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UNITED KINGDOM · BUS ROUTE GUIDE

Edinburgh
↳ Belfastby bus.

Bus services from Edinburgh to Belfast are listed on 12Go, where you can compare operators, departure times and prices for your date. Belfast is an island, so this journey combines road travel with a boat crossing; the two places are about 230 km apart in a straight line.

Includes a boat
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UNITED KINGDOMIRELANDNETHERLANDSBELGIUMDublinManchesterLutonEdinburghBelfastIncludes a boatFrom To Onward buses
Illustrative map: lines show connections, not the road taken. Outlines: Natural Earth.

THE SHORT VERSION

Edinburgh to Belfast at a glance.

From
Edinburgh City of Edinburgh
To
Belfast Belfast City District
Straight line
230 km
Return route
Not listed as direct
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THE DETAILS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Right place. Right bus. Better start.

1

Leaving Edinburgh

Edinburgh's bus station is in the city centre on St Andrew Square, with coaches across Scotland and to England. Edinburgh Airport has become a secondary hub for some routes.

  • Edinburgh Bus Station
    St Andrew Square, very central. Citylink, National Express, Megabus and other long-distance services.
2

Arriving in Belfast

Ask the seller where the service ends in Belfast. A town-name stop can be a bus station some way from the centre, and the last stretch to your accommodation is usually up to you.

3

Keep the essentials offline

Save your ticket, the exact meeting point and the operator's phone number before you set off. Follow the check-in time on your confirmation.

KEEP GOING

From Belfast, the road continues.

All buses from and to Belfast

This trip includes a boat crossing. For ferry routes and timetables, see our sister site FerryConnect.

Other ways to reach Belfast

More buses from Edinburgh

GOOD QUESTIONS

Before you take your seat.

How long does the bus from Edinburgh to Belfast take?+

Journey times depend on the service and any boat connection. Check the duration of your chosen departure on 12Go before booking.

Where does the bus leave from in Edinburgh?+

It depends on the operator. Main options in Edinburgh include Edinburgh Bus Station, and many tourist companies collect from offices or hotels. Your ticket shows the exact boarding point.

Is there a bus back from Belfast to Edinburgh?+

12Go's public route list doesn't include Belfast to Edinburgh as a direct route. You may need to change in another town.

Where does the bus from Edinburgh arrive in Belfast?+

It depends on the operator. Some services end at the local bus station, others at an office or a stop on the main road. Ask the seller for the drop-off address before you book.

What kind of bus runs from Edinburgh to Belfast?+

Tickets to Belfast usually combine a bus or van with a boat. The vehicle type, seat style and boat connection are shown for each departure on 12Go.

Can I book the Edinburgh to Belfast bus online?+

Yes. 12Go lists departures on this route. You choose a date, compare operators and pay online, and the provider issues the ticket. BusConnects doesn't sell tickets itself.

Where can I go next from Belfast by bus?+

Direct buses from Belfast include Dublin, Manchester, Bradford, Leeds, Luton and more. See all connections on our Belfast bus page.

Does the trip to Belfast include a ferry?+

Yes, Belfast is an island, so the journey includes a boat crossing. Check whether your ticket covers the boat and the transfer from the pier, and allow for weather delays.

Still deciding? Check today's departures, then book your seat.

Book Edinburgh → Belfast on 12Go

FOLLOW THE INFORMATION

Clear sources. Better decisions.

Route listed in 12Go's public route index (checked 2026-10-09). Distance: OpenStreetMap data via OSRM (approximate driving distance). Listings change and are not live inventory. Confirm the departure, pickup, price and conditions before paying.

12Go: Edinburgh to Belfast bus route listing ↗Wikivoyage: Edinburgh (Get in) ↗How BusConnects uses sources →