Whether you’re visiting Northern Ireland for a day, a weekend or longer then you’ll need to find the best route to get there for your needs and your budget. The rail network is made up of a number of Northern Ireland and onward Republic of Ireland destinations. All but one of these routes originate in The City of Belfast; Northern Ireland.
Investment in new trains by Translink Northern Ireland has taken place in recent years. Further investment by the next decade should see full replacement of older trains as well as refurbishment of the cross-border fleet which were first introduced in 1997.
Travelling costs on Northern Ireland Railways are generally lower than on British National Rail and for residents of the country who are aged 65 or over, Blind persons and War Disabled persons can travel for free on both Translink trains and buses (on production of valid smartpass). A special weekly/monthly discount card is available for 16-21 year olds which gives a 20% reduction on railway travel within Northern Ireland along with discounts at a number of High Street Stores/businesses (NI only).
North Coast Route
Despite being quite a small network; Northern Ireland has one of the most scenic areas in the country covered by rail. The road route from Belfast to Londonderry is mainly inland for much of the route although being quicker than taking the train. After 1 hour 30 min travelling from Belfast Victoria Street station to Coleraine (via Antrim) there is the option to change onto the Portrush train or to remain on the same train to Londonderry via the North Coast.
Portrush although now seen as somewhat dated remains Northern Ireland’s premier holiday resort with such attractions as The Royal Portrush Golf Club, Barry’s Amusement Park and just a short bus ride away is Giant’s Causeway. Continuing with the train to Londonderry the splendour of The North Antrim Coast is revealed as the line comes parallel to it.
Just after 20 minutes into the journey the train calls at Castlerock from where a number of attractions can be explored including Hezlett House (a 17th Century thatched cottage), beach & attractions at nearby Downhill and views over to Donegal & Mussenden Temple. Around 30 minutes later the train completes its journey at Londonderry’s Waterside Station. From here it’s a 10 minute walk across the River Foyle by the Craigavon Bridge to the City Centre.
Londonderry has numerous attractions including The Harbour Museum, Waterside Museum, Story of Derry exhibition, Tower Museum and most obvious; the city’s historic walls which remain intact. During the summer Guided Walking Tours go round the city incorporating its past and present features. Discount Vouchers are available in conjunction with Northern Ireland Railways (valid rail ticket required) for a number of North Coast attractions/eateries.
Belfast-Dublin Enterprise
Travel between Belfast and Dublin by rail is 2 hours with the flagship Enterprise service which is operated jointly by Translink Northern Ireland Railways and the national rail operating company in The Republic of Ireland, Iarnród Éireann. Translink’s Metro bus service provides free transfer from Belfast City Centre to Belfast Central where the Enterprise departs from and continues non-stop until Portadown.
These are the only trains in Northern Ireland to provide two classes of travel; Enterprise Class and 1st Plus. The reservation of seats on the Enterprise is only available in 1st Plus (no charge). A full meal service is provided at an additional price for 1st Plus customers whilst Enterprise Class customers may purchase light refreshments from the buffet carriage (Pound Sterling/Euro accepted).
The frequency of trains is currently around once every 2 hours with 8 services in each direction on weekdays. Tickets for travel on the Enterprise can be used for a one-way journey between Dublin Connolly and any station on the DART network (doesn’t inc LUAS/DublinBus).
Onwards travel to Sligo and Irish Rail destinations south east of Dublin can be done from Dublin Connolly. Trains to the west and south west of Ireland go from Dublin’s Heuston station which is linked to Connolly station by the LUAS Red Line tram (20 minutes duration) and DublinBus’s Railink shuttle (both at additional cost).
Belfast to Dublin International Airport
For Dublin International Airport there’s the hourly coach service between Belfast Europa Bus Centre and Dublin bus station (Store St). This service is operated by Translink’s Ulsterbus Goldline Express & Bus Éireann. As a rough guide a journey between Belfast and Dublin International Airport takes about 2 hrs 30 min by coach.
Getting to Northern Ireland
International links are available through Northern Ireland Railways and their partner bus companies Ulsterbus and Metro. George Best Belfast City Airport which is located just 3 miles from Central Belfast is located alongside the Belfast – Bangor line which has a station stop at Sydenham (short walk/shuttle bus ride from Airport).
The largest airport in Northern Ireland is at Aldergrove (Belfast International Airport). City Airlink (Route N.o. 600) is a bus service which links Aldergrove with Central Belfast and George Best Airport every 20 minutes. Other bus services for the International Airport include City Airlink (Route N.o. 300) from Belfast City Centre.
Domestic links to Britain can also be made by ferry via the rail and bus network in Northern Ireland. Ferry services in Belfast depart some 2 miles away from York Gate rail station in the city centre. Stena Line’s HSS ferry terminal is located at Belfast Harbour (Westbank Road). Stena Line operate a number of sailings daily to Stranraer in South West Scotland. Norfolk Line’s Belfast-Liverpool ferry departs from nearby.
Possibly one of the best rail-ferry options in Northern Ireland is at Larne Harbour station which is linked with the P&O Irish Sea and Stena Line passenger terminal. Ferry routes from Larne include Cairnryan & Troon (South West Scotland) by P&O Irish Sea and Fleetwood by Stena Line.
Further domestic & international links are available via Dublin by travelling on the Enterprise train service from Belfast Central to Dublin Connolly:
- For Dublin International Airport use City Airlink buses 747 & 748
- For ferries from Dublin Port – Holyhead/Liverpool (Irish Ferries & Stena Line/P&O Irish Sea & Norfolk Line) use DublinBus 53 from Connolly Station
- For Stena Line’s HSS ferry from Dun Laoghaire – Holyhead use DART rail services from Connolly station (Platform 6) to Dun Laoghaire (Destination: Bray/Greystones)
Integrated tickets are available for Rail-Ferry-Rail on domestic travel via Northern Ireland/Republic of Ireland ferry routes (Stena Line & Irish Ferries only). These tickets can be used between any British & Northern Irish train station and are charged on a zoned basis.
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