How to travel from Belfast to the Giant's Causeway

The famous Giant's Causeway is a natural rock formation on the windswept North Antrim coast, see www.nationaltrust.org.uk/giants-causeway/ for visitor information.  Access to the causeway itself is free for anyone, although access to the visitor centre must be paid for, free for National Trust members.  There's no need for a restrictive or expensive tour.  You can easily visit independently and cheaply by scheduled train from Belfast to Coleraine then regular public bus.  Here's how...

• Step 1, take a smart modern air-conditioned train from Belfast to Coleraine, running every hour Mondays-Saturdays, less frequently on Sundays. 

  From 13 October 2024, these trains leave from Belfast's new Grand Central station, near Great Victoria Street in downtown Dublin.

  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.  Watch the video guide below.

• 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 simply enter Belfast Grand Central' to 'Giant's Causeway', selecting 'Aird, Giant's Causeway' when prompted.

• Buy at the station on the day, no pre-booking is needed or even possible, they cannot sell out.

  A one-day iLink Travel Card gives unlimited travel on all NIR trains and Ulsterbus buses all day for £16.50 adult. 

  A Family & Friends ticket for 2 adults with 1 to 4 children costs a bargain £22, good after 09:30 weekdays, any time at weekends.

The famous Giant's Causeway on the Northern Irish coast.		New trains have revolutionised Northern Ireland Railways, with 60% more passengers.

New train interior:  Inside one of the smart Northern Ireland Railways C3K trains which link Belfast with Londonderry, Coleraine & Portrush for the Giant's Causeway.		The scenic route.  One of the modern C3K trains running alongside the estuary on the approaches to Londonderry, a very enjoyable ride.  Photo courtesy of NIR.

Video guide:  Belfast to the Giant's Causeway

The video shows Belfast Great Victoria Street station.  From 13 October 2024 these trains use the new Grand Central station, built next to the site of Gt Victoria Street.

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