Bus from Belfast to Ballymena
5 direct routes · 35–89 min · first bus 07:15, last bus 19:45 (weekdays).
Next buses to Ballymena as of 06:55
Scheduled times at the boarding stop in Belfast, from the operators' timetables — they update automatically. Open the stop for live tracking.
Direct routes
| Route | Operator | Journey time | Weekday journeys | Days | First | Last | Board at | Get off at | Calls at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 218 | Goldliner | ~65 min | 12 | Sat 13 · Sun 8 | 07:45 | 19:45 | Laganside Bus Station | Ballymena Bus & Rail Centre | Antrim, Dunsilly & Ballee |
4 occasional services — once or twice a day · 120, 221, 218a, 573
Often school, college or market-day journeys — check the route before relying on one.
| Route | Operator | Journey time | Weekday journeys | Days | First | Last | Board at | Get off at | Calls at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 120 | Ulsterbus | ~89 min | 2 | weekdays only | 07:15 | 15:25 | Laganside Bus Station | Ballymena Bus & Rail Centre | Cliftonville, Fortwilliam, Downview, Bellevue, Glengormley, Mallusk & 13 more |
| 221 | Goldliner | ~35 min | 2 | Sat 2 · Sun 2 | 09:30 | 10:30 | Pottinger's Entry High Street | Ballymena Bus & Rail Centre | Ballee |
| 218a | Goldliner | ~55 min | 2 | weekdays only | 16:45 | 17:45 | Laganside Bus Station | Ballymena Bus & Rail Centre | Dunsilly & Ballee |
| 573 | Ulsterbus | ~75 min | 1 | Saturdays only | 18:15 | 18:15 | Laganside Bus Station | Ballymena Bus & Rail Centre | Cliftonville, Skegoneill, Fortwilliam, Downview, Bellevue, Glengormley & 14 more |
Times are for the first boarding point in Belfast on each route's weekday timetable — open the route for the full timetable, live map and every stop.
The same number runs elsewhere in the UK — see every 218 bus, 120 bus, 221 bus or 573 bus timetable.
Frequently asked questions
Which bus goes from Belfast to Ballymena?
5 routes run directly from Belfast to Ballymena: the 218 (Goldliner), the 120 (Ulsterbus), the 221 (Goldliner), the 218a (Goldliner), the 573 (Ulsterbus). The most frequent is the 218, 12 times each weekday — board at Laganside Bus Station and get off at Ballymena Bus & Rail Centre, about 65 minutes.
How long does the bus take from Belfast to Ballymena?
Between 35 minutes on the 221 and 89 on the 120, depending on which route you catch and on traffic. It calls at Antrim, Dunsilly, Ballee on the way.
What time is the first and last bus from Belfast to Ballymena?
On weekdays the first direct bus leaves around 07:15 and the last around 19:45. Check the route timetables for weekends.
How much is the bus from Belfast to Ballymena?
Translink sets zonal fares on this journey. Smartlink/iLink cards and contactless are cheaper than cash, with daily and weekly caps on Metro and Glider.