Going from Dublin to Belfast is a very common journey. Despite belonging to different countries, they are the two most tourist cities on the island of Ireland. There is only a couple of hours of travel between the two, so you can also choose to visit Belfast in one day from Dublin. Especially if you don’t have much time on this beautiful island! In this post we tell you all transport options to get from Dublin to Belfast so you can choose the one that best suits you.
Contents of this article
HOW TO GET FROM DUBLIN TO BELFAST
1. Bus, the cheapest way to get from Dublin to Belfast (even to/from Dublin Airport)
⏱ Journey time: Approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes
💰 Trip price: €13.50 (one way) and €20 (round trip)
The fastest and cheapest transport to get from Dublin to Belfast is the bus. Aircoach It is the best company and also the one we chose, since we needed to go from Dublin airport to Belfast directly. Although It also helps you get from the center of Dublin to the center of Belfast!
The buses are very comfortable and the service is really good. Regarding the stops, Aircoach stops both in the center of Dublin (O’Connell Street) and at the two airport terminals. Also, from the airport It does not make intermediate stops, being the fastest bus to go from Dublin to Belfast or vice versa. And the best thing is that it provides service 24 hours a day!
In Belfast, apart from the airport, Aircoach has a stop at Glengall Street. To go from Dublin to Belfast by Aircoach will take approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes. Although if you board at the airport, you can connect both cities in less than 2 hours.
Regarding the price, it is really worth it to buy the round trip together. If you buy a one-way ticket, it will cost you €13.50, while if you buy a round trip, you will only pay €20. Without a doubt, Aircoach is our recommendation!
2. Train, a comfortable way to get from Dublin to Belfast
⏱ Journey time: approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes
💰 Trip price: €16.90 (one way) and €29.90 (round trip)
A good alternative to the bus to get from Dublin to Belfast or vice versa is to opt for the train. The trip lasts approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes, almost the same as the bus. But the train is slightly more expensive!
Hay eight trains a day, one every two hours approximately. The first is at 7:35 a.m. and the last one is at 8:50 p.m. The big advantage of the train is the good views you will have, so be sure to ask for a window seat 😉 The trains are very comfortable and modern, with Free WiFi on board.
The cheapest rate costs €14.99 and does not allow changes. If you want extra comfort, you can travel in first class from €25.99. Tickets can be purchased directly at either station. But We recommend booking your ticket online through Irish Rail.
There are two train stations in Dublin. To go directly to Belfast you have to leave Dublin Connollyabout 20 minutes walk from the center. Trains arrive at Belfast Lanyon Place stationabout 15 minutes walk from the city center.
In this sense, The bus stations are more central, which is why we recommend the bus rather than the train to get from Dublin to Belfast. The bus is cheaper, runs 24 hours a day and the journey time is similar.
Visit Belfast in one day: visit itinerary
3. Day trip, ideal if you only have hours to visit Belfast
⏱ Journey time: All day
💰 Trip price: from €79
If you spend several days in Dublin and you want to get to know Belfast, the most practical thing is to go on a day trip. They include the bus transportation, entrance fees to tourist sites and a guide who will tell you interesting stories throughout the day. At the end of the day you will return to Dublin having seen a part of Northern Ireland.
There are several tours to Belfast from Dublin. They all include a visit to the impressive Giant’s Causeway, a set of 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns on the seashore. Legend has it that an Irish giant and a Scottish giant threw so many stones at each other that they created this wonder. Although the reality is that the lava from a volcanic eruption 60 million years ago was solidified with these beautiful shapes.
Book an excursion It’s good if you want to discover several places in Northern Ireland in just one day.
4. Rental car, if you are doing a route through Ireland
⏱ Journey time: 2 hours approximately
💰 Trip price: €16 (€14 fuel + €2 tolls) + rental vehicle
If you want to do a route through Ireland, the best option is to rent a car. This way you can easily reach the most incredible landscapes. Renting a car in Ireland is quite affordable. You can find vehicles for about €40 a day.
The roads in Ireland and Northern Ireland are quite narrow, but to get from Dublin to Belfast you don’t have to worry about that. The entire journey is done by highway and takes just under 2 hours. Keep in mind that you will have to pay a toll of €2. Although they are different countries, there is no formal border between them. So you won’t waste time stopping halfway!
Reserve your car at the best price
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT GETTING FROM DUBLIN TO BELFAST
Next, we are going to briefly answer some frequently asked questions as a summary.
What is the fastest way to get from Dublin to Belfast?
If you don’t want to rent a car, The train is the fastest option to get from Dublin to Belfast. It will take approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes in uniting both cities. Although the bus doesn’t take much longer!
What is the cheapest option to get from Dublin to Belfast?
If you want to save, The bus is the cheapest option to get from Dublin to Belfast. Especially if you decide to buy round trip at that time! You can find tickets from €13.50 (one way) and €20 (round trip).
What option do we recommend to get to Belfast from Dublin?
Everything will depend on the route you are going to take, but If you want to go to Belfast and return the same day or the next day, the bus, without a doubt. Especially if you are buying a round trip ticket! There are more frequencies, the tickets are cheaper, and the stops are more central.
If you are interested in seeing the most in a single day, book an excursion It can also be a good alternative.
How many kilometers are there from Dublin to Belfast?
Between Dublin and Belfast there are 167 kilometers of distance. That means approximately 2 hours by car.
Source: https://lostraveleros.com/como-ir-de-dublin-a-belfast/
