Irrelevant of what other reviewers think, in my opinion Europa Bus and Train Station is pretty…read moregood. Sure, it's not the prettiest building, but it has everything you're likely to need. There are a few cafes in both the Station and Great Northern Mall which lead to it. You'll also find a shop, seating, ticket counter, information desk, toilets and digital timetable board displaying bus and train times. I personally have always found it clean, tidy, pleasant in atmosphere and the staff helpful. There can be queues at the ticket counter but I know this and always arrive early to allow myself enough time to purchase my ticket. There's really nothing more I could ask for as far as a bus and train station is concerned.

Europa Bus Centre is fine. It's not super modern, but it was climate-controlled and clean. It was…read moreeasy to find the bus information and ticketing. There was also lots of information on visiting NI. Even though I bought my ticket online, I still needed a printed ticket. I appreciate the shops and restaurants, though not sure I noticed an ATM. Restrooms were fine. Not sure if Europa is run by Translink, but I will say that when I needed help with something before my trip, the staff at Translink was super friendly and responsive, and I can't say the same for other national travel companies. Europa is definitely A-OK.

Ahhh, what fond memories I have of getting the bus to Newtownards' bus station in the mornings,…read moreonly to be met my a pile of scary teenagers waiting to go to school. It was always a bit of a struggle trying to find my way through the hoards of perilous school kids, their staring eyes fixated on me. Ah yes, fond indeed... Newtownards bus station serves the wider Ards Peninsula, such as Portaferry, Millisle, Ballyhalbert, Donaghadee and Portavogie, as well as Bangor and Comber, and Newtownards town service buses. Due to the fact that it always busy, the service to Belfast don't leave the bus station, they just arrive here. This aspect of the bus station is very confusing, and I remember the lady at the help desk trying to explain to two foreign men where Gibson's Lane was (where the buses to Belfast leave from), but to no avail. I ended up showing them where to go (in the nicest way possible), and explaining them how things worked. Apart from that, Newtownards' bus station is fairly simple. It has a service desk, a little shop, and an inside waiting area...and that's it. I guess it doesn't need to be any more complex. Just remember, if you're trying to get home to Belfast, do NOT go to the bus station...Gibson's Lane is across the road, and to the left. Easy enough?

just one star given based on the fact no smoking signs are ignored and no one enforces it.read more

First time on a train in years! Belfast to Bangor for Yelp secret supper, the journey was smooth,…read morequick and comfortable, the train was on time, not to busy and didn't add any stresses to the journey, so basically that's all u can ask for!

I use the Belfast Bikes going to and from work and have done so for about a year now. It costs £20…read morefor the year and if you rent a bike for less than half an hour there is no charge. Using the bikes i can get to and from work really quickly, avoiding traffic, and not having to worry about locking up a bike or where i am going to park it. Making this a very handy service. The app is the easiest way to get a bike out and return it, you put in the bike code and go, pretty simple. You can also ask for a card that you can swipe at the bike dock, or imput the details at the dock. I have had a few issues with the service over the year, bikes not coming out of the dock then having to get another and be charged for the second bike, being the most annoying one. Although this seemed to be an issue early on, that they have now sorted. All in all its a really handy service to get you round Belfast.

For someone living in or close to the city centre these are great. For £20 a year, the bikes offer…read morea fairly dependable mode of transport around the city, and a greener, cheaper alternative to the taxi or bus . If you have the app on your phone, you simply enter the code in the bike and it unlocks. There will be an additional charge of you go over 30 mins, but Belfast is that compact I've never had them out for more than 15 mins at a time. The bikes are generally in good working order, though I've used a few that have had small problems. There is a feedback function on the app if you need to report anything. Additionally, the support team (available on the free phone number) are very helpful and pleasant. The bikes themselves are quite simple with 3 gears , stand, lock, bell, lights, parcel basket and easily adjustable seat height. Very handy and enjoyable way to get around the city. For anyone just visiting for a few days, i believe there is an option for shorter hire durations. Also, for anyone apprehensive about the traffic, belfast has become very cycle friendly in the last few years, with cycle lanes throughout many parts of the wider city and 20mph speed limits in the city centre.

Whiteabbey Station is basically just a little halt on the Larne to Belfast line. I would never…read moreusually have had much dealings with it, apart from when I was a student at Newtownabbey Tech, a number of years ago. I have various 'happy' memories of trudging in the rain up the road to the college from this station, and even happier memories of the days when we 'forgot' to get off at Whiteabbey, and continued on up to Belfast for a day of procrastination. The platforms have decent sized shelters and benches on both sides, with flights of steps on either side leading up to the walkways to enter/access the platforms. There is also a good sized car park for commuters to use, should they not wish to drive all the way into the city centre. There is no ticket booths here, nor have I ever seen a conductor, so it's just a case of hopping on and purchasing your ticket on the train, should you not already have one.

Whiteabbey Train Station was opened in 1848 and has recently been renovated and now includes a…read moregreat new parking space. This means it's much handier for those who avail of the park and ride service. The parking facility here was minimal before this rebuild but it seems a lot more secure and safe now which will keep many drivers at east. The platform itself isn't up to much, it's pretty basic but that's all you need. It is great having the train station in the area as there's no other stop between Whiteabbey and Belfast. From Mondays to Saturdays on the Larne line there is a half-hourly service towards Carrick with one train an hour continuing to Larne and a half-hourly service to Belfast Central. One thing that baffles me is that the train doesn't stop here on the way to Derry. I used to get this train every week up to Coleraine university and had to travel to Mossley West (see review) even through the train passes through this station. Platform 1 takes you in to Belfast and Platform 2 takes you to CArrickfergus / Larne. Check translink website or call for train times and more info.

This bus center and rail station are well-maintained, considering how busy they are most days of…read morethe week. I always get my questions answered at the counter, and they were plenty of options for one day, weekly, and monthly passes for visitors. I'm so happy to see a café for food and drink options again inside recently! Now we need the newsagent to re-open... or something similar...

Having undergone a stunning transformation in 2001, Bangor Bus and Rail Station is uber glam and…read morecool (relatively speaking, of course). I know they're not two words usually associated with stations (and don't worry, I don't use them often), but they certainly fit the bill for the first integrated bus and train station in Northern Ireland. With its split-level building designed to make life a wee bit easier by separating the bus section (lower level) from the rail area (upper level), as well as a cafe, a newsagents and seating areas, Bangor Station is well laid out and easy to use. The bus service (provided by Ulsterbus) connects Bangor with the likes of Belfast, Newtownards and Donaghadee, as well supplying Bangor with its very own town service. The rail service (provided by NI Railways) links Bangor with Belfast Central, and then carries on to from here to Portadown. Passengers can easily alight at Central and switch to the Enterprise to Dublin, or indeed change for the likes of Coleraine, Portrush, Carrickfergus and Londonderry. Very handy indeed. All in all, Bangor Station is first class and certainly up there with the top stations in Northern Ireland. Ps. Hello to Mr Friendly Ticket Man, who didn't mind my stupidity when I forgot to show him my train ticket on the way out of the station. Ever so nice, he was.

It's got a shelter and a car park. Really not much else to say about it…read more It's beside a park and handy parking for Moseley mill theatre.

Mossley West railway station was reopened nine years ago and the train line could finally be used…read moreby the public after many years in disuse. Mossley platform is great for those travelling to Antrim, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Coleraine etc as this provides a quick, direct line for them to get to work or university etc. Because of this schedule it means the train can be very busy in the mornings and evenings, also on a Sunday when the hordes of students travel back up to university. The train that usually runs on this line is one of the newer trains which makes your journey that little bit more quick and comfortable. It's also one of the most scenic train journeys. The beautiful Northern Irish country side flys past you, especially in the Spring when all the lambs are being born and you can see them bounce about the fields. Not bad for a train line I must say.

No link between laganside and europa. If going from ballygowan to enniskillen you have to take taxi…read moreor carry suitcases a long long way to europa.

Wow Laganside Bus station is grim, when waiting there recently I contemplated throwing myself in…read morefront of a bus rather than get on one out of sheer boredom. Laganside is on its last legs, I can almost here the wrecking ball swinging....do you hear it too? If you are coming to Belfast from Newtownards then the last stop is Laganside, to be fair despite the state of lagan side it is in a pretty handy location right next to the wonky Albert Clock. You can get off and be right in the City centre within seconds. The journey from Newtownards itself is a long and boring one. The bus travels a route that is just unnecessary as no one gets on or off the bus at about 70% of the stops you pass. Very strange but something that is non negotiable I suppose. All in all this place could do with a revamp and if you are waiting around for a bus don't jingle your bus money in your pockets because you will be asked to spare it.

Hello to staff at Armagh bus station. Today, 28th June 2022…read moreI was using the town service 12.30 from Woodford, and back on the 2.14 pm from the bus centre. I am not long after hip replacement and am using 2 crutches. This was my first trip out, and my return journey was by myself. I was nervous about tripping, falling, etc, none of those things happened. I want to praise, and thank all the staff on duty today for their kindness and help. The driver was very kind to pick up my travel card, get my ticket and bring it to me in my seat. The lady in the office inside was similar, friendly and with a smile. Well done and thank you. R White

At least Armagh has a bus station, for many years it didn't, so the very fact one exists is good…read more Unfortunately it's quite small and there's no cafe, only coffee and snack vending machines (chocolate bars, packets of crisps and bags of sweets). A well cared for Ulsterbus station, if slightly shabby these days. Staff are agreeable, when they're there that is, as the ticket counter's closed up most of the time. Hence you often just purchase your ticket on the bus from the driver. However when you do talk to both counter staff and bus drivers they are friendly and helpful. Today I went to buy an Armagh to Belfast ticket which costs £9.40, but the ticket counter Gent advised me I could purchase a 'Rambler' ticket for £9.00 which allows unlimited Ulsterbus and Belfast Metro journeys for one full day up to midnight (price as at Nov. 2015). There are a couple of things which irk me about this station. Lack of an electronic timetable display board is one, though paper timetables sit at the ticket counter. Secondly the opening times are rubbish. Buses come and go at all hours over 7 days a week but the bus centre's only open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm. This is annoying if you arrive or wish to depart outside station opening hours as you end up standing at an outside bus stop in all weathers.

This is what used to be Bridge End Station and is between Sydenham Station and Belfast Central…read moreStation. I'm glad they changed the name because Bridge End didn't mean anything to anyone. At least now the name Titanic Quarter Station alludes to the fact that this is where you get off the train to go to the Titanic Centre, Harland and Wolf, The Odyssey Arena (Home of the Belfast Giants) as well as global businesses such as Citi Bank. The station itself doesn't have very many amenities. If you're getting on here you'll have to buy a ticket from the inspector on the train although they don't take credit or debit card so you may have to hang on until you get to Belfast Central. There are a few shelters on the platforms although no heated areas so I would plan your journey and consult a timetable so you're not left standing in the (usually) cold too long. Platform 2 is for Belfast bound trains and 1 is for all stops to the Bangor line.