Car Rental Belfast City Airport

Belfast is relatively simple and enjoyable to navigate by road, since its five main neighbourhoods are connected by a network of dual-lane highways and leafy streets.

To drive from the airport (also known as ‘George Best Airport’) into the city centre, simply take the Sydenham Bypass and follow the signs. This journey should take just 15 minutes, depending on traffic.   

Here you can explore the shopping scene, catch an opera show or check out the dockside museums. Don’t forget to glimpse the iconic ivory walls of Belfast City Hall and to visit St George’s Market either.

Park your rental car at the Great Northern Car Park for theatre and retail destinations or stay further north to reach the conference centres and monuments near the Cathedral Quarter.

Cross the River Lagan to reach the Titanic Quarter, or explore EastSide – the once-industrial creative hub of Belfast. There are plenty of parking lots tucked in between the art studios, coffee bars and community forums here.

Queen’s University Belfast gives the city’s south a regal feel, while the neighbouring ‘Linenopolis’ showcases great eateries and the very best Victorian architecture.

You can also use the A12 to skirt south into the Gaeltacht Quarter and explore Irish cultural exhibitions and the Crumlin Road Gaol.

To take your trip to the next level, venture out to the suburban delights and see Belfast Castle by Antrim Road. You can even see the roaring delights of Belfast Zoo. On the opposite side of the bay, meanwhile, Ulster Folk Museum offers fun for all the family.

You can also take the A6 to visit Derry and the breath-taking northern coast. 

Driving in Northern Ireland is on the left-hand side of the road, with speed limits signed in miles per hour.

Parts of Belfast’s centre enforce a 20mph (32km/h) limit, other built-up areas are typically 30mph (48km/h), and rural roads often have maximums of 60mph (96km/h). Dual-carriageways and motorways are usually 70mph (112km/h) – but always check signs as limits can vary.

An upbeat city with many aspects to enjoy, Belfast is rich in history and full of possibilities.

Whether you’re in town for a romantic weekend, a cultural vacation or a business trip, don’t pass up the chance to see these top attractions.

A slice of history

Belfast is a unique city where many aspects of history collide. From the Bronze Age through to the Victorian era and the poignant legacy of the Troubles, this is an intriguing destination.

Belfast Castle is the perfect place to explore medieval history and the Donegall Period – with a significant Scottish influence seen in each fairytale turret, built on the site of the original fortress. There are seasonal events, and you can even dine in the Cellar Restaurant.

Scrabo Tower meanwhile is another great place to find history in the hills; especially during a hike around Strangford Lough. For a small fee, you can climb 41 metres to the stony peak.

There are many places to explore Belfast’s recent history, including cultural centres, museums and murals. Peace Wall is perhaps the most unifying of them all. Built in place of the barriers that once separated the city’s communities, the street art here is political, passionate and vibrant.

Titanic sights

Hailed as the unsinkable ship and a new wonder of the world, Titanic was the world’s largest boat when it was built. The luxurious liner set sail from Southampton on 10 April, 1912 – having left Belfast harbour eight days earlier – and would meet a famously tragic fate.

Today, the city is home to the world’s largest Titanic visitor experience. There are nine interactive galleries where you can learn about the thrill of that that fateful launch, and the disaster that befell it. The SS Nomadic is also on display as the last remaining vessel created by the White Star Line shipping company.

You can take a segway tour of the Shipways or a walking tour through reconstructed decks and cabins. There is even a ride for thrill-seekers who want to experience the trying conditions of the early 1900s construction first-hand.

Floral pleasures

Belfast’s Botanical Gardens are the perfect place to find some respite. Tucked by the Tudor-style campus of Queen’s University Belfast, the lush parks are home to many beautiful flowers and bountiful trees.

The grounds cover a large open area and are popular with locals, visitors and students alike. The palm house dates back to the 19th century and the tropical plants are charmingly fragrant.

For a taste of local culture, don’t skip the on-site Ulster Museum either. This is one of the region’s premier attractions with 8,000 square metres of display space on local history, culture and art. If you prefer action over knowledge, the on-site Queen’s Sport Centre is well worth a visit.

Car rental at Belfast City Airport is the perfect way to start an incredible journey. Reserve direct with us today.