Advice needed about giants causeway

[lizandlulu]

I would really like to go and see this but have absolutely no knowledge about the area or how to go about it.

Can anyone local point me in the right direction? Where do I need to fly to? Do I need to go on an excursions. Is it in the middle of nowhere or close by to town/city?

That's just it, if any one could help I would be very grateful. I have wanted to go and see it for years and am sick of putting it off.

Hello OP! We took my boyfriend's parents during the summer there, they're from England so we did all the "touristy" things you completely ignore living here.

You'd fly into Belfast City or International. Belfast City is smaller but much closer to the city centre (as it's name would suggest), International is about 30 minutes to the north of the city. Both are served by buses to the city centre every 5-15 minutes.

There's plenty of choice in Belfast with places to stay, and there are a number of firms that run bus tours up "the North coast" and deposit you back in town that evening. They drop you off at the causeway and/or other attractions and usually get you a bit of a discount on tickets.

The nearest "big" town to the causeway is Coleraine, although you can stay in the smaller towns and villages up near the causeway. There are plenty of b&b's and guest houses up there. If you were planning to spend the whole break up there I'd recommend hiring a car. The scenery is lovely, but public transport is not fantastic! The seaside towns of Portrush and Portstewart are lovely on a summers' day, fantastic beaches.

If you can, also pay a visit to Mussenden Temple. Hands down, my favourite place in the world.

Should've mentioned- it's about an hour and a half away via the motorway and A-roads, but if you take the scenic route along the coast road it's about two hours from Belfast.

If you do go you must not miss paying a visit to the Carrick -a-rede rope bridge nearby. Im assuming you will be going in spring/summer (it isnt open all year round) . A nerve wracking experience but worth it .

Also a little further along the coast is Ballintoy village and harbour which is where Game of thrones was filmed.

It's an hour and half from belfast?

Fly into Belfast - it's 90 mins by car, or you can get one of the tour buses but I'd hire a car. Go the scenic route (Causeway Coast). It's pretty well sign posted but I live in NI, so always go . Are you members of the National Trust?

Go early in the day, you dont need to pay into the visitors centre, although I quite like it. You can access the stones & walk by walking behind the centre (for free). There's a bus down if you want -its about £2.

There is carparking on the actual site & 2 satellite carparks about 1 mile away (shuttlebus).

There's loads to see in the vicinity - Carrick a Rede ropebridge, Ballintoy Harbour, Bushmills etc but the coastal drive is the best view ever

Bring an anorak

Ok, thanks for all his, it's very helpful.

No, not members of the national trust but don't mind laying to get into places I'd like to see.

But not the rope bridge! I will have my mother, dd8and dd2, think we will give that a miss!!

Fly into Derry city Londonderry, ryanair fly from various airports, pick up a hire car, drive to portrush and stay there. Giants causeway from port rush is about a 15 min drive. Portrush from derry is about 40 mins drive.
Lovely area the Antrim coast but wait until its warmer and less stormy!

If you're bringing kids there's loads on the coast itself especially the beaches. If you're thinking of staying up the coast over the summer don't put off booking a cottage, b&b too late. It can get pretty booked up & summer holidays start from end of June here.

Ohh caketinrosie that sounds good. I will look into that.

Fights to Belfast are £29, plus £66 taxes!! How's that!!

Alternatively get the ferry into Belfast or larne from liverpool, Cairnryan or Troon- save you hiring a car. If you get the weather you can't beat the north Antrim coast. I would stay around portstewart, and maybe take a day trip to Derry or even Donegal. Don't miss having a Maud's pooh bear ice cream!

Yeah the ferry's a good idea. There are also ones from Liverpool (although they are 10 hour sailings- get a cabin).

Belfast is a good base and contrasts with the rural/picturesque North Coast. There's a lot going on here now, a trip to the Titanic Museum, bus tours, Ulster Museum, lots of interesting cafés and independent restaurants. There's the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum fifteen minutes down the road in Holywood (lovely wee town) which is a great day out with kids.

I'm like a one-woman advertisement for Belfast/Northern Ireland. Come and see how fab we are! [hands out hot, buttered potato bread]