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.
Things you'll find in this article
Best Day Trips From Belfast City
1. Giant’s Causeway
Chrisrine Rogador at 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 €35 per person. It also includes a trip to Game of Thrones filming locations and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. To book it, 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
Dark Hedges, Image by Christine Rogador
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 €47 per person. To book it, click here.
3. Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
Carrick A Rede, Image by Christine Rogador
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 €35 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, Image by Christine Rogador
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 €35 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.
Or you can also take this Derry/ Londonderry day trip from Belfast for just €78 per person. And the tour includes transport getting around Derry/ Londonderry and museum entrances. To book it, click here.
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.
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Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries for the past 8 years. I also lived in 3 continents – from the Caribbean, South East Asia to Africa. But despite living in several countries, my love for Ireland remains the same. A country that had been a part of my life since I was 14 because of my love for Irish music and bands. Ireland Travel Guides was born because of this passion and hopefully, in some little ways, this website will be able to help you on your next trip to Ireland.
35 Fun Things To Do In Belfast City - Ireland Travel Guides
Friday 4th of June 2021
[…] If these are not enough, you can check out these day trips from Belfast. […]