Belfast to Edinburgh bus with National Express

Thu, 17 Jul
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The cheapest and fastest coaches from Belfast to Edinburgh

Showing times and prices for 18 Jul

Cheapest price

£56

Average price

£57

Fastest journey

10 h 20 m

Average duration

10 h 30 m

Buses per day

2

Distance

231 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Belfast to Edinburgh is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Belfast to Edinburgh will cost around £57 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £56.

Fast coaches

Of the 2 buses that leave Belfast for Edinburgh every day 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.

These direct buses cover the 231 km distance in an average of 10 h 30 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 10 h 20 m .

The slowest buses will take 10 h 40 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.

National Express
10:2010h40
Belfast
21:00Edinburgh
£561One-way
0 changes
National Express
06:3010h20
Belfast
16:50Edinburgh
£571One-way
0 changes

Travel Information

Compare coach and flight for Belfast to Edinburgh

Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Belfast to Edinburgh among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the flight with prices starting from £21. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 0m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a flight costs an average of £21, and a coach costs an average of £54.

Distance: 231 km

Compare bus with

Coach
Most popular
Flight

£55

Average Price

£54

Average Price

Cheapest

7h 40m

Average total duration

7h 10m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 0m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 0m

Onboard

+

3h 0m

Additional time*

National Express

Most popular bus company

easyJet

Most popular airline

Direct Options

Direct Options

Compare prices and tickets Belfast to Edinburgh by coach or flight

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Journey information

Overview: Bus from Belfast to Edinburgh

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus
Buses from Belfast to Edinburgh run on average 1 times per day, taking around 7h 10m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £54 but you can travel from only £21 by flight.
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Flight from £21
Distance
231 km
Average bus duration
7h 10m
Cheapest ticket price
£54
Buses per day
1
Fastest bus
10h 20m
First bus
06:30
Last bus
10:20
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Flight from £21

Coach companies: National Express Belfast to Edinburgh

National Express coaches will get you from Belfast to Edinburgh from £55. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best coach times and tickets for your trip.

National Express is the leading coach operator for routes throughout the United Kingdom, operating over 550 coaches a day and serving over 900 destinations across the country. National Express even offers routes to and from major UK airports like Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and Bristol 24 hours a day at affordable prices for the budget traveller in mind. All National Express coaches are air-conditioned and provide free WiFi and onboard entertainment. Most coaches are equipped with seat belts and power outlets in each seat, so you can charge your phone or laptop during a long journey. You can select between three ticket types for the Belfast - Edinburgh coach: Restricted Fare, Standard Fare, and Fully Flexible Fare. Refundable tickets provide more flexibility than other ticket options, meaning you can cancel or change your ticket easily, should you need to.

National Express from Belfast to Edinburgh coach information:

  • Average Duration: 10 h 40 min
  • Cheapest Price: £55

Coach from Belfast to Edinburgh

Travelling by bus from Belfast in Northern Ireland to Edinburgh, Scotland's capital involves a ferry crossing from the Belfast Stena Line Terminus to Cairnryan near Stranraer. The overall journey time varies from around 7.5 hours to just under 9.5 hours including the ferry crossing which can take up to two hours 45 minutes. On most days there is one departure operated by National Express Coaches. This leaves mid-morning. On some days there is also a mid-afternoon departure. A connection is made at Glasgow Buchanan Coach Station before the route terminates at Edinburgh Elder Street Bus Station. Please note: this route involves two separate tickets so should a delay occur on the first part of the route, the connection at Glasgow is not guaranteed. There are, however, frequent buses from Glasgow to Edinburgh, a journey of just over one hour.

How long is the journey by bus from Belfast to Edinburgh?

The bus from Belfast to Edinburgh takes between 7.5 and just under 9.5 hours. The first part of the route, including the ferry crossing, takes approximately 6.5 to 8.5 hours. The final stage of the journey from Glasgow to Edinburgh takes just over one hour.

How many coaches are there from Belfast to Edinburgh?

On most days, there is just one bus from Belfast to Edinburgh. This departs in the middle of the morning. On some days, there is a further departure in the afternoon.

What is/are the departure and arrival stations for buses from Belfast to Edinburgh?

Departure bus station: Every bus from Belfast to Edinburgh departs from the Belfast Stena Line Terminus. This is located between 30 and 40 minutes by local bus from Belfast City Centre. It is close to the M2 motorway and has plenty of car parking as well as a taxi rank. Facilities at the terminal include a ticket office, wifi, toilets, a comfortable departure lounge, baby-changing facilities and accessible toilets, a coffee shop and refreshment vending machines. Assistance can be requested for wheelchair users and passengers with limited mobility. A shuttle bus is available for passengers unable to walk the short distance from the terminus to the ferry.

Arrival bus station: The bus from Belfast to Edinburgh completes its journey at Edinburgh Elder Street Bus Station. This is centrally located within the city and only a short walk from many of Edinburgh's attractions as well as its shops and theatres. The bus station is also adjacent to a tram stop with a direct link to Edinburgh Airport. Edinburgh has an extensive transport network of local buses, local trains and trams. Facilities at Elder Street Bus Station include car parking, cycle racks, a taxi rank, toilets and accessible toilets, baby-changing, luggage storage lockers, public payphones, an ATM, phone charging stations and vending machines for refreshments. Cafes and shops can also be found in the streets surrounding the station. All areas of the bus station have step-free access via lifts and ramps.

Which coach providers travel from Belfast to Edinburgh?

The bus route from Belfast to Edinburgh is operated by National Express Coaches.

 National Express Belfast to Edinburgh

National Express Coaches is British owned and one of the largest transport providers in the country. It operates one or two daily departures from Belfast to Edinburgh with a journey time of between 7.5 hours and just under 9.5 hours. Departures are mid-morning and mid-afternoon.

Belfast to Edinburgh Coach: Services on Board

National Express sells standard tickets only although specific seats can be requested. It operates an extensive fleet of modern and safe coaches with plenty of legroom and comfortable seats. Onboard facilities include air-conditioning or heating depending on the season, wifi and toilets. Large pieces of luggage are stored in the hold of the coach while inside, small bags and personal belongings can be stored under the seat or in the overhead luggage rack. Folding bikes can travel in the hold. There is a charge for this service which must be pre-booked. Pets cannot travel on National Express coaches although certified and trained service animals are allowed. Many newer coaches have space for one wheelchair and a lift for access while foldable wheelchairs can travel in the hold. All wheelchairs must be pre-booked. Onboard toilets, however, are not accessible to wheelchairs. National Express has a dedicated Assisted Travel Team which is on hand to help and advise passengers with limited mobility.

FAQs: Belfast to Edinburgh coach

FAQs: Take the bus from Belfast to Edinburgh with ease. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have the information you need to know so you can find the best option from Belfast to Edinburgh.
FAQs

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