# Translink Planner

> Journey planner for Northern Ireland and cross-border public transport. (iPhone/iPad app by Ulsterbus Ltd.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/translink-planner/id648823280 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Ulsterbus Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/648823283)
- Category: Travel, Navigation
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.37/5 from 215 App Store ratings · 124 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.0 · 111 MB
- Languages: English, German
- Released: 2013-05-20
- Data updated: 2026-08-31
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/translink-planner/id648823280/reviews.md

## What is Translink Planner?

Plan Northern Ireland and cross border bus, coach and rail journeys with the Translink Journey Planner. Plan from any stop, station or address, see your next departures and get the latest travel updates from Metro, Glider, Ulsterbus, Goldline, NI Railways and Enterprise services. You can also buy single, day return and 3 day select tickets for NI Railways journeys. 

Features include:
- Fully interactive journey planning
- Buy single, day return and 3 day Select tickets for NI Railways services
- Store purchased tickets within the app wallet
- ‘Next Service’ departure board
- Plan with Park and ride and bike journeys
- Personalised travel updates
- Accessible planning
- Interactive map planning with real-time Metro and Glider location and a tracking feature
- Quick planning using your current location, favourite stops and recent searches
- CO2 journey saving calculation

## Key features

- Interactive journey planning
- Purchase NI Railways tickets
- In-app ticket wallet
- Real-time departure boards
- Personalized travel updates
- Accessible planning options

## What do users think of Translink Planner?

Overall sentiment: negative

**Pros**

- 👍 Easy journey planning functionality
- 🗺️ Helpful map integration for route visualization
- 📱 Modern app interface design
- 🚀 Quick access to timetable information
- 💾 Ability to save journeys to calendar
- 🎯 User-friendly for regular commuters

**Cons**

- 🐛 Inaccurate and unreliable bus/train times
- 😤 Frequent service cancellations not reflected in app
- 🔧 Clunky and unintuitive user interface
- ❌ Cannot purchase tickets within app
- 🗺️ Poor navigation and confusing layout
- ⏱️ Doesn't show actual departure times, only minutes remaining
- 🔄 Requires switching between multiple apps for full functionality
- 📵 App crashes frequently on iPhone
- 🔐 Password reset and login issues
- 🚫 Missing features from previous app version
- ⚠️ Inconsistent information between app and actual timetables
- 🎯 Difficult to find timetables and basic information
- 💳 Ticket purchasing system doesn't work properly
- 🚌 Live bus tracking feature removed
- 🔍 Hard to access Metro/Glider route information

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes on iPhone during ticket purchase
- Password reset emails not received
- Unable to renew or change passwords
- Journey planner adds unnecessary stops and complications
- Bus stops disappear when zooming in on map
- Location loading blocks text input
- App doesn't refresh automatically without returning to start page
- Tickets purchased not visible in app
- Cannot book tickets for multiple passengers
- Concession tickets unavailable on mobile
- Inconsistent journey suggestions vs actual timetables
- Bus times don't match timetable posters at stops
- Cancelled buses don't show as cancelled, just disappear
- App shows buses arriving but they never show up
- Incorrect fare calculations and pricing display
- Unable to access certain routes (e.g., Kilkeel from bus centre)
- Timetable PDFs show 'page not found' error

**Most requested features**

- Unified app for journey planning AND ticket purchasing
- Live bus tracking with real-time location updates
- Ability to view actual departure times instead of countdown minutes
- Show actual time alongside minutes remaining
- Complaint/feedback option for late or cancelled services
- Simple timetable view without complex journey planning
- Live delay and cancellation notifications
- Apple Watch compatibility
- Exclude walking time option in journey results
- Direct access to timetables from home page
- Show platform/stop information for transfers
- One-click bus tracking from schedule view
- Ability to book tickets for groups over 10 people
- Support for concession tickets on mobile devices
- Better accessibility for tourists and non-locals
- Contactless card payment on vehicles
- Extended booking window beyond 3 weeks
- Proper ticket visibility after purchase

## Recent user reviews (10 of 124)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/translink-planner/id648823280/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Worst transport service in NI

*2026-02-09, version 6.139.0.2438764*

I’ve never seen a pack of the most incompetent people running this transport service. There needs to be an option on this app to complain about every service that’s either running late or just randomly cancels. Which is nearly every service. Get your fingers out!

### 5/5 — Trip to Belfast

*2026-02-08, version 6.139.0.2438764*

Good service, on time

### 5/5 — Easy planner

*2026-02-04, version 6.139.0.2438764*

Great app but takes a bit of getting used to , I use it a lot now that I have .

### 1/5 — How is this made by translink

*2026-01-01, version 6.139.0.2438764*

This is one of the most CLUNKY APPS EVER how is this made by Translink,I can’t even get the app to work. Simply just use a pen and paper

### 1/5 — Frustrated

*2026-01-01, version 6.139.0.2438764*

what should be a fairly simple ask "when is the next train" particularly if you are in a rush has become an unnecessarily click/tap fest. Keep it simple stupid!!!

### 1/5 — Absolutely useless

*2025-12-10, version 6.139.0.2438764*

Very much like the heavily subsidised worst company in the country…… useless

### 1/5 — horrendous

*2025-12-08, version 6.139.0.2438764*

cannot use
I am a 32 year old man and i have no idea how to actually book a ticket through this app or this website? never came across something so confusing to use, on top of this why is there 40 different types of tickets? extremely embarrassing

### 1/5 — Was this written by a 3 year old

*2025-12-06, version 6.139.0.2438764*

Absolutely nothing intuitive about this app

### 5/5 — Magnifico…

*2025-12-03, version 6.139.0.2438764*

Exceptional application…magical precision on timetables

### 1/5 — Useless

*2025-11-24, version 6.139.0.2438764*

Horrendous app not fit for purpose would not even give 1 star

## Frequently asked questions about Translink Planner

### What does the Translink Planner app do?

This app allows you to plan bus, coach, and rail journeys within Northern Ireland and for cross-border routes. It provides real-time travel updates, departure information, and the ability to purchase tickets for NI Railways services.

### What are the key features of the Translink Planner?

Key features include fully interactive journey planning, the ability to buy single, day return, and 3-day select tickets for NI Railways, storing purchased tickets in an in-app wallet, and viewing 'Next Service' departure boards.

### Is the Translink Planner app free to use?

The app itself is free to download and use for planning journeys and accessing travel information. However, you can purchase single, day return, and 3-day select tickets for NI Railways services through the app, which incurs a cost.

### What kind of journeys can I plan with this app?

You can plan bus, coach, and rail journeys from any stop, station, or address. The app supports planning with Park and Ride options, bike journeys, and offers quick planning using your current location, favorite stops, and recent searches.

### Can I get real-time travel information?

Yes, the app provides the latest travel updates from various services like Metro, Glider, Ulsterbus, Goldline, NI Railways, and Enterprise. It also features an interactive map with real-time Metro and Glider location tracking.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 6.163.1.2831502 — 2026-06-09

Public bike journeys are now available to plan using Belfast's Beryl Bikes. Get live bike information including how many are at the bike station, the bike type and the option to reserve a bike.

### 6.139.0.2438764 — 2025-09-30

Purchase single, day return and 3 day select tickets for NI Railways journeys.

Store your tickets within the app ticket wallet for quick redemption at our ticket vending machines

Manage your own wallet by removing your used tickets

### 6.109.0.2042570 — 2025-01-08

New cycle settings for cycle speed and maximum cycle time.

Mapping Layer improvements for live bus tracking and stop location identification.

User Experience updates and fixes.

### 6.98.0.1832237 — 2024-07-08

Park & Ride: Quickly plan a Park and Ride journey

It’s MaaS: Brings together different transport services to plan journeys using a range of transport options through a single platform

Bike It: Cycle for the first part of your journey or cycle the entire journey

Relevant Travel Updates: Get travel updates for stops, stations and services
Accessible Journeys- Plan step free journeys 

Real-time Bus Location and Tracking: Real-time locations for Glider and Metro services and track the bus as it makes it journey

Environmental Footprint: See how much CO2 your Journey would save

### 5.163 — 2023-10-31

minor bug fixes and improvements

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-31.*