We are doing a 15-day trip to Scotland in late May. I'm curious if you have any experience or recommendations about taking the ferry from Cairnryan, Scotland to Belfast, Northern Ireland? I've never been to Northern Ireland and want to see Giant's Causeway and north coast. Is it logistically reasonable to take our Scotland rental car on the ferry from Cairnryan, Scotland to Belfast, Northern Ireland for a 2-day tour of Northern Ireland before returning via the same ferry? Is this logistically a nightmare or cost-prohibitive? Recommendations? Thank you, K Ramsey
Posted by
Stratford upon Avon
470 posts
it looks like the return fare is over £300
You also need to check if you are allowed to take your hire car to NI
I have done this crossing and on the outward trip is was very windy and rough though the ship was very stable and you only in open water for part of the crossing
Posted by
Royaume-Uni nul points, pas plus
2507 posts
shouldn't be a problem - just check the car hire company allows you to take the car on the ferry. Should do.
Lots of flights from Scottish airports to Belfast so bear these in mind - if you're only going for two days it would be quicker to fly and hire another car in N Ireland.
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
There’s a fair chance that your hire company won’t permit the car to be taken over to NI. You would need to check with them.
You need to include the car’s registration number when you book the ferry. Booking last minute risks there being no availability for your preferred crossing time. There are several price points depending on how much flexibility you want to be able to change or cancel your crossing. It’s between £300 and £400 return for a small car - do you call this cost prohibitive? It’s far more expensive than taking my car over to France from England, which is about half the price.