Northern Ireland

Everything you need to know: Rail services start at Belfast Grand Central Station

Enterprise and NI Railway services begin at new transport hub

Pacemaker Press 08-09-2024: A new £340m public transport hub has opened in the centre of Belfast with the start of bus services. Translink has estimated the new Grand Central Station will cater for up to 20 million journeys a year. The Europa bus centre closed its doors at 23:30 BST on Saturday, with the first bus departures - to Dublin and to Belfast International Airport - from the new station at 05:00 BST on Sunday. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press.
Translink has estimated the new Grand Central Station will cater for up to 20 million journeys a year. PICTURE: ARTHUR ALLISON/PACEMAKER
By Caoimhe Quinn McCullough

Rail services including the cross-border Enterprise train have begun at Belfast’s new Grand Central Station.

The state-of-the-art public transport hub opened its doors last month following four years of construction, but before Sunday only buses were operating as last-minute work continued to prepare for train services.

Before Sunday, passengers travelling from Belfast to Dublin on the Enterprise service have had to board a bus to Newry to continue their journey via train.

MORE: Your guide to the new Belfast Grand Central Station

Although the eight weekday Belfast to Dublin Enterprise trains - seven on Sundays - have begun departing Grand Central Station, the new hourly Enterprise service from the new £340m hub will not begin until Tuesday October 29.

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Translink chief executive Chris Conway said: “The commencement of rail services at Belfast Grand Central is a significant milestone in the transformation of public transport in Northern Ireland, providing integrated services which connect people and place.

“The first Enterprise departure at 8.05am today was a truly historic moment, marking the start of rail services at this iconic new facility and the return of cross border rail services to the heart of the city.”

Here’s everything you need to know about the new services:

Change to services

Rail services commencing at Belfast Grand Central Station means:

  • There will be double the number of rail platforms from four to eight.
  • The rail line between Belfast and Lisburn will reopen.
  • Services will resume at Botanic and City Hospital stations.
  • Enterprise services will relocate from Lanyon Place Station and operate to/from Belfast Grand Central Station, which will be the main terminus station for the city.
  • All NI Railways local services will operate to/from Grand Central Station.
  • Bangor line services will now terminate at Grand Central Station.
  • Portadown line services will now terminate at Grand Central Station.

The first train to pull out from the station on Sunday 13th October was an Enterprise service to Dublin departing at 8.05am and the 8.30am from Portadown the first arriving at 9.15am.

How do I pay?

The new train station has automatic ticketing gates and passengers can purchase tickets to be scanned at gates to speed up journeys and enhance convenience.

Tickets can be bought online or at one of the 12 ticket vending machines in the station.

Translink say the “quickest way to travel” is to pre-purchase your ticket on the mLink mobile ticketing app or have your Translink smartcard topped up.

You can also buy online and collect at the ticket vending machine.

Ticket in hand, simply check the passenger information screens for departure information. You can then make your way to the train platform.

The station can be accessed from the front via the main entrance just off Glengall Street or at the side of the station via the Grosvenor Road entrance
The station can be accessed from the front via the main entrance just off Glengall Street or at the side of the station via the Grosvenor Road entrance

Access and Parking

Set down and pick up

Public Realm Works surrounding the new station are ongoing and will continue through 2025 to significantly upgrade the streets and enhance pedestrian safety, making it easier and more accessible for all.

During this time set down and pick up for passengers and patrons of the station will be at the following:

St Andrew’s Square (access and exit via Hope Street). Passengers being set down here can walk through the Europa Buscentre, exit at Glengall Street and access the new station entrance from Durham Street.

Value Car Parks (access and exit via Grosvenor Road). Passengers can utilise the set-down areas which are available on the first floor of the multi-story car park. The first ten minutes are free of change for cars using Value Car Parks (longer term parking also available). Passengers being set down at this point should access the new station via the Grosvenor Road entrance.

Car Parking

For Cross Border Passengers who wish to park their car and travel to Dublin (Enterprise and X1 and X2 Services only):

Approaching from Gt Victoria Street/Sandy Row use Go Park Great Northern Car Park – 24 hour operation. A reduced rate of £12 per 24 hours is available. With 530 spaces simply present your train/coach ticket at the car park kiosk.

Approaching from Grosvenor Road, there are also 575 car parking spaces available at the nearby Value Car Parks on Grosvenor Road.

Translink is also encouraging people to consider the use of Park and Ride sites across NI – there are around 60 sites across NI with approximately 10,000 spaces.

What are Belfast Grand Central Station’s opening hours?

  • Monday: 5.00 - 23.45
  • Tuesday: 5.00 - 23.45
  • Wednesday: 5.00 - 23.45
  • Thursday: 5.00 - 23.45
  • Friday: 5.00 - 23.45
  • Saturday: 5.00 - 23.45
  • Sunday: 5.00 - 23.45