Getting Around Belfast Car or Public Transport

• By: Editor
• On: 06/Apr/2009
• In: Ireland Travel Tips

Public Transport

Bus and rail users benefit from a lot with lower cost per mile as compared with the car, they do not incur any parking charges, and purchasing multi-journey bus and rail tickets can make the biggest savings.  There are other ways of saving the pounds by availing of the many promotional offers, purchasing off peak fares, availing of student discount cards and Senior citizens free travel (Smartpass holders and Senior 60) where applicable.

The Metro

The Metro is Belfast’s public bus service and is an excellent way to get around Belfast city.  Metro services operate every 5-10mins on all 12 key corridors until 9pm each evening, and on average every half hour after 9pm, some operate as late as 11pm!  Rail and Ulsterbus passengers have easy access to the city centre from Europa Station, Central Station and Great Victoria Street.  Passengers that hold a valid rail ticket can travel free of charge from Central station into the city centre using a Metro or a passing Ulsterbus services.

Ulsterbus

Ulsterbus is a reliable bus service in Belfast, you can avail of a day pass which is a great money saver and entitles customers to travel within each local town’s boundaries all day everyday with no time restrictions.  The adult fare for a day pass is just £1.70!

NI Railways

NI Railways is Northern Ireland’s answer to a great railway service.  Again proving very popular this is a cost effective means of travel.  Here you can avail of many discount and promotional fares like getting one-third off a day pass after 9.30am and much more. 

There are many benefits of using Public Transport like avoiding traffic congestion, saving money on fuel and parking, being more environmentally friendly, and relaxing while you are being transported!

Car Hire

In saying all of the above there is nothing like feeling the freedom, flexibility and independence of travel when you hire a car.  Travel where you want, when you want!  With so many car hire companies competing with each other at competitive rates it is not very hard to grab a great bargain. 

The costs associated with hiring a car obviously varies according to a range of factors such as the type of car, duration of hire period, booking in advance as opposed to the last minute, insurance excess etc but most car rental companies offer great deals such as offering the customer 3rd Party Insurance, Vehicle Damage Cover (to a fixed amount), Theft Protection, Airport & Location Taxes, unlimited Mileage and 24-hour Roadside Assistance. 

√    There are many benefits when you hire a car and if you prefer to travel in pace and then car hire is the way to go! 

√    You can save yourself time as you won’t have to wait around for public transport and can travel in your own time. 

√    You can choose to change your travel itinerary if you wish with no public transport cancellation fees. 

√    Travelling with children can be very challenging and when travelling with a hired car it gives you a lot more freedom, you can stop as often as you wish and you have the peace of mind that you children are sitting in child car seat, which you won't find on public transport! 

√    You can choose your own music and relax as you wish. 

√    Stop off at the many attractions and sights in Belfast and surrounding areas for that perfect photo! 

√    Perhaps you wish to travel as you go? Then there is nothing more exciting than a road trip.

√    Hiring a car can work out a lot cheaper than using other forms of transport, especially when the cost is shared.

Find and reserve Belfast car hire and book securely online today at excellent rates.

The choice is yours but whatever you choose you must get out and explore this great city and its wonderful surroundings. 

Park up and relax in a comfortable Belfast hotel. Book securely online today at excellent rates.

Tell us about your experience in Belfast, did you avail of public transport or did you hire a car? If you have any comments or suggestions please let us know.