If you’re looking for an easy city day trip from Dublin, Belfast is a brilliant one to have on your list.
It’s close enough that you can get there and back in a day without spending most of the day travelling.
I’ve visited Belfast a few times – once to visit a friend, once to show my mum the sights, and most recently to see the Foo Fighters!
Belfast has a completely different energy to Dublin. It’s smaller, easier to get around, and packed with history, murals, brilliant pubs, Victorian architecture, and of course its Titanic connections.
And yes, you can absolutely do it as a day trip, especially if you’re happy with an early start and a fairly full day.
I’ve always thought Belfast makes a really interesting contrast to Dublin. Dublin has the Georgian squares, busy shopping streets, literary history and that constant hum of people going somewhere. Belfast on the other hand has the shipyards, political history, mountain backdrop, grand old buildings and streets where the past is still very visible.
So, if you’re wondering whether a day trip from Dublin to Belfast is worth it, how to get there, what to do when you arrive, and whether you should stay overnight instead, I’ve got you covered with this detailed guide.
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Belfast Day Trip Overview
Where is Belfast?
Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland, sitting on the east coast where the River Lagan meets Belfast Lough. It’s north of Dublin, close to the coast, and backed by the Cave Hill, which is one of the reasons the city has such a distinct setting.
FYI, Belfast is technically in the UK, not the Republic of Ireland, so you’ll need to remember this for a few practical things like currency, phone roaming, and the fact that you’ll be crossing an invisible border.
Don’t worry, there’s no actual passport-control. You might just spot the road signs have changed.
Belfast itself is fairly compact, which makes it a good choice for a day trip. A lot of the main sights are either walkable from the centre or easy to reach by taxi, bus or tour.
Distance from Dublin to Belfast
Dublin and Belfast are around 169 km apart by road, or about 105 miles (we use kilometers in the south, but miles in the north – I know… confusing).
Typical Travel Time Each Way
The Dublin to Belfast journey usually takes around 2.5 hours each way, depending on how you travel.
- Train: the service from Dublin Connolly to Belfast Grand Central takes between 2 hours and 8 minutes and 2 hours and 40 minutes.
- Bus or coach: journey times are similar. The Aircoach and the Dublin Express routes from Dublin to Belfast typically take around 2 hours and 30 minutes.
- Car: is also possible and usually takes about 2 hours in good traffic.
Best Time to Visit Belfast
Belfast works as a day trip year-round, but spring and early autumn are probably the sweet spots. You’ll usually get milder weather, decent daylight, and fewer crowds than peak summer.
Summer gives you the longest days, which is handy if you want to squeeze in Titanic Belfast, a Black Taxi Tour, the Cathedral Quarter, City Hall and a proper meal without sprinting around. The downside is that this is also when popular tours and attractions are busier, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Winter can still be worth it, especially if you’re more interested in pubs, museums, food and city wandering than long outdoor walks. Just keep in mind that daylight is shorter and the weather can be very Irish. By which I mean: possibly fine, possibly sideways rain, possibly both before lunch.
Why I Use Airalo eSIM When Travelling
I’ve started using Airalo on most of my trips now, mainly because it removes the hassle of sorting out data when I arrive in a new city.
It’s a digital SIM card, meaning I don’t need to insert anything into my phone (unlike local SIMs). I just need to install the eSIM before I travel and as soon as I land, I’ve got data.
Here’s what I generally use it for:
• Google Maps
• Checking train and bus times
• Booking activities or looking up opening times
It’s not at all complicated to set up. You buy a data plan in the app, follow a few steps to install it, and then switch it on when you arrive.
How to Take a Day Trip from Dublin to Belfast
You’ve got a few ways to get from Dublin to Belfast, all pretty straightforward. This is actually one of the easiest day trips from Dublin, especially if you’re sticking to Belfast city rather than trying to squeeze in other Northern Ireland gems like the Giant’s Causeway or Carrick-a-Rede.
Option 1: Dublin to Belfast by Train
Taking the train from Dublin to Belfast is probably the easiest option if you want a relaxed city-to-city day trip and flexibility.
The train runs between Dublin Connolly and Belfast Grand Central. During the week, you’ll find hourly trains running from Dublin to Belfast and vice versa. At the weekend, the train runs every 2 hours.
The journey takes anything from 2 hours and 8 minutes to 2 hours 40 minutes each way, so it’s very doable for a day trip.
I always recommend booking train tickets in advance, especially if you’re travelling at the weekend or during peak hours. You’d be surprised how many people commute from outside of Dublin due to the cost of living there.
You’ll also want to check the return times before you go, because the last thing you need is to be standing in Belfast Grand Central at night, realising your spontaneous little day trip has turned into an unplanned overnight stay. Don’t worry, I’ll give you some accommodation options later on the off chance this happens.
Option 2: Dublin to Belfast by Bus or Coach
The bus is the cheapest way to take a day trip from Dublin to Belfast, so, depending on where you’re starting from, it could be the best option for you.
Aircoach runs its 705X service between Dublin city, Dublin Airport, Belfast and Derry/Londonderry, with tons of daily departures. Dublin Express is another option. Both options take around 2 hours 30 minutes, so it’s not that much longer than taking the train.
This is a really good option if you’re staying in Dublin city or near Dublin Airport, or if you’re trying to keep costs down.
The only thing I’d say is to check exactly where your coach leaves from and arrives into. Dublin has a few departure points depending on the company, and Belfast has changed a lot transport-wise in recent years with the opening of Belfast Grand Central.
Check departure locations and timings for busses to Belfast here!
Option 3: Dublin to Belfast by Guided Tour
I’m a big fan of guided tours. Especially if I don’t have the brain capacity to plan an entire day’s travel (lack of sleep while travelling does this to me). So that’s when I tend to book a guided tour.
The good thing about guided tours is that you don’t need to do any of the heavy lifting yourself. You’ll be collected from your accommodation (depending on where you’re staying), transported to Belfast in a comfortable coach or car and you’ll have an experienced guide with you all along the way.
The only thing with a guided day trip from Dublin to Belfast is that they’ll usually add on other stops along the Antrim coast, which is great if you want to pack in as much of Northern Ireland as possible into one day of travel. But just bear in mind this will limit the time you get to spend in Belfast.
This highly rated tour includes Belfast, Giant’s Causeway (definitely worth a visit!), Dunluce Castle and Dark Hedges.
If your main goal is to see Belfast city, there are small group private day trips from Dublin.
Dublin to Belfast by Car
If you’re up for an adventure and like to do things by yourself, I recommend renting a car in Dublin and take the 2 hour drive to Belfast.
The route is fairly straightforward, mostly following the M1/N1/A1. There’s no physical border checkpoint between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, so the crossing itself is pretty uneventful.
You’ll just suddenly notice road signs and speed limits switch to miles per hour instead of kilometres per hour. A small but important detail!
Driving makes sense if you want to stop somewhere on the way and visit places outside the city, or continue along the Causeway Coastal Route.
Find the best car rental deals in Dublin
My Take on Getting from Dublin to Belfast for a Day Trip
For a first-time Belfast day trip from Dublin, I think travelling independently by train or coach gives you more flexibility. But if you’re nervous about logistics or you want to combine Belfast with the Causeway Coast, a guided tour can make the day easier.
Why I Book With Get Your Guide
I use GetYourGuide for almost all my activities when I’m travelling, mainly for these reasons:
‣ Free cancellation on most bookings: Plans change. It’s good to know you can cancel and get a refund if needed.
‣ Clear, detailed listings: You can see exactly what’s included, how long it takes, where to go, and what to expect before you book.
‣ Verified reviews: Makes it easier to avoid wasting time or money on something that isn’t worth it.
‣ Instant confirmation: Especially useful if you’re booking things last minute.
‣ Mobile tickets: No printing, no collecting tickets, everything is on your phone.
What to See and Do on a Day Trip to Belfast
- Visit Titanic Belfast – Belfast’s most famous attraction, set right beside the slipways where the Titanic was built, with interactive galleries covering the city’s shipbuilding history and the story of the ship itself.
- See the Peace Walls and political murals – One of the most important things to do in Belfast if you want to understand the city’s more recent history beyond the usual tourist highlights.
- Take a Black Taxi Tour – A brilliant way to see the murals, Peace Walls and key neighbourhoods with a local guide who can give proper context rather than leaving you to stare at walls and guess.
- Walk around Belfast City Hall – A grand Baroque Revival building right in the centre of the city, with gardens, memorials and free public areas if you want a quick look inside.
- Explore the Cathedral Quarter – Belfast’s best area for cobbled streets, street art, pubs, restaurants and that very important day-trip activity: finding somewhere decent to eat.
- Pop into St George’s Market – A gorgeous Victorian covered market with food stalls, local produce, crafts and live music on certain days, though it’s best visited Friday to Sunday.
- Have a drink in The Crown Liquor Saloon – Belfast’s most famous pub, known for its ornate tiles, carved wood, stained glass and little snugs that are far more interesting than your average pint stop.
Is a Day Trip from Dublin to Belfast Worth It or Should You Stay Overnight?
A day trip from Dublin to Belfast is absolutely worth it! Especially if you’re mainly interested in seeing the city highlights.
The travel time is manageable, and Belfast is compact enough that you can cover a lot in one day without feeling rushed.
For a first visit, you could easily fit in Titanic Belfast, a Black Taxi Tour, Belfast City Hall, the Cathedral Quarter, the Peace Walls and a proper pub stop. That’s a pretty solid day out, and enough to get a good sense of the city.
That said, if you want to see further outside the city – aka the Giant’s Causeway and the Antrim Coast – I’d stay overnight.
If you do decide to stay overnight, here are a few good Belfast hotel options to look at:
- Luxury: The Merchant Hotel – A grand five-star hotel in the Cathedral Quarter, set in the former Ulster Bank headquarters, with seriously ornate interiors
- Mid-range: Tara Lodge – A highly rated hotel in the Queen’s Quarter, around a 10-minute walk from the city centre, with stylish rooms and fantastic reviews
- Budget: Vagabonds Hostel – A sociable, well-rated hostel in the Queen’s Quarter, close to Queen’s University, Botanic Gardens and plenty of cafés and pubs.
Search for more highly rated hotels in Belfast here!
Personally, I’d say if you don’t have much time to spend in Belfast, just do a day trip from Dublin, but if you have more flexibility, I recommend staying overnight.
Staying in Ireland for a few days? Check out my 2-day Dublin itinerary and 6-day Irish road trip.
