Hotels near Belfast Airport

Belfast City Airport is smaller and easier to navigate than many big international airports, which means it usually feels less hectic. It does get busy at peak times, especially early mornings and evenings when business and commuter flights are most popular, but queues are generally shorter than at larger airports. For leisure travellers, it’s often considered a stress-free start or end to a trip.

The airport first opened in 1938 as a base for flying boats, but it really grew in importance during the Second World War. After years as a military and industrial airfield, it reopened for civil flights in the 1980s and has since developed into a modern regional airport.

Belfast City Airport is compact compared to many UK airports. It has a single terminal and one main runway, handling around two million passengers a year. Because of its size, walking distances are short, you won’t need long treks between check-in, security and your departure gate. 

The airport is only about three miles from Belfast city centre, so the journey is quick and straightforward. By taxi, it usually takes around 10-15 minutes depending on traffic. There are also regular airport buses that head straight into the centre. For those hiring a car, it’s a short drive with clear signposts into the city.