self-drive northern ireland tours
Northern Ireland is a land of dramatic contrasts where rugged coastal roads meet lush green countryside. Your journey begins in Belfast, the vibrant capital city on the banks of the River Lagan, where you can explore maritime history in the Titanic Quarter and immerse yourself in the city’s unique political landscape through a guided driving tour.
Drive north to discover the stunning Glens of Antrim, where narrow roads wind through verdant valleys carpeted with ancient woodland and waterfalls. This dramatic landscape leads to the world-famous Causeway Coastal Route, where the road hugs towering cliffs from Belfast to Derry-Londonderry and leads to the legendary Giant’s Causeway.
4 Days
the best of the causeway coast
Designed for a 3 night road trip, the splendid coast of Northern Ireland surprises all who choose to journey here.
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From $2,430pp (ex. flights)
13 Days
Take your time exploring Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, winding between picturesque villages, rugged mountains, and breathtaking peninsulas.
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From $5,870pp (ex. flights)
13 Days
Experience the best of both worlds with a tour that covers Scotland’s landscapes and Northern Ireland’s coastal charm.
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From $4,670pp (ex. flights)
northern ireland’s must-drive experiences
natural wonders
Walk the clifftop path to the Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site
island exploration
Take a boat trip to Rathlin Island to witness thousands of seabirds including puffins, razorbills, guillemots and kittiwakes
film locations
Discover Game of Thrones settings throughout County Antrim including the Dark Hedges and Ballintoy Harbour
bUild your uniQue joUrney
Whether you want to explore historic cities or strap on your walking boots to cross vast landscapes, we’ll help make your experience of Northern Ireland the trip of a lifetime.
discover your
cElTic roUtES
Embrace your wild side with independent driving holidays in the iconic Celtic regions, created just for you.
We’ve spent years travelling the Celtic regions, handpicked your hotels, selected your Land Rover and curated adventures with local insiders, ensuring you have the most incredible experience everywhere the road takes you.
With your personalised itinerary in one hand and our user-friendly app in the other, sit back and relax knowing you’re truly in the driving seat of your self-driving tour.
northern irish inspiration
frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit Northern Ireland?
Northern Ireland is part of the UK, and most visitors need either an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) or a visa to travel to the UK; what you need depends on your nationality and circumstances. An ETA costs £20 and, for eligible visitors, normally allows multiple journeys with stays of up to six months. It lasts for two years or until the passport used to apply expires, whichever is sooner. Please find out more here.
What are the roads like in Northern Ireland?
The roads are of high quality but Northern Ireland is quite compact and expect there to be more traffic than in the wild and remote Scottish or Irish countryside. Like the rest of the UK, the speeds and distances will be in miles.
How does crossing between Northern Ireland and the Republic work?
There is an international land border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, which is part of the UK. Under the Common Travel Area there are no routine immigration controls at the land border, so when driving you may notice little more than the road signs changing.
The lack of a routine checkpoint does not remove the relevant entry rules. Visitors must meet the immigration requirements for both Ireland and the UK, including holding a UK visa or Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) if their nationality and circumstances require one. Check the current official guidance before you travel.
Road signs, speed limits and distances use kilometres in the Republic of Ireland and miles in Northern Ireland. The currency also changes from euros to pounds sterling.
What should we know about using different currencies during our visit?
As part of the UK, Northern Ireland uses Pound Sterling but if you happen to venture over the border into the Republic of Ireland you will need to use Euros. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Ireland and there should be a limited need for cash. Tools such as Apple Pay and Google Pay are also commonplace.
What are the main touring routes through Northern Ireland?
The Causeway Coastal Route is the best driving route in Northern Ireland, and one of Lonely Planet’s top driving routes in the world. It runs from just outside Belfast up through the Glens of Antrim to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Giant’s Causeway. Along the route you’ll see rugged coastline, splendid beaches, and charming small towns and villages. Inland you will be surrounded by countryside, and it joins up some of Northern Ireland’s top tourist destinations including Bushmills Distillery, arguably the oldest distillery in the world.
How many days should we allow for exploring Northern Ireland?
You can do Northern Ireland comfortably in 3 or 4 days. Beyond a short break to Northern Ireland itself, it is normally combined with either a tour of the Republic of Ireland or with Scotland which is connected by a fast (2 hour) ferry.
What’s the best way to experience the Causeway Coast?
As one of the best driving routes in the world, according to Lonely Planet, we of course think that a self-driving holiday is the best to explore Northern Ireland’s fantastic Causeway Coastal Route. Explore this rugged coastal drive independently and at your own pace all from the comfort of your luxury Land Rover. What better way to discover Ireland’s rich history and stunning scenery.
How does Northern Ireland connect with other UK destinations?
Northern Ireland is the British part of the island of Ireland. You can fly directly to Belfast in Northern Ireland to collect your vehicle, or if you are enjoying one of our combination tours you will arrive in Northern Ireland on the fast (2 hour) ferry from Scotland. If you are combining Northern Ireland with a tour of the Republic of Ireland you will drive between the two countries without any border checks or stops.
Is there off-road driving in Northern Ireland?
If you’re really into off-roading then we really recommend you look to Wales which has some of the finest off-road driving in Europe and we would be delighted to craft you an incredible green lane adventure. There are very limited opportunities for off roading in Northern Ireland as the available routes are very short. However, there is one fantastic beach drive you can do just after the Giant’s Causeway.
Is there a border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland?
There is an international land border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, which is part of the UK. Under the Common Travel Area there are no routine immigration controls at the land border, so when driving you may notice little more than the road signs changing.
The lack of a routine checkpoint does not remove the relevant entry rules. Visitors must meet the immigration requirements for both Ireland and the UK, including holding a UK visa or Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) if their nationality and circumstances require one. Check the current official guidance before you travel.
Road signs, speed limits and distances use kilometres in the Republic of Ireland and miles in Northern Ireland. The currency also changes from euros to pounds sterling.
