Belfast Hotel and Transport

3) There are direct coaches from Belfast to Dublin airport. https://www.aircoach.ie/timetables/705X

1. The Premier Inn over in the Titanic Quarter is quite nice and has reasonable rates. It's 5 minutes from the world class Titanic Museum and the old Harland & Wolff shipyard, and is short stroll along a pedestrian-friendly path to the city center.
2. It's also only a mile or two from the George Best City airport where there are numerous rental car outlets. Getting on the motorway is pretty straightforward, and it's a straight shot out of the city to head north along the Antrim Coast., Causeway Coast, Derry, etc.
3. What Badger said.

Translink Northern Ireland's public transport provider run daily cross border services to Dublin via Dublin airport you can book at www.translink.co.uk
These depart from the Europa bus station...
Aircoach depart from glengall street which runs down the side of the opera House in Belfast

Also you don't need to drive to go to the north coast you can take the train to Portrush from Belfast also you can take the train to Coleraine and transfer in the combined train and bus station in Coleraine onto the Causeway coast rambler bus from coleraine to Ballycastle Ulsterbus service number 402 if you purchase a £17.50 I-link card a zone 4 card this will give you unlimited travel on all buses and trains in Northern Ireland for one day and you could then head back to Coleraine change trains and go to Londonderry/Derry
The public transport provider in Northern Ireland is www.translink.co.uk

Robert and Others,
Can we rent a car in city center Belfast? Car company?
What should we expect to pay for insurance? Basic insurance? Super insurance? Other fees? One day only.
Thank you,
jjkc

There are a few rental car outlets located in the general vicinity of the city center, but frankly your best bet is probably to just grab a taxi to the City airport and rent from there. Getting onto the motorway and then out of town is pretty straightforward from the airport, plus the rental car outlets will likely have extended operating hours versus those in the city if you plan to make a long day of it and intend to return the vehicle late in the afternoon/evening.
Many here (ourselves included) rely on AutoEurope for car rentals in Ireland and NI. Their rates are always competitive and their explanation of the insurance options is clearly stated so you know exactly what you're getting. We always opt for the zero deductible package, both for the peace of mind and just to keep it simple.
For an early start to your driving day you might consider collecting your rental the evening before and parking at your hotel (in the Titanic quarter preferably) overnight.

Robert,
Thank you very much. That is helpful information.
jjkc

I'll throw in a recommendation for the Ten Square Hotel. We were there a few weeks ago and even though it was the lowest cost place I could find short of a hostel, the rooms were large and comfortable, the breakfast was great, and the location was right near all the action, at least if music is a thing for you. Not the charm of a B&B, but there aren't a lot of those in central Belfast.

I did the math and renting a car in Dublin and just parking it in Belfast for three days was cheaper than an international drop off fee or heading back to Dublin to rent a car for the rest of our visit. We drove from DUB to the Car Park in Belfast, then got the car three days later and continued on to the Antrim coast, then back to the Republic in the west, eventually ending back in Dublin.

TBH you dont need a car in NI, public transport is good for getting around the sites
the public transport company in Northern Ireland is translink www.translink.co.uk
you can buy a zone 4 I-link card from the train and bus stations for a week/day/month which then gives you unlimited public transport anywhere in NI by train or bus if you message back here i can tell you how to get to the sites using public transport i am from Northern Ireland