Day Trips to Giant's Causeway from Belfast

The Giant's Causeway is a natural site in Northern Ireland, famous for its unique basalt formations. It is only 90 kilometres away from Belfast and is accessible by a variety of transport options. The M2 motorway offers a direct route for those who choose to drive, with a journey time of approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. There are also regular bus, train and taxi services to the Causeway.

In addition to these options, you can join organised tours that offer a convenient and guided way to explore the Giant's Causeway. To help you organise your trip to one of the best things to see and do in Belfast, here are the different ways to get to the Giant's Causeway from Belfast, along with the pros and cons.

Guided tours are the most practical choice when travelling from Belfast to the Giant's Causeway, as these services offer you the full Giant's Causeway experience. If you decide to join a tour, not only will you be free from the logistical hassles, but you can also benefit from the organised itinerary, so you can enjoy this natural wonder with greater freedom and freedom.

Choosing a tour to explore the Giant's Causeway will not only simplify your trip, but also add an informative and cultural component to it. These tours are led by local experts, so you can delve into the geological and cultural history of the region, which is sure to be an educational and memorable experience.

Also, on these tours from Belfast you will have the opportunity to meet other travellers, as they are an ideal place to exchange impressions of the sites you visit. This social dimension adds a special touch, as the adventure is enjoyed collectively.

Giant's Causeway bus and group tour

Shared bus tours for groups of travellers are a comfortable and affordable way to explore the Giant's Causeway, as well as an opportunity to meet other travellers. They usually follow the Giant's Causeway Coastal Route, stopping at charming seaside towns such as Ballycastle and Ballintoy, before arriving at the Giant's Causeway, where you will see the 40,000 basalt columns.

Some tours, in addition to visiting the Giant's Causeway, often include a visit to Game of Thrones filming locations such as The Dark Edges, which is the Giant's Causeway's Royal Road, and Ballintoy. The guide will usually give you a lot of information about the local culture, and will certainly tell you about the Irish myth of the origin of the Giant's Causeway, which involves two giants, Finn MacCool and the Scottish giant Benandonner.

• Price: from €41 per person.
• Activity duration: around 10 hours.
• Recommended if you want to see the Giant's Causeway at an affordable price and without worrying about logistical planning and transport.

Private tour and transport to the Giant's Causeway

For a more exclusive alternative, you can join a private tour, accompanied only by the people travelling with you. The experience is ideal if you are only in Belfast for 1 day and want to make the most of your time in the city, or if you have travelled with your family or group of friends. This type of tour is usually conducted in air-conditioned cars and you will be met at your hotel or accommodation.

One of the main attractions of private tours is the highly personalised service and flexibility of booking. That's why you can take the tour on any day of the week and adjust the itinerary according to your preferences. For example, you can choose additional stops such as Dunluce Castle or Bushmills Distillery, considered to be the world's first distillery. You can usually also determine the departure time.

Please note that these tours, being private, tend to have higher costs compared to other options, although they do not always include other services such as lunch.

• Price: from €870 per group of up to 7 people.
• Duration of the activity: around 9 hours.
• Recommended if you want to explore the Giant's Causeway at your own pace and wish to have an exclusive experience tailored to your preferences.

If you prefer to tour the Giant's Causeway at your own pace, one of the best options is to hire a car, especially if you will be in Belfast for at least 3 days. This gives you the freedom to explore as much or as little as you like, stopping along the way to enjoy the coastal scenery and villages that make up the Causeway Coastal Route, the coastal route that offers views of the ocean and seascape.

Some of the most recommended stops for your car journey include: Carrickfergus Castle, a medieval castle near Belfast; The Dark Hedges, the famous tunnel of trees made iconic by its appearance in Game of Thrones; and Ballycastle, a picturesque seaside town. Also, if you're adventurous, you can walk across the Carrick to Rede Rope Bridge, a suspension bridge offering panoramic views.

To make the most of your trip, make sure you have an up-to-date map or reliable navigation system to hand, and pay attention to the weather before you set off, as it can change quickly in Northern Ireland. On the other hand, be aware that in popular tourist spots, parking may be limited or expensive. And if you're not used to driving on the left, it may take a while to adjust.

• Price: around €180 per day.
• Activity time: Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
• Recommended if you like to create your own itinerary and want to explore the Giant's Causeway at your own pace.

Another option to get directly to the Giant's Causeway from Belfast is to use public transport. You must board a bus to Aird, Giants Causeway, a service which is provided by Translink. The bus departs from the Belfast Bus Centre, but makes several stops around the city, including North Donegall Square.

The journey takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, and you can enjoy the scenery as you make your way to the Giant's Causeway, the curious rock formation which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are no intermediate stops on the Calzada Route, as the bus makes a direct journey.

Tickets can be purchased at the bus station, on board the bus or online. It is always advisable to plan your visit in advance and check timetables, as the service makes only 2 trips per day to the Giant's Causeway from Belfast. Please note that although the price is cheap, it is similar to that of a shared bus tour.

Alternatively, if you've decided to get around the city by bus, Belfast's Hop-On Hop-Off buses are a cheap and convenient alternative, taking you to the main attractions in a comfortable and affordable way.

• Price: from €40 per person for a direct bus return.
• Activity time: around 2 hours.
• Recommended if you are looking for an affordable alternative way to get to the Giant's Causeway and prefer to explore it at your own pace.

Another viable choice for getting to the Giant's Causeway from Belfast is to opt for a combination of train and bus. You will start your journey at Lanyon Place Station and board the train to Coleraine, a journey time of approximately 1.5 hours. Once in Coleraine, you will board a bus to the Giant's Causeway.

This 40 minute bus ride will take you directly to The Giant's Causeway Corner, a bar and dining area with outdoor seating, which is located just outside the entrance to the Causeway.

This combination of train and bus is an inexpensive public transport alternative, but you will likely have some waiting time before boarding the bus in Coleraine. In total, from Lanyon Place Station to the Giant's Causeway, the journey can take approximately 3 hours, taking into account walking and waiting between transfers. However, it is an affordable transport alternative, offering more timetable options than the direct bus.

• Price: from €39 per person for return transport.
• Activity time: around 3 hours.
• Recommended if you have more time on your hands and wish to enjoy a leisurely travel experience.

If you're looking for a trip from Belfast to the Giant's Causeway to see the Irish scenery up close and test your fitness, hiring a bike could be one of your best options. One of the great things about this cycling trip is the total freedom to explore at your own pace, with no time restrictions.

Along the way, you can stop off at charming seaside towns, such as Ballymena, which is just over halfway along the route. However, bear in mind that it's about 90km and the hills and some gradients can be challenging, so it's important to be in good physical condition and take plenty of water with you.

One route of note is the National Cycle Network's Route 93, which is considered one of the world's premier cycle routes. It runs along the coast from Newry to Ballycastle. Interestingly, if you choose to cycle to the Giant's Causeway, you'll be offered a green discount on the entrance fee, which is intended to encourage sustainable and environmentally friendly transport.

Also, renting a bike in Belfast, if you don't already have your own, is one of the best ways to see the city's main attractions. You'll find plenty of docking points or bike docks at various locations around the city. Alternatively, you can join an organised bike tour and visit the sights in a group, accompanied by a local guide who is knowledgeable about Belfast's history and culture.

• Price: around €2 per hour.
• Activity time: between 6 and 6.5 hours.
• Recommended if you are in good physical condition and enjoy direct contact with nature.

The Giant's Causeway is about 90 kilometres north of Belfast. The journey time varies depending on your choice of transport, ranging from 1 to 2 hours with the fastest transport, or 3 to 6 hours if you choose to travel by bus or bicycle.

If you decide to visit this unique basalt hexagon formation from Belfast, you have a number of options. You can use public transport (buses and trains), hire a car or bicycle, or join an organised tour by shared bus or private car. Whichever option you choose, you can't afford to miss out on visiting this natural wonder of Northern Ireland, especially if you're staying in Belfast for more than 3 days.

The best time to visit the Giant's Causeway will depend on your preferences and the type of experience you are looking for. During the spring months (March to May), the landscape is full of fresh colours and the temperature is moderate, ideal for exploring the area. In summer (June to August), you'll enjoy longer, warmer days, although it's the busiest season.

If you prefer to avoid the crowds and take in the tranquil scenery, from September to November in autumn, the Causeway offers vibrant colours and a more relaxed atmosphere. Finally, in winter (December to February) and at Christmas time in Belfast, the Giant's Causeway receives fewer visitors, but weather conditions can be more unpredictable. Whichever season you choose, you'll always find spectacular scenery and the opportunity for unique experiences.

To choose the best day to travel to the Giant's Causeway, keep in mind that the busiest days are usually on weekends, especially in summer, when the site receives a larger number of visitors.

So, if you prefer to avoid crowds, you could visit the Giant's Causeway on weekdays, from Monday to Friday. Before you go, remember to check specific transport or tour schedules and conditions to plan your visit optimally. If you don't want to worry about transport, joining an organised tour from Belfast can make the journey easier and enrich the experience with local information.