Getting from Belfast to Dublin by bus

Yes, but it's a good idea to prebook. We took the bus from Dublin airport to Belfast, and we took the bus from Belfast to Dublin (city not airport). On the bus from Dublin, people who had not prebooked were not able to get on the bus, as it was full.

Thank you BB for the hot tip! Any idea where you prebook? If not I’m sure I can figure it out! Many thanks!

From translink- the Northern Ireland transport authority-
https://www.translink.co.uk/

It is not as intuitive as it could be. First select your journey, then on the right hand side of the page 'buy online'.
On the next page, click the '+' button on the left hand side, then choose the number of passengers and duration, then 'confirm' then click the radio button next to your chosen departure, finally 'Buy Now' on the right hand side of the page.

Another service is Aircoach. I took this from Belfast to DUB last spring, quick and easy. Booking ahead would be a very good idea. A few days ahead was enough for me last May.

May I ask a related question to this thread? We are planning to go from Central Dublin to Belfast International Airport to pick up a rental car for the NI part of our trip. If I understand right, we need to take a bus into Belfast and then another bus out to the Belfast International Airport. So what is the best bus company and bus stops to get on and off. Thanks in advance.

If you use the Translink service above you can book a through ticket to Belfast International - change at Belfast Europa Bus Station (the final stop coming from Dublin), bus every 20 minutes off peak /5 minutes peak Europa to the Airport.
Service from Dub to Belfast Europa hourly.

But every two hours the Aircoach to Derry/Londonderry runs through (without change) from Central Dublin to Belfast International.

So it's all personal choice

Great information! Thank you very much!

Also, do you think buying a ticket a couple days in advance is early enough?

oanncope: Is there an overriding reason why you want to go all the way out to the international airport to collect your car?
There are several rental car outlets within walking distance of the train station and, alternatively, there are a number located at the George Best city airport just a mile or two up the street.

It's effectively a walk up and go coach service, so 2 days beforehand is ample.

PS- George Best airport has another shuttle bus and it's own train station.

The reason we are going to the International airport to pick up the car is because at the time we made the rental reservation, we were told it would be easier to drive out of that airport to our destination up north than drive through Belfast and out of town. We are not young and prefer to keep the driving as simple as possible. Thanks to everyone for their responses. I'm sure I'll have more bus questions later about other towns. Appreciate your patience. I do try to look online for answers but the people on this forum seem to explain it easier. Thanks again!
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