Belfast International Airport is north-west of the city, and getting into Belfast is straightforward. Here is what each option costs.
Complete price comparison
| Transport | Cost | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport Express 300 | £8.00 adult single / £11.00 adult monthly return (Translink mLink ticket page) | Check the Translink timetable | Public-transport users |
| Taxi | Metered, capped by the Northern Ireland maximum tariff | Depends on traffic | Convenience |
| Ride-hailing apps | Quoted in the app before you confirm | Depends on traffic | App users |
| Pre-booked transfer | Fixed price quoted at booking | Depends on traffic | Families, groups |
Fixed-price private transfer
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Other destinations
Airport Express 300
The Airport Express 300 is the standard public-transport link into Belfast. Translink's mLink ticket page lists £8.00 for an adult single and £11.00 for an adult monthly return (child fares £4.00 and £5.50). A single is valid on the Airport Express 300 between the airport and Belfast city centre, and the monthly return is delivered to your phone in the mLink app as two single tickets. Key points:
- Services run to Belfast Grand Central Station, the bus and rail hub that replaced the Europa Buscentre, which Translink says has closed
- From there, you're a short walk or taxi from most hotels
- Translink ticket machines at the airport and at Grand Central sell tickets for airport services
- Other sales channels may show different prices, so check the current timetable and fares on Translink's site or app before you travel, as they change from time to time
Taxi pricing
Taxis in Northern Ireland are metered, not fixed-price, and the Department for Infrastructure sets the maximum fares. The current maximum tariff has applied since 5 December 2023:
| Rate | When | Initial charge | First mile (approx.) | Each additional mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rate 1 | Mon-Fri 06:00-20:00 | £3.20 | £4.20 | £1.86 |
| Rate 2 | Mon-Thu 20:00-06:00 | £4.00 | £5.10 | £2.03 |
| Rate 3 | Fri 20:00 - Mon 06:00 (and specified days) | £5.00 | £6.10 | £2.03 |
There are separate higher Christmas and New Year rates. These are maximums; drivers may charge less, and the Department reviews the tariff periodically, so treat this as a guide rather than a quote. The tariff does not give a fare for a specific journey from the airport.
Cost to destinations beyond Belfast
Derry, the Giant's Causeway, Portrush, Enniskillen, Dublin and Donegal are long runs. They are usually arranged privately at a price agreed before departure, and anything into the Republic (Dublin, Donegal) is outside Northern Ireland's tariff entirely. Ask the operator or your transfer provider to quote your specific journey. We are not printing estimates for these: the real number depends too much on vehicle, time and route for a range to mean anything.
The Dublin question
Many travelers need to get between Belfast International and Dublin. Options:
- Pre-booked transfer: direct, with the price fixed when you book
- Airport Express 300 to Belfast Grand Central + train to Dublin: cheaper, but you change at Grand Central
- Direct coach: check Translink and Aircoach for current routes
Compare the transfer quote with the bus and train combination, which involves a change at Grand Central.
Our recommendation
The Airport Express (£8.00 adult single on Translink's mLink ticket page) is the public-transport option for Belfast city centre. It drops you at Grand Central Station in the heart of the city. Use a taxi or transfer when you have lots of luggage, are traveling late, or heading somewhere beyond Belfast.
Sources (checked 2026-10-17)
- Airport Express 300 adult single £8.00 and monthly return £11.00 (child £4.00 / £5.50): https://www.translink.co.uk/our-apps/mlink-ticketing-app/ticket-types
- Airport ticket machines at the airport and Belfast Grand Central: https://www.translink.co.uk/using-translink/airport-services
- Europa Buscentre closed, services operate from Belfast Grand Central: https://www.translink.co.uk/using-translink/station-finder/stationguide/europabuscentre
- Taxi maximum fares (Rate 1/2/3, in force 5 December 2023): https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/news/maximum-taxi-fares-increase
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I pay for the Airport Express 300?
Translink sells Airport Express 300 tickets in its mLink app, and ticket machines at the airport and at Belfast Grand Central sell tickets for airport services. On Translink's mLink ticket page an adult single is £8.00 and an adult monthly return is £11.00; other sales channels may show different prices.
Do Belfast taxis accept cards?
Payment options vary by driver and company, so ask before you start the journey.
Is it cheaper to fly into Belfast International or Belfast City?
Compare the whole trip rather than the flight alone: the fare for each airport plus the ground transport at each end. Belfast City Airport (BHD) is closer to the city centre, so its ground leg is shorter, but check flight prices for both airports.
How much does it cost to get from Belfast International Airport to the city centre?
The Airport Express 300 bus is £8.00 for an adult single on Translink's mLink ticket page and runs to Belfast Grand Central Station. Taxis are metered under the Department for Infrastructure maximum tariff (Rate 1: about £4.20 for the first mile, then £1.86 per mile), so the fare depends on distance, time of day and traffic.