Belfast International is 20km from the city, but transport is straightforward and reasonably priced.
Complete price comparison
| Transport | Cost | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport Express 300 | £8.00 adult single / £11.00 adult monthly return | 30-40 min | Most travelers |
| Taxi | Metered; ~£25-30 at the regulated cap | 25-35 min | Convenience |
| Uber | Quoted in the app before you confirm | 25-35 min | App users |
| Pre-booked transfer | Fixed when you book | 25-35 min | Families, groups |
Fixed-price private transfer
BFS Belfast City Center
From€90for 2 passengers
Other destinations
Airport Express 300 — solid value
The Airport Express bus is the standard way to get into Belfast. Translink prices it at £8.00 for an adult single and £11.00 for the adult monthly return (child £4.00 and £5.50). Key points:
- Runs every 10-15 minutes during the day
- Goes to Belfast Grand Central Station, the bus and rail hub that replaced the Europa Buscentre in September 2024
- From there, you're a short walk or taxi from most hotels
- Luggage stored underneath the bus
- Contactless payment accepted
- Comfortable coach-style buses
The return ticket is valid for a month, so it covers both your airport journeys. Fares change from time to time — Translink's site is the place to confirm before you travel.
Taxi pricing
Belfast International Airport taxis are metered, not fixed-price, and the meter is capped by the Department for Infrastructure under the maximum tariff in force since 5 December 2023:
| Rate | When | First mile | Each additional mile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rate 1 | Mon-Fri 06:00-20:00 | £4.20 | £1.86 |
| Rate 2 | Mon-Thu 20:00-06:00 | £5.10 | £2.03 |
| Rate 3 | Fri 20:00 - Mon 06:00 | £6.10 | £2.03 |
Belfast city centre is about 12 miles from the airport, so at the Rate 1 cap the meter reaches roughly £25-30 before waiting time; evenings and weekends run higher. These are maximums — the meter can read less — and the Department reviews them periodically, so check the current tariff rather than treating these as a quote. The airport's taxi operator also displays a list of sample fares in the exit hall.
Cost to destinations beyond Belfast
Derry, the Giant's Causeway, Portrush, Enniskillen, Dublin and Donegal are runs of 90-170 km. These are not meter jobs in practice — they are 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: at that distance 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, 1.5-2 hours, priced when you book
- Airport Express 300 to Belfast Grand Central + Enterprise train to Dublin: around 4 hours
- Direct coach: check Translink and Aircoach for current routes
The transfer is much faster; the bus and train combination is much cheaper but takes half a day.
Our recommendation
The Airport Express at £8 is the smart choice for Belfast city center. It's frequent, comfortable, and 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.