Overview of Northern Ireland business

Good communications are vital for your business. Northern Ireland has good internal transport links, and is also well placed for trade with Europe and the USA.

There are good transport links between commercial centres and industrial areas. Road is the main form of internal transport for people and freight. The M1/Westlink connects the M1, M2 and M3 motorways within Belfast. The M1/A1 links Belfast and Newry to Dublin.

International freight

Freight from Northern Ireland can reach most places in the world within 72 hours. Freight can reach European countries by air within 24 hours and by road and sea within 48 hours.

Road and sea are major options for moving freight. The main working seaports are Belfast, Derry, Warrenpoint and Larne. Major routes are from Belfast to Stranraer and Liverpool, and from Larne to Fleetwood, Troon and Cairnryan.

Air transport

There are daily direct flights out of three Northern Ireland airports to destinations such as Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Amsterdam and New York. London is only an hour away by air and all four major London airports are serviced directly from Belfast. The George Best Belfast City Airport serves the region's main city. The City of Derry Airport serves the North West.

Belfast International Airport is the main gateway to Northern Ireland. Courier businesses run services from the 24-hour centre.

View air routes to the following Northern Ireland airports:

• Belfast International Airport
• George Best Belfast City Airport
• City of Derry Airport

Trading with the Republic of Ireland

Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK that shares a land border with a euro currency country - the Republic of Ireland (ROI).

The Enterprise provides a regular rail link between Belfast and Dublin. For more information about cross-border trading, see our guides on trading with the EU.