Driving time up the Antrim coast

If you hug the coast as closely as possible four or five hours in about right. With a stop at the causeway, another for lunch, and maybe a couple of quickies, that's going to disappear most of the day. In regard to your castle question, if you see Carrickfergus that same day, there goes a couple of more hours and the day is about to stretch into ten hours, maybe twelve.

Agree with the whole day timeslot. Last visit we did the Antrim coast drive with family, and we also stopped at Bushmills as well as carrick-a-rede (sp?) and the Causeway. Its a lovely drive, and lots of little small villages to stop and get lost in. Enjoy the weather - we'll be there in June and doing probably much the same trip at some point. Glenn in Tucson

Good notes from Ed and Glenn. As for "driving time", that of course is affected by all sorts of factors (remember....you will get lost, maybe more than once). If you can, take as many of the small roads as possible, that will get you to some of the most scenic locations. To really experience G.C. and Carrick-A-Rede you should allow at least an hour at each. If you stop at Bushmills Distillery and take the tour, which includes a sample at the end of the tour, that could take another hour or more. Be sure to read RS info on Bushmills. Hope this helps. Tom

This is a great trip - don't hurry. If possible, include an overnight along the way. Plan to get lost. Dine in a country pub. One caution: the rocks at GC really are very slippery at times so enjoy it carefully.

Hi - I too am going to Northern Ireland and doing the same - however, after reading a little bit from RS Guidebook, I am planning on spending 2 nights in Portrush. And looking at RS' DVD on Ireland Portrush looks really cute! AND central to traveling the big sites like Giant's Causeway, Carrick-a-rede and Dunluce Castle. I don't drink so we are skipping Bushmills... My Question - where are you getting a car? From Belfast? Airport? Is that the easiest???

Ruby - we are doing the exact same thing in 40 days (not that I am counting). We booked a rental car from Hertz at the Belfast City airport. I originally looked at the rental cars in Belfast itself but some are closed on Saturdays, limited hours, etc so the rental places at the airport fit our criteria.

If you will be in Belfast and have any interest in the Titanic you should look into www.titanicbelfast.com

In Prtrush, eat at 55 North. Great restaurant and view. Get a reservation.

How long of a drive is it from Portrush to Derry?

Helen, It is approx. 40 miles-driving time 1hr 15 min to 1hr 30 min. Derry is certainly worth spending a day in.