Belfast City Airport Parking
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Compare Belfast City Airport Parking
If you’re flying from Belfast City Airport, finding the best deal on airport parking for you should be on your to-do list. Depending on the length of your trip, either long-stay or short-stay parking is available. Taking the time to choose the right airport parking before you travel can give you the peace of mind that your space is guaranteed, you get the best possible price and your airport parking experience is a seamless one.
Choosing airport parking at Belfast City Airport
Knowing what type of parking to choose and planning ahead will help you get the cheapest airport parking at Belfast City Airport. The airport has a number of different car parks to suit all budgets.
Long stay parking
To get the most for your money, the long stay car park offers cheap parking for stays of over a week. The long-stay car park is a short walk from the terminal at BHD, so after you park your car you can simply make your way to the check-in area.
If you’re travelling with a lot of luggage, or small children in tow and don’t want to walk, a free shuttle bus is available to take you from the long-stay car park to the terminal.
Prices for long-stay parking start at £45 for 1-2 days if you drive up and park on the day. It is worth booking in advance, however, as reduced rates apply for pre-booking your parking.
Premier Parking
For travellers who want to have a premium parking experience, Belfast City Airport now has a Premium parking option. Ideal for frequent flyers, business travellers or commuters, the Premium parking is located just a 2-minute walk from the terminal, so you can arrive at the airport with a minimum of fuss.
When booking Premium parking, you will also receive a complimentary fast-track security pass, which will further speed up your time passing through to departures. This package is only available by booking in advance.
Short stay parking
For those looking to park closer to the terminal, Belfast City Airport also has a short-stay car park. Located close to the main entrance, from the short stay car park it is only a 3-5 minute walk to the terminal building after you leave your car.
Short-stay parking is ideal for trips of a couple of days or picking up passengers from the arrivals hall. The first ten minutes of your stay in the short-stay car park at BHD are free. After this, drive-up prices rise to around £40 per day, although by booking in advance you can secure a discounted rate.
Pick up or drop off
There may be times when all you need is a few minutes to drop off or pick up passengers at Belfast City Airport.
Luckily, there is a dedicated drop-off lane in between the terminal and the short-stay car park for this purpose. The first ten minutes you spend in the drop-off zone are free of charge.
Benefits of Belfast City Airport parking at a glance:
- Airport parking close to the terminal
- Safe and secure car parks
- Convenient short walk to the check-in area
- Pre-bookable and drive-up rates available
- Annual parking pass available
- Fast track security lane option included
Hotel and parking at Belfast City Airport
Booking a hotel stay before your departure from Belfast City Airport can make for a seamless start to your journey. It is a good idea for those with very early morning flights. Instead of getting up before dawn to begin your journey to the airport, you can enjoy an extra hour or so in bed, knowing that you are only minutes from the check-in area.
While there are no hotels within the airport complex itself at Belfast City Airport, there are a number of hotels all within very easy reach. The Titanic Quarter Premier Inn is just a mile away from the airport, offering budget rooms for just £50. The Premier Inn does not have its own parking facilities but is happy to recommend parking nearby for airport users.
For a more luxurious start, the Rayanne House hotel is a 5-star hotel in a manor house dating back to 1883. It offers an on-site restaurant, some rooms with balconies or sea views, and on-site parking.
The Park Avenue Hotel is a six-minute drive from the airport. It is a 4-star hotel with a range of exemplary facilities and clean, comfortable rooms. It offers free parking for your stay and has a well-recommended steakhouse restaurant on site.
Transfers at Belfast City Airport
BHD is easy to get to, with good transport links for both private and public vehicles.
Situated approximately 2 miles from the centre of Belfast, a transfer to the city should take around 5-10 minutes, depending on the route taken.
By car
Those arriving at the airport by car should follow satnav directions using the postcode BT3 9JH. The airport is clearly signposted from the M1 and M2 motorways, via the A2 Sydenham Bypass.
Short and long-stay parking is available at the airport.
By train
The closest train station to Belfast City Airport is Sydenham. From here, trains connect frequently with Belfast Central and Great Victoria Street stations in the city.
A free shuttle bus is available from the airport to take you to Sydenham station, which can be arranged by visiting the Airport Parking Services desk in the arrivals hall.
From central Belfast, train connections are available to other destinations in Northern Ireland, and also to the south of Ireland.
Car Hire
Hiring a car is simple at Belfast City Airport. Simply visit one of the car hire bureaus in the terminal along with your driver’s licence and ID documents.
The best deals on car hire from Belfast Airport are usually found by booking in advance, but it is also possible to drive away on your day of travel too.
Car hire companies operating at Belfast City Airport include:
- Avis
- Budget
- Europcar
- Hertz
- Enterprise
By bus
Regular bus services link Belfast City Airport with the city centre and surrounding areas. The Airport Express 600 leaves every 30 minutes from outside the terminal and takes around ten minutes to reach the city, depending on the traffic. The service is operated by Translink, and tickets can either be bought from the driver or at the tourist information desk in the arrivals hall.
For those travelling further afield, the Airporter bus links BHD with Derry/Londonderry. Buses leave regularly throughout the working week, with a reduced timetable at weekends. The service leaves from outside the main terminal building.
By Taxi
Arriving at BHD airport by taxi is a stress-free way to transfer. Instead of worrying about finding the way you can simply sit back, relax and prepare for your trip.
Transferring by taxi on arrival at Belfast City Airport is also a simple process – there is a taxi rank located directly outside the main terminal.
By Bicycle
It is possible to arrive at Belfast City Airport by bicycle. Bike parking is available in the short-stay car park, which is only a short walk to the terminal.
The journey from the airport to the city is linked by a dedicated Greenway for a pleasant, direct and traffic-free journey.
Belfast City Airport Overview
Belfast City Airport is the third busiest airport in Ireland, serving over 2.5 million passengers a year. Located close to Belfast city centre, it was named after the famous footballer from the city, George Best in 2006.
Belfast City Airport was opened in 1938 by Anne Chamberlain, the wife of British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain. Used by the Navy in the second world war, the runway was extended in the 50s and was opened to commercial flights in 1983 when it became known as Belfast Harbour Airport.
The busiest routes from the airport include London Heathrow, Manchester and Birmingham, but the airport also serves destinations further afield such as Amsterdam and Paris. The airport is a hub of operations for Flybe and AerLingus, as well as British Airways, KLM and LoganAir.
There is one terminal building at Belfast City Airport, with a range of shops, cafes and other facilities.
Where is Belfast City Airport?
Belfast City Airport is within easy reach of the city centre of Belfast. It is located just off the A2 and is approximately 2 miles from the city itself.
To drive to the airport takes around ten minutes from the city centre, but passengers also travel from the surrounding areas to take flights to the UK mainland and other European destinations.
Which terminal do I need at Belfast City Airport?
Belfast City Airport offers flights from airlines including Aer Lingus, Flybe, British Airways, KLM and LoganAir. As there is only one terminal, all flights depart from the same departure area, so there’s no need to worry about where to go when you arrive at the airport.
The terminal is clearly signposted from all major routes approaching the airport, along with short and long-stay car parks.
Travelling with Children at Belfast City Airport
If you are taking small children with you on your flight from Belfast City Airport, you may need to allow more time than usual to proceed through the airport. It is best to leave plenty of time, as occasionally there may be queues for the security hall at peak times.
Belfast City Airport is family-friendly, and baby change areas are located on both land and airside in the terminal. The restaurants and cafes also offer foods suitable for children, and high chairs are available.
Special assistance is available if you are travelling with children on the autistic spectrum, for whom airports can be a frightening and confusing experience. Belfast City Airport has produced a series of films aimed at preparing young travellers for the experience in the terminal, which can be found here.
Facilities at Belfast City Airport
Belfast City Airport has all the necessary facilities to ensure your trip gets off to a good start. The terminal building has floor-to-ceiling glass once you reach the departure area, so you can enjoy far-reaching views out over Cave Hill Country Park as you wait for your flight.
The terminal is well equipped with a range of shops, cafes, bars and services for passengers. If you get peckish, you can pick up everything from a coffee and a cake to an artisan pizza in St George’s Restaurant. House of Ireland offers a selection of gifts and fashions from local and internationally known brands for those who like to shop their way through to the departure gates.
There is also the usual range of well-known high street shops, so if you need to pick up any last-minute essentials for your journey there is plenty of choices. You can find everything from headphones to perfume, and newspapers to toiletries.
Facilities available at Belfast City Airport include:
- Wi-Fi
- Trolleys
- Baby Change areas
- Currency Exchange
- Car hire
- Information desk
- Restaurants
- Shops
- Bars
- Cafes
- Water Fountain
- Luxury seating area
- Lounges
- ATM points
- Special Assistance
- Short stay parking
- Long stay parking
- Lost property
Where can I fly to from the Airport?
Belfast City Airport offers flights primarily to UK mainland destinations. All flights depart from the main terminal, and flights leave seven days a week. The most popular destination in terms of passenger numbers is London Heathrow.
The full list of destinations served from Belfast City is:
- Aberdeen
- Birmingham
- Cardiff
- East Midlands
- Edinburgh
- Exeter
- Glasgow
- Inverness
- Leeds/Bradford
- London City
- London Southend
- Manchester
- Newquay
- Southampton
- London Heathrow
- Carlisle Lake District
- Dundee
What to do in Belfast City Airport
Book a passenger lounge experience
Belfast City Airport has two executive lounges available for passengers’ use. The BA lounge is open for BA passengers and British Airways Executive Club members and can be found on the first floor of the departures area. Alternatively, passengers travelling with any airline can book the Aspire Lounge to use before their flight.
Both lounges offer a range of facilities designed to make your time in the airport more comfortable. You can expect a range of hot or cold snacks, complimentary drinks, newspapers and fast Wi-Fi, making a lounge the perfect choice if you are travelling on business and need to get some work done.
Enjoy the view
Whereas some airports offer a great view of the planes coming and going on the runway, passengers at Belfast City Airport can enjoy a more pastoral view whilst waiting for a plane. The departures area looks out over the stunning Cave Hill Country Park which looms to the city’s north. The terminal has floor-to-ceiling windows to really make the most of this view.
Treat yourself to a cocktail
What better way to start your trip than with a delicious cocktail from the newest addition to the food and drink offering in the terminal, The Artisan? Serving light bites, tapas and appetisers too, there is plenty to choose from, and the menu has been chosen to showcase the best of Irish produce.
Get the best value
Belfast City Airport is an important hub for business travellers. With frequent flights to major UK cities, it sees many frequent flyers pass through the doors each year. If you travel regularly through the airport, you could save yourself time and money by purchasing an annual parking pass.
The annual pass offers a set price for unlimited visits and parking and can save time on paperwork. To use the annual pass, simply tap in and out of the car park of your choice. To save even more time, the annual pass also allows holders to access the fast-track security lanes, which can speed up your time spent in the terminal too.
Pick up a souvenir
The shops in the departure area offer a good range of gifts if picking up a souvenir of Northern Ireland is high on your list of things to do. The House of Ireland shop stocks Waterford Crystal and other Irish brands like John Rocha, Louise Kennedy and Tipperary so you can shop until you drop whilst waiting for your flight.
There is a ‘shop and collect’ service available from the store too, so it couldn’t be more convenient.
What to see near the Airport
Learn about the Titanic
The tragic story of the RMS Titanic is famous the world over. The ship was built in the city of Belfast, and the city now hosts an interactive visitor experience which is worth a visit to find out more about the history of the shipbuilding industry in Belfast, and how the tragedy unfolded.
Entrance to the Titanic Belfast costs £19, and the attraction is only minutes from the airport terminal.
Visit a castle garden
A short journey from the airport is Antrim Castle Gardens, a 400year old living history of garden design. Located 4.5 miles from the airport, the gardens have recently benefitted from a £6million pound restoration project.
If you’re looking for a pleasant place to take in some fresh air, stretch your legs and enjoy the tranquil and beautiful surroundings, a visit to Antrim Castle Gardens is a must.
Talk to an owl
Voted the best small visitor attraction in the area, World of Owls offers one of the largest collections of owls in the UK.
Billed as a fun day out for all the family, the attraction also hosts a variety of other reptiles, insects and animals, along with a children’s play area and a café. The centre is in Randalstown, approximately a half-hour drive from Belfast City Airport.
Indulge your sweet tooth
For lovers of all things sweet, a visit to Belfast isn’t complete without seeing Aunt Sandra’s Sweetie Factory.
Close to the Titanic Belfast a stone’s throw from the airport, here you can tour the sweet factory to see your favourite confections being made, and of course sample some of the goods.
Get scientific in Belfast
Worth a visit is Belfast’s W5 Interactive Discovery Centre. With a daily programme of live science demos and interactive displays and exhibits, there is enough to keep the whole family busy on a day out in Belfast.
The six zoned areas include the SpaceBase, VR zone and Med Lab, as well as the Discovery Zone, ClimbIt and AMAZE areas. The W5 Discovery Centre is located in the Odyssey Complex, just 3.5 miles from the airport.
It will take around ten minutes by car to reach the centre from the airport, and car parking is available at the site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I park at Belfast City Airport?
There are two main car parks at the airport. Choosing the right one for you will depend on the length of your trip and your budget. The short-stay car park is closest to the terminal and is recommended for stays of up to a few days.
The long-stay car park is more suitable for trips of over a week, although does take a little more time to reach the terminal from here. You can either book in advance or turn up and park in both car parks.
Is there a smoking area in the terminal building?
Smoking is not permitted anywhere inside the terminal building. If you smoke, the only place you are permitted to do so at Belfast City Airport is outside the main entrance.
Is it possible to get online at Belfast City Airport?
Yes, throughout the terminal, passengers are able to access Wi-Fi. It is free to use, but you will be asked to provide some registration details if you are online for more than 4 hours.
Where can I find information about Belfast city at the airport?
For travellers arriving at Belfast City Airport, a tourist information bureau is available so you can plan your trip in the city. It is located near the doors of the arrivals hall. Here you will find information and timetables on transport routes, major attractions in the city and advice on places of interest in Belfast.
What liquids can I take in my hand luggage?
There are restrictions in place around liquids in hand luggage for security reasons. You should check with your airline before travelling, to make sure you are aware of the latest security regulations. Any liquids taken in hand luggage must be in containers of 100ml or smaller, and be presented to security officials in a transparent, resealable plastic bag for inspection.
Can I take baby milk through security?
If you are travelling with an infant, you are allowed to take through enough baby milk or sterilized water for your journey. This will be subject to the usual security checks.
Is there accessible parking at Belfast City Airport?
Disabled and Blue Badge holders are able to use the accessible parking spaces in the short stay car park close to the terminal building. These can be used at the same rates available for the long stay car park upon presentation of the blue badge at the information desk within the main terminal.
How do I book special assistance at the airport?
Some travellers may require additional help to make their way to their flight. At Belfast City Airport, special assistance is available from the moment you park your car through to boarding your flight. In the first instance, you should make your airline aware of any special assistance or mobility needs at least 48 hours before your flight. At the airport, the special assistance desk is located near the main entrance to the terminal.
Can I change currency at the airport?
At Belfast City Airport, there is a Travelex currency exchange bureau in the main concourse. You can pick up pre-ordered travel currency here. Alternatively, there are ATMs located around the terminal where you can withdraw currency in either Pounds Sterling or Euros.
When should I arrive for my flight?
No one wants the stress of rushing through the airport, so it’s best to leave yourself plenty of time to catch your flight. Most airlines recommend arriving within two hours to make your way through check-in, security and to the gate to catch your flight. Make sure you allow time to park your car and transfer from your car park too.
Where can I catch a bus at Belfast City Airport?
There are a number of bus services running between the airport and local areas. The bus stop is conveniently right outside the main terminal building and is clearly signposted for arrivals.