Belfast

Europe > United Kingdom > Belfast (BFS)

The Car or no Car advice for  Belfast can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Belfast ;  is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).

🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Belfast ?

These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.

🇬🇧 Mode

Score
🚆 Non-car score non-car score 5

💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Belfast?

These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.

🇬🇧 Factor

Score
🚗 Car Score car rental availability score 6
🚗Do we need a car in Belfast? Is it worth it? Should we rent one? | Comment
Belfast is compact, lively, and packed with culture, history, and food. The city centre is walkable, and public transport is improving thanks to the Glider rapid bus routes and reliable trains. Yet Northern Ireland’s best scenery lies outside the city, with coastal drives, castles, and Game of Thrones landscapes stretching across County Antrim. So, should you rent a car in Belfast? The answer depends on whether you want a pure city break or plan to explore the rugged edges of Northern Ireland. Because the region’s beauty is spread out, your itinerary matters.

🚶 Why You Don’t Need a Car in Central Belfast

The centre is easy to walk.
You can reach:

  • Belfast City Hall

  • Cathedral Quarter

  • Titanic Belfast

  • St George’s Market

  • Linen Quarter

Everything sits close together.

➡ In short: no car needed for central Belfast.

🚌 The Glider Makes City Travel Smooth

The Glider is Belfast’s rapid bus service.
It links:

  • The city centre

  • Titanic Quarter

  • East Belfast

  • West Belfast

It runs frequently and feels very modern.

➡ Ideal for short trips across the city.

🚆 Trains Work Well for Regional Destinations

NI Railways connects Belfast to:

  • Bangor

  • Lisburn

  • Portadown

  • Derry/Londonderry

  • Coleraine

  • Portrush (via connection)

These routes are scenic and reliable.

➡ Excellent for day trips without driving.

🚗 When Renting a Car Helps

A rental car becomes very useful for:

  • The Giant’s Causeway

  • Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

  • Dunluce Castle

  • The Dark Hedges

  • The Glens of Antrim

  • Remote coastal lookouts

  • Mourne Mountains day trips

These areas have limited bus coverage and long travel times.

➡ A car unlocks Northern Ireland’s best scenery.

🛫 Arriving in Belfast

Two airports serve the city:

  • Belfast City (BHD): close to the centre

  • Belfast International (BFS): further out, more flights

Both have bus links and car-rental desks.

🧭 Quick Decision Table

Your Plan in Belfast / Northern Ireland Car Needed?
Staying in central Belfast ❌ No
Using Glider and local buses ❌ No
Visiting Titanic Belfast or Cathedral Quarter ❌ No
Day trips by train (Bangor, Derry, Portrush) ❌ No
Visiting Causeway Coast ❔ Optional
Exploring Antrim or Mourne Mountains ❔ Optional
Full Northern Ireland road trip ✅ Yes

🎯 Conclusion: Should You Rent a Car in Belfast?

  • ❌ Skip the car if your plans are focused on Belfast itself or a few easy day trips by train. The city centre is walkable, and the Glider network handles most journeys smoothly.

  • ❔ Consider renting a car if you want to explore the Giant’s Causeway, the Antrim Coast, or other rural areas, because the most dramatic scenery sits far from public transport.

🚗Do we need a car in Belfast? Is it worth it? Should we? Destinations | Comment

🚗 ✅ ❌ Summary Table

This summary score brings how much you really need a car, whether it’s worth it, driver options, local driving rules, and an overall recommendation.

🇬🇧 Factor

Score
🚗Should You Rent a Car in Belfast?
 overall should you rent a car score 6
 This site is planned for full launch on 1st March 2026. Full terms, advice, FAQs, disclaimer etc to follow.