Giants Causeway from Belfast: Shore excursion on smaller buses

The Antrim Coast by smaller bus, with time to stand on the basalt columns themselves

This shore excursion takes cruise passengers from Belfast port to Giants Causeway and back in 7 to 8 hours, traveling smaller buses that hold a maximum of 27 people instead of the standard coach size. A local guide provides live commentary on the Antrim Coast Road, through the nine Glens of Antrim, and around Belfast's landmarks on return. Free access to Giants Causeway, port pickup and drop-off, and timing adjusted to your ship's arrival and departure are included. The smaller group means less waiting at each stop and more time at the sites themselves.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Giant's Causeway1h 30m
2. Dunluce Castle15m
3. Ballycastle1h 15m
4. Antrim Coast Roadpassing by

Giants Causeway and Antrim Coast Tour

• Travel from Belfast on smaller bus
• Visit Giants Causeway World Heritage site
• Stop at Dunluce Castle ruins
• Lunch break in Ballycastle coastal town
• Visit Portaneevy viewpoint
• Comfort break in Cushendall town
• Drive through nine Glens of Antrim with stories
• Travel along scenic Antrim Coast Road
• Tour Belfast attractions including Falls Road murals
• Return to Belfast port

The experience

You arrive at Belfast port and board a smaller bus (capacity 19, 24 or 27 passengers depending on the day) instead of a full-size coach. That smaller number is the whole point: it cuts the time spent waiting for stragglers to reboard and puts more of your limited port time at the actual attractions. Your guide adjusts the departure to match your ship's arrival, so there's no scramble to disembark and catch up.

The route follows the Antrim Coast Road, described as one of Europe's most scenic drives, and takes you through the nine Glens of Antrim on the way back to Belfast. You stop at Dunluce Castle, a ruin built around 1500 on dramatic coastal cliffs, and spend roughly an hour in Ballycastle, a small coastal town where you can grab lunch at a local pub serving traditional Irish food or walk the beach. There's a 15-minute comfort break in Cushendall, a town at the foot of a table mountain with a Curfew Tower from 1817, and a viewpoint stop at Portaneevy where you can see Carrick-A-Rede rope bridge and Rathlin Island in the distance.

Giants Causeway itself is free to enter. It's a World Heritage site formed by volcanic eruption over 60 million years ago, with legend crediting a local giant named Finn Mc Cool. A visitor centre is on-site if you want to go inside, but entry to the causeway itself costs nothing. On the return to Belfast, your guide takes you past Falls Road, the Peace Walls, Shankil Road and other city landmarks, fitting in as many as time allows before you're dropped back at the port.

What’s included

• Local guide providing live commentary in English.
• free access to Giants Causeway.
• port pickup and drop-off timed to your ship's schedule.
• travel on a smaller bus with a maximum of 27 passengers.
• stops at Dunluce Castle, Ballycastle, Cushendall and Portaneevy viewpoint.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (16 to 64 years) · Senior (65 to 90 years) · Youth (9 to 15 years) · Child (4 to 8 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years)

GroupUp to 27

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Odyssey Coach Tours

Is this one for you?The live guide speaks English and delivers commentary throughout the drive, so you follow the stories and history without effort. This works for any English speaker arriving on a cruise ship with a few hours between disembarkation and departure.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (9 to 15 years); Child (4 to 8 years); Infant (1 to 3 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Giants Causeway and why is it worth seeing?

Giants Causeway is a World Heritage site in County Antrim formed by a volcanic eruption over 60 million years ago, made up of thousands of basalt columns rising from the coast. Access to walk among the columns is free. A visitor centre is optional and charges separate entry.

How much time do I spend at each stop on this tour?

You spend roughly an hour in Ballycastle for lunch and a walk, 15 minutes in Cushendall for a comfort break, and time at Dunluce Castle and the Giants Causeway itself, though the exact duration at each site depends on the ship's arrival and departure times, which the guide adjusts to.

Will I have time to get lunch, or is it included?

The tour stops in Ballycastle for approximately an hour, where you can buy lunch at local pubs and restaurants serving traditional Irish food at reasonable prices, or grab a snack and walk the beach instead. Lunch is not included in the tour price.

How does the smaller bus change the experience compared to a standard coach?

Smaller buses hold a maximum of 27 passengers instead of a full-size coach, which means less time waiting for everyone to return to the bus at each stop and more time actually spent at the sites. The smaller group also makes the tour easier to manage and more personal.

What happens if my ship arrives late or leaves early?

The guide adjusts the tour timing to match your ship's actual arrival and departure times at the time of booking, so you're guaranteed to be back at Belfast port in time for your ship to leave.

What will I see on the drive back to Belfast?

On the return journey, you travel through the nine Glens of Antrim while your guide shares stories and folklore about the region. You also drive along the Antrim Coast Road and pass Belfast landmarks including Falls Road, the Peace Walls, and Shankil Road, with as many stops as time allows.