsterbus route and not the entire Ulsterbus network.

For cash and card payments onboard, simply tell the driver where you want to go, specify if you need a Single or Day Return ticket, and handover cash or tap your contactless bank card on the reader. Your paper ticket will then be issued to you, although note that no printed tickets will be issued for Single tickets paid for via contactless.

Using Discounted Tickets and Travel Cards on the Ulsterbus

If you’re using an mLink ticket on the app, remember to purchase and activate it before boarding, and to show it to the driver. Note that mLink Ulsterbus tickets are only valid for the selected route.

If you’re using your yLink card for discounted Single or Day Return tickets, tap your yLink card on the reader before paying for the ticket with cash or contactless. You will then receive the paper ticket – check to make sure that the discount has been applied.

If you’re travelling with an iLink, dayLink, or a Smartlink card, tap on the reader to validate it when boarding. A paper receipt will then be issued to confirm that the card is valid for your journey. These travel cards cannot be bought onboard the Ulsterbus.

Frequencies and schedules

Ulsterbus services run strictly on a fixed schedule. These are available on the Translink website and are pasted at bus stops. Note that some services run only on weekdays, or only from Monday to Saturday.

The Ulsterbus is a usable option within Belfast but only if a service coincides with your travel needs. If you’re a tourist, the Ulsterbus can be useful if you’re visiting a place slightly further out of Belfast. Otherwise, it’s likely that you won’t need to use the Ulsterbus in Belfast.

Do note that Ulsterbus services have lower scheduled frequencies than Metro and the Glider, and it can be faster to walk and catch a Glider or a Metro bus than to wait for an Ulsterbus in Belfast. If you’re travelling from outside Belfast to the city, it could be faster to take the train instead if that option is available.

Translink journey planner and service updates

There are 2 ways to plan your journey when using Translink services:

• Using Google Maps (Translink shares live data for its buses and trains with Google); or
• Using Translink’s own journey planner app (App Store link), (Google Play link).

Service updates for Ulsterbus services are provided by Translink’s Twitter feed. There is also a dedicated Ulsterbus Twitter feed if you want updates for only the blue buses.

How are the Ulsterbuses like?

The Ulsterbus fleet contains a mix of single deck and double decked units, most of which are built by NI-based manufacturer Wrightbus.

All buses are low-floor and have the capability to “kneel” to bring the door closer to the kerb to provide easier access when boarding. Most buses are wheelchair-accessible, and the internal layout accommodates wheelchair users. To board an Ulsterbus with a wheelchair, make yourself known to the driver who will then assist you.

Some of the Belfast routes are operated by buses carrying the “Urby” brand. This was initially intended to market newer buses providing higher quality service on key commuter routes to Belfast, generally equipped with WiFi, USB charging ports, and leather seats. These newer buses have now become common across the Ulsterbus fleet across NI and are not exclusive to Urby.

External Links

• Translink website;
• Timetables page on Translink website (type in your stop name or route number).