Car Hire from Belfast to the Giant's Causeway

Hiring a car in Belfast for the run up to the Giant's Causeway is one of the simplest ways to see the north coast on your own schedule. The stones sit on the edge of County Antrim, and having your own transport means you can break the journey at small harbours, viewpoints and beaches that a coach would sail past. The drive itself is undemanding for anyone used to rural roads, though a little planning helps.

Two ways north: inland or along the coast

The quickest option follows the motorway north out of the city before joining main A-roads through Ballymena and Ballymoney, then turning for Bushmills and the coast. This is dual carriageway and wide single carriageway for most of its length, with clear signposting once you leave the larger towns. It suits anyone who wants to reach the Causeway without dawdling and still have energy for walking.

The alternative is the coastal route, tracking the shore through Carrickfergus, Larne and the Glens of Antrim before reaching Ballycastle and turning west. It is slower, with tight bends, steep sections and occasional single-track stretches, but the scenery is the point. Allow far more time than the inland road and treat the drive as part of the day out rather than a means of getting there.

Practical points for the drive

Fill up before leaving Belfast or the larger towns on the way. Fuel stations become sparse once you are deep into the glens, and charging points for electric vehicles are limited outside main settlements, so plan any top-up in advance. If you have chosen an automatic, the coast road is noticeably more relaxed than in a manual, particularly on the climbs and in stop-start traffic near popular stops.

• Coastal weather can change quickly, with sea mist and strong crosswinds on exposed sections.
• Minor roads may have passing places; pull in rather than reversing long distances.
• Keep to posted limits through villages, where enforcement is common.

Arriving at the Causeway

Parking is in a managed car park beside the visitor centre, and charges apply. It fills quickly on summer mornings and at weekends, so an early start or a late-afternoon arrival gives you far more room. Roadside parking in the surrounding lanes is discouraged and often obstructs residents and farm traffic. From the car park, a short walk or a shuttle bus takes you down to the stones.

Give yourself at least a couple of hours on site. The headland walk beyond the main basalt columns is quieter and gives better views along the cliffs, and the wind down there is stronger than it looks from the car park.

Handing the car back

Check the fuel or charge policy on your agreement before you set off, and note the mileage allowance if one applies. On the return leg, build in extra time for traffic approaching Belfast in the late afternoon. Refuel or recharge close to the return point rather than at the last moment, keep your receipt, and photograph the car and its dashboard readings before handing over the keys. A quick check of the interior for litter and personal items saves a phone call later.