Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Belfast Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
There were plenty of cushioned seating near the games room but it was too bright to sleep – CharlotteDeHK
BFS Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Belfast International Airport.
What to Expect
Belfast Airport (code: BFS) houses all passenger operations in a mid-size, two-level terminal with a half dozen or so shops and an equal number of restaurants and cafes. Airport services close down for the night, leaving only vending options for the overnight period, so plan accordingly. WiFi is available to help pass the time. For additional comfort, economy class passengers can pay to use one of the airport’s private lounges. See Airport Lounges in the guide below for locations and rates.
Sleeping in Belfast Airport
While the airport is open 24 hours, security does not allow passengers to the airside unless their flight is departing within a few hours. Travellers report that the airside has more sleeping options, though there are some areas with four-seater armrest-free chairs on either end of the arrivals area Landside. Eyeshades and earplugs/noise-cancelling headphones are recommended. For uninterrupted sleep, there are several hotels near the airport. See Airport Hotels in the guide below or read some traveller airport reviews for more tips.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s web site for current information. For more airport information continue scrolling down to explore more in our Belfast Airport Guide.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security. For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Belfast Airport:
With Covid restrictions constantly changing, we recommend that you confirm shuttle availability prior to booking and/or prior to your arrival.
- Maldron Hotel Belfast Airport – 50m/2 minute walk from the terminal. » Check Rates
- Ballyrobin Country Lodge – No airport shuttle. » Check Rates
- Dunadry Hotel – No airport shuttle. » Check Rates
- Holiday Inn Express Antrim M2 – No airport shuttle. » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Belfast International Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there is a lounge that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and to also find out how you can gain lounge access with just an economy class ticket!
Causeway Lounge – Location: Airside, near Gates 16 & 17. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Lounge membership programs.
Related Pages: Belfast International Airport Lounges
Airport WiFi/Internet
Free WiFi is available at Belfast International Airport for 2 hours.
More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover At The Airport
ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so be sure to check your bank’s fee schedule and your daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: unknown.
Baby Care Facilities – Available throughout the airport, both Airside and Landside. See Duty Free and Shopping below for additional services.
Currency Exchange – There are two Travelex Currency Exchange offices in the airport: one location is before the central search security area and the other is located in the International Arrivals area. Hours: 5:00AM – 8:00PM.
Duty Free & Shopping – Duty-free shopping is available, along with a limited variety of shops selling newspapers, snacks, travel necessities and souvenirs. Superdrug is located Airside and offers pre-order service for infant formula. Simply place your order 6 days before your travel and pick up post security, freeing up space in your hand luggage for other essentials.
Food & Drinks – There are no 24 hour food and beverage concessions available. There are 10 food options available (Landside and Airside), some options include: Burger King • Caffe Ritazza • Northern Quarter • Fed & Watered • The Lagan Bar • Sip & Stone • Starbucks • Coco Diablo.
Information Desk – Customer Service Agents can be found throughout the airport to offer assistance.
Luggage Storage & Lockers – Not available.
Mobile Charging – At the time of this update, we did not have any information about mobile charging availability. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Observation Area – Relax and watch planes taking off and landing from the vantage point of the airport’s observation area . Location: Landside, follow the signs from the Arrivals Area. Hours: open 24/7.
Quiet Room – The airport offers an oasis of calm to enable contemplation and/or prayer. Locations: Arrivals Hall.
Rest Zones – There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Showers – Not available.
SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Smoking – Smoking is permitted in designated facilities (Airside next to the Lagan Bar) for a 1 EU entrance fee.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours.
Airlines
Belfast International airport is served by the following airlines: EasyJet • Jet2 • TUIFly • Virgin Atlantic • Wizz Air.
Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport
Bus
The Airport Express 300 is a daily express service between the airport and Belfast Europa Bus Centre (next to Europa Hotel) in downtown Belfast. Stops include Templepatrick and Royal Avenue. At the time of this update, adult fare is £8.00 one-way or £11.50 round trip.
The Ulsterbus (109A) runs between the airport, Lisburn Rail Station and Antrim Buscentre daily from 6:00AM – 6:00PM. Access to Antrim Train Station is available via Antrim Buscentre.
Transporter buses travel between Belfast International Airport and Belfast City Airport, or from the airports to Derry and Londonderry.
To plan your route, visit the Tourist Information Desk in the main concourse of the airport or the Belfast Airport website.
Car Rentals
The following car rental agencies are located onsite in the Arrivals Hall: Avis • Budget • Europcar • Hertz.
Hotel Shuttles
At the time of this update, we were unable to find any hotels that provide an airport shuttle. See also Airport Hotels above.
Taxis
Airport-approved taxis are available at the taxi rank, located outside to the right of the Arrivals Hall exit door, on a 24-hour basis. All taxis are metered, and reservations are not required. Shared taxis are also available upon request.
Last updated: 2023-03-21
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, are subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers and their web sites. We are not representatives of any of the above mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.
