With so much to do around the festive period; from the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping, to catching up with friends and loved ones or keeping the kids entertained whilst they’re off school, you could be left feeling as burnt out as a Christmas turkey by the time Advent is over.  Happily though Translink have some cracking Christmas offers that will help you save money and help make your life better this Christmas.

Here’s a selection of some great value travel offers and suggestions on possible places of interest to help you get ‘cracking’ this Christmas!

- Indulge in European Culinary DelightsWith the return of the Christmas Continental Market why not take a trip into Belfast City Centre to sample some of the European culinary delights on offer?  Sip on hot chocolate, sample the Spanish paella, tuck into a Bratwurst sausage or simply soak up the vibrant atmosphere at the City Hall.  You can take advantage of the Love Metro Saturdays £2 (adult) day ticket available after 9.30am – 3pm every Saturday throughout December.

- Hassle-Free Shopping TripsJewellery for her, a rugby top for him - with so many presents to buy why not take a trip to your local city or retail centre for all your Christmas shopping essentials?  With free Park and Ride services passengers can benefit from easy access to city centres and take the hassle out of shopping.  Services are available from Cairnshill, Black’s Road, Northside and Eastside all serving Belfast City Centre and other sites serving Newry (from Newry Train Station), Lisburn (Sprucefield) and Derry~Londonderry (Drumahoe P&R).  Free park and ride services operate after 4.30pm Monday to Friday from 2nd until 23 December in line with late night shopping and all day every Saturday from now until 28th December. 

- Fashion FixWant to stay on trend but don’t want to break the bank? Translink passengers can benefit from 15% off at DV8 upon production of a valid bus and rail ticket up until 24th December, so keep an eye out for any of DV8’s 29 stores across Northern Ireland.

- Skating SpectacularGet your skates on and hit the ice as Belfast’s Winter Wonderland, the city’s first outdoor skating rink, comes to Custom House Square. Wrap up warm and enjoy some quality family fun on the flying carousel, Santa’s teacups or attempt to perfect renditions of Disney on Ice. Take advantage of the Metro family ticket for just £9 available every Monday until Sunday from Saturday 21 December to Sunday 5 January 2014 (inclusive).

- DayLink to Titanic Belfast or the Ulster MuseumEver wondered what it would be like to be onboard the Titanic as it set sail or come face to face with a dinosaur?  The Daylink travel card offers flexible, unlimited 1, 5 or 10 days travel on bus services in Greater Belfast and it’s a cheaper way to travel for those making just two bus journeys a day within Metro’s city or extended zones (compared to paying for two cash fares).  Every Saturday until 28 December, customers on board the bus can also top-up a full day’s travel for just £2 (normally £3.50 or £3 after 9.30am).- Big Christmas MovieGather up your little elves and get into the Christmas spirit by simply hopping on the bus or train to your local cinema and make the most of the friends and family ticket for just £20 which offers unlimited travel for two adults and up to four children from Saturday 21 December to Sunday 5 January. Catch one of the many new releases out in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

- Christmas Lights TourWhy not take a day trip and enjoy a festive fun-filled day out by visiting the range of Christmas trees which are already lit up around towns and cities across Northern Ireland. Make the most of your day out and take some time for lunch or even enjoy some retail therapy. Hop on one of the Ulsterbus, Goldline or Metro services after 9.15am using the £9 bus rambler day ticket, available each Sunday and every day from Saturday 21 December – Sunday 5 January 2014 inclusive.

- Once Upon a Christmas – W5

Enjoy a family day with a new Christmas experience as W5 brings storybook fantasies to life with ‘Once Upon a Christmas.’ Visitors can stroll through a magical square filled with fairytale and storybook characters, meeting and greeting as they go along (pre booking essential). Take advantage of 1/3 off day return tickets after 9.30am and hop on one of the train services to Titanic Belfast. For further information visit www.w5online.co.uk .  You can also write an online review of your day out as all our trains are Wifi enabled.

- There’s no place like.......Bangor!One of Translink’s Ambassadors and Bangor resident, Cool FM’s Pete Snodden, is planning on taking advantage of a 1/3 off day return tickets on Ulsterbus Services to and from his home town.  “There’s so much happening in Bangor over the festive period; from a fireworks display followed by the Christmas Lights being switched on; to a magical lantern walk and traditional craft fairs, markets and music, there’s something for everyone in Bangor this Christmas, concluded Pete.”  Day tickets are also available for unlimited travel on Ulsterbus Town/City Services, price for adults is £2.50 or children £1.25.

- Oh come all ye faithful - there’s room for you allOn each Saturday before Christmas (7th, 14th and 21st December) all train services from Portadown, Lurgan, Moira and Lisburn will operate as express services to Belfast. With more express services operating in both directions between Belfast and Lisburn,  if you’re looking for even more retail therapy without stopping along the way then why not try any of these services?

- Go further afield – enjoy a Dublin DayWho doesn’t enjoy a seasonal trip to Dublin, especially with a Christmas Wonderland taking place from 6th December where families can enjoy a veritable feast of entertainment?  Or for those romantic couples who want to enjoy a drink as they walk along the Liffey, Enterprise Web Fares are available to book online from £10 and of course passengers can take advantage of the free Wifi on board. 

- Park and Ride from LarneTravel by coach from Larne to Belfast with 1/3 off day return tickets Monday – Sunday after 9.30am on the 256 Goldline service or why not Park and Ride from Millbrook – coach travel offers free wifi, convenience and free parking. There is also a special late night Goldine 256 Christmas special service from Belfast leaving at 11pm operating from 23 Nov – 28 Dec.

For full details about Translink’s special offers visit www.translink.co.uk

ENDS

For further information please contact Louise Carson or Katrina Frazer at Aiken PR on 028 9066 3000