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Transfer Options from Dublin Airport to Belfast

Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, is located approximately 158 kilometres away from Dublin International Airport. Whether you’re planning a day trip there or you staying in the city for more days, the Belfast to Dublin Airport connection is easy by taxi, bus or train. Taking an airport taxi or pre-booking a private transfer is the most expensive but also the fastest and most convenient option. The trip by taxi takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes and costs an average of €250. The bus is the cheapest and best value-for-money option; Dublin Express, Aircoach, and Translink operate direct routes from Dublin Airport to Belfast, with single tickets starting from €11. Finally, if you prefer travelling by train, you can use the Irish Rail to reach Belfast. There is no train station at the airport so you will need to get from Dublin Airport to the city and take the train from Connolly Station. The total trip duration is around 2 hours and 35 minutes and costs about €45 if you take a taxi to the city; €30 for the taxi fare and €15 for the train ticket.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Dublin at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS
OPTION PRICE DURATION AVAILABILITY
Welcome Pickups €410 100min 24/7 Book
Book
Taxi €250 100min 24/7
Bus €26 130min 24/7
Train €60 155min 07:35–20:50

How to get to Belfast from Dublin Airport by taxi

Despite the prominent taxi market in Ireland, many taxi drivers are reluctant to take long-distance hires, like from Dublin to Belfast, because it is time-consuming and they want to avoid empty kilometres from Belfast to Dublin Airport. For this reason, it is highly recommended to book your taxi from Dublin to Belfast in advance to secure reliable transportation and 24/7 service. The journey takes around 1 hour and 40 minutes depending on traffic conditions and your exact drop-off destination in Dublin.

Taxi fare from the airport in Dublin to Belfast

Local taxis in Dublin, as everywhere in Ireland, are metered for trips in the city and nearby destinations. For a long-distance trip like from Dublin to Belfast, the driver will most probably give you a fixed quote before you get in the taxi. The overall taxi fare should be around €250 for up to 4 passengers but this is only an estimate; for a fixed fare that you’ll know in advance, it’s best to pre-book your ride and enjoy peace of mind.

Cost

€250

Trip Duration

1 Hr. 40 Min.

*Rates may vary unless you book your taxi in advance.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Airport taxis are available 24/7, all year round.

Where do I get a taxi from?

Dublin Airport has two official taxi ranks, outside both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2; follow the relevant taxi signage inside the Arrivals Hall of either Terminal.

Convenience

Despite an airport taxi being a pricey option, nothing beats the comfort of a private vehicle, door-to-door service and having your luggage taken care of, especially during long-distance journeys. For an even smoother experience that will minimize waiting time, you can pre-book your airport transfer and meet your driver in the Arrivals Hall right after landing.

Editor’s Note

For a smooth and stress-free experience, it is highly recommended to book your taxi in advance with a private taxi company like Welcome Pickups to ensure a fixed, competitive rate and avoid surprises at the end of the ride.

Useful Tips

If you are taking a regular taxi at Dublin airport, try and negotiate a fixed price for long-distance journeys to avoid getting overcharged by your driver.
It is important to note that due to the long Belfast to Dublin distance, taxi drivers have the right to refuse the trip. If so, you can always ask for help from an airport taxi staff member in order to book an airport transfer.
The taxi driver has the right to request proof that the passenger is capable paying the whole agreed amount before agreeing to the hire.

How to get from Dublin Airport to Belfast by bus

Three bus companies directly connect Belfast to Dublin Airport; Dublin Express route 785, Aircoach route 705X, and Translink route X1. The average travel time by bus is around 2 hours and 10 minutes and the fare varies among the three operators. If you’re planning a day trip, you can use the same operators to catch a bus from Belfast to Dublin Airport.

How much is the bus from Dublin Airport to Belfast ?

Ticket fares vary so you need to check with each operator to find the best option. Dublin Express single tickets cost €11.50 for adults and €7.50 for children from 3 to 15 years old. A single ticket for the Aircoach bus starts from €13 for adults and from €7 for children from 4 to 13 years old. A single ticket for the Translink bus starts from €11 for adults and from €7 for children. If you plan to go back from Belfast to Dublin Airport by bus, it’s worth purchasing roundtrip tickets for a reduced fare. Also, note that you can find much better deals online than purchasing your tickets at the airport or on the bus.

Cost

€13

Trip Duration

2 Hr. 10 Min.

The average waiting time for all bus routes is 1 hour during peak hours and 2 hours late at night and early in the morning but you can check each operator's Dublin Airport to Belfast bus timetable for more information.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Aircoach and Translink routes operate 24/7 from Dublin Airport. Dublin Express runs from 05:50 to 00:50 daily.

Where do I get the bus from?

Each company departs from a different area at Dublin Airport so make sure to head to the correct pick-up point. Dublin Express operates from Zone 1 at Terminal 1 and Zone 21 at Terminal 2. Aircoach departs from Zone 2 outside Terminal 1 and 20 outside Terminal 2. Translink departs from Zone 13 in the Dublin Airport Bus Park.

Convenience

Compared to taxi or private transfer prices, the bus from Dublin to Belfast is the most cost-efficient and the most popular amongst travellers who want to keep their budget lower. However, using the bus requires more planning and pre-booking your tickets may be required to secure a seat on board, which can be restrictive in case of a flight delay.

Editor’s Note

Visiting Belfast is a must when you're in Ireland, even as a day trip, and the bus is a great option to do so. In that case, make sure to book roundtrip tickets to get from Belfast to Dublin Airport by bus for a lower cost than if you were purchasing separately.

Useful Tips

Tickets can be purchased online through each operator's website, from one of the available licensed vendors at the airport or directly from the driver.
Passengers do not have to pay for additional luggage space. Bicycles, baby strollers and wheelchairs are also allowed.

How to get to Belfast from Dublin by train

Taking the train from Dublin to Belfast is the slowest transportation option to reach your destination as there is no train station at the airport. However, it’s still possible to do so if you love travelling by train; you just need to reach Connolly train station in Dublin city centre. To get there, you can pre-book an airport taxi to the city or find an alternative transportation option from Dublin Airport to the city that best matches your budget.

Fare for the train from Dublin to Belfast

A single adult fare for the train from Dublin to Belfast costs on average €15. However, you need to take into account additional costs to get from Dublin Airport to the city, which can vary depending on the transportation option you choose; a taxi from the airport to the city costs around €30 for up to 4 passengers and a bus ticket around €15 per traveller.

Cost

€45

Trip Duration

2 Hr. 35 Min.

The average waiting time between train departures is 60 minutes.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

The first train departs from Connolly Station at 07:35 from Monday to Saturday and at 10:00 on Sundays and public holidays, while the last train departs at 20:50 from Monday to Saturday and at 19:00 on Sundays and public holidays.

Where do I take the train from?

The train from Dublin to Belfast departs from Connolly Station in Dublin city centre; you can get there by taxi or bus in about 25 minutes.

Convenience

The train doesn’t directly connect Belfast to Dublin Airport, which makes it a less convenient option compared to an airport taxi or bus. However, if you’re not in a hurry and you enjoy travelling by train, it’s still a cheaper alternative to keep the budget lower.

Editor’s Note

If you're a solo traveller and you want to travel by train, the cheapest option is to take the bus from Dublin Airport to reach Connolly train station downtown. For more travellers, an airport taxi to the city is a better option as it will be cheaper and faster.

Useful Tips

You can purchase a ticket online to secure a better price or at the train station.
There is no limit to the luggage you can take on the train but it must be kept with you at all times.
Irish Rail trains are fully accessible to travellers with reduced mobility or using a wheelchair.

Welcome Pickups transfer

Welcome Pickups

Book a trained, English-speaking taxi driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular cab from the line

If you feel more relaxed knowing that somebody is waiting for you, you may as well book a Welcome Pickups transfer. As soon as you arrive at the airport you will be greeted by your driver. He will be waiting for you at the terminal of your arrival with a sign that has your name on it. Your driver will help you out with your luggage and together you will make your way to the vehicle. While he is driving you to your accommodation, the driver can give you some tips and recommendations on what to do during your holidays in Dublin. Our drivers are hand-picked and speak fluent English. No need to worry about miscommunication issues that you may face with the local taxi drivers regarding your destination. Relax and enjoy your ride.

Best drivers

Hand-picked english-speaking drivers

Flight monitoring

Drivers are always on time

Quality support

24/7 email & phone support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Edit or cancel transfers

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Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

  • 20 minute gap between transfers

  • Regular Car Sanitisation

  • Contactless ride

  • Sanitiser in every car

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Frequently asked questions

Is there a direct train from Dublin International airport to Belfast city?

Dublin Airport doesn’t have a train station but you can easily reach Connolly train station in the city centre in about 20 minutes and take the train from Dublin to Belfast. The trip by train takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes and tickets start from €15 per adult.

How long does the Aircoach bus take to get from Dublin to Belfast city?

The Belfast to Dublin distance is approximately 160 km and the trip by bus from Dublin Airport to Belfast takes about 2 hours and 10 minutes. If you’re in Dublin city centre, you can take the Aircoach bus from O’Connell Street, which adds another 25 minutes to the total trip duration.

Do you need a passport to get from Dublin airport to Belfast city?

If you’re an EU citizen, you can use your national identity card to travel throughout the island of Ireland; however, citizens of other countries must have a valid passport whilst travelling.

How much does a yLink card cost?

The yLink smartcard secures 50% off Translink bus and rail travel in Northern Ireland for travellers from 16 to 23 years old and applying for one is free of charge.

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