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Belfast to Armagh directions
Flying into Northern Ireland through Belfast, you’ll come in to land at either Belfast International Airport or George Best City Airport. Then, if your plan is to carry on to Armagh by bus, you first need to get yourself to the city centre. A very simple task.
From Belfast International Airport, the Airport Express bus takes you directly into town – a trip of approximately 30-40 minutes. George Best City Airport is closer - just 3 kms from the centre. The Airport Express from here takes only 10 minutes.
By taxi, it’s also a 10 minute journey – and you’ll get the chance to pick up some local knowledge from your driver along the way. A taxi from Belfast International Airport, 20 miles or so north-west of the city, is naturally a longer and more expensive trip. You’ll find taxis just outside, ready and waiting, 24/7.
Getting from Belfast City to Armagh
By bus
The Goldline Express bus which leaves from the Europa Bus Centre in Great Victoria Street will have you in Armagh City in less than hour, taking you along a route through Lisburn, Moira, Lurgan and Portadown.
If you feel like a more leisurely journey, ask about a Translink Bus Rambler Ticket. That way you can go-as-you-please and investigate all those interesting sights that you spot in the distance.
By train
If you don’t mind breaking your journey, you can catch a train from Belfast’s Lanyon Place. This will drop you off in Portadown where you switch to a bus that takes you into Armagh city. There is an upside to this, you know – you double your chances of getting a window seat.
By car
Of course, there’s nothing like the freedom of having your own four wheels – hired or otherwise. Northern Ireland is fortunate to have excellent roads and excellent scenery. Just a hint – you’ll know you’ve crossed into Armagh when the surrounding area has become populated by apple trees. This is, after all, Orchard County.
It’s also a county made for detours. Slieve Gullion Forest Park has a scenic drive that’s virtually a living postcard, and definitely worth clocking up a few extra miles for.
Or, if you do need to get straight to the point – Armagh, that is – you can drive there from Belfast city comfortably, and more directly along the M1, in less than an hour. Make that an hour and a half if you started your journey at Belfast International Airport.
Getting from Dublin to Armagh
By car
This is probably the simplest way to get there. The road trip from Dublin to Armagh is a relatively short and straight one along the northbound M1, then onto the A28. 135km or 83miles away, it should take you about an hour and a half or so. And considerably less time to relax when you arrive..
By train
Translink run a rail service between Dublin’s Connelly Station and Portadown, about 15 minutes from Armagh city. And if that’s your destination, a bus, taxi or perhaps a good friend will bring you the rest of the way.
By bus
Bus Eireann and Translink both run services from Dublin to Armagh and from many other places in the Republic. Child fares and family tickets are available
and some cover travel on Ulsterbus, Metro and Northern Ireland railways too. If you’d like to take full advantage of the scenery around you, opt for the Rambler Bus Services so you can go at your own pace.
Getting around Armagh
The wonderful thing about the city of Armagh is that everything here is practically within touching distance. Come to think of it, that’s true of a lot of Northern Ireland. What it means for Armagh visitors, though, is that you’re on your own – two feet. It’s the best and most enjoyable way to get around. Indeed, the Mall was made for walking. Besides you’d never get a bicycle up those two Cathedral hills. Would you?
If nothing else, it means you’re close enough to spot some of the 22 bronze gargoyles, angels and other fantastical creatures hidden around the city.
