2-Day Northern Ireland Rail Tour: Belfast, Antrim Coast, and Giant's Causeway

Travel through gorgeous coastal terrain, including the Glens of Antrim, on this 2-day trip to Northern Ireland from Dublin. Head to Belfast by train for an overnight stay, and then enjoy a scenic coach day tour along the Antrim Coast Road with a knowledgeable guide. En route, you’ll stop in the town of Ballycastle, walk along the stunning basalt columns of Giant’s Causeway and get great photos of Dunluce Castle. Depending on the season, you might even cross the Carrick-a-rede rope bridge!
NB: Winter Schedule (November-March): The winter schedule does not take in the Causeway Coastal Route, along Northern Ireland’s Antrim Coast. From November - March, we join the tour at Ballycastle, approximately 10 minutes from the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge.

Itinerary

Day 1: Dublin-Belfast

Stop At: Belfast Central Railway Station, East Bridge Street, Belfast BT1 3PB Northern Ireland
On arrival in Belfast (Ireland’s second largest city) at 15:35, there is a connecting train service to Belfast Great Victoria Street, where your hotel is located. The rest of the evening in the Northern Capital is free.
Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 4* Belfast hotel

Day 2: Belfast, Giant's Causeway, and Glens of Antrim

Stop At: Giant's Causeway Visitor Centre, 44 Causeway Rd, Bushmills BT57 8SU, UK
There are about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns resulting from a volcanic eruption. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986 and is owned and managed by the National Trust. However, legend has it that the Irish giant Fionn Mac Cumhaill (Phon: Fyun Ma Cool) built the causeway to walk to Scotland to fight Benandonner. Legend tells that Fionn fell asleep before he got to Scotland. When he didn't arrive, the much larger Benandonner crossed the bridge looking for him. To protect Fionn, his wife Úna (Phon: oo-na) laid a blanket over Fionn and pretended he was Fionn's baby son. When Benandonner saw the size of the 'infant', he assumed that Fionn must be gigantic indeed! He fled home in terror, ripping up the Causeway in case he was followed by Fionn.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Dunluce Castle, 87 Dunluce Road Co. Antrim, Portrush BT57 8UY Northern Ireland
We head to Dunluce Castle for a photo stop and to stretch the legs.
Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge, 119A Whitepark Road, Ballintoy BT54 6LS Northern Ireland
We stop at the famous Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. Its construction facilitated the local fishermen to access Sheep Island, where there is excellent fishing. The original single handrail was subsequently replaced by a two hand railed bridge and the present caged bridge was installed by the National Trust. There is a nominal charge to cross the bridge.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Enjoy a full Ulster fry in your 4* Belfast hotel
No accommodation included on this day.