Bus Travel

Northern Ireland's main bus company, Ulsterbus, operates direct Goldline service—superior express buses with modern, comfortable seats—between Dublin and Belfast. Bus Éireann runs direct service to Belfast from Dublin, calling at Dublin Airport. The ride takes three hours; both company's buses arrive at Belfast's Europa Buscentre, just behind the Europa Hotel. The Aircoach operates a direct service every hour from Belfast to Dublin airport and takes two hours. If you are planning a trip to the Giant's Causeway from Belfast by bus then Translink operates a special daily Goldline coach service (No. 221) on this route from April to October for £12.50.

You can take advantage of frequent and inexpensive Ulsterbus links between all Northern Ireland towns. If you want to tour the North by bus and train, contact Translink: an iLink ticket allows unlimited travel on bus or train (£16 per day, or £58 per week; it costs £1 to buy the card). Best buy: the Sunday Rambler Ticket, from 9:30 am for £9.50 for unlimited travel on all scheduled Ulsterbus services.

Contacts

Bus Éireann. Dublin, Co. Dublin. 01/836–6111; www.buseireann.ie.

Europa Buscentre. Great Victoria St., Golden Mile, Belfast, Co. Down, BT12 5AH. 028/9066–6630; www.translink.co.uk.

Translink Ulsterbus. Glengall St., Belfast, Co. Down. 028/9066–6630; www.translink.co.uk/ulsterbus.