5 Ways How To Get From Dublin To Belfast, NIre
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Are you wondering how to get from Dublin to Belfast in Northern Ireland? Belfast is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland, and it is known for being the home of the Titanic. If you are coming from Dublin, Belfast is just a quick day trip away.
You can reach Belfast from Dublin by coach, bus, flight, car, and tour. The road distance between Dublin and Belfast is 165.6 kilometres or 102.8 miles while the direct distance is 143.2 kilometres or 89 miles. It takes about 2 hours and 5 minutes to travel this distance by car.
Whether you’re travelling alone or with a group, you will surely find the best mode of transportation to use for your trip to Belfast. Read on to learn more about all the available ways to get from Dublin to Belfast.
How to get from Dublin to Belfast
OPTION 1: How to get from Dublin to Belfast by Coach
- Travel Duration: about 1 hour and 50 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £13
You can easily travel from Dublin to Belfast in less than two hours. The journey is serviced by Aircoach. They have multiple trips daily which you can book in advance via Omio.
The coach departs from one of the following stations:
- Dublin Airport Terminal 1 – Zone 2
- Dublin Airport Terminal 2 Arrivals Road – 20
- Dublin O’Connell Street Upper (The Gresham Hotel)
Afterwards, they arrive at either Belfast, Europa Buscentre or Belfast, International Airport (Airport Express Stop.) Below is a sample timetable of trips from Dublin to Belfast:
Coach from Dublin to Belfast
| DEPARTURE | ARRIVAL | DURATION | FARE | |
| Earliest trip | 1:20 am | 3:40 am | 2 hours 20 minutes | £14 |
| Cheapest trip | 1:45 am | 3:40 am | 1 hour 55 minutes | £13 |
| Fastest trip | 1:50 am | 3:40 am | 1 hour 50 minutes | £13 |
| Latest trip | 11:50 pm | 2:35 am | 2 hours 45 minutes | £16 |
Riding a coach is truly a convenient way to travel between Dublin and Belfast. The fleet of Aircoach has free Wi-fi and available power plugs onboard. All trips are direct, so you won’t need to think about transferring vehicles along the way.
If you are riding a coach from Dublin to Belfast, make sure to book in advance so you can avail of exclusive deals.
BEST COACH / BUS DEALS!
If you are planning to travel via coach or bus for your upcoming UK trip, I recommend searching for the best coach or bus fare deals with OMIO. They have a great network of coach or bus services across the four corners of the UK.
OPTION 2: How to get from Dublin to Belfast by Flight
- Travel Duration: about 3 hours and 20 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £33
It is possible to fly from Dublin to Belfast, but this is honestly not the most economical and practical way to do so. First, it will entail that you fly from Dublin Airport DUB to locations such as Birmingham, Manchester, and London Heathrow. From there, you will transfer aircraft and continue your journey to Belfast International BFS.
Here is a snapshot of how it is to fly from Dublin to Belfast:
Flight from Dublin to Belfast
| DEPARTURE | ARRIVAL | DURATION | FARE | |
| Best trip | 12:20 pm | 4:30 pm | 4 hours 10 minutes | £54 |
| Cheapest trip | 5:55 am | 8:45 pm | 14 hours 50 minutes | £33 |
| Fastest trip | 3:30 pm | 6:50 pm | 3 hours 20 minutes | £49 |
British Airways, Aer Lingus, Ryanair and easyJet are some of the few airlines that travel this route. You can book flights for your trip from Dublin to Belfast through Skyscanner.
BEST FLIGHT DEALS!
I love good flight deals! If you are looking for the best airline fares for your vacation, I recommend searching for the latest deals on Skyscanner. They will show the best comparison flight deals between airlines that will suit your budget and schedule.
OPTION 3: How to get from Dublin to Belfast by Car
- Travel Duration: about 2 hours and 5 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £20.81
You can conveniently drive your way from Dublin to Belfast by getting a rental car. Discover Cars has the best deals from major rental car companies, making it easy for you to choose the best vehicle for this trip.
Belfast is reachable from Dublin via M1 and A1. The roads are well-equipped with signages that point you to the right direction, so navigation will surely be a breeze.
Is this your first time driving in the UK? I have written a simple list of tips which can help you with your road trip.
BEST CAR RENTAL DEALS!
If you are planning to book a car rental for your upcoming trip. I recommend searching for the best car rental deals with Discover Cars. They have various options that suit your budget.
OPTION 4: How to get from Dublin to Belfast by Train
- Travel Duration: about 2 hours and 5 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £15.99
Going by train to Belfast from Dublin is made possible by Irish Rail. Here is a sample schedule of trains so you have an idea:
Train from Dublin to Belfast
| DEPARTURE | ARRIVAL | DURATION | FLEXIBLE FARE | FIRST CLASS | |
| Earliest trip | 7:35 am | 9:48 am | 2 hours 13 minutes | £15.99 | £31.99 |
| Fastest trip | 7:00 pm | 9:05 pm | 2 hours 5 minutes | £15.99 | £31.99 |
| Latest trip | 8:50 pm | 11:00 pm | 2 hours 10 minutes | £15.99 | £31.99 |
The train departs from Dublin Connolly and arrives at Belfast station. All trains have free WiFi, wheelchair accessibility, a buffet bar, and bicycle acceptance, among other amenities.
OPTION 5: How to get from Dublin to Belfast by Tour
- Travel Duration: about 12 hours
- Travel Fare: from £64.25
If you wish to have the utmost convenience, you can choose to book a tour that takes you from Dublin to Belfast and beyond. Get Your Guide has all the best packages available for this trip.
Take this Giants Causeway, Dark Hedges, Dunluce & Belfast Tour for example. From Dublin, you will be visiting key destinations such as the ruins of Dunluce Castle, the hexagonal columns that make up the UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the beech trees that constitute the Dark Hedges.
Of course, this trip will not be complete without paying a visit to Belfast. You will have ample time to explore the area and travel to the famous destinations here, including the City Hall and the Titanic.
This tour includes your roundtrip transportation by bus, a designated English-speaking tour guide and a professional driver. Keep in mind that this does not include a door-to-door service as well as your food, drinks, and entrance fees for the whole trip.
The meeting point for this specific tour is at Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane.
If you will avail of this tour, make sure to book in advance so you can fix all necessary arrangements.
HERE ARE SOME OF THE MOST RECOMMENDED TOURS IN BELFAST:
More About Belfast, Northern Ireland
- There are a lot of things to do in Belfast! You can visit the Titanic Museum, have fun at the zoo, or hike around Cave Hill. I hope my list helps you in learning the best things to do in Belfast for your weekend break!
- Are you thinking of coming from London instead? Here is how you can get from London to Belfast. You can travel by flight, train and ferry, coach and ferry, or car. It takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to travel this distance by flight.
- Belfast is one of the British Isles Cruise ports that I was able to visit through Princess Cruise when I rode the Regal Princess. Read more about my experience here including the highlights for every stop.
- One of the best places to visit in the UK is Belfast. It is a city bursting with unique history, and fantastic sights and of course, it’s the birthplace of the Titanic. Other places that made my list include Stratford-upon-Avon, The Cotswold, and Brighton, East Sussex.
- All the things I love about Belfast are made more accessible by Get Your Guide. Talk about being spoiled by choices – from joiner tours to private trips, there is surely something for everyone!
Map of Belfast, Northern Ireland:
HOW TO USE THIS MAP TO BOOK YOUR RESERVATIONS:
CLICK the YELLOW MARKER OR THE DROP DOWN MENU next to the title to see the various things to do and point of interest in this guide and CHOOSE your desired preview of the map, whether HOTELS & RENTALS, EXPERIENCES, RESTAURANTS OR OTHERS. Feel free to use the filters, number of guests, and your preferred dates. You can see more information about the different attractions (the GREEN MARKERS) when you click the icons, as well as finding your perfect accommodation that will suit your budget and location. You could also book your guided tours and restaurants using the map.
FAQs on How to Get from Dublin to Belfast, Northern Ireland
Can I go to Belfast from Dublin by train?
Yes, you can go to Belfast from Dublin by train. Irish Rail is the one servicing this route.
Is it better to take the train or the bus from Dublin to Belfast?
It is better to take the bus from Dublin to Belfast. There are plenty of trips to choose from, and when the road conditions are favourable, taking the bus proves to be faster than the train.
Is the train ride from Dublin to Belfast scenic?
Yes, the train ride from Dublin to Belfast is scenic.The route takes you through the Irish countryside, featuring rolling hills, fields, and picturesque landscapes.
How to get from Dublin to Belfast without a car?
To get from Dublin to Belfast without a car, you can book a coach, train, car, or tour.
Where do I catch the bus from Dublin to Belfast?
You can catch the bus from Dublin to Belfast in Dublin Airport Terminal 1 – Zone 2, Dublin Airport Terminal 2 Arrivals Road – 20, or Dublin O’Connell Street Upper (The Gresham Hotel.)
What is the cheapest way to get from Dublin to Belfast?
The cheapest way to get from Dublin to Belfast is by coach. For just £13, you can travel between the two destinations with ease.
What is the fastest way to get from Dublin to Belfast?
The fastest way to get from Dublin to Belfast is by coach. The one-way trip can be completed in about 1 hour and 50 minutes.
What is the best way to get from Dublin to Belfast?
The best way to get from Dublin to Belfast is by joining a tour. By doing so, you will only have to go to Get Your Guide, choose from the wide range of tours on their website, and book online.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Everything Zany
Travel Blog
Everything Zany Travel Blog exploring the UK and beyond. Sharing travel guides, tips, history, and culture. Our travel media brand is founded by travel and hotel industry expert – Ryazan Tristram, a Dual Citizen (British–Filipina) based in Birmingham, UK. Everything Zany is a reputable and award-winning travel blog. Our work and contributions have been featured in the Huffington Post, CNBC, Discovery Channel, GMA, Readers Digest, and Lonely Planet. Our mission is to build a great travel community and resource of travel tips, visas, and travel guides for travelers. Join us as we travel around the UK and beyond with a mission to share the best of the world.
