There are 4 ways to get from Belfast to Athlone by train, bus, or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Train
best- Take the train from Belfast Grand Central to Dublin ConnollyIc / ...
- Take the train from Dublin Heuston to AthloneIc / ...
4h 37m€32–47Bus via Dublin Airport (DUB)
- Take the bus from Glengall Street to Dublin Airport Terminal 1 Zone 1785
- Take the bus from Dublin Airport Zone 11 to Arcadia763 / ...
5h 20m€32–38Drive 217.4 km
- Drive from Belfast to Athlone217.4 km
2h 48m€38–55Bus
- Take the bus from Grand Central Station Stand 2 to Cavan Bus Station271
- Take the bus from Cavan Bus Station to Athlone Station466
5h 38m
Belfast to Athlone by train and tram
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Belfast to Athlone is to bus via Dublin Airport (DUB) which costs €30 - €40 and takes 5h 20m.
The fastest way to get from Belfast to Athlone is to drive which takes 2h 48m and costs €35 - €55.
No, there is no direct bus from Belfast to Athlone. However, there are services departing from Glengall Street and arriving at Arcadia via Dublin Airport Zone 11. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 5h 20m.
No, there is no direct train from Belfast to Athlone. However, there are services departing from Belfast Grand Central and arriving at Athlone via Connolly and Dublin Heuston. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 4h 37m.
The distance between Belfast and Athlone is 311 km. The road distance is 217.4 km.
The best way to get from Belfast to Athlone without a car is to train which takes 4h 37m and costs €30 - €50.
It takes approximately 4h 37m to get from Belfast to Athlone, including transfers.
Belfast to Athlone bus services, operated by Dublin Express, depart from Glengall Street station.
Belfast to Athlone train services, operated by Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail), depart from Belfast Grand Central station.
The best way to get from Belfast to Athlone is to train which takes 4h 37m and costs €30 - €50. Alternatively, you can bus via Dublin Airport (DUB), which costs €30 - €40 and takes 5h 20m.
What companies run services between Belfast, Northern Ireland and Athlone, Ireland?
You can take a train from Belfast Grand Central to Athlone via Dublin Connolly, Connolly, Heuston, and Dublin Heuston in around 4h 37m. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Glengall Street to Arcadia via Dublin Airport Terminal 1 Zone 1 and Dublin Airport Zone 11 in around 5h 20m.
- Phone
- +353 1 836 6222
- info@irishrail.ie
- Website
- irishrail.ie
Train from Belfast Grand Central to Dublin Connolly
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 13m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €15–22
- Website
- https://www.irishrail.ie/en-ie/
- Flexible
- €15–22
Train from Dublin Heuston to Athlone
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 20m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €11–17
- Website
- https://www.irishrail.ie/en-ie/
- Flexible
- €11–17
- Phone
- +44 28 9066 6630
- Website
- translink.co.uk
Train from Belfast Grand Central to Dublin Connolly
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 13m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €20–28
- Website
- https://www.translink.co.uk/
- Phone
- +353 1 903 9508
- Website
- dublinexpress.ie
Bus from Glengall Street to Dublin Airport Terminal 1 Zone 1
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 55m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €16–18
- Website
- https://www.dublinexpress.ie/
- Phone
- +353 91 564 164
- info@citylink.ie
- Website
- citylink.ie
Bus from Dublin Airport Zone 11 to Arcadia
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 25m
- Frequency
- Every 3 hours
- Estimated price
- €15–21
- Website
- https://www.citylink.ie/
- Phone
- +44 28 9066 6630
- Website
- translink.co.uk
Bus from Grand Central Station Stand 2 to Cavan Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 40m
- Frequency
- 6 times a week
- Website
- https://www.translink.co.uk/
- Phone
- +353 1 836 6111
- Website
- buseireann.ie
Bus from Cavan Bus Station to Athlone Station
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 58m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- €10–16
- Website
- https://www.buseireann.ie/
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More Questions & Answers
Belfast to Athlone bus services, operated by Dublin Express, arrive at Dublin Airport Terminal 1 Zone 1 station.
Belfast to Athlone train services, operated by Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail), arrive at Dublin Connolly station.
Yes, the driving distance between Belfast to Athlone is 217 km. It takes approximately 2h 48m to drive from Belfast to Athlone.
There are 65+ hotels available in Athlone.







