United Kingdom

Belfast–Derry

Belfast Grand Central → Derry~Londonderry

The final approach follows the River Foyle directly into Derry’s Waterside station.Photo: Acediscovery · CC BY 4.0

Duration: Approx. 2 hr 10 min
Distance: 153.29 km
Train: Regional diesel train
Reservation: Not required

A cross-country railway that saves its most dramatic sequence for the north coast, running beside Downhill beach and the River Foyle into Derry.

Compare Plan

Seat view guide

Best Side to Sit

Belfast Grand Central → Derry~Londonderry

Overall recommendation

Varies

The line curves repeatedly, so no single side is supported for the full journey.

It changes along the way

The inland railway changes orientation and has no consistently supported side.0–104 km · Limited dataVaries
Castlerock and Downhill tunnels116–130 km · Editorial guidanceRight
Lough Foyle130–153 km · Limited dataRight

Some sections are early guidance based on limited reports.

Explore the route

Interactive Route Map

Pan and zoom to explore

Preparing the route

From Belfast Grand Central to Derry~Londonderry, via Antrim, Ballymena, Cullybackey, Ballymoney, Coleraine, Castlerock, Bellarena.

Scenic journey timeline

Along the Journey

A calm guide to the moments worth looking up for, arranged from Belfast Grand Central to Derry~Londonderry.

Departure · 0 km · 0 minBelfast Grand Central
Arrival · 153 km · 2 hr 10 minDerry~Londonderry

Look out for

Journey Highlights

Journey overview

What to Expect

Reservations: Not required for this journey.
Train: Regional diesel train
Operated by: Translink NI Railways

Plan the journey

Practical Information

Current service: NI Railways operates scheduled regional services. Journey times and calling patterns vary; check Translink for the travel date.Check current operator information
Seating: Reservations are not normally required and seats are not assigned. Busy services may limit choice of side.Check current operator information
Coastal sequence: The signature coastal scenery is concentrated between Coleraine and Derry; the Belfast–Coleraine section is primarily inland.
Accessibility: Station and train assistance varies. Check Translink accessibility information and arrange help before travel where needed.

Plan this journey Find stays Rail Gear →

Continue the story

Related journeys

Browse all journeys →

An Irish InterCity train curving around the coastal railway beneath Bray Head — Photo: Terence wiki · CC BY-SA 3.0

Ireland

Dublin–Rosslare

Dublin Connolly → Rosslare Europort

A contrasting coastal railway on the island of Ireland

Coast · Rivers · Tunnels

A steam train crossing the curved Glenfinnan Viaduct amid green Highland slopes — Photo: Matthieu Riegler · CC BY 3.0

Scotland · United Kingdom

West Highland Line

Glasgow Queen Street → Mallaig

Another northern journey shaped by remote coast and water

Highlands · Moorland · Viaducts

Keep exploring

Northern Landscapes Coastal Journeys Irish Rail Journeys River Journeys Northern Ireland journeys More coast journeys

Compare with Dublin–Rosslare

Route & data sources

Operator informationTranslink — Derry~Londonderry Line
Current operator, route identity, service context, and stations.
Scenic contextDiscover Northern Ireland — Getting to Derry
Official tourism context for the Antrim coast and River Foyle journey.
Scenic contextDiscover Northern Ireland — Causeway Coast by train
Directional coastal-view and Castlerock–Downhill context.
Railway / map dataOpenStreetMap
Prepared from 218 connected active railway ways; no unrelated or historic relation used. © OSM contributors, ODbL.
Rallii guidanceRallii guidance
Curated sequence and cautious directional guidance.