Belfast International Airport, Northern Ireland, United KingdomArriving at Belfast International I had two routes from wikitravel how to get to the city. There was the direct airport bus to the city centre. Or I could have taken a local bus to Antrim, see the castle, then take the train from Antrim.
As it was already past 4pm and with waiting for buses, I knew the castle would be closed and it would just make a day longer and tiring so I went for the direct option on the Airport bus.
Ticket was 3.50 pounds and I got a seat at the top of the bus. This provided great views for photos as we drove towards the city.
Once in the city I was trying to navigate myself. He made a stop at Belfast City Hall which was closer to my apartment then the bus station so I quickly jumped off.
This apartment was not my original choice. I had picked something in the south by the university where there were cheaper options but it would be too much walking each day. Closer to my trip I was able to find this river view apartment closer to the centre for the same price.
These are private furnished apartments with a reception acting as a hotel. At first they gave me room 507 which had memories as our first apartment in Toronto was number 507. However this was not the river facing view I had asked for.
I stormed back to reception and made a big fuss, that I had specifically selected "river view" on the booking options, that this was a city facing view, I made the reservation two months ago so I had priority over any other bookings.
Luckily the room was still available and they switched me to room 702 which was the highest floor and river facing. It was a great view of the river, highway, train line, and airplanes descending at the nearby City Airport I would be leaving from.
I went for a walk to find food and they only seem to have sandwiches over other options. I settled in for amazing night and morning view of the landscape.
See vlog of arrival and apartment (4 mins) - https://youtu.be/dxTMnAm8vkc
2025-05-22