Belfast, situated at the mouth of the River Lagan, is the capital city of Northern Ireland. Its name originates from the Gaelic word “Beal Feirste”, which means ‘mouth of the river’. It was once the largest shipyard in the world and is currently the largest city in Northern Ireland. It is also famous for building the Titanic-the so-called unsinkable ship- during 1911-12. Though the ship met its doom, its legacy has been kept alive even today. Belfast is a center for the industry with the focus on art, business and education.
Home to forest parks, wildlife and parklands, there is so much to see in the city and around it. Car rental providers like TravelCar have made traveling a breeze for visitors with its quality service and highly affordable car rental rates. It is a great alternative to congested public transportation.
Hiring a car is perhaps the best way to explore and discover the sights of a city. If you're looking to relax and enjoy your trip to this capital city, then the best way to do it is to try a self-drive car hire in Belfast.
Pricing & availability
TravelCar’s budget car rental, Belfast is very popular with visitors as it gives them the ability to travel when they want and where they want, on their on their own terms. The provider’s top priority has always been to offer cars that suit the customer’s needs. It has a variety of options to offer and its pick-up and drop-off locations are at convenient places. Moreover, as TravelCar offers hourly, daily, weekly, long and short term rentals, getting a rental car of your choice for the period you require is virtually a breeze. Car rental rates are also so affordable and there are no hidden charges that could cause problems at the end of your trip. You can enjoy the city and its attractions without having to wait for a bus or train connection- in fact, you’re in the driver’s seat always! Whether it’s a short holiday or a long one, TravelCar has everything to make your trip a success.
Ease of Service
Right from the booking process to the completion of your trip, TravelCar is always with you and tries to simplify everything to make it as less a hassle as possible. Its emphasis on comfort and safety makes the car rental provider - a people’s one. It allows you to modify your booking or even cancel it without your incurring additional fees. TravelCar allows you to compare car rental rates across the rental space and visitors can rest assured that they get the best at prices that are highly competitive. Regardless of the kind of car you hire or the duration of hire, you may be sure that you will get the best car rental in Belfast. It even caters to young drivers who often have a tough time hiring rental cars and it offers rent a car Belfast under 25. TravelCar’s strength lies in its ability to cater to every need of every visitor that looks to it for help.
Great customer service
TravelCar’s only priority has always been to see that visitors get the best of everything- best cars, best service, best rates, and best satisfaction. Staff and TravelCar personnel attend diligently to visitor requests and answer queries with infinite patience. They are highly trained individuals and with experience and local knowledge to back them, they are an infinite source of assurance to newcomers visiting the city for the first time. TravelCar helps you make travel plans and recommends the right type of car- one that suits the roads and your pocket too. Discover the freedom of a rental car and enjoy the flexibility that TravelCar car rentals provide.
The secret of TravelCar’s success is its ability to provide visitors with any type of vehicle and to be able to cater to any type of budget. For those looking to save a few dollars but still want efficiency and speed, the Mini, Economy or the Compact car will suit them to a T. The Intermediate or the Full Size car is ideal for those traveling in groups or with their families. These cars are spacious and have lots of legroom too. For those that like to travel in style and great comfort, TravelCar’s Luxury car hire Belfast and Special cars are the best.
As you drive around the city of Belfast, you will realize how useful a rental car can be- it gives you a sense of freedom and exhilaration.
Titanic Belfast
You can relive the Titanic Experience as you walk through the interactive galleries with special affects You can travel underwater, explore the entire shipyard where the Titanic was built and even visit the last White Star vessel- the SS Nomadic. Experience 100 years of maritime history and also witness how Belfast has evolved over time. There are many fascinating artifacts, letters, and brochures to peruse as you relive the passion and excitement of the Titanic Era when Belfast was at its glory. In Belfast city, you can go back in time and space to the time of the Titanic and see its story in concrete terms.
Ulster Museum
This is a Belfast Must See and is very close to the Waterfront Hall. There are so many exhibits - the 2,500-year-old Egyptian Mummy, the ancient relics relating to art and history. Natural science exhibits and collections are worth a look as are the dinosaurs and modern masterpieces. The museum has something for all that visit and there are so many hands-on activities, ancient artifacts, and relics that visitors can linger over. There are many free tours that are always on and you can get an overview of the museum's history and its subsequent developments.
The botanic gardens
The Botanic Gardens, owned by the Belfast City Council was established in 1828 and extends over 28 acres. Housed within is the elegant Palm House, which contains tropical plants of a great variety, lush hanging baskets, and birds of paradise. It is made from Iron and glass and is a testimony to the evolution of glasshouses over a period of time. In addition, the Tropical Ravine has exotic orchids, bananas, cinnamon, and also some of the world’s oldest seed plants.
Belfast Castle
This is situated very close to the city center in the North of Belfast. The castle has undergone additions and it offers wonderful views of the entire city. The surroundings are all Victorian in nature and are full of scenery and amazing landscapes. Thus the castle has often been the venue for weddings. You can climb the Cave Hill or visit the center and acquaint yourself with all the wonderful memorabilia.
Stormont Parliament Building
This is the legislative body of Northern Ireland and a unique fact about it is that it is 365 feet wide- one foot for each day of the year. It dates back to 1921 and the statue of Unionist Sir Edward Carson is erected on the front lawn. The grounds have some amazing scenery and unique landscape and are very popular with joggers and day-trippers- in fact, it’s a place of refuge for those that want to escape from the city for a few hours.
Giant’s Causeway
This is a popular attraction near Belfast and is stated to be the 4th best natural wonder in the United Kingdom. The Causeway is said to be caused by a volcanic eruption and is looked upon as a natural rock formation. It is an iconic landmark in Northern Ireland and is made up many-sided columns of basalt rock, created during the eruption. The Causeway is situated in the county of Antrim and is very close to the town of Bushmills. It is the only World Heritage Site in Northern Ireland and is an iconic landmark.
Dark Hedges
The tourism industry in Northern Ireland has received a big boost because of the TV series Game of Thrones, which was filmed in Belfast. One of the locations that the crew use is The Dark Hedges- a long line of beech trees lined along an avenue in the county of Antrim. A unique feature of these trees is that the tops intertwine to form a tunnel of sorts that looks very impressive and mysterious. The trees are stated to have been planted by the Stuart family in the 18th century. This is a much-photographed landmark that you will find in the Game of Thrones Map.
Castle Ward
This is a national trust property and is an hour’s drive away from Belfast- near the village of Strangford in County Down, Northern Ireland. There are a lot of things that you can do here. Take a look at the archery range, walk through the landscaped grounds or just enjoy the ornate House. A special feature of the castle is the mix of gothic and classical styles and the view of the tranquil water of Strangford Lough in County Down. The Victorian Sunken Garden with its subtropical plants and vividly colored flowers presents an amazing view. Take a canoe and head out on the Lough, climb the cliffs and even build a raft.
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
The bridge was built in 1755 to help fishermen travel between the mainland and the island of Carrick-a-Rede. The famous rope bridge is 30 meters above the rocks and spans 20 meters across. As you cross the bridge, you can actually see the waves crash into the rocky shores below. Once you reach the island, you’re in a small world that overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. But if you just want to walk along the coastline, you will not be disappointed. You will have some amazing views.
| Motorways | 70 mph |
| Dual carriageways (roads divided by grassy areas or barriers) | 70 mph |
| Single carriageways (undivided roads) | 60 mph |
| Built up urban roads | 30 mph |
| Built up area near schools | 20 mph |
| Road with sharp bends | 50 mph |
The speed limit in Northern Ireland is
Town and city: 45 km/h (40 mph)
Open Roads: 95 km/h (50 mph)
Motorways: 110 km/h (70 mph)
A new 20 mph speed limit is in force in Belfast city center.
If you have an EU country license, it will be treated on par with a UK one. However, those with an international driving license can use it only for 12 months from their entry into the United Kingdom.