Getting around Northern Ireland is a doddle and because it’s small, it’s largely stress free. Use our network of roads and public transport to explore the many popular attractions and picturesque landscapes with minimal fuss.
Vehicle hire
Making your way around Northern Ireland by road couldn’t be easier. You can bring your own car on the ferries, or hire one from your point of entry.
Just be sure that you stick to the left hand side of the road! A tip for remembering which side you should drive on, that’s true all over the world, is that the line is always on the driver’s side.
Tours & itineraries
Taking a tour is a great way of getting around with the benefit of local knowledge, and we've a wide range of guided tours to suit all interests. Whether you’re looking for a literary, political or pub tour, or want to get around by bus, taxi, boat or on foot there is a tour for you. Check our Tours & Excursions page for details.
Taking a Taxi
Taxis are often the first point of contact for visitors and provide a vital role in providing a warm welcome and sharing their local knowledge of the area. They can be an economical option for short journeys. In Northern Ireland all legal taxis should display taxi licence plates. Taxis and their services generally provide meter-reading fares; if a taxi does not have a meter ask the fare to your destination before setting off. In Belfast, taxi ranks are also available; these are generally in the city centre or at some points of entry.
The main taxi companies in Belfast are Value Cabs (028 90 80 90 80) and Fona Cab (028 90 333 333), and in Derry try City Cabs (028 71 264 466).
Taxi Tours
In fact, taxi services are so good here that taking a taxi tour has become something of a must do. Our taxi drivers are never short of chat and banter and these tours offer a more intimate type of tour that focus on the recent history and politics of the region.
They are available from a range of companies in both Belfast and Derry-Londonderry, and regularly involve London-style black cabs - find a taxi tour here.
Using Electric Bikes (electrically-assisted pedal cycles) in Northern Ireland
Currently in Northern Ireland to use an EAPC on public roads, an EAPC user must be a minimum of 14 years of age. Owners/riders should consider the need for insurance to cover areas such as damage, theft, personal injury and liability.
Owners of EAPCs in Northern Ireland do not need to:
- register, license and insure EAPCs before use on public roads, cycle paths and anywhere else pedal bikes are allowed
or
- wear a motorcycle helmet or be required to hold a valid or full driving licence
Full details are provided on the NI Direct website.
Using Electric Cars (ecars) in Northern Ireland
Electric cars are being seen as a step towards a more sustainable future and the switch may become even more appealing in the coming years. Here in Northern Ireland ecarNI has introduced an extensive electric vehicle-charging infrastructure with over 300 charging points across many towns and cities. Discover the nearest charge points to you via Zap Map.
Public transport
Translink is Northern Ireland’s main public transport provider. They offer a range of great value tickets, Smartcards and mobile tickets to help you travel around Northern Ireland by bus and rail. Translink offers a range of concession and Senior Citizen passes available for travel across Northern Ireland. Additionally, all senior citizens resident in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland can now avail of free internal travel throughout both jurisdictions with a valid 60+, Senior SmartPass or RoI Senior SmartPass. There are also services with a particular appeal to visitors. The Rambler Bus Services are designed to make our scenic rural areas more accessible to sightseers, walkers and cyclists. For timetable information call the Translink Contact Centre on (028) 90 66 66 30. Ulsterbus Day Tours offer a selection of guided tours of the main attractions of Northern Ireland and across the border, departing daily during summer months (with a limited programme at other times of the year) from the Europa Buscentre. Destinations include National Trust properties, seaside resorts, shopping destinations, sporting and entertainment events plus special seasonal trips.
For more information on Translink timetables and fares please visit www.translink.co.uk or call their Contact Centre on (028) 90 66 66 30.
