How to Get to Northern Ireland: Flights, Ferries, and Driving

By NorthernIreland.org

Travel Planning
#how to get to northern ireland#flights to belfast#ferries to northern ireland#belfast airports#travel planning#getting around

How to Get to Northern Ireland: Flights, Ferries, and Driving

Getting to Northern Ireland is easier than most people expect. It’s well-connected by air and sea, and if you’re coming from the Republic of Ireland, you simply drive across — no border checks, no passport control, no signs telling you you’ve crossed (though you’ll notice the road signs switch from kilometres to miles and the currency shifts from euros to pounds).

Here’s how to get there, and what to know about getting around once you arrive.

Flights

Northern Ireland has two airports serving Belfast, plus a smaller airport in Derry~Londonderry. Between them, they connect to a wide range of UK, European, and some long-haul destinations.

Belfast International Airport (BFS)

The larger of the two Belfast airports, located at Aldergrove, about 30 minutes northwest of the city centre.

Airlines and routes: EasyJet is the dominant carrier here, with flights to London (Gatwick, Luton, Stansted), Edinburgh, Glasgow, Bristol, Manchester, Birmingham, and European destinations including Barcelona, Paris, Amsterdam, and Kraków. Jet2 operates seasonal routes to holiday destinations. Some charter operators run here too.

Getting to the city: Airport Express 300 bus to Europa Bus Centre (30 mins, every 15-30 mins). Taxis around £30-35.

George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD)

Named after the footballer. Closer to the city centre — just 6 kilometres east, in the harbour area near Titanic Quarter. See our guide to the best things to do in Belfast for what to do once you arrive.

Airlines and routes: Aer Lingus operates key routes including London Heathrow, Edinburgh, Manchester, and East Midlands. British Airways has a Heathrow service. FlyBe’s successor carriers and other regional airlines serve various UK cities. Fewer European routes than Belfast International but more convenient for the city.

Getting to the city: Taxi takes 10 minutes (£8-10). Sydenham train halt is a short walk, with trains to Belfast Central.

Which airport? Belfast City is more convenient for the city centre. Belfast International has more routes, especially budget and European flights. Check both when booking.

City of Derry Airport (LDY)

A small airport serving the northwest of Northern Ireland and County Donegal. Ryanair flies to Liverpool, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, and London Stansted. Limited routes, but useful if Derry~Londonderry or the north coast is your destination — it saves the two-hour transfer from Belfast. See our Derry~Londonderry city guide for what the city offers.

Ferries

Ferry crossings to Northern Ireland are a good option if you’re bringing a car from Britain, want to avoid flying, or simply enjoy sea travel. The crossings are relatively short and well-served.

Cairnryan to Belfast / Larne

The shortest crossing from mainland Britain. Cairnryan is in southwest Scotland, about two hours’ drive from Glasgow or Edinburgh.

Stena Line operates Cairnryan to Belfast. The crossing takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes. Multiple sailings daily. The Belfast terminal is at Victoria Terminal, close to the city centre.

P&O Ferries operates Cairnryan to Larne. Similar crossing time. Larne is about 30 minutes north of Belfast by car. Fewer direct city-centre connections, but the terminal is modern and the crossing reliable.

Both services carry cars, vans, and foot passengers, though most people drive on. Book in advance for peak times (summer weekends, bank holidays). Fares vary significantly — early booking and midweek crossings are cheapest.

Liverpool to Belfast

Stena Line runs an overnight crossing from Liverpool (Birkenhead) to Belfast. The crossing takes about 8 hours. Departs in the evening, arrives in the morning. Cabin accommodation is available and recommended — sleeping through the Irish Sea crossing is far preferable to sitting through it.

This is a good option if you’re coming from the north of England or the Midlands and want to arrive fresh in Belfast with your car. The Liverpool terminal is in Birkenhead, across the Mersey.

Driving from Dublin

If you’re already in the Republic of Ireland, getting to Northern Ireland by car is straightforward.

Dublin to Belfast is about 160 kilometres and takes approximately 2 hours via the M1 motorway. The road is good, mostly dual carriageway or motorway. You’ll cross the border somewhere around Newry without stopping — there are no checkpoints, no barriers, no immigration control. The border, a legacy of the 1921 partition, is essentially invisible. You’ll know you’ve crossed when the speed limit signs change from km/h to mph and petrol stations start pricing in pounds sterling.

This ease of crossing is a product of the Common Travel Area between the UK and Ireland (which predates the EU) and the Good Friday Agreement. It’s one of the things that makes touring the whole island so simple. For more on the practical differences between NI and the Republic, we have a dedicated guide.

Dublin to Derry~Londonderry is about 235 kilometres and takes roughly 3 hours, heading northwest through counties Monaghan, Tyrone, and into the Foyle valley.

Car rental: If you’re flying into Dublin and want to drive north, you can rent at Dublin Airport. Most rental companies allow their cars to be taken across the border, but check the terms — some require notification. Returning the car to a different jurisdiction (e.g., picking up in Dublin, dropping off in Belfast) usually incurs a one-way fee.

Budget Airlines

The main budget carriers: Ryanair (Belfast International and City of Derry), EasyJet (Belfast International), and Jet2 (seasonal routes). Aer Lingus isn’t strictly budget but offers competitive fares from Belfast City, especially to London Heathrow. Book 6-8 weeks ahead, travel midweek, and read baggage allowances carefully.

Car Rental and Driving Tips

Beyond Belfast, a car is strongly recommended. Public transport won’t get you to the Causeway Coastal Route villages, the Mournes, or most Game of Thrones filming locations.

  • Drive on the left — same in the UK and Republic, no change at the border
  • Manual vs automatic: Most rentals are manual. Book early if you need automatic.
  • Roads: Motorways between cities are good. Rural roads can be narrow, winding, and shared with tractors and sheep. This is part of the charm.
  • Parking: Belfast has multi-storey car parks. Most tourist sites have parking (some free, some charged).

Public Transport Within Northern Ireland

Let’s be honest: public transport in Northern Ireland is limited compared to most of western Europe. It works for getting between cities, but it won’t get you to many of the places that make the country special.

Translink operates all bus and rail services in Northern Ireland.

Trains

The rail network is small — essentially three lines radiating from Belfast:

  • Belfast to Derry~Londonderry (via Coleraine) — the most scenic route, running along the north coast past beaches and cliffs
  • Belfast to Larne — useful for ferry connections
  • Belfast to Bangor — a commuter line along Belfast Lough
  • Belfast to Newry/Dublin — the cross-border Enterprise service, jointly operated with Irish Rail

Trains are comfortable, reasonably priced, and generally reliable. The Belfast-Derry route is genuinely beautiful and worth taking even if you have a car.

Buses

Ulsterbus covers more ground than the trains. The Causeway Rambler (Route 172) along the north coast is particularly useful. But rural services can be infrequent — a few per day at best.

For Belfast, you don’t need a car. The centre is walkable, taxis are cheap, and buses cover the urban area. Beyond Belfast, a car transforms your trip. The distances are short, the roads are scenic, and the freedom to stop wherever the view demands it is worth the rental cost.

Summary

  • Flying: Two Belfast airports plus City of Derry. Budget airlines keep prices competitive. Belfast City is most convenient; Belfast International has the most routes.
  • Ferry: Cairnryan (Scotland) to Belfast/Larne is fastest. Liverpool to Belfast works well as an overnight option.
  • Driving from Dublin: Two hours, no border, good roads.
  • Getting around: Rent a car for anything beyond Belfast. Public transport works for the Belfast-Derry corridor and the north coast, but is limited elsewhere.

Northern Ireland is a small place. The furthest points are under three hours apart by car. Base yourself in Belfast and day-trip anywhere, or move around and cover the whole place in a week. For planning your trip, see our complete guide to Northern Ireland and tips on visiting on a budget. Getting here is the easy part.