Bus Éireann has started direct coach services from Dublin, Drogheda and Dundalk to the new Ikea store in Belfast and says it plans to provide a link from 12 more destinations in the New Year.
The Dublin service operates seven days a week and gives shoppers five hours to tour around the furniture outlet, while the service from Drogheda/Dundalk operates at weekends only.
A promotional fare of €25 return (€20 for children) applies to the new services. Tickets can be booked in advance on the company's website.
Bus Éireann says that, subject to demand, it plans to lay on buses to Ikea from Tallaght, Cornelscourt and Whitehall in Dublin and from Arklow/Wicklow/Bray, Athlone, Mullingar, Navan/Kells and Cavan/Monaghan after Christmas.
The Dublin "Ikea Express" leaves Busaras at 9am (10am on Sundays) and travels non-stop to Ikea, arriving at 11.15am. It leaves the store at 4.15pm and gets back to Connolly interchange at 6.30pm (7.30pm on Sundays).
The service operates until December 22nd and resumes after Christmas on January 5th, 2008.
The Drogheda service departs at 10am on Saturdays, departs Dundalk at 10.30am and leaves Ikea at 4pm. On Sundays, this service departs Drogheda at 11am, Dundalk at 11.30am and leaves Ikea at 5pm. Fares are €22.50 for adults and €18 for children.
