Car hire Belfast: Compare car rental prices and find the best offers in Belfast.

Car hires in Belfast: practical information

Where to rent a car in Belfast

The city of Belfast is the best place to base yourself in if you're looking to explore the surrounding historical region of Northern Ireland. Although small, Northern Ireland packs a lot of natural and cultural sights into a small area. Now that you've booked your tickets from London to Belfast, it's time to arrange your rental car. At the airport you'll find a few car rental companies including Logan Car Hire (at both Belfast City and Belfast International), Dan Dooley and Thrifty.

You can also find economy car rentals in the city centre, particularly on Great Victoria Street. Avis, Budget and Europcar are located there. One thing to remember if you plan to hire a car in Belfast and drive it over to the Republic of Ireland that additional service fees may be incurred. The only car hire company that does charge cross border insurance is Dan Dooley.

Parking in Belfast: what you should know

There are more than 1,600 on-street parking places in Belfast, alongside a whopping 36,000 spaces in car parks. What you choose will definitely depend on what you want to see/do and how long you'll be away from your car. Some car parks charge as little as £0.50/hour. To park the entire day, expect to pay around £9.00 per day, although there are cheaper and there are also some that are much more expensive.

Most of the car parks surround the city centre, near the Belfast Cathedral, along Cromac Street and near Great Victoria Street. If you hire a car for the entirely of your trip, make sure your hotel in Belfast offers free parking, you wouldn't want to rake up extra fees you don't need to.

Road trips from Belfast: what to do, what to see

• A stone's throw away: Although small Hillsborough is one of the prettiest towns in Northern Ireland, it even has its own castle. Each year the village celebrates with an oyster festival, usually at the end of August. It's a mere 11 miles outside of Belfast.
• A little further: Bangor is another attraction on the seaside, mostly this sleepy fishing village is known for its fish and chips. Just 13 miles fro m Belfast, heading north. There are many other small towns to visit along the way, especially if you take the coastal route rather than Belfast Road.
• A proper day-trip: Giant's Causeway is a giant rock on the Antrim coast. With 40,000+ basalt columns which appear to be rising up out of the sea, you'll be left scratching your head. Local legend says it was created by a giant to prove to the little people his strength and power. Find it by following the Giant's Causeway Coastal Route. There is a fast way, along the A26, but the coastal route is much more scenic and will take you around 2 hours to drive.

For more things to do in Belfast, check out Mini-guide: Belfast.