What is the Ulster Transport Museum

The Ulster Transport Museum is a museum dedicated to the history of transport and technological innovation in Northern Ireland — from rail, road, sea and air. Inside you can see a wide variety of historic vehicles and transport-related exhibits: old steam locomotives, vintage cars, trams, boats/ships, even exhibits related to aviation and engineering innovation.

It explores how transport shaped social and industrial change in the region — showing how people and goods moved over time, and how design and engineering evolved.

Where is it located

1. Address: 150 Bangor Road, Holywood, County Down, BT18 0EY.
2. The museum is located near the coast, in the Cultra / Holywood area, a short distance outside Belfast.
3. It’s accessible by public transport: the nearest train stop is Cultra Station on the Bangor rail line — from the station it’s about a 5-minute walk to the museum entrance.
4. Alternatively, you can catch a bus (e.g. Ulsterbus 502a/502b from Belfast) and the stop is “Ulster Transport Museum” — then a short 2–3 minute walk from the bus stop to the museum.
5. If arriving by car: there is free on-site parking (with EV-charging points available).

Opening Times

The museum’s opening hours vary with seasons:

1. Summer (1 March – 30 September): Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00–17:00
2. Winter (1 October – 28 February):
3. Tuesday to Friday: 10:00–16:00
4. Saturday & Sunday: 11:00–16:00
5. Closed on Mondays (except on Northern Ireland bank/public holidays).

Last admission is generally 45 minutes before closing.

Admission & Ticket Price

Ticket price depends on type (adult, child, concession, etc.). As of recent publicly available pricing:

Ticket Type / CategoryPrice (approx.)Adult£12.00Child (under certain age / standard child rate)£7.45 Concession (e.g. senior/student)£9.45 1 Adult + 2 Children or 2 Adults + 1 Child£24.00 2 Adults + 2 Children (or 1 Adult + 3 Children)£29.50 2 Adults + 3 Children (or 1 Adult + 4 Children)£35.00Under 5 years oldFree

If you plan to visit with a group (15 persons or more), a 10% discount on standard adult rate is sometimes offered.

Ticket grants access to both main gallery buildings (A Galleries & B Galleries).

What to See & What to Expect

Inside the Ulster Transport Museum you’ll find:

1. Historic railcars and locomotives, showcasing the history of rail transport.
2. Vintage cars, classic vehicles, trams, boats/ships, and other modes of transport — road, sea, air — charting the evolution of travel and transport engineering.
3. Exhibits on innovation and local engineering achievements — showing how inventors and engineers from the region contributed to transport design and technology.
4. Interactive displays and “ride-on/climb-on” opportunities for many of the old vehicles (where permitted), which can be especially appealing to children and families.
5. Plenty of open space, landscaped grounds, and on-site amenities (parking, bike racks, EV charging, toilets) for a comfortable visit.

Because the museum buildings and galleries are separate but included under the same ticket, you can explore both “A Galleries” and “B Galleries” at your own pace.

Practical Tips for Visitors

1. If you plan to visit by train, arriving at Cultra Station is easiest — it’s about a 5-minute walk from the museum entrance.
2. For those coming by car: free on-site parking + EV charging available; car-park opens at 10:00 and closes at 18:00 on opening days.
3. Because the museum building access is included in the ticket, but walking between galleries might involve walking through outdoor areas, hold on to your ticket — you may re-enter galleries multiple times with the same ticket.
4. Last entry is 45 minutes before closing — so plan accordingly.
5. If you have mobility needs: while the museum is generally accessible, some older transport exhibits may involve steps; if lower mobility is an issue, contact them beforehand to plan your visit.

Summary

The Ulster Transport Museum offers a fascinating look into how transport — by rail, road, sea, and air — has shaped life and progress in Northern Ireland. Located just outside Belfast in Cultra / Holywood, it’s easily accessible by train, bus, or car (with parking and EV charging). With a variety of historic vehicles, interactive displays, and spacious grounds, the museum is perfect for families, history lovers, and anyone curious about engineering, transport, and social change.