Europe > 🇬🇧Northern Ireland

Should You Hire a Car in Northern Ireland? This can be broken down into two similar questions - do you need a car in Northern Ireland (in other words, will your holiday be ruined without one), and is it worth hiring a car in Northern Ireland - i.e. is a car better value than using public transport? We'll weigh up both questions and give you a response generated by Chat GPT, together with our own curated opinion before finally giving a yes or no verdict at the end. Northern Ireland offers a stunning mix of coastal beauty, ancient history, and modern cultural energy — from the Giant’s Causeway to Belfast’s Titanic Quarter, and from Derry’s walls to the wild Mourne Mountains. It’s compact, easy to navigate, and packed with scenic drives. The big question for travellers is: should you rent a car in Northern Ireland?

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🚗 Why You Should Rent a Car

For sheer freedom and flexibility, yes — renting a car in Northern Ireland makes perfect sense. The best sights are often found beyond the reach of buses and trains, especially along the Causeway Coastal Route, which National Geographic once called one of the world’s greatest road trips.

With a car, you can:

• Follow the Antrim Coast from Belfast to Derry, stopping at Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and the Dark Hedges.

• Detour inland to explore Glenariff Forest Park or Lough Neagh, the UK’s largest freshwater lake.

• Head south to the Mourne Mountains, whose peaks inspired C.S. Lewis’s Narnia.

The island’s small size means nowhere is very far: Belfast to Derry takes about 90 minutes, and to the Giant’s Causeway is just over an hour.

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🚆 Public Transport Options

Northern Ireland’s rail and bus network is reliable and modern, but it mainly serves urban and commuter routes.

• Trains run between Belfast, Derry, Bangor, Larne, and Portadown. The Belfast–Derry line is especially scenic as it hugs the coast near Coleraine.

• Translink Ulsterbus provides connections to smaller towns, though timetables can be sparse on weekends and evenings.

For visitors based in Belfast, you can easily reach Portrush, Coleraine, or Bangor by train — but reaching attractions like the Giant’s Causeway, Carrickfergus Castle, or Cushendun Caves usually requires either a car or a guided tour.

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🛣️ Driving Notes and Border Rules

Driving in Northern Ireland is much like the rest of the UK — on the left-hand side, with clear signage and well-maintained roads. A few key points to note:

• Cross-border travel: You can freely drive between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, but check that your car hire includes cross-border insurance cover.

• Fuel prices and speed limits are in miles and pounds sterling, not kilometres or euros.

• Parking in Belfast is straightforward, though some areas have residents-only restrictions.

Car hire is available at Belfast International (BFS) and George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD), as well as in Derry.

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🏞️ Alternatives for Non-Drivers

If you prefer not to drive, there are still great options:

• Join day tours from Belfast to the Giant’s Causeway or Game of Thrones filming locations.

• Take local buses around Belfast, which are frequent and easy to use.

• Walk or cycle parts of the Causeway Coast Way for an eco-friendly alternative.

Still, even the most enthusiastic walkers and cyclists will find that a car unlocks far more of the countryside.

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🧭 Summary — Should You Rent a Car in Northern Ireland?

Why you should:

• The most scenic routes and Game of Thrones sites are off the main public transport grid.

• Short driving distances make self-driving easy and rewarding.

• Well-maintained roads, clear signage, and low stress compared to big UK cities.

Why you might not:

• You’re based entirely in Belfast and plan to join guided day trips.

• You’re uncomfortable driving on the left or navigating narrow rural lanes.

✅ Conclusion: In Northern Ireland, a rental car is the best way to see it all. Whether you’re chasing cliffs and castles, coastal drives, or quiet mountain roads, the freedom of driving lets you experience the island’s true magic — at your own pace, with every scenic stop you want.

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🚗 ✅ ❌ Summary Table

This summary brings together taxis*, how much you really need a car, whether it’s worth it, driver options, local driving rules, and an overall recommendation. *Taxis act as a hybrid between private cars and public transport, so they aren’t counted in the overall public-transport or non-car scores. 🚕  This site is planned for full launch on 1st January 2026. Full terms, advice, FAQs, disclaimer etc to follow.