The Causeway Coast is compact, spectacular, and genuinely world-class. The 120km stretch from Ballycastle to Portrush takes in the Giant's Causeway, the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, Dunluce Castle, Bushmills Distillery, and some of the most dramatic sea cliff scenery in Europe. Two or three days is enough to do it justice, and Bunk Campers' Belfast depot makes it the easiest short campervan trip in Ireland.
Route overview
The Causeway Coastal Route runs along the north Antrim coast in Northern Ireland, from Carrickfergus (north of Belfast) to Portstewart in the west. The most dramatic and visited section is the ~120km from Ballycastle to Portrush/Portstewart, which includes all the headline attractions. The full coastal route from Belfast to Derry/Londonderry is longer and can be combined with a Derry city stop before crossing back into the Republic.
This is Northern Ireland — which means UK jurisdiction, speed limits in mph, no motorway tolls, and sterling for cash payments (though cards are accepted everywhere). The crossing from the Republic is seamless, with no visible border infrastructure following the Belfast Agreement.
~120km (Ballycastle to Portstewart); full coastal route from Belfast ~200km
2–3 days for the core section; add 1 day for Derry/Londonderry
Belfast (Bunk Campers Carryduff depot) or Derry/Londonderry
Northern Ireland uses UK mph speed limits. Speed cameras are active.
Day-by-day itinerary
| Day | Route | Distance | Key stops |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belfast → Carrickfergus → Cushendall | ~80km | Carrickfergus Castle, Ballygally, Glenarm, Carnlough, Cushendall and the Glens of Antrim |
| 2 | Cushendall → Ballycastle → Giant's Causeway | ~60km | Fair Head viewpoint, Ballycastle, Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, Ballintoy Harbour, Giant's Causeway |
| 3 | Giant's Causeway → Bushmills → Portrush/Portstewart | ~30km | Bushmills Distillery, Dunluce Castle, Portrush beach, Portstewart Strand |
Day 1 — The Glens of Antrim: The coast road north from Carrickfergus passes through nine glacial glens cutting down to the sea — a largely overlooked section compared to the main Causeway stops but genuinely beautiful. Glenarm and Carnlough are worth a stop. Cushendall, at the heart of the Glens, is a pleasant overnight base.
Day 2 — The headline attractions: Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge (book timed tickets in advance at the National Trust website — it sells out in summer) connects a tiny island to the cliff face. The walk is short but the views are extraordinary. Ballintoy Harbour — used as a filming location in Game of Thrones — is worth a stop for the dramatic rocky harbour alone. The Giant's Causeway is genuinely remarkable: 40,000 interlocking basalt columns formed by ancient volcanic activity. It's always busy; arrive early morning or after 5pm to avoid the peak crowds.
Day 3 — Bushmills and the coast: The Old Bushmills Distillery, founded in 1608, is Ireland's oldest licensed whiskey distillery. Tours run regularly and don't require advance booking on most days. Dunluce Castle, perched dramatically on the cliff edge east of Portrush, is worth the short stop. Portrush and Portstewart are classic seaside towns — good for a walk and a fish supper.
Overnight stops
| Location | Type | Facilities | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cushendall area | Campsite | Good facilities | Good base for the Glens of Antrim section. |
| Ballycastle | Campsite | Full facilities | Watertop Farm campsite near Ballycastle is well-regarded. |
| Bushmills area | Campsite | Good facilities | Campsites near Bushmills convenient for the Giant's Causeway section. |
| Portrush / Portstewart | Campsite | Full facilities | Several campsites in and around Portrush; good facilities for a coastal resort town. |
Road notes for campervans
The Causeway Coast road is generally excellent — one of the best-maintained scenic routes in Ireland and Northern Ireland. The A2 coast road is wide enough for motorhomes on most sections. A few notes:
- Car parks at major attractions: The Giant's Causeway visitor centre car park charges for parking and can be tight for larger motorhomes. Arrive early (before 9am) for the best parking access. The overflow car parks on approach are sometimes more manageable for longer vehicles.
- Carrick-a-Rede car park: Tight for large motorhomes. Use the overflow area and be prepared for a slightly longer walk.
- Speed limits: Northern Ireland uses mph. The national speed limit is 60mph on single-carriageway roads and 70mph on dual carriageways and motorways. Camera enforcement is active. Convert your instinctive km/h calculations — 60mph is ~100km/h.
- Fuel: Diesel prices in Northern Ireland are typically similar to or slightly lower than the Republic. Fill up freely along the route.
Practical tips
- Currency: Northern Ireland uses pound sterling (GBP), not the Euro. Cards are accepted almost everywhere but it's worth having some sterling for cash-only situations (markets, some small attractions).
- National Trust membership: Carrick-a-Rede, the Giant's Causeway car park, and several other Causeway Coast sites are National Trust properties. If you have UK National Trust membership, it can cover entry at these sites. Northern Ireland properties are included in UK National Trust membership.
- Carrick-a-Rede booking: Tickets are timed and must be booked in advance in summer (June–August). Book at nationaltrust.org.uk. It sells out early on summer weekends.
- Mobile coverage: UK networks (EE, Vodafone UK, Three UK) cover the coast route well. Republic of Ireland SIMs on Three and Eir also generally work on Northern Ireland's networks under roaming agreements — check with your operator before crossing.
- Derry/Londonderry day extension: Worth adding to the route. The walled city is Ireland's only fully intact walled city, with an excellent free walking route along the walls. A half-day is enough. From Portrush, Derry is about 50 minutes.
Best time to visit
May–June and September are ideal — good weather windows, the attractions are open but not at peak-crowd levels. The Causeway Coast is significantly more manageable in shoulder season than July and August when it draws enormous numbers.
July–August: Peak season, warmest weather but very busy at the Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede. Early starts (at the Causeway before 9am) are essential. Book Carrick-a-Rede timed entry weeks in advance.
Year-round potential: Unlike some Irish routes, the Causeway Coast is viable in winter — the key attractions are year-round, the roads are well-maintained, and the winter sea light on the basalt columns is worth the cold.
Recommended operators for this route
- Bunk Campers (Belfast, Carryduff): The natural choice for this route. Bunk's Belfast depot is the only major campervan hire location in Northern Ireland — it exists precisely for Causeway Coast itineraries. Pick up in Carryduff, head north up the coast, return from Portrush or loop back via Derry.
- Bunk Campers (Dublin): If you're starting in Dublin, a Dublin pickup with a drive north to the coast is also feasible. Dublin to Ballycastle is about 3 hours. One-way Dublin–Belfast (or Belfast–Dublin) available from Bunk — confirm at booking.