Transportation

What is the best/ easiest way to get from Galway to Belfast. We do not want to rent a vehicle?

Hi Janice,

Both lovely locations! The quickest route from Galway City to Belfast is via Dublin. You can travel by coach, rail, or a combination. Travel time varies from roughly 5 to 6 hours. Transport for Ireland's Journey Planner is a great tool for figuring out the different routes, modes of transport available, and timetables. Simply enter the desired data, time, starting point, and destination. Tourism Ireland's page on Public Transport contains plenty of practical information and links to further resources that might come in handy. 

Visitors to Northern Ireland from outside the UK need an Electronic Travel Authorisation before entering the country. It is a pretty straightforward and quick process, but important to remember.  

Give me a shout if you need any other recommendations about getting from Galway to Belfast, or anything else for that matter. :)

Best wishes,
Lauri

Hi again,

I realize I didn't say which option is easiest or best! Both coach and train are viable options requiring a change in Dublin. However, the simplest and most convenient, in my opinion, is a direct bus from Galway to Dublin Airport, followed by another direct bus (Aircoach or Dublin Express) from the airport to Belfast. This avoids traveling into Dublin city centre and the transfer time between train stations.

Best wishes, 
Lauri