This is our independent guide to public transport in Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland. Here, you’ll find a collection of information on the city’s buses, trains, and other connectivity options.
All public transport in Belfast is operated by Translink, the public corporation responsible for public transport in all of Northern Ireland.
Getting around Belfast
Belfast has a well-developed bus and train network, making it easy to travel around the city and suburbs. Buses are the main mode of transport, while trains run commuter and intercity routes to the rest of Northern Ireland.
The city center is walkable with good pedestrian infrastructure and some pedestrianised streets. Do note that Belfast is a relatively small city and most commuting or travelling within the city areas can be done on foot. Cycling is also viable, and bike lanes are installed on certain streets in the city centre while elsewhere bicycles are allowed on bus lanes. Longer trips, on the other hand, are best done by bus.
For short-term visitors, taking the bus or walking are sufficient for visiting the city’s main attractions. Renting a car solely for a Belfast trip is unnecessary, although I do recommend it if your itinerary includes outlying places with limited public transport.
Belfast’s Buses
Belfast is served by a well established bus network providing connections within the Belfast City Council area and the outlying towns and housing estates. There are 3 types of buses that serve the city: the Metro, the Glider, and the Ulsterbus.
Trains in Belfast
Northern Ireland Railways (abbreviated as “NI Railways“) operates both commuter services to/from Belfast, as well as intercity services from Belfast to the rest of Northern Ireland. In short, all trains lead to Belfast.
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Airport Express Buses
Both of Belfast’s airports are connected by express bus lines to the Europa Bus Centre in Belfast city centre.
Connections from Belfast to Dublin
Belfast is connected to Dublin by multiple cross-border bus and train services daily, offering a variety of options for the border-crossing traveller.
Travel Ireland with Public Transport
For most short term visitors, the public transport network on the island of Ireland is reliable enough as a means of getting around.
External Links
- Translink’s website;
- Timetables page on Translink website (type in your stop name or route number).
- Translink’s own journey planner app (App Store link), (Google Play link).
- Service updates for all Translink services at Translink’s Twitter feed.
Disclaimer
Please note that this guide is curated and maintained on a volunteer basis, unaffiliated with Translink and any other public bodies. We try to keep the information updated as best as we can, but sometimes that’s not always possible and the content here may not reflect the most up to date information and/or developments in the city.
For the latest information, please refer to the Translink website and the published timetables. If you have any queries or complaints, I strongly recommend directing them to Translink.