Giant's Causeway
 

My husband and I are planning a trip to Ireland this September and want to go along the Antrim Coast in Northern Ireland and end at the Giant's Causeway (coming from Belfast). What is the best way to see this? Should we drive ourselves in the rental car or is there a more recommended form of transportation?

I don't know if there's another way but I'd say, yes, drive yourself. It's what I did as I was driving all around N. Ireland and it's always nice to be able to stop where you like, stay as long as you want or move on. I'd be surprised if there was comprehensive bus service as the villages in the area are small. I imagine you could book a tour from Belfast but I think a car is the nicest way.

Just hop on the train & bus from belfast!

Step 1, take a modern air-conditioned train from Belfast's Great Victoria Street station to Coleraine, these run every hour on Mondays-Saturdays, less frequently on Sundays

At Coleraine, leave the platform and turn left into the bus centre, which is an integral part of the rail station.

Step 2, buses 170 or 402 run regularly from Coleraine bus centre to the Giant's Causeway.

It's a scenic run, along the coast past the impressive ruins of Dunluce Castle and the pretty town of Bushmills, with some buses calling at the Old Bushmills Distillery. Make sure you sit on the left hand side of the bus going north for the best coastal views, right hand side on the return journey.

To check combined train & bus times from Belfast to the Giant's Causeway, go to the journey planner at www.translink.co.uk/Services/NI-Railways and enter 'Belfast Great Victoria St' to 'Giant's Causeway', selecting 'Aird, Giant's Causeway' when prompted.

No pre-booking is needed or even possible, just buy tickets on the day. They cannot sell out.

NIR stations sell a one-day unlimited train & bus ticket covering all NIR trains and Ulsterbus buses for a whole day for around €16 adult. At weekends and school holidays a family & friends ticket for 2 adults and up to 4 children costs a bargain €20.

See this video guide, taken when I went with my family just a few months ago: http://www.seat61.com/NorthernIrelan...iants_Causeway

My husband and I met a great couple at a concert last night, (Carlos Nunez - check it out if you like Celtic music), and they had been to Ireland twice last year. I posed this question to them, and they highly recommended driving the coast. With their help and that of MmePerdue, that is exactly what we decided to do! Thank you for your help:)

If you decide to drive yourselves some of this map might be useful, http://goo.gl/maps/gl8uv There is a lot more to the Antrim Coast than the causeway.

we enjoyed our quick visit:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...elfast-etc.cfm

I would definitely recommend driving the Antrim Coast yourself. I will admit that it is narrow and curvy in some places, so care must be taken.

One place we enjoyed stopping on the way was Glenariff Forest Park. There are a couple of easy, yet scenic, hikes with waterfalls. Another good stop near the Giant's Causeway is Dunluce Castle--great history, so don't miss the video.

My daughter, who was studying at Queens University in Belfast for a semester, did a bus tour along the Antrim Coast to the Giant's Causeway. She said it was pretty good, but their time at the Giant's Causeway was a bit rushed and they almost missed the bus!

We enjoyed the drive from Belfast to Portrush so much we cut through the inland and made the coastal drive again the next day. I would do it again if I am ever lucky enough to return to that part of the world.

The Giant's Causeway is an incredible stop. Well worth it. We drove this two years ago, staying on the most beautiful Antrim Coast, which we found was probably worth a couple of exploratory days all by itself. Nevertheless, I encourage you to drive. So many things to see; places to stop.