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Wedding in Derry transportation and accommodations?

We are the parents of the bride and will be in Northern Ireland in September for the wedding. Any suggestions for hotels, b&bs and both getting there and getting around? We are still deciding the best place to fly into. We will probably need a car but would love to try to use the train services as much as possible. Also, any information about visiting the northwestern corner after the wedding would be greatly appreciated. I'll need a rest! Thanks.

Posted by
8252 posts

Very easy train connections from either Dublin or Belfast to Derry. I would probably take the train there and rent the car starting in Derry when I was ready to explore a little. It is possible to explore the Antrim Coast by bus from Derry with just a little organization.

One of my favorite hotels is the Bayview Hotel in Port Balintrae. You won't regret it is you book yourself there for a few nights while exploring the Giant's Causeway. Lovely town with fabulous view and near by walks. It is extremely enjoyable to walk to the Giant's Causeway visitor's center along the headlands from here.

Posted by
333 posts

Belfast International is the easiest route to Derry unless you can find a flight that connects into Derry airport itself. It’s about a 2 1/2 hour drive to Derry from Belfast. There is bus service but it is more of a shuttle type service. Personally, I’d get a car as the roads in the north are a bit wider and easier to navigate than in lot of areas in the Republic.

If you do drive in from Dublin airport the drive is about 3 1/2 hours and is in a highway the entire way. It’s a pretty easy drive. They also have a bus route but I think you have to make a change at the border (check on this one)

If you are staying in Derry, the Tower Hotel is very nice.

Touring-wise, spend a couple of hours walking around Derry. The transformation it’s made over the last 20 years is really amazing. The Bogside mural artists have a walking tour and lecture. After Derry you are only a few minutes from Donegal and the Inishowen Peninsula. On a nice day the drive from Buncrana to Malin Head is breathtakingly beautiful beaches, cliffs and the most northern part of the island. The only traffic you’ll see is a few sheep or a farmer on his tractor. There is a limited ferry service from Derry to Molville which is really beautiful on a good day

The Antrim Coast is another beautiful drive and the Giants Causeway is a must see,

Posted by
12 posts

Thank you all so much. I knew I could count on the Rick Steves travelers. We are still in the midst of planning but will be in and around Derry for about 6 days with the wedding. I think this will help me plan for what to do after the wedding as well as transportation. Has anyone experienced an age limit restriction on renting a car either in the Republic or Northern Ireland? We are approaching "vintage".

Posted by
261 posts

Derry is a pleasant city to walk about. There are the city walls and a walk along the river, plus over the Peace Bridge. I second the suggestion to tour the Bogside Murals and perhaps join one of the official walking tours. The Guildhall has an informative museum as well.

In addition to the previously recommended Antrim Coast, Giant’s Causeway, and Donegal, the Ulster American Folk Park is about an hour’s drive to the south. It features several Irish houses of people who immigrated to the U.S. as well as several that were built in the U.S. by Irish immigrants and covers immigration history well.

If you decide to rent a car and are flying out of Dublin, the Newgrange stone age passage tomb is fascinating. It’s about 2 ½ hours from Derry and about 40 minutes from the Dublin airport.

All the best,

Raymond