The cheapest public-transport route into Belfast is the Translink Airport Express 300 coach: an adult single is around £8, and it reaches Belfast Grand Central Station in about 40 minutes. There is no train and no tram at Belfast International, so the 300 is the workhorse for anyone not taking a taxi. Prices checked August 2026.
Airport Express 300 coach (the main link)
The Airport Express 300 (and 300A) runs between Belfast International and Belfast Grand Central Station. Since 8 September 2024 it terminates at the new Grand Central Station, not the old Europa Buscentre, a change that still trips up returning visitors and older guides. Intermediate stops include Templepatrick Park and Ride, Ulster University Belfast and CastleCourt.
- Fare: adult single around £8, return around £11 to £12.50 and valid about a month. Child single is around £4. The Translink mLink app fare is around £5 per journey. Sources differ slightly on the exact 2026 figure, so confirm on Translink before you rely on a precise number.
- Journey time: about 40 minutes to Grand Central Station.
- Frequency: every 15 to 20 minutes on weekdays (roughly every 20 minutes in the morning peak, easing to about half-hourly through the day), and every 20 to 30 minutes at weekends.
- Hours: effectively a 24-hour service, with overnight and early-morning departures around 03:00 to 05:00 from the city and roughly 03:40 to 05:40 from the airport. That overnight cover matters because Belfast International has heavy early-morning departures.
- Tickets: buy on board from the driver, at the airport ticket machine, at the Belfast information desk, online, or via the Translink mLink app.
The coach stop at the airport is to the left as you exit Arrivals, down the length of the driveway to the signed bus shelter.
Onward rail and bus connections
There is no rail link at the airport itself. If you need a train, the 300 into Grand Central Station puts you on Northern Ireland's main rail hub for onward services, or you can take a short taxi to Antrim station (about 5 miles) on the Belfast to Derry line. Either way, a coach or taxi is the first leg. From Grand Central you also have the full Belfast bus and coach network.
No train, no tram
Belfast International has no railway station of any kind, and there are no tram or light-rail systems anywhere in Northern Ireland. Any guide that suggests a direct train to the airport is wrong. Plan around the 300 coach or a taxi.
When a taxi is worth it instead
The coach is the clear winner on price for solo travellers with light luggage. A taxi makes more sense if you are in a group, have heavy bags, or are heading somewhere off the coach route, since it takes you to the door for a fare that can work out similar per head once you split it. If someone is driving you, see the drop-off page for the forecourt charge and the free alternative.
Public transport FAQs
How do I get from Belfast International Airport to the city centre without a car? Take the Airport Express 300 coach to Belfast Grand Central Station, around £8 for an adult single and about 40 minutes.
Where does the airport bus drop you in Belfast? At Belfast Grand Central Station, which has been the terminus since September 2024, not the old Europa Buscentre.
Does the airport bus run overnight? Yes. The Airport Express 300 is effectively a 24-hour service, with departures around 03:00 to 05:00 that suit early flights.
Is there a train to Belfast International Airport? No. There is no rail link at all. The nearest station is Antrim, about 5 miles away, reached by taxi or coach first.
More: Overview, Taxis, Parking, Drop-off, Routes, FAQs.
We recommend a transport partner and may earn a referral fee. It never changes what you pay, and we only list options we would use ourselves.
Last verified August 2026 by the Belfast Airport Guide editorial team. Prices and timetables change, so confirm the specifics on the official Belfast International Airport website before you travel.