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 Connollytrain Ic
- Take the train from Dublin Heuston to Athlonetrain Ic / ...
4h 50m€32–47Bus via Dublin Airport (DUB)
- Take the bus from Grand Central Station to Terminal 1 Zone 1bus 785
- Take the bus from Airport Zone 11 to Arcadiabus 763
5h 20m€35–159Drive 217.3 km
- Drive from Belfast to Athlonecar 217.3 km
2h 49m€39–56Bus
- Take the bus from Grand Central Station Stand 14 to Cavan Bus Stationbus 271
- Take the bus from Cavan Bus Stn to Athlone Stnbus 466
5h 46m
Belfast to Athlone by train and tram
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Belfast to Athlone is to train which costs €30 - €50 and takes 4h 50m.
The fastest way to get from Belfast to Athlone is to drive which takes 2h 49m and costs €35 - €60.
No, there is no direct bus from Belfast station to Athlone. However, there are services departing from Grand Central Station and arriving at Arcadia via 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 50m.
The distance between Belfast and Athlone is 311 km. The road distance is 217.3 km.
The best way to get from Belfast to Athlone without a car is to train which takes 4h 50m and costs €30 - €50.
It takes approximately 4h 50m to get from Belfast to Athlone, including transfers.
Belfast to Athlone bus services, operated by Dublin Express, depart from Grand Central 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 50m and costs €30 - €50. Alternatively, you can bus via Dublin Airport (DUB), which costs €35 - €160 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 50m. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Grand Central Station to Arcadia via Terminal 1 Zone 1 and Airport Zone 11 in around 5h 20m.
- Phone
- 0818 294 015
- Website
- Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)
Train from Belfast Grand Central to Dublin Connolly
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 13m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €15–22
- Website
- Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)
- Flexible
- €15–22
Train from Dublin Heuston to Athlone
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 33m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €11–17
- Website
- Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)
- Flexible
- €11–17
- Phone
- +353 1 903 9508
- [email protected]
- Website
- Dublin Express
Bus from Grand Central Station to Terminal 1 Zone 1
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 55m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €20–140
- Website
- Dublin Express
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More Questions & Answers
Belfast to Athlone bus services, operated by Dublin Express, arrive at 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 49m to drive from Belfast to Athlone.
There are 75+ hotels available in Athlone.



