Bus from Portrush to Ballycastle
3 direct routes · about 52 min · first bus 07:25, last bus 17:35 (weekdays).
Next buses to Ballycastle as of 11:02
Scheduled times at the boarding stop in Portrush, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 402 | Ulsterbus | ~52 min | 13 | Sat 13 · Sun 13 | 09:05 | 17:35 | Dunluce Avenue | Marine Corner | Ballymacrea, The Skerries, Whiterocks, Dunluce Castle, Portballintrae, Bushmills & 6 more |
| 402a | Ulsterbus | ~54 min | 3 | Sat 3 · Sun 3 | 10:35 | 16:35 | Dunluce Avenue | Marine Corner | Ballymacrea, The Skerries, Whiterocks, Dunluce Castle, Portballintrae, Bushmills & 6 more |
| 172b | Ulsterbus | ~60 min | 1 | weekdays only | 07:25 | 07:25 | Dunluce Avenue | Marine Corner | Ballymacrea, The Skerries, Whiterocks, Dunluce Castle, Portballintrae, Bushmills & 5 more |
Times are for the first boarding point in Portrush 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 402 bus or 402a bus timetable.
Frequently asked questions
Which bus goes from Portrush to Ballycastle?
3 routes run directly from Portrush to Ballycastle: the 402 (Ulsterbus), the 402a (Ulsterbus), the 172b (Ulsterbus). The most frequent is the 402, 13 times each weekday — board at Dunluce Avenue and get off at Marine Corner, about 52 minutes.
How long does the bus take from Portrush to Ballycastle?
Around 52 minutes on the 402, depending on time of day and traffic. It calls at Ballymacrea, The Skerries, Whiterocks, Dunluce Castle and other stops on the way.
What time is the first and last bus from Portrush to Ballycastle?
On weekdays the first direct bus leaves around 07:25 and the last around 17:35. Check the route timetables for weekends.
How much is the bus from Portrush to Ballycastle?
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.