Day Trip to Belfast City from Dublin

Belfast is a buzzing city in Northern Ireland. Its rich history characterises this city, from being the building site of the well-known Titanic ship to its troubled political past between the British and Irish people. Visit Belfast during your trip to Ireland with one of the following coach hire options.

Why visit Belfast with your group on a day trip from Dublin?

• Perfect educational trip to discover the past of the city and the conflict between Republicans and Loyalists.
• Ideal for student groups interested in Ireland's modern history and politics.

How to get to Belfast with CGH and what visits you can include:

It is located approximately 2.5 hours' drive (per way) from Dublin. The best and most affordable way to visit Belfast with CGH is to hire a coach for the day (either for 10 or 12 hours, depending on how much time your group wants to spend there) and do one or more of the local activities suggested below for a better experience. Create your itinerary and make your group trip to Belfast memorable.

Useful information for groups visiting Belfast:

Please note that coaches are not allowed into the direct housing estates of the Falls and Shankill roads (they are living communities). If your group wants to really delve deeper into these areas and learn more about Irish politics, we highly recommend booking one of the local guided tours we offer, like Coiste walking tour or Black Taxi tour. This will give you a complete and more in-depth knowledge of Belfast's political history.

How it works in terms of timings when you book a coach hire to Belfast for your group:

These itineraries are only suggestions; they are customisable depending on where you want to go and the activities you choose. Please let us know if you want to start at a different time.

Suggested Itinerary:

Based on 10 hrs Coach Hire

08:00 hrs – Pick up from your accommodation in Dublin by your coach driver and depart for Belfast.

10:30 hrs – Arrive in Belfast. Drop-off in the city centre.

Time available (5 hrs approx.) to visit the city, have lunch, do one of the local activities suggested, etc.

15:30 hrs – Meet with coach driver at agreed meeting point and depart for Dublin.

18:00 hrs – Arrive back in Dublin and drop off at your accommodation.

You could also book a 12-hour coach hire. This way, you will have approximately 6.5 hours available to explore the city. You would meet the coach driver again at 17:00 hrs and be back at your accommodation in Dublin around 20:00 hrs.

Things to do with your group on a budget in Belfast – CGH Top recommendations free of charge:

If you are looking for something to do at no additional cost, here are a few suggestions:

• Irish Republican Museum - This museum features a large collection of memorabilia from Belfast's conflict-ridden past and offers some interesting insights into modern Irish history. The collection includes flags, arms, uniforms, a life-size prison model, a library with lots of history books and original scripts, as well as posters and newspapers related to the conflict.
• The Peace Wall - It remains standing as a memorial to Belfast's past and is covered in political murals and graffiti, with numerous autographs scattered all along. Sign your name too, and be part of the history! On murals, your group will find many more across the city.

Top things to book in Belfast for your student group recommended by CGH - charges apply:

To enhance your visit to Belfast and learn about its history and community, we highly recommend one of the below local tours to make your trip truly unforgettable:

• Coiste Political Walking Tours - Coiste provides unique educational walking tours of Belfast conducted by former political prisoners and activists who will share their personal experiences of the British/Irish conflict with your group. You will get an up-close understanding of the extraordinary impact of the conflict in the city. The Joint Shankill & Falls Road Walking Tour is the most popular tour we book for school groups, and it's an immersive 3-hour long walking tour, where your group will spend half of it with a republican guide in the Falls Road area and the remaining 1.5 hrs in the Shankill Road with a unionist loyalist guide.
• Crumlin Road Gaol Belfast - Visit this jail dating back to 1845 and discover the stories of the inmates, guards, and warders who once lived and worked here, from the Irish Republican Army to the Loyalist paramilitaries. Explore the infamous Cell Blocks, the punishment cells, and the execution chamber, and experience the atmosphere of a time gone by.
• Black Taxi Cab – Belfast Mural Tour - Experience Belfast's unique history and culture in an original black taxi cab. Your guides will take your student group on an educational journey through crucial historical landmarks and explain the significance of the Belfast murals. This tour, established in 1970, is perfect for international student groups visiting Belfast for the first time and wanting to gain a unique insight into the colourful history of Northern Ireland.

What to do for lunch with your group?

We can arrange for packed lunches to be collected from your accommodation in Dublin and brought with you during the day or a sit-down lunch in a local restaurant in Belfast. Whatever your needs are, we've got you covered! Just tell us your requirements.

Here are the steps to follow when booking your coach to Belfast:

We would need the following information:

• How many people there are in your group.
• The date you would like to hire the coach for your trip and for how many hours.
• What visits you plan to add, and a preferred itinerary if you have one.

How to book with CGH:

We can meet your requirements and tailor the day to your preference. These are suggestions; if you have a specific itinerary your group would like, please contact us or complete our online booking form.

If your group has a larger budget and wants to book a pre-arranged day trip with an English-speaking guide hopping on the coach in Belfast and some visits included, we can book one of the Belfast Day Trip Packages for you.

If your group is interested in history, book a day trip to the Boyne Valley in Ireland's Ancient East.