'Tis The Season To Be Happy Belfast Shoppers

Translink Encourages Shoppers to Make Christmas Travel Easy with Park and Ride

As the busy Christmas season approaches, Translink is encouraging more people to take the stress out of festive travel by making the most of its convenient Park and Ride facilities across Northern Ireland.

With thousands of people expected to make their way into towns and city centres for shopping, dining, and festive events, Translink’s Park and Ride sites offer a simple, affordable, and hassle-free alternative to Christmas congestion.

Many Park and Ride locations offer extended timetables at this time of year, giving travellers more flexibility for late-night shopping and festive outings. Services operate at regular intervals, ensuring customers can reach their destination quickly, without the worry of navigating busy roads.

To make travel even easier, Translink offers convenient contactless payment options on board, at Ticket Vending Machines and on its MLink app. This allows for faster boarding, reduced queues, and a seamless travel experience during the busiest shopping weeks of the year.

Translink is also reminding customers to make use of its Journey Planner app to stay up-to-date on timetables, routes, and real-time service information. Whether planning a quick shopping trip or a full day of festive fun, the app helps travellers find the best travel options with confidence.

Commenting on the range of sites and services available, Ian Campbell, Director of Service Operations at Translink, said:

“We know Christmas can be a busy time, so our Park and Ride facilities are designed to make travel easier, more sustainable, and more enjoyable. By offering free convenient parking, frequent services, and simple payment options for bus and rail, we’re helping passengers focus on what matters, enjoying the festive season.”
With over 60 sites and 10,000 free parking spaces, Park & Ride offers both convenience and flexibility. Throughout the festive period there will be extended opening hours at our Park and Ride sites at Ballymartin, Cairnshill, Dundonald, Blacks Road and Sprucefield.

For more information on Park and Ride locations and festive travel updates, visit www.translink.co.uk/park-and-ride or download the Journey Planner app.

Christmas Park & Ride Site Opening Hours

Ballymartin
24/7 Monday - Sunday

Cairnshill
24/7 Monday - Sunday

Dundonald
6am – Midnight Monday – Friday.
6am Saturday – 6am Monday.

Black’s Road
6am – Midnight Monday - Friday

Sprucefield
6am – 8pm Monday - Friday