Translink Metro Bus 96 from Belfast Port to Donegall Place (City Centre)

The last leg of my Rail & Sail to Belfast and Ireland journey would be by Translink Metro Bus 96 from Belfast Port (Victoria Terminal 4) to Donegall Place (City Centre). This bus transfer is not included in the National Rail Rail & Sail to Belfast and Ireland Ordinary Promotion ticket, and must be paid separately as a regular public bus service. The National Rail Rail & Sail ticket only includes the ticket for rail from any Scottish station, coach link between Ayr and Cairnryan, and ferry travel to Belfast (via Cairnryan) with Stena Line.

Belfast Port (Victoria Terminal 4)

Translink Metro Bus 96 departs from the bus bay outside Belfast Port (Victoria Terminal 4)’s passenger terminal building.

The first bay from the terminal building would be the stopping point for Translink Metro Bus 96.

The bus stop is well signposted along with bus service information.

The service information of Translink Metro Bus 96 at Belfast Port (Victoria Terminal 4).

Do not board the first bus you see, which will be the 923 to Belfast Europa Buscentre. This is for connecting passengers on the Ulsterbus 923 serice from Glasgow only.

The Translink Metro Bus 96 will be using a, well, Translink bus.

My Translink Metro Bus 96 stopped on the main road off the bus bay.

Payment can be made on board by contactless bank cards, online, with a Metro or Glider dayLink card (but you may not hold one immediately after arriving from Scotland or buy one at the terminal), or buy on the mLink app.

Do note that a single from Belfast Port to Donegall Place costs £2.10 by contactless bank card or mLink app, but an mLink Off Peak Day Ticket valid after 9.30am from Mondays to Sundays costs only £3. So if you are considering taking another bus in the same day, just buy the mLink Off Peak Day Ticket from the mLink app.

The interior of the Translink Metro Volvo B8L lower deck, which could be useful if you are travelling with big luggage.

Otherwise, head to the upper deck for lots of space.

Seats are sufficiently comfortable with headrests and USB power sockets for charging mobile devices.

The view of the bus from my seat.

Departing from Belfast Port (Victoria Terminal 4) 1 minute early at 6.14pm.

Heading out of the terminal.

Goodbye Stena Superfast VII.

Goodbye Victoria Terminal 4.

Passing by Belfast Container Terminal.

Bus stops along the road are marked with a sign with the service number on a lamp post, but without route information.

Passing by the Translink Milewater Service Centre for Glider buses and other Translink vehicles.

Heading out of the port and industrial areas.

Passing under Lagan Bridge.

Turning left at Ulster University towards the city centre.

Passing by St Anne’s Cathedral.

Heading down Royal Avenue.

Approaching the last stop on this route with Belfast City Hall in sight ahead.

Approaching Donegall Place.

Donegall Place (City Centre)

Donegall Place is the last stop of Translink Metro Bus 96 in Belfast city centre, in front of Belfast City Hall. This is a drop-off only stop.

My Translink Metro Bus 96 journey from Belfast Port (Victoria Terminal 4) to Donegall Place (City Centre) took 14 minutes.

Do note that the bus stop for Translink Metro Bus 96 going from the city centre to Belfast Port is NOT from Donegall Place.

Belfast City Hall is a great landmark to start my journey in Belfast as I can relate the attractions and places around it using it as the centre point.

If going from the city centre to Belfast Port…

Translink Metro Bus 96 departs from Bus Stop 015366 Upper Queen Street in the city centre to Belfast Port (Victoria Terminal 4). Upper Queen Street is the second road west of Belfast City Hall. Do not go to Donegall Place to wait for the 96 as it is a set down stop only.

Translink Metro Bus 96 route information is available at Upper Queen Street bus stop.