By Metro

Our local bus service is called the ‘Metro’. It is simplicity itself to use; the best recommendation is to pick up a map at the Belfast Welcome Centre (on Donegall Place) and while you are there you can get brochures on all the wonderful places to visit by bus. There are official bus stops all over the city and they are clearly marked with the Metro logo.

Using the Metro is a simple matter:

Signal to the driver that you want to get on by holding out your arm. People in Belfast stand in a queue (a line) when waiting for the bus; the person closest to the bus stop gets on first and as people arrive at the stop they queue behind that person.

When it is your turn to get on state your destination stop to the driver.

You can speed up boarding times by using the cash-free Smartlink Card. You can buy a Smartlink Card and top up your journeys or unlimited travel at one of the participating Smartlink Agents in the Greater Belfast Area and at the Metro Kiosk, Donegall Square West.  You CANNOT buy cards or top up on a bus.

If paying in cash, exact money speeds your service.

There is room for two buggies on board. Others must be folded away.

The 12 main Corridors within the Metro are:

The Metro Network has 12 high-frequency corridors along main arterial roads into Belfast City Centre with additional services operating throughout the Greater Belfast Area. 

Some Ulsterbus services operating in the Greater Belfast area will set down and pick up on Metro corridors.  These services will be numbered 500-599 and generally serve the Metro network after 6.30 p.m. and all day Saturday and Sunday. 

Antrim Road – Metro 1  

Shore Road – Metro 2        

Holywood Road – Metro 3

Upper Newtownards Rd – Metro 4

Castlereagh Road – Metro 5

Cregagh Road – Metro 6

Ormeau Road – Metro 7

Malone Rd / Stranmillis Rd – Metro 8

Lisburn Road – Metro 9

Falls Road – Metro 10

Shankill Road – Metro 11

Oldpark Road – Metro 12 

Check out Belfast’s Metro Map highlighting the above zones.

Late night shopping is so easy with Metro! Using Metro means a healthier, more sustainable and efficient citySee

Belfast by Metro
It couldn’t be easier to visit the great attractions and places of interest Belfast has to offer and with a Metro Day Ticket you can really make the most of Belfast.

For just £2.90* you can travel after 10 a.m. (available Monday - Saturday or all day Sunday) or for £3.50 you can travel anywhere on Metro all day (available Monday - Saturday) and remember children are half price and senior citizens go free! (*price at June 2009)

You can buy your Metro Day Ticket from the driver on the bus, at the Metro Kiosk, Donegall Square West or the Belfast Welcome Centre, Donegall Place.

Belfast Castle

Open daily, Admission FREE. On the slopes of Cave Hill, Belfast Castle is a great place to sample excellent cuisine, historical atmosphere and beautiful gardens.

Metro Service: 1 • Metro Stop: Strathmore Park

Belfast Zoo

Open Daily, April-Sept 10am-5pm. On a fifty acre site with panoramic views over the city and Belfast Lough, Belfast Zoo acts as a safe place for over 160 species of rare or highly endangered animals housed in award winning enclosures which replicate their natural environments.

Metro Service: 1 • Metro Stop: Bellevue

Cave Hill Country Park

Open Daily. Cave Hill Country Park has a wealth of geological, archaeological and botanical interest. Visit the Cavehill Visitor Centre for free trail map and literature.

Metro Service: 1 • Metro Stop: Strathmore Park

Odyssey Complex

Includes a magnificent indoor Arena, home of Belfast Giants ice hockey team, IMAX theatre, 14 screen cinema, restaurants, bars and W5 Interactive Discovery Centre with more than 100 thrilling exhibits and spectacular installations which will fire the imaginations of people of all ages.

Metro Service: 3 • Metro Stop: Station Street

Parliament Buildings Stormont

Stormont is a public park which remains open until 7.30pm. Pedestrians can walk from the main gates to the statue of Carson, along the Prince of Wales Avenue.

Metro Service: 4 • Metro Stop: Stormont

Botanic Gardens

Open daily. Botanic Gardens is world-class, with its great greenhouses and glorious herbaceous walkways, formal bedding and shrubberies.

Metro Service: 8 • Metro Stop: Ulster Museum

Lagan Valley Regional Park

Open daily. Straddling 13 miles of the most scenic stretches of the Lagan, the Park comprises an attractive mix of natural amenities.

Metro Service: 8 • Metro Stop: Malone Hill Park

Malone House

Open Monday.- Saturday. Admission FREE. Built in the 1820s Malone House commands superb views over the Lagan Valley Regional Park.

Metro Service: 8 • Metro Stop: Bristow Park

Clonard Monastery

Clonard Church is designed in early French Gothic. During World War 2 the crypt was used as an air-raid shelter by women and children from the Falls.

Metro Service: 10 • Metro Stop: Falls Library