Belfast: By Train

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By Train

The Dublin-Belfast Express train, run jointly by Northern Ireland Railways and Iarnród Éireann, travels between the two cities in about two hours. Eight trains (check timetables, as some trains are much slower) run daily in each direction (five on Sunday) between Dublin and Belfast's misnamed Central Station -- it's not, in fact, that central. A free shuttle bus service from Belfast Central Station will drop you off at City Hall or Ulsterbus's city-center Europa Buscentre. You can change trains at Central Station for the city-center Great Victoria Street Station, which is adjacent to the Europa Buscentre and the Europa Hotel.

The Dublin-Belfast Express train, run jointly by Northern Ireland Railways and Iarnród Éireann, travels between the two cities in about two hours. Eight trains (check timetables, as some trains are much slower) run daily in each direction (three on Sunday) between Dublin and Belfast's misnamed Central Station -- it's not, in fact, that central. A free shuttle bus service from Belfast Central Station will drop you off at City Hall or Ulsterbus's city-center Europa Buscentre. You can change trains at Central Station for the city-center Great Victoria Street Station, which is adjacent to the Europa Buscentre and the Europa Hotel.

Northern Ireland Railways runs only four rail routes from Belfast's Central Station: northwest to Derry via Coleraine and the Causeway Coast; east to Bangor along the shore of Belfast Lough; northeast to Larne (for the P&O European ferry to Scotland) and south to Dublin. There are frequent connections to Central Station from the city-center Great Victoria Street Station and from Botanic Station in the university area. A Freedom of Northern Ireland Ticket allows unlimited travel on trains (£14 per day, £34 for three days, and £50 per week). An Irish Rover train ticket provides five days of rail travel for £109.

Train Lines

Iarnród Éireann (1850/366222 timetables. www.irishrial.ie/home). Northern Ireland Railways (28 Wellington Pl., Central District, Belfast. 02/9066-6630 Translink. www.translink.co.uk).

Train Stations

Botanic Station (Botanic Ave., University Area, Belfast. 028/9089-9411). Central Station (E. Bridge St., Golden Mile, Belfast. 028/9089-9411).