Flights to Belfast from the UK 2026: Cheapest Airlines & Which Airport

The cheapest flights to Belfast from the UK in 2026 are usually on easyJet, sometimes from £25-£50 return hand-luggage only, flying to both Belfast airports — while Aer Lingus runs the most flights into the central Belfast City airport (around 166 a week), Jet2 flies to Belfast International with baggage included, and British Airways and Ryanair also serve the route. The key decision on this route is which of Belfast's two airports you fly into, because one is 2 miles from the centre and the other is 20.

This guide compares the airlines, explains Belfast City vs International, weighs the ferry alternative, tells you which UK airport is cheapest, and gives price bands by month. For the official destination view, Visit Belfast is the city's tourism site. Already planning where to stay? Our best Belfast hotels 2026 guide covers real, bookable stays across the city.

Jump to: Quick answers · City vs International airport · Airline comparison · Fly or ferry? · UK airport comparison · Price bands by month · Baggage compared · Booking windows · Do you need ID? · Airport to the city · Common mistakes · How to search · FAQ

Quick answers

What's the cheapest airline to Belfast? easyJet on headline price (from ~£25-£50 off-peak) to both airports. Aer Lingus has the most flights into the central City airport; Jet2 to International with a bag; BA and Ryanair also fly.

How long is the flight? About 1 hour to 1 hour 25 minutes from GB.

City or International? Belfast City (BHD) is 2 miles from the centre (Aer Lingus, easyJet, BA) — the convenient choice. Belfast International (BFS) is 20 miles out (easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair) — often cheaper.

Which UK airport is cheapest? Whichever is nearest — Belfast flies from many GB airports.

When should I book? 3-6 weeks ahead most months; 6-10 weeks for summer, the Twelfth and Christmas.

Do I need a passport? No — it's a domestic flight, but airlines require photo ID.

Belfast City (BHD) vs Belfast International (BFS)

Belfast has two airports at very different distances from the city — this is the key decision on the route.

The convenience call. Belfast City (BHD) is barely outside the centre and mostly handles domestic UK flights — for a short city break it's the easier arrival. Belfast International (BFS) is 20 miles out with a longer bus, but often has cheaper fares (especially on Jet2 and Ryanair). If a City fare is close, it usually wins on convenience; if International is clearly cheaper and you don't mind the transfer, it can be better value. Compare the all-in cost including the transfer.

Airline-by-airline comparison (2026)

easyJet — the price leader

Typical fare 2026: £25-£60 return off-peak, hand-luggage only. Pros: The lowest headline fares, flying to both Belfast airports from a wide spread of GB airports. Frequent flights, regular sales. Cons: Cheapest fares are cabin-only; hold bag and allocated seat cost extra.

Aer Lingus — the most flights to the central airport

Typical fare 2026: £35-£80 return; cheapest fares cabin-only. Pros: The most flights into the convenient Belfast City (around 166 a week), a comfortable product, and higher fare tiers include a bag. Cons: Higher headline fare than easyJet; check the fare tier for baggage.

Jet2, BA & Ryanair

Typical fare 2026: Jet2 with baggage included to Belfast International; BA to Belfast City with a bag on standard fares; Ryanair cheapest to International. Pros: Jet2 for all-in value with a bag; BA for the central airport and Avios; Ryanair for the lowest headline fare to International. Cons: Check the airport and fare type.

The honest read: hand-luggage only, easyJet wins on fare. For the central City airport, Aer Lingus or BA; for a bag included, Jet2. Always compare the all-in price and the airport.

Fly or ferry to Belfast?

Belfast is one of the few UK routes with a real ferry alternative, since it's across the Irish Sea:

• Flying is fastest (about an hour) and often similarly priced for foot passengers — the default for a short trip without a car.
• The ferry (Cairnryan to Belfast or Larne, or Liverpool to Belfast) wins if you're taking a car, travelling with lots of luggage, or prefer not to fly. It's a scenic crossing but takes several hours.

For most short city breaks, fly. For a road trip around Northern Ireland and the Antrim Coast with your own car, the ferry is usually the answer.

UK airport comparison — fly local

Belfast is served from a wide spread of GB airports, so the cheapest option is usually your nearest one. easyJet flies to both Belfast airports from many bases; Aer Lingus to Belfast City; Jet2 to Belfast International. London, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Bristol are among the busiest routes. Always price your local direct flight first.

Price bands by month for 2026

Round-trip economy, GB to Belfast, one adult. Representative ranges to plan against, not live quotes.

The pattern follows UK school holidays plus the Twelfth of July — see our cheapest month to fly from the UK roundup.

Baggage compared, honestly

The rule that saves the most: add any hold bag at booking, never at the airport, and compare the all-in price. For a short weekend, hand-luggage only is usually all you need. If you're checking a bag, a Jet2 fare that includes one can beat an easyJet fare plus a paid bag.

The booking windows that actually save money

• Off-peak months (Jan, Feb, Nov): Book 3-6 weeks out.
• Summer, the Twelfth (July), Christmas: Book 6-10 weeks out — peak demand.
• Concerts and events: Book as soon as the event is announced.
• Weekend breaks: A midweek or Saturday departure often undercuts the Friday-evening rush.

The budget carriers run frequent sales, so set a price alert and book when a fare drops.

Do you need ID or a passport?

Belfast is in the UK, so a flight from Great Britain is domestic — no passport is legally required. But every airline requires an accepted form of photo ID, and each sets its own list. Most accept a valid passport, and some accept a photo driving licence on domestic routes. Check your specific airline's accepted-ID list before travelling and take an ID it accepts.

Belfast airports to the city centre

From George Best Belfast City (BHD) — only about 2 miles out — the Airport Express 600 bus reaches the centre in around 15 minutes, and a taxi is quick and cheap. From Belfast International (BFS), the Airport Express 300 bus runs to the centre in about 30-40 minutes. City airport is far more convenient for a short trip. Once you've sorted the flight and transfer, our best Belfast hotels 2026 guide covers where to base yourself.

Common mistakes UK-Belfast travellers make

1. Booking Belfast International without checking the transfer. It's 20 miles out — a City fare that's only slightly more can be better value.
2. Judging fares on the headline price. A cheap International fare plus a bag and the longer bus can match a City fare with a bag included.
3. Travelling with no accepted photo ID. It's domestic, but airlines require ID — take one they accept.
4. Ignoring the ferry when taking a car. For a road trip around NI, the car ferry is usually better than flying and hiring.
5. Booking mid-July late. School holidays and the Twelfth lift demand — book earlier.
6. Adding baggage at the airport. Always add it online, or travel hand-luggage only for a weekend.
7. Not planning the Causeway. The Giant's Causeway and Antrim Coast need a car or tour — sort it before you go.

How to find the cheapest UK-Belfast fare

Run the search three ways on JetMeAway Flights:

1. Both Belfast airports and your local UK airport, specific dates — compare a cheap International fare against a City fare, factoring the transfer.
2. Date range ± 3 days — shifting off a Friday-evening or peak date often drops the fare.
3. Price alerts — set one and book when easyJet, Aer Lingus or Jet2 drops a sale fare.

JetMeAway compares easyJet, Aer Lingus, Jet2, BA and Ryanair from across the UK on live inventory, with zero markup — the price you see is the price the airline charges. Once your flight is booked, read our best Belfast hotels 2026 guide for where to stay, and our cheap flights from the UK guide for the wider booking tricks.

Safe travels, and enjoy Belfast.