Gate-side books and snacks in T1
Right in Belfast International T1, WHSmith sits on the main departures concourse after security and covers the basics: books, magazines, stationery, snacks, and grab-and-go drinks. Prices run higher than high street, but not outrageous for an airport, with paperbacks often around £8–£12 and bottled drinks in the £2–£3 range.
This WHSmith leans heavily on paperbacks and crime thrillers, plus crossword and puzzle books for the flight. You also get standard stationery like pens, notebooks, envelopes, and basic travel bits such as UK and EU plug adapters, charging cables, and padded envelopes if you need to mail something before boarding.
On the food side, expect the usual WHSmith line-up: multipack crisps, chocolate bars, sweets, and chilled sandwiches in the £3–£5 bracket. There are meal-deal style offers on sandwiches, drinks, and snacks at certain times of day, which can be decent value if you missed breakfast or want something simple for a short hop to London or Manchester.
WHSmith in T1 usually trades from the first early departures around 04:00 until the late evening wave, often closer to 22:00, but hours can shift with the schedule. Staff generally push same-day newspapers and magazines close to the front, useful if you want a UK paper before a Ryanair or easyJet flight.
Tip: if your gate is showing in the low teens, stop here before walking down the piers; there’s less reading material closer to gate 11–18.