jumper22

I keep waivering on what the best option is for our travel plans. I live in Dublin and we are planning to visit the Antrim Coast (Giant's Causeway), staying in Crockatinney on a Saturday night. AA Roadwatch website says it's about a 3.5 hour drive from Dublin to Crockatinney, though I know to add on more than that, given the roads.

It will be a full car - myself, husband, my parents and my 8-month old son. So, I've been debating between 2 options:

1) simply renting a car from Dublin and doing the drive. Taking the car into N. Ireland is only 20 more euros.

2) taking the train to Belfast and then renting a car from there. Since we'll have my son, sometimes it's nice to break up the trip, so to speak, and the train ride would be a nice change for him, instead of being stuck in the car seat so long (though he travels wonderfully).

Then again, Option 2 means I'd have to figure out where the rental car place was (probably the airport since I'd be returning on a Sunday), etc. and it's not as inconvenient, plus it's more expensive.

How long/complicated is the drive from Dublin to where we're going? We'd leave early Sat morning and return late Sun night. If I drove the whole way, I have though about changing my hotel reservations to the town of Larne since it's further south/closer on our way.

Suggestions and input welcome.

europesthebest

when are you going? i really dont want to put this paranoid thought about but it might not be wise to be in belfast or roundabouts with a car with dublin license plates around the 12th....

anyway the new motorway from dublin makes the drive quick and easy. i prefer the train for reasons you have given, the bus is also almost the same timing (and much more economical) now, thanks to this motorway.

Angela

My personal opinion is that you rent a car in Dublin and drive the whole way. Getting a train to Belfast adds on the whole stress of finding car rental place, etc, and basically adds on an hour or so of faffing about trying to organise things in Belfast.

Plus, Ballycastle is so much nicer and holiday feeling tan Larne.

I also don't think the drive should take you much longer than 3.5 hours. I have driven from Dublin to Portstewart before in 3 hours, although that was going through Armagh and up the other side of Lough Neagh, and I possibly drive faster than you, being a local!!

Just my 2 cents!

If its nice weather when you visit, take the ferry from Ballycastle to Rathlin Island, it's so interesting and so unusual. I spend most weekends in Portstewart, and I promise you'll enjoy the area, it is beautiful.

Angela

jumper22

We'll be up there the weekend of the 21st, so no. I shouldn't be concerned, should I? We'll just be passing through Belfast and aren't staying in Derry or anything. I try not to be too paranoid with stuff like that.

Padraig

jumper22, there is just about no reason to be fearful in Northern Ireland. You really have to go out of your way to bring trouble on yourself.

I'd go with the drive from Dublin option. The M1 is the easiest and most effective intercity route in Ireland.

europesthebest

my last intention is to cause any paranoia about n.i. but ive seen enough of the little **¿$ers going mad around the 12th, it wouldnt surprise me. thats why i only go home for xmas.

littlejane

Other than the 12th I wouldn't be worried about a southern reg. car.

europesthebest

other than the 12th no.

jumper22

No, I do completely understand being leary of travel there on the 12th. Thankfully I'm not traveling then, so I'm not worried about it.

I've decided to drive up from Dublin - it seems to make the most sense, both financially and from a logistics point of view.

This is one trip I am especially looking forward to!