Flights to Belfast
The easiest way to reach Belfast from outside Northern Ireland is by air. Many daily flights link Belfast's two airports (Belfast City and Belfast International) to regional UK airports such as Bristol, Newcastle, Cardiff, Glasgow and Manchester, as well as to the four main London airports with worldwide connections (Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted, and Luton). British Airways (www.ba.com) flies direct from London Heathrow to Belfast City Airport only, which is located a few miles to the east of the city centre.
A cheaper option to Belfast City Airport from London Gatwick is Flybe (www.flybe.com). Cheaper flights to Belfast International Airport, which is located 20-25 minutes' drive outside the city to the west, are available from various UK and European destinations. Reliable budget carriers include Easyjet (www.easyjet.com) and Bmibaby (www.bmibaby.com). Continental Airlines (www.continental.com) provide direct transatlantic flights to Belfast International Airport from New York, and these may be worth considering.
Travel from the airports to the University and city centre
There is a direct bus link from Belfast City Airport to the Europa Bus Centre, adjacent to the Europa hotel in the city centre, approximately every 40 minutes between 0600-2150. From the Europa Bus Centre, it is a short (10-15 minute) walk to Queen’s University along Great Victoria Street and University Street (or Botanic Avenue). The same journey should cost less than £5 by taxi. Approved taxis also operate from the taxi rank outside Belfast City Airport, and the cost of the journey to the city centre or to Queen's University should be in the region of £8-10.
From Belfast International Airport, the Airbus service leaves approximately every 30 minutes for the Europa Bus Centre, and vice versa (currently £6 single fare, or £9 return). Services run from 0545-2320. The cost of a taxi from the International Airport to Queen's University or the city centre - provided only by the International Airport Taxi Company - is about £24-25. For getting around in the city, or for travelling from the city centre to either Airport, a reliable taxi firm is Value Cabs (Tel: 028 + 9080-9080).
