Roberta Aguirre
Belfast is served by two airports: George Best Belfast City Airport and Belfast International Airport. The former is the closest airport to Belfast city centre, situated just 3 miles (5km) away. Belfast International Airport is 21 miles (33.8km) from the city. George Best Belfast City Airport is the best option for those travelling to Belfast city centre, with four transport options available to passengers: taxi, private transfer, train, or bus.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | George Best Belfast City Airport |
| Airport Code | BHD/EGAC |
| Location | County Down, Northern Ireland |
| Distance from City Centre | 5 miles/8 km |
| Transport Options | Taxi, Private Transfer, Train, Bus |
| Transport Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Transport Cost | £2.30-£16 |
| Airlines | Aer Lingus, British Airways, Emerald Airlines, Ryanair (formerly Flybe), easyJet |
| Annual Passenger Traffic | 2.3 million (2024) |
| Year Commercial Operations Began | 1983 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
George Best Belfast City Airport
The airport is located in County Down, adjacent to Belfast Harbour. It shares its site with the Spirit AeroSystems aircraft manufacturing facility. As of February 2024, six airlines operate 30 routes across the UK and Europe from Belfast City Airport. In 2024, the airport handled over 2.3 million passengers, with a peak of 2.7 million in 2010.
The airport has a range of shops and restaurants, including Samson's Kitchen & Bar, The Artisan, Starbucks, and Caffe Nero. It also offers an Aspire Lounge, where passengers can relax and recharge before their flight.
For those travelling to and from the airport, there are several transport options available. Sydenham railway station is located adjacent to the airport's southern perimeter, with regular Northern Ireland Railways trains running between Bangor and Portadown. Trains towards Portadown also stop at Belfast Lanyon Place and Belfast Grand Central stations. A courtesy bus is available to take passengers to and from the train station if needed. Additionally, the Translink Metro route 600 provides a direct service between the airport terminal and Belfast Grand Central, with buses running every thirty minutes.
Israel's Airport Security: A Historical Perspective on its Inception
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Transport options to the city centre
George Best Belfast City Airport is the closest airport to Belfast city centre, located just 5 miles (or 8 kilometres) away. It is the ideal gateway to explore Belfast and beyond, with excellent links to public transport and all major roads, routes, and motorways in and out of Belfast.
Train
If you are travelling to or from Belfast City Airport via train, you will want to disembark at Sydenham rail halt and make the short journey by foot along the Sydenham Bypass to the terminal building. Train services depart from Sydenham train station regularly during peak times, meaning you are always conveniently connected to the city centre. A footbridge is present at Sydenham train station, which passengers must cross when going to or coming from the airport. Therefore, this transport option may not be suitable for those with reduced mobility or difficulty using steps.
Bus
Belfast City Airport has a designated Airport Express 600 Service, which buses passengers every 20 minutes during peak times from the front of the terminal building to Belfast Grand Central Station in the centre of Belfast. The journey only takes around 10 minutes. Tickets are available from the ticket machines in the bus shelter area, or from the driver onboard.
Additionally, Metro bus 3A operates every ten minutes from Sydenham to Belfast City Hall.
Taxi
Taxis are available at any time and provide direct service to your destination. They are fitted with meters to ensure you pay a fair price. Payments can be made in cash or using a debit or credit card. Tipping isn't mandatory, but many people choose to add a small tip for quality service. Wheelchair-accessible taxis are also readily available, but booking in advance is recommended to avoid long waiting times.
Private Transfer
For a seamless travel experience, you may opt for a private transfer from the airport to the city centre. This option eliminates the stress of uncertain fares, lengthy lines at the taxi rank, or confusing public transport timetables. Top-rated transfer companies like Welcome Pickups offer personalised services to ensure your ride to the city is smooth and effortless.
Exploring Rhodes: An Island with Many Airports
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Belfast International Airport
The airport has undergone several developments over the years, including the construction of a new International Pier, executive aviation terminal, cargo centre, and lounge facilities. In 2013, a viewing gallery was reopened, providing visitors with a view of the apron and runways, along with live ATC, arrival and departure boards, and a flight radar screen. However, this gallery was closed again in 2019. Belfast International Airport has also seen various airlines come and go, including British Midland International (BMI), Thomas Cook Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, and British Airways, which launched the first Belfast-London Heathrow shuttle service.
The airport is easily accessible by public transport. Translink Metro route 600, the Belfast City Airlink service, connects the airport to Belfast Grand Central. Buses run every thirty minutes throughout the day. Additionally, Metro bus 3A operates every ten minutes from Sydenham to Belfast City Hall.
Incheon Airport: Luggage Storage Options and Availability
You may want to see also
Explore related products
History of Belfast airports
Belfast is served by two airports: George Best Belfast City Airport and Belfast International Airport.
George Best Belfast City Airport
Belfast City Airport began commercial operations in 1983 as Belfast Harbour Airport, becoming Belfast City Airport, and then being renamed in memory of George Best, a professional footballer from Belfast, in 2006. The airport is located in County Down, adjacent to Belfast Harbour, and is three miles (five kilometres) from Belfast City Centre.
Belfast International Airport
Belfast International Airport is the main airport for the city of Belfast. It is located 13.2 miles (21.3 kilometres) northwest of the city. The airport was previously known as Aldergrove Airport, named after the nearby village of Aldergrove, County Antrim. The airport's history dates back to World War I when it served the Royal Flying Corps for training. After the war, it continued to serve the Royal Air Force and early civil aviation, with flights to and from Northern Ireland. In 1933, Midland and Scottish Air Ferries operated Northern Ireland's first regular civil air service, a Glasgow to Aldergrove route.
In 1946, civil flights moved to Nutts Corner Airport, just three miles from Aldergrove, as it had larger facilities. However, by the 1950s, civil air traffic had outgrown Nutts Corner, and flights were regularly diverted to Aldergrove due to adverse weather conditions. In 1959, the decision was made to move civil flights back to Aldergrove, taking advantage of its large airfield. This move took place in 1963, with the official opening of a new terminal by Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. The airport was renamed Belfast International Airport in the early 1980s.
Tuscany, Italy: Which Airport Should You Fly Into?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Airlines that operate from Belfast City Airport
Belfast is served by two major airports: George Best Belfast City Airport and Belfast International Airport. The former is the closest airport to Belfast city centre, situated just three to five miles away. As of February 2024, six airlines operate 30 routes across the UK and Europe from Belfast City Airport. These include:
- Aer Lingus: Aer Lingus Regional flights are operated by Emerald Airlines, which opened a base at the airport in March 2022.
- British Airways: In June 2021, British Airways commenced flights to the majority of Aer Lingus Regional's destinations from Belfast City Airport.
- EasyJet
- KLM
- Loganair
- Flybe: The airline formerly known as Jersey European operated a large base at the airport until its demise in 2020.
In addition to these, Belfast City Airport also serves charter airlines Royal Caribbean, Travel Solutions, TUI, and Top Flight for School.
Auto-rickshaws: Hyderabad Airport's Convenient Travel Companion
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
George Best Belfast City Airport is the closest airport to Belfast City Centre, situated just under 9 km from the centre.
You can get from the airport to the city centre by taxi, private transfer, train, or bus. The fastest options are taxi and private transfer, which take around 10 minutes. The bus and train take around 15 minutes and cost less than £5.
Airlines that fly from George Best Belfast City Airport include Aer Lingus, British Airways, and Emerald Airlines.
The IATA code for George Best Belfast City Airport is BHD.
George Best Belfast City Airport handled over 2.3 million passengers in 2024.
![Dodge City (BD) [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81vzY2xoPfL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
![Taxi Driver (40th Anniversary Edition) [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/9156s8gllbL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
