Traveling from Belfast to Dublin and Back
One of the best parts of studying in Belfast is that you are only about two hours from Dublin, making it a great day or weekend trip. I made plenty of mistakes during my trips (some of which left me stranded and others that cost me more money than they should have), so learn from my experience before you go!
Save Money on the Train
The first thing I recommend doing when you arrive in Belfast is getting a yLink smartcard if you are eligible. It is available to all those 16-23 for all Translink services across Northern Ireland and gives you a significant discount. If you are over 23, there is also a 24+ Student Railcard; you just need to prove you are a full-time student.
You have to apply online and have the physical card sent to you, so I would recommend doing this as soon as you arrive and have a stable address. Having the card makes traveling to Dublin via train significantly more affordable, as long as you book through the Translink website.
Getting to Dublin by Train
The first train from Belfast to Dublin is usually 8 am ish, with the last train back to Belfast 8:50 pm ish.
When you buy the ticket online, you have to print out the ticket at a kiosk inside Grand Central Station before you can get on the terminal. This means get to the station early; the train leaves on time here and they will leave you!
Getting to Dublin by Bus
The bus is another option for travelling between Belfast and Dublin. It can be a little more expensive than the train (when using the yLink smartcard), but it is much more flexible, with buses running 24/7. You can buy your ticket when you board, but booking online in advance is generally cheaper.
The journey back to Belfast is where things get a little bit trickier. There are overnight buses from Dublin, but the schedule is more limited. After the last late-night service from the city centre (12 am ish), you will have to wait until morning unless you head to the Dublin Airport pickup, which is quite far from the city centre.
One thing I learned the hard way: give yourself some flexibility when catching the bus back to Belfast from Dublin city centre. Buses can arrive a little early or late, so don't panic if yours is not there at the exact time you expect. There are usually plenty of other people waiting to travel to Belfast, so ask around if anyone has seen the bus or knows what is happening.
If You Miss the Last Bus, Don't Panic
If it gets too late to travel home from Dublin and you do not feel comfortable travelling at night, book a hostel nearby (there are plenty to choose from in Dublin), sleep, and go home the next day. It is always better to be safe than sorry, and there will always be another bus or train to make the journey back.
And finally, my most important piece of advice: always remember your passport! You are still crossing an international border, so keep it with you even if you are only going for the day.
Happy exploring!
– Christine
