Belfast International Airport Map & Terminal Guide 2026
One terminal, 70+ destinations and a brand new security hall. Everything you need to navigate Belfast International Airport (BFS) — Northern Ireland’s busiest airport and winner of the 2026 ACI Best Airport in Europe award.
Belfast International Airport Map
The Belfast International Airport map below shows the full layout of BFS (ICAO: EGAA), located near the village of Aldergrove in County Antrim, 18 miles northwest of Belfast city centre. The airport carried 6.6 million passengers in 2025 to over 70 destinations, making it the principal gateway for Northern Ireland and the border counties of the Republic of Ireland. It is a key UK base for easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2 and TUI, covering a broad mix of UK domestic routes, European city breaks and Mediterranean sun destinations, plus seasonal long-haul services to Florida and Mexico.
As the Belfast Airport map shows, the layout is compact and straightforward: a single passenger terminal building with departures on the upper floor and arrivals below. There are no multiple concourses or inter-terminal transfers to worry about. Study the BFS airport map before you travel so you know exactly where check-in, security and your gate are located.
Click image to view full size
Belfast International Airport Location Map
Belfast International Airport sits near Aldergrove in County Antrim, approximately 18 miles (29 km) northwest of Belfast city centre. The location map below shows BFS relative to the city. The airport is reached from Belfast via the M2 motorway, exiting at Junction 5 onto the A57 for around 7 miles. From the south or west, take the M1 northbound to Junction 9 at Moira, then follow the A26 via Nutts Corner. The postcode for sat nav is BT29 4AB.
Interactive map showing Belfast International Airport’s location northwest of Belfast city centre
View Larger Map
Belfast International Airport Terminal
Belfast International Airport operates a single passenger terminal, making it one of the easiest major UK airports to navigate. There are no separate terminals, concourses or people-movers to deal with. The building is split across two floors: the upper floor handles all departures including check-in, bag drop, security and boarding gates, while the lower floor covers arrivals, baggage claim and all ground transportation pick-up.
There is no inter-terminal transfer at BFS. Once you are inside the building you have access to everything. Signage throughout is clear, and information desks are staffed at both floors.
Belfast Airport Security
Security at Belfast International Airport is on the upper departures floor, accessed after check-in and bag drop. Phase One of the £100 million VINCI Airports investment programme, officially opened in May 2025, introduced a brand new security hall with next-generation 3D CT scanning technology. Passengers no longer need to remove liquids, gels or large electronics from their hand luggage at BFS — a significant upgrade that speeds up processing times and simplifies the journey for travellers.
Belfast Airport Airlines and Destinations
Five airlines currently operate scheduled flights from Belfast International Airport to over 70 destinations. easyJet is the dominant carrier by frequency, with around four times as many weekly departures as its nearest rival. The route network covers UK domestic connections, European city breaks and a broad range of leisure and sun destinations. TUI operates seasonal long-haul services with Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
TUI long-haul services to Orlando and Cancun operate seasonally, primarily in summer. They use Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, the largest type regularly seen at BFS.
Getting to Belfast International Airport
All ground transportation for departing and arriving passengers uses the same terminal building. Drop-off and pick-up zones, buses and taxis are accessed from the lower arrivals level roadway, while car parks are signposted from the approach roads before reaching the terminal.
Belfast International Airport Parking
Pre-booking parking at belfastairport.com is strongly recommended, particularly during summer months, school holidays and bank holiday weekends when on-site capacity fills up quickly.
Belfast Airport Lounges
Airside lounge options are available at Belfast International Airport for passengers who want a more comfortable wait before their flight. Lounges can be booked in advance online or accessed on the day, subject to availability. Some credit cards and travel insurance policies include complimentary lounge access so it is worth checking before you pay.
Belfast Airport Map — Arrivals
Arriving passengers at Belfast International Airport deplane and proceed through the terminal to baggage claim on the lower arrivals floor. If you are arriving from outside the UK Common Travel Area, you will need to pass through passport control, located after security on the first floor. ePassport gates are available for eligible passport holders from the UK, EU, EEA and Switzerland. Baggage carousels in the arrivals hall display flight numbers and airline details, with baggage trolleys available nearby. Ground transportation, including taxis, the Airport Express 300 bus and car hire desks, is accessed from the arrivals curbside.
Meeting Passengers
If you are collecting someone from BFS, use the Short Stay car park for a 1 to 2 minute walk to arrivals, or the Long Stay for a cheaper wait if the flight is delayed. The drop-off zone has a 10-minute window for £3. Arrivals boards inside the terminal show live flight status. Flight tracking apps and the airport website are the most reliable way to check actual landing times before you leave home.
Belfast Airport Map — Departures
Departing passengers should allow at least 2 hours before short-haul and European flights, and 2.5 to 3 hours during summer peak or with young children. Check in at your airline’s desk or use the self-service bag drop if available, then proceed upstairs to the new security hall. After clearing security, the duty free, retail and food and beverage area is directly ahead. Gates are signposted throughout the airside zone and shown on departure boards. Boarding typically begins 45 minutes before departure and gates close 20 to 25 minutes before scheduled take-off.
Self-service and Online Check-in
All five airlines operating at BFS offer online check-in, which is strongly recommended to save time at the airport. easyJet, Ryanair and Jet2 all have self-service bag drop desks in the terminal. Check your airline’s app the night before for your gate number, though note that gates are typically not assigned at BFS until closer to departure time on the day.
Insider Tips for Belfast International Airport
BFS is compact and well-signed, but a few things are worth knowing before you arrive. The new 3D security scanners mean liquids and laptops can stay in your bag, which dramatically speeds up the queue — but remember the rules still apply for larger items. Morning departures between 5 and 9 a.m. are the busiest, particularly in summer; booking Fast Track in advance is a genuinely good investment on those days. The Airport Express 300 bus is the best value way in from the city and drops you directly outside the terminal. Pre-book parking online, especially between June and September — turning up on the day in peak summer risks finding all on-site spaces gone. Refer to the Belfast International Airport map above when planning your journey.
Belfast International Airport Map — FAQ
How many terminals does Belfast International Airport have?
One. All airlines, check-in desks, security, gates and baggage claim are in the same building. Departures are on the upper floor and arrivals on the lower floor. No inter-terminal transfers are needed.
Which airlines fly from Belfast International Airport in 2026?
Five airlines: easyJet, Ryanair, Ryanair UK, Jet2 and TUI. Together they serve over 70 destinations including London Gatwick, Manchester, Edinburgh, Amsterdam, Malaga, Faro, Palma, Tenerife, Krakow, Lanzarote and seasonal long-haul routes to Orlando and Cancun.
How do I get from Belfast city centre to the airport?
Airport Express 300 bus from Europa Bus Centre (Grand Central Station): approximately 40 minutes, around £9 single. Taxi: 25–30 minutes, £35–£45. By car: M2 northbound to Junction 5, then A57 for 7 miles. Sat nav: BT29 4AB.
Do I need to remove liquids and laptops at Belfast Airport security in 2026?
No. The new security hall opened in May 2025 uses 3D CT scanners that do not require passengers to remove liquids or electronics from their hand luggage. This is a significant time-saver compared to older airports still using 2D screening.
What parking is available at Belfast International Airport?
Short Stay (1–2 min walk), Main Stay (2–3 min walk), Long Stay (6–8 min walk or free 24/7 shuttle), Priority Parking and off-site Park and Fly. Drop-off is £3 for 10 minutes. Pre-booking is strongly recommended especially in summer.
How far is Belfast International Airport from the city?
18 miles (29 km) northwest of Belfast city centre near Aldergrove, County Antrim. Bus takes around 40 minutes, taxi 25–30 minutes.
What lounges are at Belfast International Airport?
The No.1 Traveller and Aspire lounges are both airside after security. Both offer food, drinks and Wi-Fi. Book in advance online for the best price. Some credit cards and loyalty programmes provide complimentary access.
What does the Belfast International Airport map show?
The BFS airport map shows the single terminal building with the upper departures floor and lower arrivals floor, the new security hall, departure gates, duty free and retail area, all on-site car parks, the drop-off zone, bus stop, taxi rank and road access via the M2 and A57 from Belfast city centre.
Is there a train to Belfast International Airport?
No direct rail service runs to BFS. The nearest station is Antrim, approximately 5 miles away. Ulsterbus 109A connects Antrim station to the airport, and the £2.20 Airlink ticket covers passengers connecting from rail services north of Antrim. Most travellers use the Airport Express 300 bus from Belfast city centre.