Belfast International Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended…

Belfast International is about 30 km from the centre, at Aldergrove, and there's no real cluster of hotels around the runways: anyone flying from here is almost always better off sleeping in the city and taking the Airport Express 300 bus, which leaves from Europa Buscentre and takes 30-40 minutes. It's worth staying near this terminus for a dawn flight, so as not to risk the first services; with a free evening, the neighbourhoods around the Queen's Quarter offer more choice for dinner than the city centre itself.

Europa Buscentre and surroundings

Near the airport link · The Airport Express 300 bus leaves right from Europa Buscentre and reaches the terminal in 30-40 minutes, with departures every 12-20 minutes on weekdays.

Best for: Dawn departures or late-night returns: the direct bus to the terminal leaves from and arrives here.

Pros

Airport bus terminus a few steps away, handy without a car
Shops, Royal Victoria Hospital and Great Victoria Street station nearby

Cons

The journey to the terminal is still 30-40 minutes
Fewer departures at weekends than on weekdays

Recommended hotels in this area

The Linen Mill Apartment - Pass The Keys: Loft in a former linen mill on the edge of the centre, a few minutes' walk from Europa Buscentre and the airport bus terminus.

See more hotels in this area →

Botanic / Queen's Quarter

Neighbourhood · From here Europa Buscentre is reached on foot in about 15-20 minutes or by local bus; the 300 to the terminal then takes another 30-40 minutes.

Best for: Those who want to dine away from the city centre proper, among the venues around the university.

Pros

Restaurants and cafés of Botanic Avenue and Dublin Road open late
Lively university area, different from the more touristy atmosphere of the centre

Cons

An extra stretch on foot or a local bus before reaching the airport bus
Livelier during the academic year, quieter in summer

Recommended hotels in this area

City Centre | Queens Uni | Cafes and Restaurants - Pass The Keys: Apartment on a side street off Dublin Road, among the restaurants of Botanic and Queen's: a 5-minute walk from both the centre and the university.

See more hotels in this area →

Ormeau / South Botanic

Neighbourhood · The neighbourhood is about 5 minutes by car from Europa Buscentre, from where the Airport Express 300 bus leaves for the terminal (30-40 minutes).

Best for: Those travelling in a group who want an independent house, a few minutes' drive from the centre.

Pros

Independent house with its own parking, rare in the central streets
Ormeau Park and Golf Club right opposite, handy for a run or a walk

Cons

A car or taxi is needed to reach Europa Buscentre and the airport bus
Residential area: in the evening there's none of the life of the centre or Botanic Avenue

Recommended hotels in this area

Park House - FOUR star luxury with parking and WI-FI: Period house with 5 rooms opposite Ormeau Park, parking for two cars: handy for groups or families driving to the airport.

See more hotels in this area →