How to Get to Giant's Causeway from Belfast

The Giant's Causeway is a natural site located in Northern Ireland, famous for its unique basalt formations. It is only 90 kilometres away from Belfast and is accessible via various transport options. The M2 motorway offers a direct route for those travelling by car, with a journey time of approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. There are also regular bus, train and taxi services to the Causeway.

In addition to these options, you can join organised tours that offer a comfortable and guided way to explore the Giant's Causeway. To help you plan your trip to one of the best things to see and do in Belfast, here's everything you need to know about the different ways to get to the Giant's Causeway from Belfast, along with the pros and cons.

Guided tours are the most practical choice for travelling from Belfast to the Giant's Causeway, as these services offer you a complete experience. If you decide to join a tour, not only will you be free from logistical complications, but you will also benefit from an organised itinerary, allowing you to enjoy this natural wonder with greater freedom and without any worries.

Choosing a tour to explore the Giant's Causeway will not only simplify your trip, but also add an informative and cultural component. These tours are led by local experts, so you can delve deeper into the geological and cultural history of the region, which is sure to be an educational and memorable experience.

What's more, on these excursions from Belfast you'll have the opportunity to meet other travellers, as they are an ideal place to exchange impressions about the sites you visit. This social dimension adds a special touch, as the adventure is enjoyed collectively.

Group bus tour to the Giant's Causeway

Shared bus tours for groups of travellers are a comfortable and affordable way to explore the Giant's Causeway, as well as an opportunity to meet other travellers. They usually follow the Giant's Causeway Coastal Route, stopping at charming coastal villages such as Ballycastle and Ballintoy before arriving at the Giant's Causeway, where you will see the 40,000 basalt columns.

Some tours, in addition to visiting the Giant's Causeway, often include visits to locations where Game of Thrones was filmed, such as The Dark Edges, which is the Kingslanding in the series, and Ballintoy. The guide usually provides a wealth of information about the local culture and will surely tell you the Irish myth about the origin of the Giant's Causeway, which involves two giants, Finn MacCool and the Scottish giant Benandonner.

• Price: from £35 per person.
• Duration: around 10 hours.
• Recommended if you want to see the Giant's Causeway at an affordable price without worrying about logistics or transport.

Excursion and private transport to the Giant's Causeway

If you want a more exclusive alternative, you can join a private excursion, accompanied only by the people travelling with you. This experience is ideal if you are only going to be in Belfast for one day and want to make the most of your time in the city, or if you are travelling with your family or a group of friends. This type of tour is usually done in air-conditioned cars and you will be picked up from your hotel or accommodation.

One of the main attractions of private tours is the highly personalised service and flexibility. That's why you can take the tour any day of the week and adjust the itinerary to suit your preferences. For example, you can choose additional stops such as Dunluce Castle or the Bushmills Distillery, considered the world's first distillery. You can usually also determine the departure time.

Please note that these tours, being private, tend to be more expensive than other options, although they do not always include other services such as lunch.

• Price: from £770 per group of up to 7 people.
• Activity duration: around 9 hours.
• Recommended if you want to explore the Giant's Causeway at your own pace and want an exclusive experience tailored to your preferences.

If you prefer to visit the Giant's Causeway at your own pace, one of the best options is to hire a car, especially if you are staying in Belfast for at least three days. This will give you the freedom to explore the places you want and stop along the way to enjoy the coastal landscapes and villages that make up the Causeway Coastal Route, the coastal route that offers views of the ocean and the seascape.

Some of the most recommended stops for your road trip are: Carrickfergus Castle, a medieval castle near Belfast; The Dark Hedges, the famous tree tunnel that has become iconic thanks to its appearance in Game of Thrones; and Ballycastle, a picturesque coastal village. If you're feeling adventurous, you can walk across the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, a suspension bridge offering panoramic views.

To get the most out of your trip, don't forget to have an up-to-date map or a reliable navigation system handy, and pay attention to the weather before you set off, as it can change quickly in Northern Ireland. Also, keep in mind that in popular tourist spots, parking can be limited or expensive. And if you're not used to driving on the left, it might take some time to adjust.

• Price: around £180 per day.
• Activity duration: approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
• Recommended if you like to create your own itinerary and want to explore the Giant's Causeway at your own pace.

Another option for getting directly to the Giant's Causeway from Belfast is to use public transport. You should take a bus bound for Aird, Giants Causeway, a service provided by Translink. The bus leaves from Belfast Bus Centre, although it makes several stops around the city, including Donegall Square North.

The journey takes approximately 1½ to 2 hours, and you can enjoy the scenery as you travel to the Giant's Causeway, the curious rock formation considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You cannot make any stops along the Giant's Causeway route, as the bus is a direct service.

Tickets can be purchased at the bus station, on board the bus or online. It is always advisable to plan your visit in advance and check the timetables, as there are only two trips per day to the Giant's Causeway from Belfast. Please note that although the price is inexpensive, it is similar to that of a shared bus tour.

On the other hand, if you have decided to get around the city by bus, an inexpensive and convenient alternative is the Belfast Hop-On Hop-Off buses, which take you to the main attractions in a comfortable and affordable way.

• Price: from £30 per person for a direct return bus ticket.
• Activity duration: around 2 hours.
• Recommended if you are looking for an economical way to get to the Giant's Causeway and prefer to explore it at your own pace.

Another viable option for getting to the Giant's Causeway from Belfast is to opt for a combination of train and bus. You will start your journey at Lanyon Place Station and board the train to Coleraine, a journey that takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Once in Coleraine, you can board a bus to the Giant's Causeway.

This bus journey takes about 40 minutes and will take you directly to The Giant's Causeway Corner, a bar and restaurant with outdoor seating, located right at the entrance to the Causeway.

This combination of train and bus is an economical public transport option, but you may have to wait for the bus in Coleraine. In total, from Lanyon Place Station to the Giant's Causeway, the journey can take approximately 3 hours, including walking and waiting between transfers. However, it is an affordable transport alternative that offers more schedule options than the direct bus.

• Price: from £39 per person for return transport.
• Activity time: around 3 hours.
• Recommended if you have more time and want to enjoy a leisurely travel experience.

If you want to see the Irish countryside up close and test your fitness on your trip from Belfast to the Giant's Causeway, renting a bike could be one of your best options. One of the great advantages of this bike ride is the total freedom to explore at your own pace, without any time restrictions.

Along the way, you can stop off at charming coastal villages such as Ballymena, which is located halfway along the route. However, keep in mind that this is a 90 km route and that the hills and some slopes can be challenging, so it is important to be in good physical condition and carry enough water.

One of the highlights is Route 93 of the National Cycle Network, considered one of the world's premier cycle routes. It runs along the coast from Newry to Ballycastle. An interesting detail is that if you choose to go to the Giant's Causeway by bike, you will be offered an eco-friendly discount on the entrance fee, which aims to promote sustainable and environmentally friendly transport.

In addition, renting a bike in Belfast, if you don't have your own, is one of the best ways to see the city's main attractions. You'll find many bike racks and docking stations in various locations around the city. Another option is to join an organised bike tour and visit the attractions in a group, accompanied by a local guide who is knowledgeable about Belfast's history and culture.

• Price: around £2 per hour.
• Activity duration: between 6 and 6½ hours.
• Recommended if you are in good physical condition and enjoy direct contact with nature.

The Giant's Causeway is located about 90 kilometres north of Belfast. The journey will take you a varying amount of time depending on your chosen mode of transport, ranging from 1 to 2 hours with the fastest transport options, or 3 to 6 hours if you choose to travel by bus or bicycle.

If you decide to visit this unique formation of basalt hexagons from Belfast, you have several options, as you can use public transport (buses and trains), hire a car or bicycle, or join an organised tour by shared bus or private car. Whichever option you choose, don't miss out on visiting this natural wonder of Northern Ireland, especially if you are staying in Belfast for more than 3 days.

The best time to visit the Giant's Causeway depends on your preferences and the type of experience you are looking for. During the spring months (March to May), the landscape is filled with fresh colours and the temperature is moderate, ideal for exploring the area. In summer (June to August), you will enjoy longer, warmer days, although this is the busiest season.

If you prefer to avoid the crowds and enjoy peaceful landscapes, autumn, from September to November, offers vibrant colours and a more relaxed atmosphere. Finally, in winter (December to February) and during the Christmas season in Belfast, the Giant's Causeway receives fewer visitors, but the weather conditions can be more unpredictable. Whatever season you choose, you will always find spectacular scenery and the opportunity to enjoy unique experiences.

To choose the best time to travel to the Giant's Causeway, keep in mind that the busiest days are usually during the weekends, especially in summer, when the site receives the most visitors.

Therefore, if you prefer to avoid crowds, you may want to visit the Giant's Causeway on weekdays, Monday through Friday. Before you go, remember to check the specific timetables and conditions of transport or tours to plan your visit in the best possible way. If you don't want to worry about transport, joining an organised excursion from Belfast can make the journey easier and enrich the experience with local information.