5 Ways How To Get From Dublin To Giant’s Causeway (Northern Ireland)

Are you looking for ways how to get from Dublin to Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland? Read on as I share with you the different ways on how you can visit this iconic place.

The Giant’s Causeway is one of the 13 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the UK. Situated in Northern Ireland, this area along the sea coast has welcomed millions of visitors who are left in awe of its beauty.

You can reach Giant’s Causeway from Dublin by coach, train, car, tour, and private transfer. The road distance between Dublin and Giant’s Causeway is 261.9 kilometres or 162.7 miles while the direct distance is 230 kilometres or 143 miles. It takes about 3 hours to travel this distance by car. 

Ready to go to Giant’s Causeway from Dublin? Let’s check out the most convenient way to travel between the two destinations.

How to get from Dublin to Giant’s Causeway

OPTION 1: How to get from Dublin to Giant’s Causeway by Coach

• Travel Duration: about 3 hours and 20 minutes
• Travel Fare: from £31.50

There is no direct coach trip from Dublin to Giant’s Causeway. You will have to ride a coach to Belfast first, and then continue your journey from there.

Good thing it is easy to travel from Dublin to Belfast. It only takes less than two hours to travel between the two destinations. The journey is serviced by Aircoach. They have multiple trips daily which you can book in advance via Omio. 

Here are the following stations where you can catch a coach to Belfast from Dublin:

• Dublin Airport Terminal 1 – Zone 2
• Dublin Airport Terminal 2 Arrivals Road – 20
• Dublin O’Connell Street Upper (The Gresham Hotel)

The coaches arrive at either Belfast, Europa Buscentre or Belfast International Airport (Airport Express Stop.) Below is a sample timetable of direct trips from Dublin to Belfast:

Coach from Dublin to Belfast

The fleet of Aircoach has free Wi-fi and available power plugs onboard. If you are riding a coach from Dublin to Belfast, make sure to book in advance so you can avail of exclusive deals.

My recommendation is that you stop at Belfast, Europa Buscentre. From here, you will have to go to Belfast, Pottingers Entry High Street and ride Bus 221 towards Aird, Giants Causeway. This journey takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete and will cost you around £18.50. Translink services this route. From the bus stop, Giant’s Causeway is just 0.7 miles away.

BEST COACH / BUS DEALS!

If you are planning to travel via coach or bus for your upcoming UK trip, I recommend searching for the best coach or bus fare deals with OMIO. They have a great network of coach or bus services across the four corners of the UK.

OPTION 2: How to get from Dublin to Giant’s Causeway by Train

• Travel Duration: about 3 hours and 35 minutes
• Travel Fare: from £33.99

Like the coach option, there is no direct train ride to Giant’s Causeway from Dublin. It is still possible to ride the train, though, until Belfast. This is made possible by Irish Rail. Here is a sample schedule of trains so you have an idea:

 Train from Dublin to Belfast

The train departs from Dublin Connolly and arrives at Belfast station. All trains have free WiFi, wheelchair accessibility, buffet bar, and bicycle acceptance, among other amenities.

From Belfast, you will have to continue your journey by coach. Make your way to Belfast, Pottingers Entry High Street and ride Translink’s Bus 221 towards Aird, Giants Causeway. The duration of this leg is about 1 hour and 30 minutes, with a ticket price of around £18.50. From the bus stop, you can choose to walk or ride a taxi to Giant’s Causeway.

OPTION 3: How to get from Dublin to Giant’s Causeway by Car

• Travel Duration: about 3 hours
• Travel Fare: from £33.99

One of the easiest ways to get from Dublin to Giant’s Causeway is by driving your own vehicle. Should you need a rental car, I suggest you check out Discover Cars for all the best deals from leading rental car companies.

To travel from Dublin to Giant’s Causeway by car, you can take the M1 motorway to Belfast, and then continue on the A26 and A44. The journey takes around 3 to 3 and a half hours, depending on traffic and the specific route you take.

Are you unsure how to navigate the roads here in the UK? You can read my personal driving tips which hopefully will help you with your trip to Giant’s Causeway from Dublin.

BEST CAR RENTAL DEALS!

If you are planning to book a car rental for your upcoming trip. I recommend searching for the best car rental deals with Discover Cars. They have various options that suit your budget.

OPTION 4: How to get from Dublin to Giant’s Causeway by Tour

• Travel Duration: about 13 hours
• Travel Fare: from £75.03

If you wish to have both tours and transportation planned out for you, you can browse through Get Your Guide and see all the best activities to do within the area of Giant’s Causeway. One example is this whiskey tasting tour which partners a visit of Giant’s Causeway with a trip to the Titanic Distillers in Belfast.

Your tour starts with an exploration of the Dunluce Castle. You’ll have plenty of time to take photos, admiring this once-majestic castle sitting atop dramatic coastal cliffs. Then, you make your way to the Giant’s Causeway – the focal point of the whole tour. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place full of stories to tell and coastal views to share.

Another location to behold is the Dark Hedges, made even more famous by the series Game of Thrones. Finally, you head towards Belfast where you will have a grand time at the Titanic Distillers in Thompson Dock. Be ready to sample some of the best locally produced spirits during this tour.

All the necessary entrance fees, including the whole whiskey tasting experience, are part of the whole package deal. Your experienced tour guide will be with you during the whole trip to assist you in every destination. Please note that lunch and drinks are not part of the tour price.

This type of tour is only open to visitors ages 18 years old and above. If you are travelling with children and teens or with a pregnant companion, you might want to check out other tours suitable for your party.

OPTION 5: How to get from Dublin to Giant’s Causeway by Private Transport

• Travel Duration: about 8 to 9 hours
• Travel Fare: from £1000.30 for up to 3 passengers

You also have the option to have a private driver bring you to Giant’s Causeway, wait for you as you explore the area, and then bring you back to Dublin. This service is offered by many transport operators, including Za Execs. You can get hold of them via Viator. 

Getting on a private transfer from Dublin gives you the convenience of being picked up at your hotel or address of residence. You are entitled to ask for as many rest stops as you need, and your private driver will give you at least 2 hours to spend at Giant’s Causeway. Afterwards, you will head back to Dublin at the comfort of your private vehicle. 

If you are keen to book this type of transport, make sure to do so in advance. 

More About Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland:

• The Giant’s Causeway is one of the day trip options for your British Isles Cruise. This rugged yet magnificent landmark in Northern Ireland is truly worth a visit. 
• Are you a Game of Thrones enthusiast? Then you should not miss the Giant’s Causeway. I suggest you go on a “Game of Thrones & Giants Causeway Tour” in Northern Ireland because it covers a variety of filming locations, including the Dark Hedges (the King’s Road), Ballintoy Harbour (the Iron Islands), and Larrybane Quarry (Renly Baratheon’s camp).
• If you are coming to visit Dunluce Castle, you are truly in for a treat. The castle grounds offer stunning panoramic views of the coastline and the famous Giant’s Causeway, making it an ideal spot for photographers and nature enthusiasts.
• One of the best scenic drives in the UK include the Causeway Coastal Route in Northern Ireland. No trip along this route would be complete without a visit to the Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the UK.
• Among the best places to visit in the UK is the Giant’s Causeway. If you are planning your trip here, make sure to come during sunset when the tour groups have left. That way, you will have more space and time to enjoy the majestic view.
• Of course – the ultimate UK itinerary will not be complete without the Giant’s Causeway in it. Make sure to allot at least two days to explore the area around it.
• Are you coming from Dublin? Giant’s Causeway is just a short day trip away, and so are Galway, Killarney, and Ring of Kerry.
• Giant’s Causeway is one of the 13 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the UK. Situated in Northern Ireland, this area of approximately 40,000 massive basalt columns along the sea coast has inspired Irish legends of giants striding over the sea to Scotland.

FAQs on How to Get from Dublin to Giant’s Causeway:

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Everything Zany

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