Dublin or Belfast. How to Visit Both in One Trip With Dublin Express

Dublin or Belfast. How to Visit Both in One Trip With Dublin Express

Here is a question a lot of visitors to Ireland ask themselves before they travel. Should I go to Dublin or Belfast?

The answer, if you plan it right, is both.

Dublin and Belfast are two of the most vibrant, characterful cities in Europe and they sit just over 160km apart. With Dublin Express connecting Dublin Airport, Dublin city centre and Belfast city centre on a single route, visiting both on the same trip is not only possible, it is genuinely one of the best ways to experience the island of Ireland. You land at Dublin Airport, explore Dublin, jump on a coach to Belfast, explore Belfast and fly home without doubling back or hiring a car.

This guide covers everything you need to know to make a two-city Dublin and Belfast trip work seamlessly, including how Dublin Express connects it all.

🏙️ Why Visit Both Dublin and Belfast?

Dublin and Belfast are different cities in the best possible way. They have different histories, different characters, different food scenes and different energy. Spending time in both gives you a much richer picture of Ireland than either city alone could provide.

Dublin is Ireland's capital and one of Europe's great city break destinations. Georgian architecture, world-class museums, the Guinness Storehouse, Trinity College and the Book of Kells, Kilmainham Gaol, a pub culture like nowhere else on earth and a food and arts scene that has transformed beyond recognition in the last decade. It is a city that rewards both the first-time visitor and the returning one.

Belfast is a city in the middle of a remarkable story. From the Titanic to the Troubles to one of the most talked-about food scenes in the UK and Ireland, Belfast has reinvented itself as one of the most exciting destinations in Europe. The Cathedral Quarter, Titanic Belfast, the Black Mountain, the murals of the Falls and Shankill Roads, the bars and restaurants of St Anne's Square. There is nowhere quite like it.

Two cities. One trip. Dublin Express makes it simple.

✈️ How Dublin Express Connects the Two Cities

Dublin Express operates three services that between them cover the full journey from Belfast city centre to Dublin Airport and Dublin city centre.

Route 785 is the direct coach service between Belfast city centre and Dublin Airport, stopping at Dublin city centre stops along the way. It runs 17 times daily in each direction, with the fastest journey between Dublin Airport and Belfast taking just 1 hour 45 minutes.

Routes 782, 783 and 784 connect Dublin Airport to Dublin city centre, running every 7.5 minutes at peak times with the fastest journey taking as little as 14 minutes via the Port Tunnel.

This means the full journey from Belfast city centre to Dublin Airport takes under two hours on Dublin Express. No car required, no parking to worry about, no navigating unfamiliar roads. You board in Belfast, arrive at Dublin Airport and connect directly to the city on the same service network.

Key journey details:

Dublin Airport to Belfast city centre. Fastest journey 1 hour 45 minutes. Fares from €9 / £8.50.

Belfast city centre to Dublin Airport. Fastest journey 1 hour 50 minutes. Fares from €9 / £8.50.

Dublin city centre to Belfast city centre. Fastest journey 2 hours 20 minutes. Fares from €11.50.

Dublin Airport to Dublin city centre. Fastest journey 14 minutes. Fares from €9.

All services depart from and arrive at Grand Central Station in Belfast city centre, which is right in the heart of the city and within easy walking distance of all major attractions, hotels and restaurants.

Book all tickets at dublinexpress.ie.

🗓️ How to Plan a Dublin and Belfast Trip. Three Itinerary Options

There is no single right way to do a two-city trip. It depends on how many days you have, what you want to see and which city you are flying into and out of. Here are three ways to approach it.

Option 1. The Long Weekend. Four Nights

This is the most popular format for a two-city trip and gives you enough time to get a real feel for both cities without rushing.

Day 1. Arrive Dublin Land at Dublin Airport and jump on Dublin Express Route 782 to the city centre. The journey takes as little as 14 minutes from €9. Check in, get your bearings and spend the afternoon exploring. Temple Bar, the quays and a walk across Ha'penny Bridge are a good starting point. In the evening, pick a pub in the city centre and let Dublin do the rest.

Day 2. Dublin A full day in Dublin. Morning at Trinity College to see the Book of Kells and the Long Room. Lunch somewhere on Grafton Street or in the surrounding laneways. Afternoon at Kilmainham Gaol, the National Museum of Ireland or EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum in the Docklands. Evening back in the city centre. Dublin's restaurant scene is exceptional right now, so book ahead if you have somewhere specific in mind.

Day 3. Travel to Belfast. Belfast afternoon and evening Board a Dublin Express coach from Dublin city centre to Belfast. The first service departs at 5:20am and they run throughout the day, so you can travel at whatever time suits. The fastest journey takes 2 hours 20 minutes and fares start from €11.50. Arrive at Grand Central Station in Belfast city centre, check in and head out. The Cathedral Quarter is the ideal base for a first evening in Belfast. Great bars, great food and a genuinely brilliant atmosphere.

Day 4. Belfast A full day in Belfast. Start with Titanic Belfast in the morning. Built on the exact ground where the RMS Titanic was designed and launched, it is one of the best visitor attractions in Ireland and easily worth three hours of your time. Afternoon in the Cathedral Quarter or a Black Taxi Tour of the murals in the Falls and Shankill areas, one of the most illuminating experiences Belfast has to offer. Evening back in the city centre.

Day 5. Belfast to Dublin Airport. Fly home Board Dublin Express Route 785 from Grand Central Station to Dublin Airport. Services run from 1:50am through to 9:50pm, with the fastest journey taking 1 hour 50 minutes. Fares from €9 / £8.50. Give yourself plenty of time for check-in and security.

Option 2. The City Swap. Three Nights

If you only have three nights and want to split your time equally, this is the cleanest approach.

Day 1. Arrive Dublin Airport. Head straight to Belfast Land at Dublin Airport and board Dublin Express Route 785 directly to Belfast. No need to go into Dublin city centre first. The service departs from both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 and drops you at Grand Central Station in Belfast city centre in as little as 1 hour 45 minutes. Fares from €9 / £8.50. Check in and spend the evening in the Cathedral Quarter.

Day 2. Full day in Belfast Titanic Belfast in the morning. Crumlin Road Gaol, the Ulster Museum or a food tour in the afternoon. Evening in the city centre.

Day 3. Travel to Dublin. Full day in Dublin Board Dublin Express from Belfast to Dublin city centre. Fares from €11.50 with the journey taking 2 hours 20 minutes. Check in and spend the rest of the day exploring. The Guinness Storehouse, a walk along the Grand Canal, St Patrick's Cathedral or a wander through the Iveagh Markets are all good options depending on what time you arrive.

Day 4. Dublin morning. Fly home A final few hours in Dublin before heading to Dublin Airport on Dublin Express Route 782. Services run every 7.5 minutes at peak times from €9, with the fastest journey taking 14 minutes.

Option 3. The Day Trip. Belfast From Dublin

Not everyone can stay overnight. If you are based in Dublin for a few nights and want to add Belfast as a day trip, Dublin Express makes it entirely doable.

Take a morning service from Dublin city centre to Belfast. The first departure is at 5:20am and services run throughout the morning, so you can be in Belfast by mid-morning with a full day ahead of you. Spend the day exploring, then catch an evening service back. The last coach from Belfast to Dublin city centre departs at 9:25pm, giving you a generous amount of time in the city.

Fares from €11.50 each way. Return tickets are available at dublinexpress.ie.

✔ Dublin Express tip: For a Belfast day trip, book your return ticket in advance rather than on the day. Services are popular and booking ahead guarantees your seat on the coach you want for the return journey.

🏛️ Top Things to Do in Dublin

Trinity College and the Book of Kells - One of the most visited attractions in Ireland, Trinity College Dublin is a beautiful 400-year-old university right in the heart of the city. The Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript dating from around 800 AD, is housed in the Old Library alongside the breathtaking Long Room. Book tickets in advance at tcd.ie.

The Guinness Storehouse - Seven floors of brewing history at St James's Gate, finishing with a pint at the Gravity Bar with a 360 degree view of the city. Dublin Express customers can save on entry via dublinexpress.ie/offers.

Kilmainham Gaol - One of the most significant historical sites in Ireland, Kilmainham Gaol was the scene of the executions of the 1916 Rising leaders. Guided tours run daily and must be booked well in advance. Tickets at kilmainhamgaolmuseum.ie.

EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum - Nine interactive galleries in the Docklands telling the story of Irish emigration and the Irish diaspora around the world. Voted Europe's leading tourist attraction multiple times. Dublin Express customers can save on entry via dublinexpress.ie/offers.

Dublin's Pub Culture - There is nowhere in the world quite like a Dublin pub on a good evening. The Long Hall on George's Street, Mulligan's on Poolbeg Street, Kehoe's on South Anne Street and McDaid's on Harry Street are among the most beloved and well-preserved. No booking required.

🏛️ Top Things to Do in Belfast

Titanic Belfast - The world's most visited Titanic experience, built on the exact ground where the ship was designed and launched. Nine interactive galleries covering the full story from the shipyard to the ocean floor. Dublin Express customers can save up to 16% off the walk-up price via dublinexpress.ie/offers.

Black Taxi Tours - The original way to understand Belfast's political history and the story of the Troubles. Knowledgeable local drivers take you through the Falls and Shankill Roads, explaining the murals, the peace walls and the communities behind them. Book through any Belfast hotel or tourism office.

The Cathedral Quarter - Belfast's most vibrant neighbourhood, packed with independent restaurants, bars, galleries and live music venues. The Black Box, the Oh Yeah Music Centre and St Anne's Square are all within walking distance of Grand Central Station.

The Crumlin Road Gaol - A 19th century Grade A listed jail open for tours and events. One of Belfast's most atmospheric attractions and a brilliant way to spend a morning. Bookings at crumlinroadgaol.com.

The Ulster Museum - A world-class free museum covering art, history and natural sciences. Located in the Botanic Gardens in south Belfast, it is one of the best free attractions in Northern Ireland.

🧳 Practical Tips for a Two-City Trip

Luggage - Dublin Express coaches can take two bags weighing up to 20kg each plus one piece of soft hand luggage. This covers the needs of most travellers comfortably. There is no need to leave bags at your hotel when travelling between cities.

Currency - Dublin uses the euro. Belfast uses pound sterling. It is worth having a small amount of both if you prefer cash, though card payments are accepted almost everywhere in both cities.

Booking your tickets - Dublin Express tickets can be booked online at dublinexpress.ie. Booking ahead is recommended for the Belfast route, particularly on weekends and during major events. On the Dublin Airport to Dublin city centre routes, services run so frequently that advance booking is less critical, though it is always advisable.

Flexibility - Dublin Express offers generous flexibility on its tickets. On Dublin city centre to Dublin Airport routes, you can travel 12 hours either side of your scheduled departure on a standby basis. On the Belfast route, you can travel on the service before or after your booked time on a standby basis.

Free Wi-Fi - Wi-Fi is available as standard on most Dublin Express services, so you can plan your next stop or catch up on messages during the journey between cities.

Ready to Visit Both Cities?

Dublin and Belfast together make for one of the best city break combinations in Europe. Two cities, two completely different characters, one seamless coach connection.

Dublin Express gets you from Dublin Airport to Belfast city centre in as little as 1 hour 45 minutes, and from Belfast city centre back to Dublin Airport in as little as 1 hour 50 minutes. Fares from €9 / £8.50.

Whether you have four nights or a long weekend, whether you are flying into Dublin and out of Dublin or simply making a day trip from one city to the other, Dublin Express makes the whole thing straightforward.

Book your tickets at dublinexpress.ie and start planning your two-city trip today.

All journey times and fares are correct at time of publication (May 2026). Always check dublinexpress.ie for the most up to date timetables, fares and service information.