NI Railways trains, routes and tickets
NI Railways is the passenger railway within Translink’s Northern Ireland public transport network. Its routes connect Belfast with Derry~Londonderry, Portrush, Larne, Bangor, Portadown and Newry. The cross-border Enterprise service links Belfast Grand Central with Dublin Connolly. Northern Ireland rail travel has its own ticket products, separate from Great Britain’s National Rail fare arrangements.
Reviewed 6 November 2026.
About the operator
NI Railways is the current rail identity within Translink, which also provides bus services. The presence of both modes under one organisation does not mean every rail ticket includes unrestricted bus travel.
Belfast Grand Central is the current main departure point for Enterprise and a major hub for the local railway. Older advice directing passengers to former Belfast Great Victoria Street services or using an earlier Enterprise terminal must be checked against the current timetable and station information.
Routes and principal stations
Belfast and the north-west
The north-west railway links the Belfast area with Antrim, Ballymena, Coleraine and Derry~Londonderry. Portrush is reached on a branch from Coleraine. Check whether the journey is direct or needs a change, particularly for a coastal trip.
Larne, Bangor and Belfast connections
Other routes serve the east coast towards Larne and Bangor, with stations in and around Belfast providing local connections. Use the exact station name and route when comparing the final walk or onward transport.
Planning your journey
Distinguish Belfast Grand Central, Belfast Lanyon Place, Belfast Botanic and other Belfast stations when planning an arrival. They are separate locations, and a city name alone may hide a walking or local-transport connection.
For Portrush or another branch destination, check the interchange and last return before starting a day trip. A train returning to the main corridor is only useful if the onward connection still operates.
Check the selected Enterprise departure’s facilities. Different train types and catering arrangements are used. Check whether the chosen departure offers the accommodation and catering wanted, rather than relying on the general Enterprise brand description.
Review planned works, disruption and local onward transport for the date. A map establishes the network, while the timetable determines the actual calling points and whether an interchange is required.
Tickets and journey choices
Use Translink’s fare and ticket information for NI Railways and the applicable Enterprise conditions for Dublin travel. Great Britain rail products, Oyster and contactless arrangements should not be assumed to apply to Northern Ireland services.
Use RailSaver’s National Rail search for relevant connecting journeys in Great Britain. Check Translink’s fare and booking information for travel in Northern Ireland and on Enterprise. Keep each part of the itinerary clear: a Great Britain rail ticket does not by itself include a Northern Ireland or cross-border journey.
Accessibility and assistance
Translink publishes accessible-travel guidance and an Access Guide for its services and facilities. Check access at the actual station, boarding support and the suitability of the selected train. For an Enterprise journey or a connection to another mode, explain the full itinerary when arranging help and confirm which organisation supports each part.
Sources and further information
Use the current operator's information to check the latest timetable, disruption and assistance arrangements for your travel date.