How to get here & Airport Welcome
Belfast has two airports, sea crossings from England and Scotland, and a direct rail link from Dublin.
You can fly direct to Belfast from over 20 European cities and a number of North American locations.
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GEORGE BEST CITY AIRPORT (Located just 3 miles from Belfast City Centre)
Getting to Queen's from George Best City Airport
By Bus:
The Airport Express Bus Service (Service 600) operates every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday and every 40 minutes on Sunday from outside the airport to the Belfast Europa Bus Centre adjacent to the Europa Hotel, in the heart of the city. The service, Airport Express 600, operates between 5.30 and 21.25.
By Train:
When travelling to the airport by train, you'll want to disembark at Sydenham train station. Translink operates a rail service (06.00-23.00) Monday-Saturday to Central and Victoria Street Stations every 20 minutes. The service is hourly on Sundays (09.00-22.00). Connections are available from Central Station to the rest of the rail network in Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic. A shuttle bus service operates between the airport terminal and the rail halt at Sydenham. Please go to the information desk and ask for the service. You'll be instructed to wait by the taxi rank where the shuttle bus will collect you. You may also wish to consult the trainline webpage.
By Taxi:
Approved taxis operate from the Airport taxi rank outside the terminal building. Wheel-chair accessible taxis are available. The approximate cost of a taxi to Belfast City Centre from Belfast City Airport with our approved taxi provider is roughly £12.00 (including a £3 surcharge). For more information or to book a taxi, call +44 (028) 9080 9080 or visit the Value Cabs website.
- BELFAST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (Located 13 miles northwest of Belfast)
Getting to Queen's from Belfast International Airport:
By Bus:
The Airport Express Bus Service (Service 300) operates a regular service on weekdays and weekends. The Service 300 bus leaves from the bus stop located opposite the terminal exit. The journey takes approximately 30-40 minutes and a single fare is approximately £9. The bus goes to Great Victoria Street bus and train station in the city centre which is a 30 minute walk to Queen’s Elms BT9 University accommodation. As you will have your luggage with you we would recommend that you take a taxi. A taxi fare from the bus station to Elms BT9 is roughly £7.
By Taxi:
The International Airport Taxi Company, official taxi operator for the Belfast International Airport, are available for hire 24 hours a day 7 days a week outside the right hand door of the airport Exit lobby. Only taxis approved by Belfast International Airport are permitted to use the taxi rank. A list of sample fares is displayed in the exit hall of the terminal building. A taxi share scheme to Belfast is available for those who wish to use it. For bookings, contact the Belfast International Airport Taxi Company on + 44 (028) 9448 4353. For more information and to book online visit www.belfastairporttaxis.com.
- DUBLIN AIRPORT (Located approximately 100 miles to the south of Belfast)
By Bus:
Translink operates daily Goldline Express Services from Dublin to Belfast Airport every hour. Services arrive and depart from Zone 10 at Dublin Airport. View timetables. Aircoach services operate from Dublin to Belfast every hour. Services arrive and depart outside the Arrivals area in T1 and T2. View timetables. Bus Eireann Service X1/X2A. The cost of a single fare from Dublin to Belfast is approximately £15 (€17.00).
By train:
Dublin train information can be found at here. You may also wish to consult the trainline webpage.
By Taxi:
The taxi rank can be found outside Terminal 1.
- Public Transport in Northern Ireland
All public transport in Northern Ireland is organised by Translink
Visit their website for more information on fares, timetables, journey planners and online ticket bookings. Below is a list of their main services:Queen’s is a five minute walk from Botanic Train Station. Coach and bus services arrive at Great Victoria Street, which is also connected by rail. The Enterprise train service runs from Dublin to Belfast with an average of 8 trains per day and an estimated travel time of just over 2 hours. A regular bus service also runs from Belfast Europa Bus Centre to Dublin city and Dublin airport.
NI Railways:
NI Railways has services running from Portadown, Bangor, Larne, Derry / Londonderry, Portrush and Dublin.
Ulsterbus:
Ulsterbus is a public transport operator in Northern Ireland and operates bus services outside Belfast, including Dublin.
Ulsterbus Goldline:
Ulsterbus Goldline provides direct services to and from cities across Northern Ireland, including Derry / Londonderry, Coleraine, Newry and Armagh.
Metrobus:
Metrobus provides travel throughout the greater Belfast area.
Student Discount
If you are aged 16-23, you can avail of the yLink card, offering 50% off standard adult fares on both train and bus services provided by Translink: yLink Card Details
- Arriving by Sea
Fast ferry services including Stena Line and P&O Ferries make multiple daily crossings from Northern Ireland to ports in Scotland and England. The two main Belfast routes are from Liverpool and Cairnryan, both provided by Stena Line. An alternative route runs from Holyhead to Dublin, with excellent motorway connections between there and Belfast.
Airport Welcome
Check the airport welcome dates prior to booking your travel as we will have ambassadors at the airport to direct you to your accommodation on specific dates in September. We will advertise these dates in early June via My Queen's, check the arriving in Belfast page for more details.
Travel Insurance
It is important to purchase travel insurance before you begin your travel to the UK.
Travel insurance can cover many areas including medical expenses, delayed or cancelled fights, lost and damaged luggage, lost or stolen money, and much more.
Travel insurance can be purchased through your travel agent or an insurance company in your home country.
Endsleigh is an insurance company endorsed by UKCISA (the UK Council for International Student Affairs) and the National Union of Students (NUS).