- If you plan on heading south of the border into the Republic of Ireland at any point in your trip, let the car hire agency know in advance. They will probably whack on a cross border coverage fee, but at least you will be covered in case of an accident or breakdown.
- When it comes to metered, on-street parking, you have two options: either carry coins and feed the meter as and when necessary, or register in advance with Parkmobile and use your mobile phone to activate and deactivate your parking time.
- The border with the Republic of Ireland is an open border and you won’t necessarily know you’ve crossed it. But street signs are a good indicator of which side you are on. If they are in English only, you are in Northern Ireland. If English and Irish both feature, you are in the Republic.
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Search for the best car hire deals in Belfast
Northern Ireland's capital city buzzes with historic, cultural and foodie attractions, and that – combined with the natural beauty of the nearby Causeway Coast – earned it a nod as Lonely Planet's best region to visit in 2018. Hire a car from George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD) or Belfast International Airport (BFS) and discover it all for yourself.
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Fast facts about hiring a car from Belfast Airport
You’ll find a number of major rental car companies Belfast's airports. George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD) is 15 minutes outside the city, and Belfast International Airport (BFS) around 30 minutes outside it. Both have rental desks in their arrival halls, and car pickup points nearby.
Car hire companies that have desks at Belfast International Airport include:
- Avis (Tel: 028 9445 2642)
- Budget (Tel: 020 9442 3332)
- Enterprise (Tel: 020 9445 1940)
- Hertz (Tel: 028 9442 2533)
Rental companies at George Best Belfast City Airport include:
- Budget (Tel: 028 9045 1111)
- Enterprise (Tel: 028 9046 3850)
- Avis (Tel: 028 9073 1929)
- Alamo (Tel: 028 9445 1940)
Hiring a car in Belfast city centre
Belfast isn’t a huge city, so you might find it easier to skip airport car hire, and pick your vehicle up in town a few days later before heading out to the Causeway Coast. There are several well-known brands and local companies offering cheap car rental deals in Belfast city centre. A few have offices within a short walk of Great Victoria Street station, and others can be found along Boucher Street just south of the centre.
If you’re used to driving around the UK already, you’re in luck. There’s really no difference to driving in Belfast. It’s a fairly small and compact city that is easy to navigate by car thanks to its well-signposted roads. There are also very few one-way systems.
To avoid traffic jams in Belfast, travel outside of commuter times in the early morning and late afternoon. To avoid the busiest roads like Lisburn Road and the Westlink, it’s a good idea to plan your route in advance or use an up to date satnav when driving around the city centre.
Belfast has ample on-street parking spaces as well as a range of large car parks to choose from. You might find that your accommodation will have free parking, but many hotels don’t, so it is worth researching the nearest car park beforehand.
Recommended day trips from Belfast
Giant’s Causeway
Driving time: One and a half hours
One the most famous and enchanting attractions on the Northern Irish coastline, and the country’s one and only UNESCO World Heritage Site. The causeway gets its name from a local legend, which claims the giant Finn MacCool built it in order to meet and fight his Scottish rival. In reality, its interlocking basalt columns formed naturally, though it can be hard to believe when you're climbing them like staircases, or dancing over them like hopscotch grids (both of which are obligatory). It's a fairly long drive from Belfast, but a scenic one, and well worth the effort.
Lough Neagh
Driving time: 45 minutes
This gorgeous stretch of water is the UK’s largest lake, and it’s a great place to visit if you want to experience a slice of rural Northern Ireland. The lakeside town of Antrim is a good starting point, and an easy drive from Belfast – it's also home to the pretty Antrim Castle Gardens and the regal Clotworthy House. Down on the lake's southern shores, you can explore miles of trails at Oxford Island Nature Reserve, or paddle down the River Blackwater Canoe Trail from Maghery Country Park.
Castle Ward
Driving time: One hour
You might find the rustic Georgian yard of this National Trust castle oddly familiar if you’re a fan of Game of Thrones: it is one of the filming locations for Winterfell. But the 18th century Castle Ward is also a brilliant architectural oddity. On one side its façade and interiors are classical,