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Cross-border route · Europe
Dublin–Belfast by train
Two capitals on the island of Ireland in about two hours by train, along the coast of the Irish Sea, with no border checks on the way.
Ireland
the United Kingdom
2 cities 2 countries
In the photo: Boyne Viaduct, Drogheda
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
The route
What is Dublin–Belfast by train
The Enterprise links Dublin, capital of the Republic of Ireland, with Belfast, capital of Northern Ireland, in about 2 hours. The train departs from Dublin Connolly station in the city center and arrives at Belfast Grand Central, near the city center. On the way it usually stops at Drogheda, Dundalk, Newry and Portadown, and passes coastal stretches north of Dublin.
The line is operated jointly by Irish Rail (Iarnród Éireann) and NI Railways (Translink). Halfway through the journey the train crosses the border between Ireland and the UK, which is open: there is no stop or passport control. What changes are the currency (from the euro to the pound sterling), the road signs (from kilometres to miles) and the mobile operator.
You can do it as a day return, but the route works better with two or three nights in Belfast: the city has Titanic Belfast and a Victorian city centre, and day tours to the Calçada dos Gigantes on the north coast depart from there.
The map
2 cities in 2 countries
Outlines: Natural Earth, public domain. Adapted by Cidade Turismo.
The journey
City by city
Distances and times are approximate: check before you set out.
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1 · Ireland
Dublin
The route starts at Dublin Connolly, a central station north of the River Liffey, connected to the Luas tram and the coastal train (DART). Allow at least two days in Dublin: Trinity College and the Book of Kells, Temple Bar, St Patrick's Cathedral and the Guinness Storehouse.
→ Belfast cerca de 2h Enterprise de Dublin Connolly a Belfast Grand Central, em geral com paradas em Drogheda, Dundalk, Newry e Portadown, pela costa ao norte de Dublin. A fronteira fica entre Dundalk e Newry, sem parada.
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2 · the United Kingdom
Belfast
The train arrives at Belfast Grand Central, close to the centre. Belfast has Titanic Belfast, located at the old shipyard where the vessel was built, the City Hall, the Cathedral Quarter and St George's Market. Day tours to the Calçada dos Gigantes on the Antrim coast depart from the city.
How to travel
The way and the tickets
By train, with a ticket bought on the Irish Rail website (when departing from Dublin) or on Translink (when departing from Belfast). There is no check-in: just get to the station, find the train on the departure board and board. Trains usually run hourly during the week, with fewer services on Sundays; check the timetable in advance.
Best time to go
When to go: month by month
From May to September: long days (in summer it gets dark very late), mild temperatures and more tours to the north coast. Rain can occur any month, and the weather often changes quickly. In March there is St. Patrick's Day (17 March), with celebrations and busy cities.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Planning
Planning the trip
How many days
The train takes about 2 hours from Dublin to Belfast. To see both cities and the Calçada dos Gigantes, allow 5–6 days; with 4 days, stay two nights in each city.
Who it is for
For travelers to Ireland who also want to visit Northern Ireland, for couples and families, and for those who want to reach the Calçada dos Gigantes without driving on the left.
Your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Dublin–Belfast by train
Quanto tempo leva o trem de Dublin a Belfast?
Cerca de 2 horas, de Dublin Connolly a Belfast Grand Central, com quatro paradas no caminho. Alguns horários param em mais estações e levam um pouco mais.
Qual é a moeda em cada lado?
Na Irlanda a moeda é o euro; na Irlanda do Norte, que faz parte do Reino Unido, é a libra esterlina. Algumas lojas perto da fronteira aceitam as duas, mas não conte com isso. O cartão costuma ser aceito na maior parte do comércio.
Precisa reservar lugar?
A passagem comprada pela internet costuma permitir escolher o assento, mas a reserva não é obrigatória. Em sextas, domingos e feriados o trem costuma encher: compre antes e chegue com folga.
Como chegar à Calçada dos Gigantes a partir de Belfast?
A forma mais simples é um passeio de um dia saindo de Belfast, que costuma incluir outros pontos da costa de Antrim. Também dá para ir de trem até Coleraine ou Portrush e seguir de ônibus, ou de carro, em cerca de uma hora e meia. Confirme horários e funcionamento antes.
Dá para fazer bate e volta de Dublin a Belfast?
Dá, com cerca de 4 horas de trem no dia, mas sobra pouco tempo. Para ver Belfast e a Calçada dos Gigantes, o ideal são duas ou três noites em Belfast.