Easiest Way to get to belfast ...

forbairt

Hopefully someone can help

Whats the easiest way to get to Belfast from Galway ?

FlyBe don't seem to have flights over the next month

Preferably the quickest way as I've got a meeting (I semi choose the time)
Didn't really want to have to book into a hotel / b&b

bus eireann seems to arrive at 19:50 or so ... which is way too late

biko

Seems you have some driving ahead of you. Or try Shannon or Knock.
Or take midnight coach, sleep and arrive half six.

forbairt

had already had a look ... neither do belfast as far as I can see ...

BTW ... what is this magical driving you speak of

kevmy

Don't know about direct buses from Galway but try taking bus to Sligo then onto Belfast. It would be easier than going into Dublin.

By driving you have 3 options equally sh1t.
Galway - Sligo - Enniskillen - Belfast
Galway - Dublin(M50) - Belfast
or cross country Galway - Athlone - Cavan - Monaghan - Belfast

All take similar time and have different pros and cons. Best roads are via Dublin but traffic is prob worse, Sligo has slightly worse roads but less traffic, cross country has worst roads and less traffic and is prob shortest straight line journey

MattKid

It's a pain in the arse which ever way you look at it, I drove the cross country route there and back in one day plus a days work a couple months ago.

leeroybrown

Unless you really need to I'd suggest not trying to do it all in one day unless you're driving - which you're not.

I presume the 19:50 time is based on the Galway-Sligo-Enniskillen-Belfast route? There should be an earlier bus on that route could get you in for about 16:00. Going Galway-Dublin and then Dublin-Belfast should be able to get you in before 14:00 assuming you could make the very early bus to Dublin. Theoretically you could even get back down in the same day with a few hours in Belfast but that would be madness.

The train via Dublin would be more comfortable (and expensive) and could get you there earlier.

If I were trying to get to your meeting (and wasn't driving) overnight and take the train with one early train and one late train depending on which night I decided to lose.

DRakE

forbairt wrote: »

Whats the easiest way to get to Belfast

Practice.

forbairt

Cheers for all the advice

leeroybrown ... probably the route I'll end up taking.

Turns out I'll have 3 different meetings so looks like i'll head up thursday (galway - dublin .. then dublin to belfast via train seems to be 2 hours for that trip) stay overnight either in dublin or belfast and try to get back down to dublin friday and late bus / train down to galway .

Even with a car I think it'd involve an overnight stay I think. Mattkid ... I don't think I could face 10 hours travelling

DRakE wrote: »

Practice.

Hopefully its a once off and I won't have to

MattKid

It wasn't the nicest day I've had, Left home at 5:30 got home at 21:00 managed to stay awake thanks to a big bag of Skittles

snaps

I usually drive up via sligo and enniskillen. tried the cross country route a few times but to long.

BrokenArrows

DRakE wrote: »

Practice.

dammit alan i was about to post that one.

trish23

If you are going to drive then consider goin Athlone/Dublin/Belfast. With the new dualcarraigeway from Kilbeggan onto the M4 into Dublin, then M50 onto the M1 to Belfast its a much better road. I've gone from Galway to Drogheda in roughly 3 - 31/2 hours (legal speed limits). Belfast is a bit further on but at least the road is good. Only problem is the tolls - €2.70 at Enfield, €2 at M50 & then €1,70 at Drogheda:mad:

Madame Razz

Bog road to athlone, N55 to cavan town, then onto newtownbutler, and point her for belfast, max it'll take you is 4hours, less during quieter times.

The best route in my humble opinion, albeit the road isnt great!

Interceptor

manukahoney wrote: »

Bog road to athlone, N55 to cavan town, then onto newtownbutler, and point her for belfast, max it'll take you is 4hours, less during quieter times.

The best route in my humble opinion, albeit the road isnt great!

+1, but since you don't mention whether you own a car I'd suggest train to Dub and then train to B'fast. Or rent a car from Windsor Motors?...

'cptr