Visa Information

Depending on your nationality, you may require a visa to travel to the United Kingdom (UK), which includes Northern Ireland. It is your responsibility to check your visa requirements and obtain the appropriate travel documents in advance.

Important Notes:

  • Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, and UK visa rules apply.
  • If you are entering via Dublin Airport (Republic of Ireland), you must ensure you have the correct visas to enter Ireland and to cross into Northern Ireland (e.g. you may need to obtain visas from both Ireland and the United Kingdom).
  • A Republic of Ireland visa is not valid for travel into Northern Ireland or the rest of the UK.
  • Visa processing times can vary, so we recommend applying well in advance of your travel dates.

Resources:

If you require an invitation letter for visa purposes, please contact the event organisers as soon as possible.

Getting to Belfast

✈️ By Air

Belfast has two airports:

  • Belfast City Airport (BHD) – 10 minutes from the city centre.
  • Belfast International Airport (BFS) – 30–40 minutes from the city centre.

You can fly directly into Belfast from major hubs such as London Heathrow, Manchester, Amsterdam, and others.

From Belfast City Airport:

  • Taxi to city centre: ~£15–£20 (10–15 mins)
  • Bus service (Airport Express 600) to city centre: £2.50–£3.00

From Belfast International Airport:

  • Taxi to city centre: ~£35–£45 (30 mins)
  • Bus service (Airport Express 300) to city centre: £8–£10

By Car:

  • Car hire is available at both Airports.

✈️ Via Dublin Airport (DUB)

Dublin Airport is just 90 minutes from Belfast and serves as a major international gateway. Once you land in Dublin, you have several easy options to reach Belfast:

By Coach:

Recommended Option: We recommend travelling by coach from Dublin Airport to Belfast as the most frequent, convenient, and cost-effective option.

  • Services available: Translink Goldline X1, Aircoach 705X, or Dublin Express – Direct service to Belfast city centre.
  • Runs hourly, journey time ~2 hours.
  • Tickets: £10–£16 (one-way). Return tickets are available at a discounted rate and may offer better value. Pre-book online for the best prices.

By Train:

  • Taxi or bus from Dublin Airport to Dublin Connolly Station. Bus connections are frequent and typically more cost-effective than taxis; we recommend using a bus service where possible.
  • Then take the Enterprise train to Belfast Grand Central Station (~2 hours).
  • Tickets: £15–£30 depending on time/day. Advance booking is recommended for the best fares.

By Car:

  • Car hire is available at Dublin Airport but ensure that you have permission to drive the car into Northern Ireland from the car hire company. An additional charge may be applied.
  • Drive north via the M1 motorway (~90 minutes to Belfast).