Tips When Renting a Car at Belfast City Airport (BHD)
- Have a valid and non-expired credit card ready in the driver’s name.
- You can typically rent a car with a valid foreign driver’s license in English. Otherwise, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended.
- Drive on the left and follow British traffic laws.
- Check for young driver fees for those under 25.
- Choose the right car for your needs, whether you’re driving solely in the city or exploring the mountains and beyond.
- Inspect the car and take photos at pickup and drop-off.
Why Rent a Car at Belfast City Airport (BHD)
Renting a car at Belfast City Airport (BHD) is the most convenient way to start your journey in Belfast or further afield across Northern Ireland. While you could use rideshare options or public transit within the city, you can be limited by routes, schedules, and long wait times. With a rental car, you’re literally in the driver’s seat.
BHD features plenty of reputable rental providers that can help you get started quickly and seamlessly. Whether you're simply driving around inner-city Belfast or planning a drive to the Mourne Mountains, the Causeway Coast, the Ards Peninsula and other underrated gems, a rental car lets you travel wherever and whenever you like without relying on transit systems.
Driving from Belfast City Airport (BHD) – Getting Started
BHD sits just a few miles from Belfast city centre, which is roughly a 10-15 minute drive in normal traffic, with easy access to the A2 coastal routes and the A20 into central areas.
Common routes include:
- Belfast city centre – 10-15 minutes via the A2 and local roads.
- Carrickfergus and the Antrim Coast – 20-40 minutes via coastal A-roads
- The Causeway Coast (Giant’s Causeway area) – roughly 1.25-2 hours depending on stops.
There are no tolls for the principal tourist routes in Northern Ireland, but driving times vary with traffic and season; plan extra time in peak summer and during festival dates. Remember driving is on the left; a satnav or app helps for real-time updates.
Explore Belfast and Northern Ireland from Belfast City Airport
Northern Ireland is famous for its mountainous regions, green landscape and national parks, with plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventure, peaceful retreats, and international city stays. BHD sits conveniently within a travel triangle that includes the Mourne Mountains and Antrim, making driving between these top spots simple.
In Belfast:
- Titanic Belfast – award-winning museum in the Titanic Quarter.
- St George’s Market – food and craft stalls that are both local and from all over the world, offering a truly international experience.
- Cathedral Quarter – nightlife and dining, with endless options to explore.
- Cave Hill / Belfast Castle – short drives with panoramic views over the entire city of Belfast and Belfast Lough.
Recommended Day Trips and Scenic Routes:
- Causeway Coastal Route / Giant’s Causeway – this is Northern Ireland’s headline scenic drive: Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, Coast Road viewpoints, Portrush and the Causeway itself. Plan a full day if you want time for walks, visitor-centre access and photo stops; parking at main sites can fill up in summer so arrive early.
- Carrickfergus & the Antrim coast (short coastal loop) – great for a half-day trip if you want a short castle visit, coastal panoramas and easy cafes; parking is generally easier than at larger tourist hubs and the roads are straightforward. Combine with a scenic drive north along the A2 for seaside villages.
- The Mourne Mountains & Silent Valley (Slieve Donard / Tollymore Park) – ideal for hillwalking, reservoir views and coastal scenery near Newcastle. Roads into the park are narrow in places and can be busy on fine weekends.
- Strangford Lough & Mount Stewart / Strangford Village – perfect for short coastal walks, wildlife watching and a ferry hop if you want to cross to the Ards Peninsula, but check ferry times in advance. Mount Stewart’s gardens are a top attraction and small village car parks are available, but busy summer days may require earlier starts.
- Londonderry / Derry (historic walled city) – Derry is feasible as a long day trip for those wanting the city walls, museums and riverside cafés.
