Belfast Airport Guide
Independent airport guideVerified August 2026

Popular routes from Belfast International: times, distances and fares

Independent Belfast Airport travel guide · not affiliated with Belfast International Airport.

Most people leaving Belfast International are heading for Belfast city centre, about 18 miles and a 30 to 40 minute drive. Beyond that, common destinations include Antrim town, Lisburn, the Titanic Quarter, the Causeway Coast and Derry. Distances and times below are road estimates via the M2 and A57. Prices checked August 2026.

Routes table

The airport does not publish fixed taxi fares, so every figure below is indicative and should be confirmed with the operator when you book. The Belfast city-centre range is the one most sources agree on; the rest are approximate.

DestinationApprox distanceDriving timeIndicative taxi fare (saloon)
Belfast city centre~18 miles30 to 40 min£25 to £40
Antrim town~5 miles10 to 15 min£12 to £20
Lisburn~16 miles25 to 30 min£30 to £45
Ballymena~18 miles25 to 30 min£30 to £45
Titanic Quarter (Belfast)~20 miles35 to 40 min£30 to £45
Belfast City Airport (BHD)~22 miles35 to 45 min£35 to £50
Bangor, Co. Down~30 miles45 to 55 min£45 to £65
Larne (ferry port)~22 miles35 to 45 min£40 to £55
Portrush / Giant's Causeway~45 miles55 to 70 min£70 to £95
Derry / Londonderry~55 miles70 to 80 min£90 to £120

Distances and times are road estimates; fares are indicative unless otherwise verified.

Belfast city centre

The most common trip. By taxi it is 30 to 40 minutes for roughly £25 to £40, dropping you at the door. By public transport the Airport Express 300 coach is about 40 minutes to Grand Central Station for an adult single around £8, which is the cheapest route if you are travelling light.

Antrim and Lisburn

Antrim town is the closest sizeable destination, about 5 miles and a short taxi hop, and it also has the nearest railway station on the Belfast to Derry line. Lisburn is around 16 miles to the south. Both are quicker and cheaper to reach by taxi than routing back through Belfast, and neither has a direct coach from the airport.

Belfast City Airport (BHD)

A frequent mix-up: travellers book the wrong Belfast airport. George Best Belfast City (BHD) is about 22 miles from Belfast International, a 35 to 45 minute drive. If you land at BFS but need BHD, budget for a cross-city taxi rather than assuming a short transfer.

The Causeway Coast and Derry

For Portrush, the Giant's Causeway or Derry, you are looking at a longer run north or north-west, 55 to 80 minutes by car. There is no direct airport coach, so a taxi or an onward connection from Belfast is the practical choice. Confirm the fare in advance for these longer trips.

Routes FAQs

How far is Belfast International from Belfast city centre? About 18 miles, or 28 km, north-west of the centre, a 30 to 40 minute drive via the M2 and A57.

How do I get from Belfast International to the Giant's Causeway? There is no direct airport coach. Take a taxi for the 55 to 70 minute drive, or connect via Belfast. Confirm the fare in advance.

How far apart are Belfast International and Belfast City Airport? About 22 miles, a 35 to 45 minute drive. They are separate airports and easy to confuse when booking.

Is there a taxi fare board at the airport? No fixed fares are published by the airport, so fares are metered or quoted. Confirm the price with fonaCAB or Value Cabs when you book.

More: Overview, Taxis, Public transport, Parking, Drop-off, FAQs.

Getting a taxi or transfer Need a door-to-door taxi? For fixed-price, flight-tracked transfers to and from Belfast International Airport, we recommend 247 UK Airport Taxi. Your fare is fixed and quoted before you travel, so drop-off charges, night surcharges and traffic never change what you pay.

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.