I will be staying in Dublin on an upcoming trip. I want to see just a couple of sites in Northern Ireland near Belfast, namely, Giant's Causeway and the Dark Hedges. I am thinking of taking a very early morning train from Dublin to Belfast, renting a cart and seeing the sites I want to see before returning to Dublin on the last train that same day. It would be a long day.
Is this a "do-able" plan? Why or why not?
It’s doable but as you’ve correctly stated it will be a long day. Personally I’d take a late bus or train from Dublin the night before, spend the night. Pick up your rental early, see your sites. Return your rental and train or bus back to Dublin.
Hope weather is good.
That's an excellent suggestion Claudia. We were hoping not to have to check out of our hotel in Dublin, but your idea may prove better.
To make it easier, leave your luggage at your hotel in Dublin and take only a small overnight bag.
My son and I did this last summer. We took the 8 am train out of Dublin, did the Titanic museum and a Black Cab tour and took the 7 pm train back to Dublin. Very doable
Dublin to Belfast as a day trip is eminently doable if you plan to restrict yourself to exploring the beautiful city, visiting the Titanic Museum, etc.
Trying to include the Causeway Coast, the Hedges, etc. would be a bit of a stretch since they're located another 1.5 hrs north of Belfast. If that's your focus then I think Claudia's advice is on the money - ie head up to Belfast the day before and overnight there once you've collected your rental car. With an early start the next morning you can see what you want to see at a leisurely pace, maybe to include a visit to Derry - one of the most evocative cities in Europe before returning to Belfast for the train ride back to Dublin.
Time and interest permitting you could include a drive along the very pretty Antrim Coast - one of Ireland's most scenic drives on a sunny day.
Another thought: you could save yourself a step and some time by just picking up your rental car from Dublin airport on your way north, maybe driving up to the Causeway Coast ... staying overnight in Portrush maybe. Though you'd probably have to skip Belfast this trip (which would be a shame) it would certainly streamline your proposed itinerary.
Thanks everyone.
