17 Best Day Trips From Belfast (Cost, Transport and Tips For 2024)

With the popularity of Game of Thrones, Northern Ireland is becoming a must-see for fans. But Northern Ireland is more than GOT’s popular filming locations. In fact, there are several day trips from Belfast aside from these filming locations.

So if you manage to visit Belfast, here’s our list of the top day tours from the city.

17 Best Day Trips From Belfast (Cost, Transport and Tips For 2024)

1. Giant’s Causeway

The Giant’s Causeway is an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic fissure eruption. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a national nature reserve. It is located in Northern Ireland and it is about a 3-4 hour drive from Dublin on a rental car.

Admission Fee

The access to the Giant’s Causeway is free however the visitor center charges £12.50 per adult and £31.00 for a family of 4.

How to get to Giant’s Causeway from Belfast

Take a Translink UK bus (#218) from Belfast Bridge Street to Coleraine. The trip takes 1 hour and 40 minutes and it costs between €12-18 for a one-way trip or €24-36 for a round trip bus fare. Buses leave every 2 hours.

From Coleraine, take a  Translink UK bus (#172) to Aird Giants Causeway The Nook. The trip takes about 40 minutes for €5-8 per trip or €10-16 for a round-trip fare and buses leave every hour. Then walk about 1.4 km to get to the Giant’s Causeway. In total, you might have to spend between €34-52 on transport alone.

Or you can also take this Giant’s Causeway day tour from Belfast for just $30.76 per person. To book this tour, click here.

Opening Hours

The opening hours varies depending on the season. For updated opening hours, click here.

Contact Information

Location: 44 Causeway Road Bushmills County Antrim BT57 8SU Northern Ireland

Phone: (028) 2073 1855

Email: giantscausewaytic@nationaltrust.org

2. Game of Thrones Day Tour from Belfast

Game of Thrones grew in popularity for the past 7 years. The TV series focuses on medieval realism which shows several medieval and exotic locations. These locations also grew in popularity that tours to these locations have become coveted by loyal fans. In Northern Ireland alone, there are over 10 locations where you can experience Game of Thrones in real life.

How to get to Game of Thrones Filming Locations from Belfast

Depending which filming locations you’re looking into, taking public transport might not be a good idea due to the distance between locations. Renting a car might be a better option to make sure you visit all the places.

Or you can also take this Game of Thrones day tour from Belfast for just $30.76 per person. To book it, click here.

3. Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is a popular rope bridge in Ballintoy and it connects the mainland to the island of Carrickarede. The bridge was mainly used by fishermen who frequent the area for salmon but salmon slowly declines in the area. As a result, the bridge is now mainly used for tourism.

The location of the bridge overlooks one of the best coastal views in Northern Ireland. Currently, visitors can access the bridge for a fee.

Admission Fee

To cross the bridge, you will have to pay €6.5.

How to get to Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge from Belfast

Take a Translink UK bus (#218) from Belfast Bridge Street to Coleraine. The trip takes 1 hour and 40 minutes and it costs between €12-18 for one-way trip or €24-36 for a round trip bus fare. Buses leave every 2 hours. From Coleraine, take a  Translink UK bus (#172, #402, #402a) to Ballintoy Carrick-a-Rede Rope and get off at Ballintoy Youth Hostel. The trip takes about an hour for €6-9 per trip or €12-18 for a round-trip fare and buses leave every hour. Then walk about 1.7 km or 20 minutes to get to Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. In total, you might have to spend between €36-54 on transport alone.

Or you can also take this Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge day tour from Belfast for just $30.76 per person. It also includes a trip to Giant’s Causeway and Game of Thrones filming locations. To book it, click here.

4. Dunluce Castle

Dunluce Castle is now a ruined medieval castle in Northern Ireland. It is located on the edge of rocks on the coast of County Antrim.  Richard Óg de Burgh, 2nd Earl of Ulster, built the first castle in Dunluce. From then on, this Irish castle witnessed a long and tumultuous history between Scotland, Ireland, and the UK.

Dunluce castle is also said to be the inspiration for Cair Paravel, the fictional castle in Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. It is also the film location of Game of Thrones for the Seat of House Greyjoy of the great castle of Pyke.

Admission Fee

Adult – £5.50, Child (age 4 – 16) – £3.50

Senior citizen £3.50

Student and Benefit Claimants (ID required) – £3.50

Child under 4 – Free

Family (up to 5 members, including up to 3 adults) – £15.00

Group rate(10 plus, must be pre-booked) – £4 per person

How to get to Dunluce Castle from Belfast

Take a Translink UK bus (#218) from Belfast Bridge Street to Coleraine. The trip takes 1 hour and 40 minutes and it costs between €12-18 for one-way trip or €24-36 for a round trip bus fare. Buses leave every 2 hours. From Coleraine, take a  Translink UK bus (#402, #402a) to Dunluce Castle. The trip takes about 25 minutes for €4-6 per trip or €8-12 for a round-trip fare and buses leave every 2 hours. Then walk about 400 meters or 4 minutes to get to Dunluce Castle. In total, you might have to spend between €32-48 on transport alone.

Or you can also take this Dunluce day tour from Belfast for just $30.76 per person. It also includes a trip to Game of Thrones filming locations, Giant’s Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. To book it, click here.

Opening Hours

Daily: 10 am – 4 pm (last entry strictly at 3:30 pm)

Contact Information

Location: 87 Dunluce Road, Bushmills, County Antrim, BT57 8UY

Email: scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Phone: (028) 2073 1938

5. Newry day trip from Belfast

Newry is a charming city between the counties of Armagh and Down. Only 55 km away, it is one of the best day trips from Belfast due to its proximity.

It is one of the oldest cities in Ireland and has a rich and colorful heritage. Aside from being a market town, it is also popular for its beautiful Georgian townhouses lining up the city center.

How to get to Newry from Belfast

Take a train (#5) from Lanyon Place, Belfast to Newry. The trip takes about an hour for €8-12 for a one-way trip or €16-24 for a round-trip fare. Or take a Translink UK bus (#238) from Belfast Europa Bus Centre to Newry. The trip takes about an hour for €9-13 for a one-way trip or €18-26 for a round-trip fare. The bus leaves every hour. In total, you might have to spend between €34-50 for transport alone.

6. Londonderry

Derry or Londonderry is one of the finest examples of a walled city in Europe. It is also the only remaining walled city in Ireland. Known for its turbulent past, the city of Derry survived the Tudor conquest of Ireland, the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, the Glorious Revolution, Siege of Derry, the Irish War of Independence, and the Troubles.

These historic events defined the past of this unassuming city. So if you like to learn more of Irish history, this day tour from Belfast is a must.

How to get to Londonderry from Belfast

Take a train (#5) from Lanyon Place, Belfast to Londonderry. The trip takes about 2 hours for €13-19 for a one-way trip or €26-38 for a round-trip fare. Or take a Translink UK bus (#212) from Belfast Europa Bus Centre to Altnagelvin. The trip takes about 2 hours for €14-20 for a one-way trip or €28-40 for a round-trip fare. The bus leaves every hour. In total, you might have to spend between €40-58 on transport alone.

7. Portstewart

This small town in Northern Ireland is a popular surfing spot and seaside resort. Although small, this town is prosperous and known as the holiday town for the middle class and affluent Northern Irish people. The property prices in this area are also the highest in Northern Ireland. So if you want to know how rich people live, then add this day trip from Belfast to your itinerary in Ireland.

How to get to Portstewart from Belfast

Take a Translink UK bus (#218) from Belfast Bridge Street to Coleraine. The trip takes 1 hour and 40 minutes and it costs between €12-18 for one-way trip or €24-36 for a round trip bus fare. Buses leave every 2 hours. From Coleraine, take a  Translink UK bus (#278, #402a) to Portstewart Promenade. The trip takes about 10 minutes for €3-5 per trip or €6-10 for a round-trip fare and bus leaves once a week so plan accordingly. In total, you might have to spend between €30-46 on transport alone.

8. Dark Hedges

On the outside, it doesn’t show up to have much. However, if you step out of your car and take a look around, you’ll see why it’s lured photographers, painters, and curious visitors for decades.

The Dark Hedges are extremely mesmerizing. However, tourism has taken its toll over the years, and you might wish to visit soon before it all vanishes.

The tree limbs have been cut during the previous year or two, making the tunnel a little less striking. That doesn’t mean it’s not beautiful; you simply have to look a little harder to locate the ideal area.

How to get to Dark Hedges from Belfast

There are three ways to go from Belfast to Dark Hedges: train, taxi, or car. If you don’t have a car, the quickest way to get from Belfast to Dark Hedges is by train, which requires 1 hour and 30 minutes and costs between 37.94 USD and 52.40 USD.

Without a car, the quickest way to go from Belfast to Dark Hedges is via taxi, which costs between 162.62 USD and 198.76 USD and takes 50 minutes.

Alternatively, you can take this Tour from Belfast for $84.62 and see the splendor of Dark Hedges. The journey also takes you to the Giant’s Causeway and Dunluce Castle.

9. The Gobbins Cliff Path

The Gobbins cliff walkway, which hangs from basalt cliffs straight over the Irish Sea, is a labor of love. The Gobbins, as lovely as it is, is more than meets the eye. Sedimentary rock dominates this basalt beach, hinting at conditions from the Triassic and Jurassic eras.

Surprisingly, a fossil discovered in Larne dates from a time when this region of Ireland would have been fully buried under a warm, shallow sea millions of years ago.

If you are not wearing proper footwear, including hiking boots with solid tread and ankle support, you may be denied access.

How to get to The Gobbins Cliff Path from Belfast

Drive the A2 Causeway Coastal Highway from Belfast to Larne if you have a car. Proceed through Carrickfergus, then take right onto B90 Island Lower Road and search for the brown signs. It is the cheapest method to go from Belfast to The Gobbins, costing between $6.14 and $9.03 USD and taking 29 minutes.

Take this tour for $84.62 for a group of no more than two people. Carrickfergus and its spectacular century castles are also included in the tour.

10. Portrush

Portrush is a tiny beach tourist town on Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coastal Route. The town center of Portrush is located upon a mile-long peninsula named Ramore Head, which points north into the Atlantic Ocean. The majority of the hotels, restaurants, and taverns are located here.

If you’re seeking for exciting things to do in Portrush, consider walking from Portrush Harbour to Saint Patrick’s Well in Portstewart.

Despite being roughly 3 hours long, this is a pleasant stroll that covers a section of the Causeway Coast Way Walk.

How to get to Portrush from Belfast

If you have a car, travel the M2 to Antrim, then the A26 to Ballymena, and finally the M2/A26 to Portrush. Continue the yellow and digital signage for Public Parking as you reach Coleraine.

If you want to go by bus, the regular 218 Goldline coach journey from Belfast is available. The train arrives at Coleraine Rail and Bus Station, from where you can simply transfer to an Ulsterbus bus to Portrush.

The cheapest mode of transportation from Belfast to Portrush is by rail, which costs between 17.17 and 25.30 USD and takes 1 hour and 40 minutes.

You can book this group tour of six people and visit Portrush for $458.48. This trip includes a visit to the Giants Causeway, Dunluce Castle, and a Flexible Drop-Off, leaving you with plenty of time to discover Belfast’s highlights.

11. Mourne Mountains

The Mourne Mountains form a mountain range in County Down. It encompasses the tallest peaks in Northern Ireland as well as the province of Ulster.

The Mournes is a geographical region with remarkable natural beauty that has been suggested as Northern Ireland’s first national park. The National Trust owns a portion of the region, which attracts a huge number of people each year.

How to get to Mourne Mountains from Belfast

There are 4 options for getting from Belfast to the Mourne Mountains: rail, cab, bus, or automobile. The distance between Belfast and Mourne Mountains is roughly 60.8 kilometers. Driving from Belfast to the Mourne Mountains takes around 55 minutes.

Without a car, the best way to go from Belfast to Mourne Mountains is by rail and cab, which takes 1 hour and 30 minutes and costs 50.59 USD to 66.85 USD. Alternatively, for $28.02, you may book an City Centre Beer Bike Tour and explore Belfast historic center.

12. Donegal

Discover stunning vistas at every turn in gorgeous Donegal and recharge your batteries with a trip to one of Ireland’s most picturesque regions.

The enormous Derryveagh Mountains govern the wild countryside; explore its trekking routes and see Lough Eske’s shoreline. Make time to see some of Ireland’s loveliest beaches, including the white sands of Portsalon Beach.

The months of May to September are ideal for visiting Donegal and Ireland in general. Every year in September, I visit Donegal, and the weather is always dry and bright, which is all you can expect for while visiting Ireland.

How to get to Donegal from Belfast

You may travel from Belfast to Donegal via bus, rail, or vehicle. Driving from Belfast to Donegal takes 2 hours and 2 minutes and costs between 34.33 and 50.59 USD.

There is no specific bus service between Belfast and Donegal. However, operations leaving Jury’s Inn and reaching  Donegal Abbey Hotel through Letterkenny take around 3 hours and 15 minutes, involving transfers.

13. Carrickfergus

Carrickfergus, or simply Carrick, is a significant town on the coast of County Antrim, close to Belfast City.

As among Ireland’s oldest towns, it is most known for its iconic Carrickfergus Castle, one of the finest maintained in the country. Carrickfergus is an excellent place to start visiting Northern Ireland because it’s only a short drive from Belfast.

You may discover additional information about the history of Carrickfergus Castle and appreciate the excellently preserved Great Tower by attending a guided tour. Otherwise, you may see the castle from the town’s shoreline, either during the day or at night.

How to get to Carrickfergus from Belfast

You may get from Belfast to Carrickfergus via rail, bus, taxi, or vehicle. There is a direct bus that runs from Belfast Royal Avenue Tesco to Carrickfergus Joymount. Services run every hour and every day. The travel takes around 50 minutes.

There is also a direct train that runs from Belfast Lanyon Place to Carrickfergus. Services run every hour and on a daily basis. The travel takes around 26 minutes.

The cheapest method to go from Belfast to Carrickfergus is to drive, which costs between $3.43 and $5.24 and takes around 15 minutes. Alternatively, you may book this trip and see Carrickfergus Castle for $30.76 Giant’s Causeway, Cushendun, and Carnlough Harbour are also included in the itinerary.

14. The Glens of Antrim

The Glens of Antrim are inherently unique within a few square miles, you may experience glacial valleys, sandy beaches, towering cliffs, tundra plateau, woodland glens, waterfalls, and lovely settlements.

The Antrim Plateau is divided into nine glens or valleys that radiate to the shore. The people that live in the glens are mostly related to native Irish as well as Hebridean Scots. The Glens are a prominent tourist destination in north Antrim and a region of great natural beauty.

How to get to The Glens of Antrim from Belfast

There are three options for getting from Belfast to Glens of Antrim: rail, cab, or automobile. Driving from Belfast to Glens of Antrim is the cheapest option, costing between 18.07 and 27.10 USD and taking 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Without a car, the best way to go from Belfast to Glens of Antrim is by train and cab, which takes 1 hour and 50 minutes and costs $75.89 USD to 99.38 USD.

You may also book this Tour to see the Glens of Antrim for $30.76. The tour includes stops at Carrickfergus Castle and the Giant’s Causeway.

15. Bushmills

Bushmills is a tiny settlement on Northern Ireland’s North Coast in County Antrim. The community of Bushmills receives its name from the Bush River, which passes through it, and a big watermill was erected there in the early 17th century.

Bushmills has historical value in addition to its famous distillery. As a market hamlet, the area prospered, and Main Street reflected its rich history through various landmarks. The Macnaghten Family War Memorial, for example, serves as a poignant reminder of the town’s involvement in conflicts.

The Old Bushmills Distillery is a visible landmark that provides an insider’s perspective on the whiskey-making procedure, while the River Bush is great for romantic walks and is easily reached from the Bushmills Inn.

How to get to Bushmills from Belfast

The easiest way to get there from Belfast is to take the A2 Route, which weaves its way down the coast via some of Ireland’s most stunning landscape. This journey takes around 2 hours to complete directly, however, it is worth taking the extra time for a rest along the way.

Driving from Belfast to Bushmills is the cheapest option, costing between 18.06 USD and 28.90 USD and taking 1 hour and 5 minutes.

There is a direct bus that runs from Belfast Pottinger Entry High Street to Bushmills War Memorial. Services run twice a day and are available every day. The trip takes around an hour and 30 minutes.

16. Rathlin Island

Rathlin Island can only be reached by ferry and is situated 10 kilometers off the coast of Antrim. There are multiple crossings from Ballycastle Harbour each day, weather permitting.

Rathlin Island’s shoreline is lined with sea stacks, which provide spectacular views. Sea stacks are rock features that rise upright in the water. They are the remains of headlands that have been worn by water and wind as time passed.

Quick Tip: While there are some bus services that frequent the area, renting a vehicle or hiring a guide/driver is a preferable alternative; this will give you more freedom, make your journey more enjoyable, and, if guided, bring an added level of service.

How to get to Rathlin Island from Belfast

To reach the island, use the Rathlin Island Ferry. The Rathlin Island ferry connects Rathlin Island to Ballycastle.

To guarantee availability and reserve your spot on the ship, you must purchase tickets in advance. Tickets and passes must be presented for examination on demand by a member of the ferry operator’s crew or personnel or a Department of Infrastructure monitoring officer. Ticket costs range from $4.31 to $17.22.

17. The Sperrin Mountains

Despite possessing one of Ireland’s biggest highland tracts, the Sperrins range is a hidden gem, undisturbed and so magnificent that it has been declared an Area of exceptional natural beauty.

The Sperrins are a walking enthusiast’s dream. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely afternoon stroll or a strenuous climb up into the hills, you’ll discover it all here. Moderate hikes are ideal for undulating hills, calm valleys, and swampy uplands.

How to get to The Sperrin Mountains from Belfast

If you have a car, drive the M2 to Toomebridge, then to Cookstown via Toomebridge. Take the A505 route to Omagh from Cookstown. Travel approximately thirteen miles to Creggan Crossroads, then go 110 meters after the gas station until you reach the first right turn to An Creagan Visitor Centre.

The quickest method to go from Belfast to Sperrin Mountains is by car, which costs between 18.06 USD and 28.90 USD and takes 1 hour and 15 minutes.