I arrived in the city by train from Dublin – see my Dublin tips for more detail on that. The Dublin train arrives at Belfast’s Lanyon Place Station (it used to be called Central Station).
My hotel was the AC Marriott on Donegall Quay opposite the SSE Arena. It was excellent. The cost was £99 for a superior room with a river view, and including a buffet breakfast. It was an easy walk from the station (15 minutes), and from the city centre (10 minutes). It was also an easy walk (10 minutes) from the hotel to the arena.
On my previous visit to the city my hotel had been a nightmare – noise from drunken guests – so my stay at the AC Marriott did a little to restore some faith in humanity.
I left the city on FlyBe, heading for Edinburgh. FlyBe uses Belfast City Airport which is just 10 minutes by bus from the city centre. Some airlines use Belfast International, but it is 30-40 minutes away by bus.
My one way flight cost me £58 including the cost of a checked in bag (£21) Belfast City Airport is compact and very user friendly.
Translink’s Airport Express 600 is the bus service I used to get to the airport. £2.50. The service only runs every 30 minutes, but if you miss one that leaves you just enough time for a coffee before the next one.
The stop closest to my hotel was only 5 minutes walk away. Ideal.
ⓒ iain taylor, 2019
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