Anyone who’s landed at Dublin Airport with Belfast as their next stop knows the first real decision isn’t which pub to visit — it’s how to make the 170-kilometre journey north. With direct coaches, a train via the city centre, and the option to drive, the choice can feel overwhelming. Dublin Express claims the fastest bus journey at 1 hour 45 minutes, while Aircoach offers a 24-hour service from as little as €9. This guide breaks down every option so you can pick what fits your schedule and wallet.

4 related posts

Fastest bus journey: 1 hour 45 minutes (Dublin Express) ·
Cheapest bus fare: €15.50 one-way (Dublin Express) ·
Driving time: 1 hour 35 minutes ·
Driving cost: £24–£35

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact departure points at Dublin Airport for each operator may change – verify on operator websites (Aircoach blog – medium confidence)
  • Timetable frequencies can vary by season; always check the latest schedule (Aircoach blog – medium confidence)
  • Aircoach’s stated hourly frequency may not be maintained during off-peak hours (Aircoach blog – medium confidence)
3Timeline signal
  • Dublin Express: first coach 05:50, last coach 00:50 (Dublin Express)
  • Aircoach: up to 34 express services daily to/from Belfast (Aircoach)
  • Translink Goldliner X1: hourly departures (summer 2024 half-hourly reported) (Belfast Media)
4What’s next
  • Book online to guarantee a seat, especially during peak hours
  • Check holiday schedules (Aircoach runs 364 days; Dublin Express may reduce service)
  • For combined rail tickets, factor in transfer time from airport to city centre

How do I get from Dublin Airport to Belfast?

Bus options from Dublin Airport to Belfast

  • Dublin Express – direct coach, 1h45, from €15.50 (Dublin Express)
  • Aircoach Route 705X – 24-hour service, ~2h, from €9 (Aircoach)
  • Translink Goldliner X1/X2 – hourly departures, ~2h30, from £15 (Translink Goldline)
  • Dublin Coach M1 Express – from €10 single, regular intervals (Dublin Coach M1)

Train connection via Dublin city centre

No direct train runs from Dublin Airport to Belfast. Travelers must take a bus (Dublin Bus 16, 41, or Aircoach) or a taxi to Dublin Connolly station – about 30 minutes. From there, the Enterprise train runs to Belfast Lanyon Place in roughly 2 hours (Translink Enterprise). Total journey time including transfer: 2h45–3h.

Car rental and driving directions

Driving from Dublin Airport to Belfast is the fastest option at about 1 hour 35 minutes via the M1 motorway. Fuel and tolls cost between £24 and £35 each way (Rome2Rio cost estimate). Car rental desks are available at both terminals.

The trade-off

Driving saves time but adds parking costs in Belfast city centre – £15–£25 per day depending on the car park. For a day trip, the bus often wins on total cost.

Is there a direct train from Dublin Airport to Belfast?

Airport to city centre rail link (DART / Dublin Bus)

Dublin Airport has no rail station. The closest DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) stop is Clontarf or Howth Junction, but both require a bus connection. The most practical transfer is Dublin Bus route 41 to Connolly station (30 min, €2.50) (Dublin Bus).

Enterprise train Dublin Connolly to Belfast Lanyon Place

Once at Connolly, the Enterprise departs roughly hourly. Journey time to Belfast Lanyon Place is 2 hours (Translink Enterprise). A single ticket costs about €35 if booked in advance. The train offers power sockets, a café car, and slightly more legroom than a coach.

Bottom line: No direct train exists. The bus is often simpler and cheaper – the train only makes sense if you’re already heading to Dublin city centre.

Is there an express bus from Dublin Airport to Belfast?

Dublin Express service

Dublin Express operates up to 16 daily services with a fastest journey of 1 hour 45 minutes. First coach departs at 05:50, last at 00:50 (Dublin Express). Buses stop at Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

Aircoach service

Aircoach’s Route 705X runs 34 express services daily to/from Belfast, with a journey time of just under 2 hours (Aircoach Belfast). The operator claims an hourly frequency between 10:50 and 20:50 and two-hourly outside that window (Aircoach blog).

Translink Goldliner X1

The Goldliner X1 runs hourly departures from Dublin Airport to Belfast Europa Buscentre and Grand Central. Journey time is approximately 2 hours 30 minutes. During summer 2024, Translink experimented with half-hourly departures between 06:00 and 18:30 (Belfast Media).

“Our fastest journey between Dublin Airport and Belfast is 1 hour 45 minutes.”

– Dublin Express website

Is there a 24 hour bus from Dublin Airport to Belfast?

Night services and frequency

Only Aircoach operates a 24-hour service on the Dublin–Belfast corridor. The night frequency drops to every 60–90 minutes after midnight (Aircoach timetables). Dublin Express and Translink do not run overnight.

Aircoach 24-hour route

Aircoach runs 364 days a year, stopping on Christmas Day only (Aircoach policy). Late-night departures from Dublin Airport are available at roughly 00:30, 01:30, 02:30, and 04:00 (subject to seasonal changes).

“Starting from only €9 each way… with up to 240+ services running every day.”

– Aircoach website

Which is better, Dublin Express or Aircoach?

Three major operators plus a budget alternative compete on this route. One key difference: journey time versus price and flexibility.

Operator Journey time Price (one-way) Frequency 24/7? Wi-Fi / Power
Dublin Express 1h45 from €15.50 16/day No Yes
Aircoach ~2h from €9 34/day Yes Yes
Translink Goldliner X1 ~2h30 from £15 (≈€17.50) Hourly No Limited
Dublin Coach M1 ~2h30 from €10 Every 2h No Yes

Upsides

  • Dublin Express: fastest bus, modern coaches
  • Aircoach: lowest price, 24-hour service, high frequency
  • Translink: integrated with NI rail network
  • Dublin Coach: budget option with reasonable comfort

Downsides

  • Dublin Express: no overnight service, fewer departures
  • Aircoach: slightly longer journey, variable night frequency
  • Translink: longer journey, no overnight
  • Dublin Coach: less frequent, unconfirmed Wi-Fi reliability
The upshot

If you need to travel after midnight, Aircoach is your only option. If speed matters most, Dublin Express is 15–45 minutes faster. For the absolute lowest fare, Dublin Coach’s €10 single undercuts everyone.

Additional sources

aircoach.ie, aircoach.ie, aircoach.ie, scribd.com, checkmybus.co.uk, checkmybus.co.uk

Don't miss these

Frequently asked questions

Is there a bus from Dublin Airport to Belfast City Airport?

No direct bus serves Belfast City Airport from Dublin Airport. You must take a coach to Belfast city centre (Europa Buscentre or Grand Central) and then a local bus or taxi (about 15 minutes) to Belfast City Airport. Aircoach and Dublin Express both drop at Europa Buscentre, which is close to the airport shuttle (Aircoach stops info).

What is the Dublin Airport to Belfast bus timetable?

Timetables vary by operator. Dublin Express: first bus 05:50, last 00:50. Aircoach: 24 hours with reduced frequency after midnight. Translink Goldliner: hourly 06:00–22:00. Always check the operator’s website for the latest schedule (Dublin Express timetable, Aircoach timetables).

How far in advance should I book my bus ticket?

Booking a few days ahead is recommended for peak hours (Friday–Sunday) to secure a seat and often a better price. Dublin Express and Aircoach allow online bookings up to 90 days in advance. Walk-up tickets are available but may be more expensive.

Can I use a Leap card on Aircoach or Dublin Express?

No. Leap cards are only valid on Dublin Bus, Luas, DART, and Go-Ahead Ireland services within the Dublin region. Aircoach and Dublin Express are private operators; you pay with cash, card, or online booking.

Do the buses run on public holidays?

Aircoach runs every day except Christmas Day (Aircoach policy). Dublin Express runs a reduced schedule on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Translink Goldliner operates a Sunday service on public holidays.

Is there Wi-Fi and power sockets on the coaches?

Yes. Dublin Express and Aircoach both provide free Wi-Fi and power sockets at every seat. Translink Goldliner coaches offer limited Wi-Fi and no power sockets at every seat. Dublin Coach M1 has Wi-Fi and USB ports (Dublin Express amenities).

Are there luggage restrictions on the bus from Dublin Airport to Belfast?

Most operators allow one large suitcase and one carry-on bag per passenger. Dublin Express and Aircoach both specify a maximum weight of 20 kg per bag. Oversized items (sports equipment, musical instruments) may require prior notice.