Your driver will meet you at your address in Dublin.
Door-to-door service
Help with your luggage
Trip
You’ll travel in comfort for 2 hours.
Optional sight-seeing
Clean, comfortable car
Professional driver
Bottled water
Child seats
Prepared for handicapped
Smoke-free
Pet friendly
Drop-off
Your driver will drop you off at your address in Belfast.
Door-to-door service
Help with your luggage
In total
166 km2 hours
Questions & Answers about Traveling from Dublin to Belfast
What is the distance from Dublin to Belfast?
The road distance from Dublin to Belfast is only 87 miles, so you should reach your destination in two hours by car. However, traveling during peak traffic or in poor weather conditions can increase the journey time by an additional 45 minutes.
Can I travel from Dublin to Belfast by train?
Irish Rail provides an average of eight direct trains from Dublin to Belfast a day and even more indirect services. The journey will take around 2 hours and 13 minutes from Dublin Connolly Station to Belfast Lanyon Place. Check the timetable online and book your ticket more than 30 days before your departure date for the best deals.
Is it worth visiting Belfast?
Belfast is one of Europe's most underrated cities and is definitely worth visiting. The area has something to offer everyone, from lively nightlife to intriguing museums, mouthwatering food markets, and busy shopping lanes.
What is the best way to travel from Dublin to Belfast?
A private car with Daytrip is by far the best way to travel from Dublin to Belfast. Our door-to-door service is the quickest, most comfortable, and most convenient mode of transport. Your professional driver will manage any luggage and drop you off directly at your new address in Belfast. Plus, it's the only option where you can easily stop for sightseeing!
Is the train ride from Dublin to Belfast scenic?
The train is a scenic way to get from Dublin to Belfast. The ride travels along Ireland's Ancient East, hugging the rugged coastline. The 25-mile stretch from Malahide to Drogheda is particularly picturesque. Be sure to book a train during daylight hours to admire the views.
Are there flights from Dublin to Belfast?
As of 2024, no direct flights are available between Dublin Airport and Belfast Airport. You can book a connecting flight, stopping at Liverpool or Manchester. But the journey will take between four and six hours to complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any questions, here are the answers.
Daytrip is the most convenient way to experience 14,600+ cities around the world.
Every traveler deserves real insight into the cultures of the countries they’re visiting. And every amazing place on Earth deserves to be visited and appreciated. We believe unique local knowledge and real human connection are irreplaceable when it comes to truly comprehending another culture.
While traveling on a small island of nature floating in the Atlantic Ocean, you wouldn't expect to find two separate nations soaked in troubled pasts. But on a unique 87-mile car trip from Dublin to Belfast, you'll travel from the bustling lanes of the republic's capital and across the imaginary border line to the historic paths of Northern Ireland's headquarters.
After navigating through the red brick lanes of Dublin, the famous Irish countryside will quickly surround you. From the soft rolling fields to the lush woodlands spreading their unspoiled fragrance, various shades of green conceal the breathtaking natural wonders. The quaint villages scattered en route are a break from the continuous greenery until dominating shipyards and bright lights appear in the distinctive Belfast cityscape.
This awe-inspiring journey is studded with picture-perfect scenery and contrasting ways of life. Only five decades ago, this would have been a nerve-wracking experience. But today, the trip along the Land of a Thousand Welcomes is ready to greet you with open arms and display its exciting offerings. To embark on this stunning road trip, keep reading our extensive Dublin to Belfast Guide for tips, tricks, and the best mode of transport between the two regions!
About Belfast
After driving from Dublin to Belfast, you'll have crossed the frontier and entered Northern Ireland's largest and most populous city. Over 345,000 locals live along the flowing waters of the River Lagan, located in the north of the island and the east of the nation. The area even got its name from its spot along the river, Béal Feirste, translating to the mouth of the sandbanks.
Official Language: English and Irish
Currency: Pound sterling
Climate: Oceanic
Time zone: GMT
Plug type: Type G
Peak tourist season: July and August
### Historic Belfast
Tribes have inhabited the area surrounding Belfast since the Stone Age. However, modern-day Belfast began in the 1610s, when the then-ruler of the land, Baron Arthur Chichester, constructed a fort to prevent barbaric tribes from attacking the land.
His wishes were answered, and the town that grew around the fort began to prosper due to its strategic position for trade along the Irish Sea. The waters were always pivotal to success in Belfast. Its most notable feat was contributing to the construction of the iconic Titanic ship for almost 2.5 years with the help of around 3,000 shipyard workers.
Unfortunately, Belfast's history is most known for its political and social unrest, notably during The Troubles. This was arguably the most turbulent period in the island's history between unionists and nationalists that lasted from the 1960s to the turn of the millennia.
### Modern Belfast
Fortunately, Belfast emerged from the rubble of the previous century after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.
Today, the city is a hotbed of culture with a unique atmosphere unlike anywhere else on the planet. The bars are constantly alive with the sound of live music in the Cathedral Quarter, culture oozes from its world-class museums and galleries, and murals bursting with colors and voicing opinions all contribute to its welcoming yet distinctive vibe.
But Belfast isn't standing on its toes. It's looking far into the future by building a robust tourism structure to welcome you and almost 1 million other tourists annually. It's also focusing on becoming a greener and more sustainable city by developing its urban parks and financing bike lanes and public transportation. All features that'll improve the lives of locals and tourists when they visit!
From Dublin to Belfast: Travel Tips
Though you can drive from Dublin to Belfast in under two hours, some tips will make your voyage even more relaxing and worthwhile. Luckily, our drivers with in-depth local knowledge want to share with you some travel hacks!
Consider the Weather
Even if you look out your Dublin hotel window and see clear skies, don't be surprised if you see rain while driving to Belfast. Ireland is notorious for its ever-changing weather, and the further north you travel, the colder and wetter it gets. Even in the summer, you should pack a waterproof jacket and an umbrella.
### Prepare for Changes
Despite only 78 miles separating Dublin and Belfast, there's a range of cultural, social, and financial differences. The cities are in differing nations, and unlike the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom.
As a result, you'll change from euros to pounds and kilometers to miles per hour. Fortunately, both nations speak English as an official language, but you should also read up on other factors, including the nightlife and tipping cultures.
### Go Sightseeing
Remarkably, 99% of the Republic of Ireland is rural, which means near-endless picturesque landscapes. However, this also means public transportation is infrequent. If you plan on traveling to sites from Belfast, you may need to take multiple connecting buses or trains. In return, you'll cut deep into your time to explore the city.
There are several interesting towns and attractions, so why not stop en route? The most sought-after is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Newgrange, a funerary landscape predating the Great Pyramid of Giza!
How to Get From Dublin to Belfast
Three modes of transportation are available for setting sail on a relaxing cruise along the island's east coast, from Dublin to Belfast. Each has unique advantages, so there's one to suit your needs and preferences!
### Bus from Dublin to Belfast
If you're traveling on a budget, the bus is the best way to get from Dublin to Belfast. Several companies, such as Aircoach, Dublin Coach, and Dublin Express, offer a reliable service with modern conveniences and affordable prices.
Buses depart from Custom House Quay, a short walk along the river from Dublin O'Connell Street, and arrive at Glengall Street, opposite Great Victoria Train Station. The journey lasts around 2.5 hours and costs between €11 and €14 one-way.
### Train from Dublin to Belfast
The train is a quick and popular mode of transportation for locals and commuters to get from Dublin to Belfast. Numerous direct trains run throughout the day, taking as little as 2 hours and 11 minutes. However, you can also take an indirect service, explore the charming village of Portadown, and experience everyday life for the locals.
The most vital factor to remember is that Dublin has two train stations, but only departures from Dublin Connolly will take you north to Belfast. Another important thing to remember is that you can only purchase tickets to Belfast on the Republic of Ireland's train provider, Irish Rail.
Average journey time: 2 hours, 13 minutes
Lowest ticket price: €14
Average ticket price: €18
Number of direct trains: 8
* Hour of first and last departure: 7:35 a.m.–9:06 p.m.
### Daytrip Private Car from Dublin to Belfast
Daytrip's private door-to-door car service is the quickest, most comfortable, and most convenient way to get from Dublin to Belfast. In just two hours, your English-speaking driver will speed through Dublin's busy lanes, along Leinster's dramatic coastline, and into the heart of Northern Ireland.
However, a ride with Daytrip is also the most adventurous way to travel. Our optional sightseeing package lets you venture into the beautiful terrain and soak up the natural beauty and man-made wonders. You can explore Tollymore Forest Park, featured in Game of Thrones, learn about the region's past at the Irish Military War Museum, and so much more!
Don't worry about dragging suitcases through the museums. They'll be safely stored in the trunk of your vehicle!
Things to Do When You Get to Belfast
Dublin's late-night bars and high-rise buildings overshadowed its northern neighbor for decades. However, Northern Ireland is slowly establishing itself on the tourist map. To find out why, put these things to do on your timetable when you get to Belfast.
### Get Lost in the Titanic Museum
Not visiting the Titanic Museum in Belfast is like going to Dublin and not sampling a pint of Guinness. The city and locals were responsible for creating the world's most renowned ship.
You can learn about its extraordinary history inside this modern museum with nine interactive galleries. As a bonus, you can get a fun history lecture on Belfast's maritime history.
An adult ticket will set you back almost €30. But you can easily spend the entire day in this expansive setting.
### Eat Through St. George’s Market
Out of all the Victorian markets in Belfast, St. George’s is the only one still standing today. The historic building is like stepping into a time machine. The eye-catching red bricks shelter traditional market stalls, servicing local delicacies and selling handmade goods.
The carefree vibe also adds to the nostalgic charm. Since it's only open on weekends, families and friends meet up to enjoy quality time and share tales of the week.
### Visit the Ulster Museum
If you're looking for something to do on a rainy day in Belfast, put the Ulster Museum at the top of your to-do list. You'll uncover diverse art, history, and science displays while staying warm and dry from the elements. There are also daily events, so check their website before you arrive in town.
After a thrilling educational lesson, you can unwind in the pretty botanical gardens attached to the museum.
### Take a Black Cab Tour
There's only one way to truly experience the good, bad, and worst of Belfast's past: a black cab tour. These guided tours offer insight from knowledgeable local drivers, providing a deeper understanding of Belfast's history and heritage.
You'll see all of Belfast's most pivotal historical and cultural sites. Some of the most influential are the Peace Walls, Falls Road, Shankill Road, Stormont, and Crumlin Road Gaol.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Belfast?
Northern Ireland's capital is a fascinating city at any point of the year, from the stunning Christmas markets in the winter to the blooming nature in the spring. Yet, since it's not a sought-after beach destination, summer is the best time to travel from Dublin to Belfast.
Temperatures from June to August reach their peak, hitting 72°F during the daytime. In the evening, the climate is still pleasant for sitting out in a beer garden and indulging in the festive environment.
Locals and tourists take advantage of the longer days and warmer weather, creating a carnival atmosphere in the cozy lanes and al fresco eateries. Mix in the endless music and cuisine festivals, and the area transforms into a melting pot of excitement!
Visit these sights on the way
Drogheda
The former home of the Irish Parliament proudly is the proud home of the national shrine of St. Oliver Plunkett. A Saintly Status
Newgrange
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most important examples of prehistoric megalithic art in all of Europe. Massive Ancient Art
Irish Military War Museum
With weapons handling and tank lessons, this museum offers an immersive look at Ireland’s role in both World Wars. Tension Tanks
Monasterboice
Covering the grounds of an early medieval monastery, this historic cemetery is home to the finest high cross in all of Ireland. Buried on High
Tollymore Forest Park
Featured in Game of Thrones, this wonderful woodland is filled with Romantic follies. Follies of Fantasy
Hillsborough Castle and Gardens
This Georgian manor offers a look into the private lives of the British Royal Family. Her Majesty’s Manor
“I used this service for a transfer from Split in Croatia to Perast Montenegro. My experience was exceptional. My driver Bojan was helpful, informative and ensured my journey was comfortable and enjoyable. I highly recommend the service.”
“We were extremely satisfied with the quality of service we received from Day Trip. We had two Day Trip rides on August 31 from Athens to Lefkada and September 7 from Lefkada back to Athens. Both trips included stops at scenic sites in Greece. Both drivers were excellent and accommodating. However, we’d especially like to recognize Panos Peppas, who was our driver from Lefkada to Athens. Panos was incredibly nice & pleasant and delivered outstanding customer service, which included handling all of luggage, providing us with cold waters throughout the trip, providing us protein bars, providing us with printed materials on the Corinth Canal (one of scenic stops), looking up and providing us with terminal & gate info for our flight back home and providing us with a recipe for tzatziki.”
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traveler Daydream20046758137
“We absolutely love this company and have used it many times over the years to get from A to B without the hassle of hiring a car ourselves. Excellent drivers every time. Efficient and professional. It’s worth every penny and we can honestly recommend Day Trip to everyone. It’s 5 star rating is well deserved.”
“We traveled from Nuremberg to Munich in a beautiful Audi. Driver picked us at our hotel at the exact time requested. Got us to Munich in plenty of time for our next tour. Driver made sure we were comfortable”
“Gonzalo from daytrip was our driver and he was absolutely amazing. He went over and beyond trying to locate us as our service wasn't so good on our phones. He patiently awaited our arrival to the lobby so he could take us from Tulum Dreams Resort to our other hotel in cancun an hour and a half away near the airport prior to our departure flight home. He was polite, respectful and kind. Made sure we were comfortable during our long ride. Fast and to the point. I recommend this company as finding a one way ride from Tulum to Cancun isn't easy or cheap and this company provides a great service for a great price. I will definitely be using them again whenever I'm in the Cancun/Tulum area. Thank you DayTrip and Gonzola.”
“We were picked up by Marianna to drive us from Heraklion to Chania. The weather was terrible & due to this Marianna arrived a few minutes late. She contacted me to advise of this. Marianna lives in Chana and she made our trip very interesting by informing us of local things to do and see in Chania. Marianna is a safe driver and we all felt comfortable with the speed she drove at and how good her driving was in heavy rain. She is a lovely person with fluent English. We highly recommend Daytrips and if you are in Heraklion or Chania please make sure you ask for Marianna.”
“Used the service to go from Luxor to Hurghada, Egypt. Ahmed H was our driver and he was perfect. The car was new, clean, he had water and snacks for us, and accommodated our stops. Great service from him and would recommend it.”
“We just had two wonderful Daytrip experiences in Ireland - our first driver, Mick, was a delight! Though we were just traveling from Dublin to Belfast, he regaled us with interesting stories, some history, and a short trip off the highway to see the beautiful high cross at Monasterboice. Our second driver, Joseph, who took us from Belfast to Dublin, was a consummate professional and extremely courteous.
All in all, our Daytrip experience was flexible, personalized, and flawlessly executed. Our drivers were in touch via text and phone, the payment was easy, and when we needed to make small changes, the email crew was exceptional.”
“We decided to hire a car service to take us from Dublin to Belfast for convenience purposes and we were in a bit of a time crunch. DayTrip did a great job, including finding us a driver last minute after we inadvertently booked this for the following week. This was a very smooth trip and our driver, Ravdeep, did a great job. The car was clean, Ravdeep knew where he was going, there was no traffic. We paid a bit more to make a stop at Hillsborough House right outside of Belfast, and Ravdeep was waiting for us when we finished. We got to our hotel right on time. So we were happy with the whole experience and I would recommend this. I would say that the drive is not very scenic and the cost of a private car is not cheap (we took the train on the way back), but worth it in some situations.”
“We booked a trip from Belfast to Dublin because we wanted a relaxing trip back before our return home and we had a stop we wanted to make on the way. Our driver, Ektor, arrived early right out the front door of our accommodations and helped with our heavy baggage! He made a convenient stop for us at a rest area to grab some coffee and use the restroom before our scheduled stop at Monasterboice. It was a beautiful place and we were pleased to learn it was Ektor's first time there as well! We were dropped off right at the front door to our hotel at the airport and, again, he helped us with our bags up the stairs. I would definitely book Daytrip again. It was wonderful to have it be just us and was very comfortable and relaxing prior to our 13 hour flight home!”
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traveler mtcatsfan
Good to know
Children
If you’re traveling with children, make sure to let us know in the booking so we can get the appropriate child seats ready!
Pets
Pets are allowed (and loved)! We just need to know beforehand. You can tell us about them in the next phase of the booking.
Tips
Gratuity isn’t included or required, but if you really enjoyed your trip, you can show your driver your appreciation with an optional tip (10% is sufficient).
Luggage
Big luggage
29x21x11 inches
74x53x28 cm
Small luggage
22x14x9 inches
56x36x23 cm
Each passenger is allowed to have one checked bag and one carry on. If you’re traveling with more bags or oversized luggage, you can adjust this while booking.
Payment methods
Pay by credit card online, or in cash directly to your driver!
Daytrip is a platform that connects you with local drivers who will transport you door-to-door, from one city to the next. We also give you the opportunity to explore sights/attractions along the way. We drive, you discover.
Yes! A return trip will take you back to your city of origin in the same size car in which you arrived. Return trips can be booked for the any day. You can also add customized sightseeing stops separately for each trip! Don’t worry if you don’t know your exact address at the time of booking - you’ll have the opportunity to update us closer to your travel date. Make sure to select “Return” when you start the booking process, then choose the dates and times of your departures.
For private trips, you can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure. For the Daytrip Pool shared shuttle, we offer 3 ticket options when booking: Non-refundable, Flexible with cancellations 24 hours before departure, and Super-flexible with cancellations up to 15 minutes before departure.
Simply choose your origin and destination via our homepage and enter your departure date and time. Browse and add sightseeing stops along the way by following the booking instructions provided on-screen. Select “One Way” or “Return” to change the type of trip you need. It’s a simple, easy, and fun way to book your next adventure! And if you don’t see your desired route on our website, you can request a custom trip. You can even book without knowing your exact pick-up or drop-off address - we let you add these later!
Each passenger is allowed one large bag (29" x 21" x 11" / 74 x 53 x 28 cm) and one small bag (22" x 14" x 9" / 56 x 36 x 23 cm). Luxury sedans can only accommodate 2 large bags. We always send the vehicle that is the best fit for you and your luggage, so make sure to select the actual amount of luggage you are traveling with when booking. If you have oversized luggage, or are unsure if your luggage will fit, contact us.
Everywhere except the USA, drivers will supply appropriate child seats (just let us know during booking). In the USA, certain states require you to supply your own child seats.
