Car rental in Belfast

Belfast by car

Belfast grew up around a river mouth hemmed in by hills, with the Cavehill escarpment looming over rows of red-brick terraces. Shipbuilding and linen shaped the street grid, and the Antrim glens begin barely half an hour past the last housing estate.

Driving in Belfast

Belfast is reached by M1, M2, M22 and A12 Westlink. Parking in the centre is paid and marked by zone. Driving through the centre is restricted, so most drivers park on the edge.

Where to park

Belfast has four park and ride sites: Sprucefield at M1 junction 8 near Lisburn (bus 651), Black’s Road at M1 junction 3 (bus 650), Cairnshill on the A24 Saintfield Rd (bus 652) and Dundonald on the A20 Upper Newtownards Rd (buses G1 and 655).

Arriving by road

Arriving from Dublin, drivers follow the M1 / N1 / A1 north, passing a toll at Drogheda, and cross the border without checks; the only change is that speed limit signs switch to miles per hour. From the ferry terminal on Dargan Road, motorists drive west to reach the M2.

From the airport without a car

From George Best Belfast City Airport, bus 600 calls at Queens Square, Victoria Square and Wellington Place on its way to Grand Central Station, while a free shuttle bus links the terminal to Sydenham railway station on the line to Bangor. From Belfast International Airport, Ulsterbus 300 reaches Grand Central Station by way of Templepatrick and Queen St.