driving in Belfast

Are you thinking of Belfast as a day trip from Dublin? I ask because of the train reference. If you have a car then use it. Easy jaunt from Dublin. If memory serves me well, driving time between Dublin and Belfast is about two hours . The only way you'll notice you've left Ireland and are in N. Ireland is that the roadway signs will change in shape and color. As far as B&B's there are so many I'd just wing it. Do hope you'll visit Newgrange enroute. Have a wonderful visit!

We traveled throughout Ireland this past May for 23 days. We had booked the first 2 nights and the last 3 at B&Bs. The rest of the time we 'winged it' and stayed at B&Bs exclusively. No problem whatsoever finding available B&Bs. Enjoy!!

You don't need a car in Belfast. The city is very walkable and you can always take a taxi or bus if you need to. You can take a "black cab tour" of the neighborhoods, which you'll find very interesting. We stayed at a B&B not far from downtown, which we really liked. Here's the website if you want to check it out yourself: http://www.maloneguesthousebelfast.co.uk/cgi-bin/mainpage/pages/Home IMO you should book your B&B's beforehand, especially if some are already filling up.

we fly into Dublin 8am, pick up car and I thought we would go to Newgrange on our way to Belfast. Either we get a B&B in Belfast (driving into Belfast) or get a B&B around Antrim and catch a train in the next day. We will not have slept (unable to on the plane from many past experiences) so we are going to be tired driving to Belfast. Thanks for the input so far!

Driving in Belfast is not a problem. Stay in the city, it's more interesting. It's about two hours from the Dublin airport. You'll need two to three hours at Newgrange. Don't sweat the B&B situation. There's a lot more than are listed on the internet and the economy is in the tank. You'll find a room - - and probably get a discount if you ask for it - - all without a reservation.

We have never had a problem getting a b&B in any month, there are plenty of them as Ed said. The Irish tourist bureau used to publish a list of approved B&B's that listed about a thousand of them with prices, amenities (en-suite) etc. Even if you don't get it, you will not have a problem, just look for the shamrock outside the B&B and it will tell you it has been approved (although one we went into that was approved was not great but most of them were). I think someone posted at one time that you can get advanced tickets to Newgrange so you might look into it. We too hit the road running on our first day. Good luck and enjoy.

Thanks everyone. One more question about the B&B's. We dont want to pay over 35 euros each. How will we know how much they will be a night if we wing it? 17 days in Ireland...I cant wait for May to come.

Thirty-five for the room might be tight. Thirty-five per person will be easy. To find out much, ask at the TI or ask when you walk up to the door. I've never gotten excited about having to stay in a place with a shamrock logo (which I think is being replaced with some other scheme).

Driving in Belfast was easy but finding a place to park our car for the day was not. Once in the city it's very easy to walk, or you can take a bus or taxi around if you need to. Belfast is a very interesting city with lots to do and see, but I personally wouldn't situate myself there because it doesn't have the greatest ambience. I thought the outlying rural areas near Belfast were very lovely and relaxing (e.g. we stayed in Banbridge), and it's easy to go back and fourth to Belfast. I can't comment on the B&B issue because I usually stay at hotels or self-catering cottages that require beforehand notice.

Cynthia. We dropped our car at the airport before we stayed in Belfast. Only had two nights there . Easy and convenient to get around on foot. A 'must do' is a Black Taxi tour.