By Bus in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland's main bus company, Ulsterbus, runs direct service between Dublin and Belfast. Queries about Ulsterbus service, or any other bus and rail transportation in Northern Ireland, can be answered by the national central reservation center, Translink. The Translink Goldline service between the two cities is a 24-hour service operating daily and departing from Belfast's Europa Buscentre on the hour. The republic's Bus Éireann runs direct services to Belfast from Dublin. Buses arrive at and depart from the Buscentre; the ride takes three hours. The efficient Air Coach (028/9033-0655 www.aircoach.ie) operates hourly between Belfast and Dublin (change buses at Dublin airport for central Dublin) from 6: 30 am to 8:30 pm. Buses arrive and depart Belfast from outside Jurys Inn, Fisherwick Place. Buses to Belfast also run from London and from Birmingham, making the Stranraer ferry crossing.

You can take advantage of frequent and inexpensive Ulsterbus links between all Northern Ireland towns. In Belfast, the Europa Buscentre is just behind the Europa Hotel. Within Belfast the city bus service is comprehensive. All routes start from Donegall Square, where there's a kiosk with timetables. The Metro service operates on most suburban routes to and from the center. A one-day ticket, Monday to Saturday, costs £3.50 (£2.50 after 10 am).

Bus Depot

Europa Buscentre (Great Victoria St., Golden Mile, Belfast. 028/9066-6630).

Bus Lines

Bus Éireann (01/836-6111 in Dublin. www.buseireann.ie). Translink (028/9066-6630. www.translink.co.uk).

Fares

If you want to tour the north by bus and train, contact Translink: a Freedom of Northern Ireland Ticket allows unlimited travel on bus or train (£14 per day, £34 for three days, and £50 per week). An Irish Rover bus ticket from Ulsterbus covers Ireland, north and south, and costs £48 for 3 days, £109 for 8, and £156 for 15. An Emerald Card (bus and rail) costs £157 for 8 days and £271 for 15 days.