How to Get from Belfast Airport (BHD) to City Centre

Train via Sydenham — fastest cheapest

• Duration: 12 minutes to Belfast Lanyon Place.
• Operator: Translink NI Railways.
• Frequency: every 20 minutes.
• Hours: 6am-11pm daily.
• Price: £2.30 single. £4.30 return.
• Children under 5: free.
• Where to board: Sydenham station — 5-min walk from BHD terminal (signs).
• Lanyon Place: Belfast city centre. Connects to Translink buses + walking distance to most hotels.
• Tickets: Translink app + machines at Sydenham station + contactless.
• Pros: fast + cheapest + scenic.
• Note: NOT all trains stop at Sydenham — check schedule before walking.

Translink Bus 600 Airport Express

• Duration: 15 minutes airport to Belfast Europa Buscentre.
• Operator: Translink Goldline.
• Frequency: every 20 minutes.
• Hours: 5am-9pm daily.
• Price: £2.50 single, £4 return.
• Where to board: bus stop outside BHD terminal main entrance.
• Europa Buscentre: Belfast city centre. Connects to all Translink Goldline coaches + walking distance hotels.
• Tickets: driver, Translink app, contactless.
• Pros: direct + reliable.
• Cons: slightly more expensive than train (£0.20).

Taxi + Uber/Bolt

• Duration: 10-15 minutes.
• Taxi metered: £10-15 to centre.
• Where to board: taxi rank outside Arrivals.
• Black taxis (UK regulated): safe + reliable. No airport surcharge typically.
• Uber: £8-12.
• Bolt: £7-11. Often cheapest.
• FreeNow: taxi-booking app.
• Pre-booked transfer: £15-30.
• Family of 4: taxi £10-15 cheaper than 4× train (£9.20).
• Late-night option: taxi/Uber 24/7 (after train + bus close).

BHD vs BFS Belfast International

• BHD (George Best Belfast City): 5 km from centre. BHD = mostly flag carriers (BA, Aer Lingus, KLM, Lufthansa) + business routes.
• BFS (Belfast International): 30 km north of Belfast. BFS = Ryanair + easyJet + Wizz Air + low-cost. BFS → centre 30-45 min bus £8 or taxi £35-50.
• Choose airport by airline: Ryanair/easyJet/Wizz = BFS. BA/Aer Lingus/KLM = BHD.
• BHD pros: closer to centre, smaller + faster.
• BFS pros: more flights, cheaper routes.
• If flexibility on flights: BHD wins for time/cost to centre. BFS for low fares.

From centre back to BHD + practical

• From Belfast centre back: Train from Lanyon Place via Sydenham 12 min £2.30. Bus 600 from Europa 15 min £2.50. Taxi £10-15.
• Currency: GBP. Northern Ireland uses GBP (different from Republic Ireland Euro).
• UK separate from Schengen: Common Travel Area with Republic of Ireland.
• Allow extra time: 1.5 hours airport before EU departure. 2 hours US/non-EU.
• Best time: train if 6am-11pm. Bus 5am-9pm. Taxi/Uber 24/7.
• Apps: Translink (Northern Ireland transit), Uber, Bolt.
• Common complaints: Sydenham train stop sometimes skipped — check schedule.
• Belfast city walks: Titanic Quarter 20 min walk from Lanyon Place. Belfast Mural Tours from city centre.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cheapest BHD to Belfast?

Train via Sydenham — £2.30 single, 12 min to Lanyon Place. Cheapest + fastest combined. Bus 600 £2.50 (15 min). Taxi £10-15 (10-15 min).

How long Belfast airport to centre?

Train 12 min via Sydenham (fastest). Bus 600 15 min. Taxi 10-15 min. Uber 10-15 min. BHD is closest major UK city airport (5 km).

BHD vs BFS Belfast?

BHD (George Best, 5 km from centre) — BA + Aer Lingus + KLM. BFS (Belfast International, 30 km north) — Ryanair + easyJet + Wizz. Choose by airline.

BHD taxi price?

£10-15 metered. Uber £8-12. Bolt £7-11 often cheapest. Belfast small + close airport — taxi competitive with public transport for families.

BHD 24 hours?

Airport open 24h. Train 6am-11pm. Bus 5am-9pm. Taxi/Uber 24/7 (£10-15). Late-night arrivals: taxi/Uber.

Train BHD which station?

Sydenham station — 5-min walk from BHD terminal. Trains to Lanyon Place (Belfast centre). Some Translink trains skip Sydenham — check before walking.

See also

• Irish culture