BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND

Outside of being the capital of Northern Ireland, Belfast is generally known for one of two reasons. #1: The world’s most famous passenger ocean liner was built here (think Leonardo DiCaprio). #2: It is where the Good Friday Agreement was signed which effectively put an end to Northern Ireland’s 30-year civil war. A simple day trip from Dublin, Belfast is worth a visit!

Attractions:

Black Taxi Tour: If you are interested in learning more about the tumultuous history of Northern Ireland, this tour is for you. As you read above, Belfast found itself in the middle of a bloody civil war that lasted three decades. This 90-minute tour takes you across the city to see landmarks and murals that help explain the struggle and portray the country’s narrative; the tour costs £40 ($54 USD).
Titanic Belfast: Many have seen the heart-breaking tale, but did you know the RMS Titanic was built in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter? Visit this museum to learn more about how the thought-to-be unsinkable ship met its demise on its maiden voyage in 1912. The Standard Titanic Experience (which includes entrance to the SS Nomadic) costs £19 ($26 USD).
Public Art: Can you find Sammy the Seal, The Monument to the Unknown Woman Worker, The Salmon of Knowledge, The Seahorse, and The Searcher?
St. George’s Market: Visit on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday to see this market in full swing; click here to see hours of operation. There has been a Friday market on this site for over 400 years!
Other spots to check out include: Belfast Castle, Botanic Gardens, Ormeau Park, and Ulster Museum.

Accommodation:

Vagabonds Belfast: Great, social vibe and centrally located! The price of your room also comes with breakfast included. It is 15 minutes walking from Europa Buscentre and 25 minutes walking from Lanyon Place Railway Station.

Transportation:

Belfast’s main bus station is Europa Buscentre; all buses below leave from here. The main train station is Lanyon Place Railway Station; all trains below leave from here.

Dublin, Ireland is 2 hours by bus from Belfast and costs £8 ($11 USD); buses leave hourly between 5:30am-8:30pm. The train ride is 2 hours and costs £16 ($22 USD); trains leave every two hours between 6:30am-8:00pm. Unfortunately, no airlines fly this route non-stop.
Galway, Ireland is 5 hours by bus from Belfast (indirect; via Dublin) and costs £22.50 ($30 USD). The first bus from Belfast to Dublin is 2.5 hours and costs £8. The second bus from Dublin to Galway is 2.5 hours and costs £14.50. The train ride is 5.5 hours (indirect; via Dublin) and costs £33 ($45 USD). The first train from Belfast to Dublin is 2 hours and costs £16. In Dublin, you will need to transfer from Connolly Station to Heuston Station (40-minute walk or 20-minute tram ride). The second train from Dublin to Galway is 2.5 hours and costs £17.
Glasgow, Scotland is 6 hours by bus from Belfast and costs £28 ($38 USD). The flight is 45 minutes and costs £22-£70 ($30-$95 USD). The train ride requires 3+ transfers and is not worth your while.
Edinburgh, Scotland is 7.5 hours by bus from Belfast and costs £29 ($39 USD). The flight is 1 hour and costs £22-£70 ($30-$95 USD). The train ride requires 3+ transfers and is not worth your while.
London, England is 16 hours by bus from Belfast and costs £27 ($37 USD). The flight is 1 hour and costs £16-£70 ($22-$95 USD). The train ride requires 3+ transfers and is not worth your while.

Belfast International Airport (BFS) is 24km (15 miles) west of the city center and accessible via bus and taxi.

Bus: The ride is 45 minutes and costs £8 ($11 USD); buses leave every 30 minutes.
Taxi: The ride is 25-30 minutes and costs £30-£40 ($41-$54 USD) depending on the time of day.

Thank you, Dimitry (for the shots of Queen Victoria and City Hall)!