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How to Get from Belfast City Airport (BHD) to City Centre

Belfast City Airport is 3 miles from the centre. The bus, train and taxi options and what each costs, written from living in the city.

By Patrick Hughes · 4 min read · Logistics · Updated September 2025
How to Get from Belfast City Airport (BHD) to City Centre

They say Belfast is buzzing, and I have to agree (especially as I live there!). Think a lot of great street art, a thriving food scene, and the emergence of the Belfast "quarters", from the Cathedral Quarter's bars to the Titanic Quarter's industrial chic.

Luckily, George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD) is just 3 miles (5 km) from downtown Belfast, making transfers quick and pretty easy. Here's how to get from Belfast City Airport to the city centre, ranked by speed, cost, and hassle factor.

Taxi at Belfast City Airport

A bright yellow taxi stand at Belfast City Airport You can't miss the bright yellow taxi stand at Belfast City Airport

  • Description: Value Cabs is the airport's official taxi partner, with a rank outside arrivals that you really can't miss (the sign is very bright yellow). Other firms (like Fonacab) can be pre-booked but won't use the rank - you'll meet them in the drop-off car park (follow signs or turn right once you get outside the main terminal building).
  • Cost: £10-£15 to the city centre (metered) + £4 airport surcharge for pick-ups. Slightly pricier late at night or during big events like the Belfast Marathon, Pride or TradFest.
  • Time: 10 minutes in light traffic; up to 20 minutes at rush hour (e.g., 8-9 AM on the A2).
  • Availability: always at the rank, or pre-book via the Value Cabs app (handy for tracking your driver).
  • Location at Airport: Directly outside arrivals. There's a big sign.
  • Tips: although touts are very unlikely at Belfast City Airport, stick to the official rank or the app. Note: on return, taxis will leave you at the drop-off car park, not the rank.

Uber at Belfast City Airport

  • Just don't: Technically, Uber does operate in Belfast, but hasn't taken off in the same way as other cities. The "big two" taxi companies (Value Cabs & Fonacab) have their own apps and dominate the market in Northern Ireland.
  • Tips: If you do book an Uber, expect to wait 10-15 minutes, pay the same or more than a taxi (watch out for surge pricing), and you'll have to look for pick-up in the drop-off car park (2 mins from arrivals). If the surge pricing is wild, take the bus (really).

Public Bus: Airport Express 600

Airport Express Bus 600 at Belfast City Airport Airport Express Bus 600 at Belfast City Airport

  • Description: Translink's brightly coloured Airport Express 600 bus runs directly to Belfast Grand Central Station (Belfast's transport hub).
  • Cost: £2.30 single (contactless/cash) from the Airport to Grand Central. You can buy a variety of other ticket types, including a day ticket if you need one. Buy a ticket from the machine on site, or use contactless to pay on board.
  • Time: 10 minutes to Grand Central.
  • Frequency: Every 20 minutes (6 AM-10 PM). Every 30 mins on Sundays.
  • Location at Airport: Bus stop outside arrivals (left of the taxi rank).
  • Tips: ALL Airport Express buses are wheelchair-accessible.

Train via Sydenham Station

  • Description: The nearest train station (Sydenham) is a 10-minute walk from the airport along a very busy road and across a footbridge (problematic if you have luggage or walking constraints). There's a courtesy shuttle available by special request from the airport to the train station. I have never ever heard of anyone taking this. Just take the regular Airport Express bus, it's much easier. However, here's all the information you need.
  • Cost: £2.10 single (buy on board or via mLink app). No airport premium. Information from Translink.
  • Time: 5-10 minutes to city centre.
  • Frequency: Every 15-30 minutes (6 AM-11 PM). Fewer trains on Sundays.
  • Location at Airport: Follow signs to Sydenham Station (along Airport Road).
  • Shuttle: Call 07502 769748 for a free lift (runs 7 AM-7 PM). Build in time for this.
  • Tips: I can't think of any reason to take the train from the airport. Also, trains are not 24/7 - check last departures if arriving late.

Car Rental at Belfast City Airport

  • Description: Major brands (Hertz, Europcar) have desks inside the terminal.
  • Cost: From £30/day for economy cars in low season (compare prices with Discover Cars here).
  • Time: 10-minute drive to pretty much anywhere in the city centre.
  • Location at Airport: Rental desks are left of arrivals.
  • Tips: Skip renting if you're staying in central Belfast only (parking is expensive at up to £20/day at hotels). However, do get a car if you've got a wider itinerary to the Giant's Causeway or Mourne Mountains.

The Tayto sign is where cars can drop off passengers The Tayto sign is the iconic drop-off/pick-up location near Arrivals at BHD

Easiest vs. Cheapest Way to Downtown

✅ Easiest: Taxi (Value Cabs) - no waiting, direct to your hotel or Airbnb. ✅ Cheapest: Bus 600 (£2.30).

Belfast City Airport Transport FAQs

Personally, I've found it unreliable and prone to surge pricing. The two cab companies that dominate the Belfast market have many more drivers and may well get to you faster.

Please don't even try (3 miles along busy roads).

No, most taxis in Belfast take cards, but always confirm with the driver before the meter starts.

Taxis (rank is open as long as there's incoming flights); buses stop at 10 PM.

There aren't numerous hotel shuttles here like at some larger airports. Your hotel *might* have a service but unless it's included in your rate for free, just take a taxi.

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