We're making our first visit to Northern Ireland next May. We plan to visit Belfast but will have a car and hope to find accommodations outside the city (to avoid busy streets while driving on the 'other side') and travel into it by train. Looking at the map, it seems like Bangor and Carrickfergus might work for us. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Posted by
Atlanta, GA
205 posts
We just got back from a week in Belfast. After two traumatic experiences driving in Scotland (once in Edinburgh, once on Skye), I had been dreading this trip for months. I was so surprised that it was easy driving and fun! Belfast is a really small city, and the drivers are all courteous and patient. Outside of town, the roads are wide and not twisty.
We stayed at an Airbnb on Premier Drive, two miles north of downtown. We used the car for day trips and for travel within Belfast, we purchased a weekly bus pass. I wouldn't change a thing.
Posted by
Mountains of S. Oregon
722 posts
We were in Belfast for three nights last year and stayed at the Ten Square Hotel. There's a parking garage about 500ft off the M1 that's a 6 minute walk to the hotel. We left the car there for all three days, but it was cheaper than an international one-way fee on a car and much more efficient than going back to the Republic to rent the car later.
Posted by
Nanaimo, BC, Canada
172 posts
Was in Belfast at the end of June. Taxi from airport to the Titanic hotel, 3 nights for the price of two made it slightly less EXPENSIVE. but no car means no costs. You can walk across the yard to the new Titanic Museum, which is a must, and all over the restored shipyard area with its dry-docks and real ships on display. A new marina and bridge lead you into Belfast city centre, and various sights and cafes. I took bus from the Europa bus terminal - not the closer Laggan one, sadly - out to Downpatrick, which should be on anyone's list. I stayed a night at Dinvir's which is a po[u;ar inn with a Snug bar dating back to 1541 and lots of atmosphere. It was renovated during Covid to home essential workers so my room was even nice than the room at the Titanic hotel, but without the atmosphere. Dinvirs and Downpatrick are well worn the 45' bus ride. Look them up.
Depending on your reasons for coming, you may not need a car. I did go on a search out by Castlewellan for the family farm, which may have been one of several in a rainstorm, and the taxi was not cheap, but you forget the costs and remember the moment.
My grandfather worked as a draughtsman at the Harlan and Wolff yards, and is buried outside Downpatrick at Clough, so I had plenty of things to see and absorb. The restored offices as the Titanic hotel are amazing, and offer daily ours which are well led and well attended. Full details on these two hotels websites./Bucket list and well worth it.
Posted by
88 posts
We were in Belfast in May and stayed in an AirBNB for 3 nights just outside the city with free street parking. We took cabs and buses to get into Belfast and found the city very walkable. We really enjoyed the using the car to explore the rest of Northern Ireland.