Travel documents
Citizens of the European Union, the United States or Canada generally do not require a visa and can simply travel using a Passport or National ID card (but please check with local authorities).
For others it is important to note that Armagh is in Northern Ireland (NI), which is part of the United Kingdom (UK); the rest of the island of Ireland is the Republic of Ireland (ROI), separated from Northern Ireland by an (invisible) international border. You need to make sure that you have appropriate travel documents for both countries if you are travelling to Armagh via the Republic of Ireland (Dublin). We recommend those participants that require a visa to fly to Belfast (UK) via London (UK) to avoid the need for 2 separate visas. The UK and ROI are currently not part of the European Schengen Area, which would require just one visa. For more information, please visit the UK Border Agency (and Republic of Ireland authority in case of travelling through Dublin).
Airports
Belfast has two airports, Belfast International Airport and Belfast City Airport, both are ~65 kilometer from Armagh and served by several low-cost airlines with connections to Amsterdam, Munich, Prague, Krakow, Paris, Toulouse, Barcelona, Milan, Rome, New York, Toronto and other destinations (see below). It is also possible to fly to Dublin Airport in the Republic of Ireland, which is ~130 kilometer from Armagh and has more connections. We recommend using websites such as Skyscanner to explore your options easily.
If you cannot find a cheap flight to Belfast or Dublin, we recommend booking a flight to other British airports such as London Stansted or London Luton (hubs of Ryanair and Easyjet), from where you will find many cheap connecting flights to Belfast. If you are using a low-cost airline, make sure to give yourself enough transfer time between connections, because these companies will not take responsibility if you miss a connection due to a delay.
For travelling from the airport to Armagh by public transport, please read the advice below.
Belfast International Airport (UK)
  • Low-cost airlines: Easyjet, Aer Lingus, Bmibaby, Jet2... (see all destinations here)
  • Travel time to Armagh: 2.5 hour by bus (~15 pounds/person), 1 hour by taxi (52 pounds/taxi), 1 hour by rental car (~120 pounds per pre-booked car; 4 days).
  • Bus instructions: take the Airport Express 300 to Belfast Europa Buscentre (24hr service; 30-40 minutes journey time). Then take the Goldliner Express 251 from Belfast Europa Buscentre to Armagh (60-90 minutes journey). The last bus from Belfast to Armagh leaves around 20h in the evening (see timetable), so if your plane arrives late in the evening you should take a taxi for 50 pounds instead (agree the price with the driver beforehand!) Alternatively, Belfast has many excellent budget hotels and youth hostels where you can spend the night; the city is well worth a visit!
Belfast City Airport (UK)
  • Low-cost airlines: Ryanair, Flybe... (see all destinations here)
  • Travel time to Armagh: 2.5 hour by bus (~10 pounds/person), 1 hour by taxi (~60 pounds/taxi), 1 hour by rental car (~120 pounds per pre-booked car; 4 days).
  • Bus instructions: take the Airport Express 600 to Belfast Europa Buscentre (20 minute journey) or take a taxi for ~10 pounds. Then follow the instructions for getting to Armagh as given for Belfast International Airport (see above).
Dublin Airport (ROI)
  • Low-cost airlines: Ryanair, Aer Lingus... (see all destinations here)
  • Travel time to Armagh: 4 hour by bus (~25 pounds/person), 2 hour by bus+taxi (~15 + 30 pounds/person), 1.5 hour by rental car (~120 pounds per pre-booked car; 4 days).
  • Bus instructions: take the Bus Eireann No 1 or Aircoach to Belfast (2 hours journey time). The bus will stop ON REQUEST in Newry, where you can get a taxi (~30 pounds) or Ulsterbus 40 or 40E or Ulsterbus 44 to Armagh (note: the buses between Newry and Armagh don't continue late into the day!!!) Alternatively, you can stay on the bus until Belfast and then follow the instructions given above. Note that a taxi from Newry to Armagh is usually the best option if 2 or more people travel together (agree a price with the driver beforehand!). A pre-booked rental car may be the best option if 3 or more people travel together.

Note:

  • Bus times from Belfast (Europa Buscentre) to Armagh for Thursday 16 September are: 13:41, 14:26, 16:41, 18:41, 20:01
  • If you wish to travel and do tourism without constraints, we recommend to hire a car!

Ferries and Eurolines busses
Ferry crossings between mainland UK and Ireland are available from ~50 pounds single (price for car+passengers), while crossings between France and England are available from ~30 pounds single. There are ferry ports in Larne (NI), Belfast (NI), Dublin (ROI), Dun Laoghaire (ROI), Rosslare (ROI) and Cork (ROI), operated by companies such as Stenaline, P&O Irish Sea, Irish ferries, Norfolkline, Direct ferries and others.
Eurolines operates a regular bus service connecting London to Dublin (including ferry) from 55 euro return. From London you can take a Eurolines service to the rest of Europe.
Taxis and hire cars
If 3 or 4 are travelling together, a taxi is always worth considering. Taxis in Belfast charge a minimum fare (3 pounds), plus extra amounts per distance and time. If you are booking a taxi for a long journey, e.g. from Belfast International Airport or Newry to Armagh, ask and agree a rate before you start! The advertised rate for a taxi from Belfast International Airport to Armagh is 50 pounds.
Hire cars are available from the usual multinationals, and some local firms, at both Belfast and Dublin airports. They are also available in the cities with ports, but you would have to arrange to have the car delivered to the ferry terminal if you want to pick it up on disembarkation. A hire car is the best way to discover the Irish coast and countryside.
Trains
There is no train service to Armagh, but trains between Belfast and Dublin city centre stop at Portadown, about 18 km from Armagh, and Newry, about 29km from Armagh, from where you could get a bus or taxi.
Links
  • Skyscanner (find cheap flights)
  • Translink (bus and train services inside Northern Ireland)
  • Bus Eireann (bus service between Dublin, Dublin Airport and Belfast)
  • Aircoach (bus service between Dublin Airport and Belfast)

Look out for posters in the Belfast airports showing Armagh Observatory!