Bus from Newcastle (Northern Ireland) to Rathfriland
2 direct routes · 26–35 min · first bus 10:45, last bus 18:45 (weekdays).
Next buses to Rathfriland as of 06:41
Scheduled times at the boarding stop in Newcastle, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 240 | Goldliner | ~26 min | 5 | Sat 5 · Sun 5 | 10:45 | 18:45 | Newcastle Bus Station Lay-By | Hilltown Road | Castlewellan & Kilcoo |
| 36 | Ulsterbus | ~35 min | 1 | Sat 1 · no Sunday buses | 16:35 | 16:35 | Newcastle Bus Station | Rathfriland Bus Depot | Maghera, Castlewellan, Kilcoo & Cabra |
Times are for the first boarding point in Newcastle 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 240 bus or 36 bus timetable.
Frequently asked questions
Which bus goes from Newcastle to Rathfriland?
2 routes run directly from Newcastle to Rathfriland: the 240 (Goldliner), the 36 (Ulsterbus). The most frequent is the 240, 5 times each weekday — board at Newcastle Bus Station Lay-By and get off at Hilltown Road, about 26 minutes.
How long does the bus take from Newcastle to Rathfriland?
Between 26 minutes on the 240 and 35 on the 36, depending on which route you catch and on traffic. It calls at Castlewellan, Kilcoo on the way.
What time is the first and last bus from Newcastle to Rathfriland?
On weekdays the first direct bus leaves around 10:45 and the last around 18:45. Check the route timetables for weekends.
How much is the bus from Newcastle to Rathfriland?
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.