Getting there

Help reduce traffic congestion on our hospital sites by travelling on public transport. The Translink Journey Planner can help you plan your rail and bus travel.

Metro bus

• Metro route 12b leaves from Donegall Square North and has a stop on the Crumlin Road outside the Mater Hospital.
• Click here for all route timetables.

Translink Park and Ride

Translink Park and Ride timetables

There are currently no cycle lanes on the Crumlin Road.

Bicycle parking for visitors and patients is located:

• in the main public car park
• behind the Macular Unit at Fairview
• between the Dempsey and Dorrian Buildings

A Belfast Bike docking station is also available at the front entrance to the hospital.

There is no train station near the Mater Hospital. You can get a route 12b Metro bus from Donegall Square North, which is a few minutes’ walk from Great Victoria Street railway station.

The Mater Hospital is situated on the Crumlin Road, close to the junction and roundabout at Carlisle Circus. It is accessible from the Westlink, Antrim Road and city centre via Carrick Hill.

If arriving by car, please use the main visitors’ car park marked on this Mater Hospital site map.

Full details on car parking at the Mater Hospital are available here.

We have installed an electric vehicle charge point at the Mater Hospital. The ecar charge point can be found in front of the Dorrian Building.

The charge point can be accessed using the RFID card supplied by e-carni.

Belfast Trust would like to apologise if you find yourself in a queue to access the car park. We fully understand that you may be concerned that you could be late or possibly miss your appointment.

In these circumstances, you should proceed to your appointment location as normal. We will try to ensure that your appointment can go ahead after you arrive.

If your appointment needs to be rearranged, we will organise another date as soon as possible. We will ensure that our records do not show this as a missed appointment.

Belfast City Airport has regular domestic flights and is four miles from the Mater Hospital via the Westlink and M3 motorway. This takes about 12-15 minutes by car, but may take longer at peak times. Bus route 600 operates a regular service between the City Airport and Europa Bus Centre. Download the timetable here.

Belfast International Airport has regular flights around Ireland, the UK, Europe and other international destinations. The airport is approximately 20 miles from the Mater Hospital via the Westlink and M2 motorway. This takes about 30 minutes by car, but may take longer at peak times. Bus route 300 operates a regular service between the International Airport and Europa Bus Centre. Download the timetable here.

This scheme helps older people or people with disabilities to access local services. You must first join the scheme, but you will then be eligible to access the transport. There is a small charge for this service.

For further information, please contact Disability Action:

• Telephone: 028 9029 7870
• Website: www.disabilityaction.org

The Hospital Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) was set up in 1988 as part of the NHS Low Income Scheme. This scheme provides financial assistance to patients who do not need an ambulance, but require assistance with their travel costs.

Under HTCS, patients on low incomes or specific qualifying benefits may be refunded for fares to attend NHS services under the care of a consultant. The journey will need to meet certain criteria.

Read more transport and travel information that may be useful for patients and visitors travelling to Trust facilities.