Car Hire at Belfast International Airport

Airport travel guide

The capital of Northern Ireland, Belfast has long shed its image as a place of unrest and chaos. A thriving place with plenty to see and do, the city can serve both as a great weekend getaway and as a hub for exploring the rest of Northern Ireland. Here are three of the most interesting destinations in and around Belfast:

• Ulster Museum. Named after the northern region of Ireland, this extensive museum is one of the best places to learn about the history of the city and the region. Surprisingly varied, it has exhibitions on everything from Prehistoric Ireland and ethnography to tropical wildlife and fine art. Located on the western shore of the River Lagan, the museum is easy to reach from anywhere in the city.
• Titanic Museum. Located in an impressive contemporary building, the Titanic Museum opened in 2012, exactly 100 years after the sea liner of the same name sank in the Atlantic Ocean. Although the RMS Titanic took off from Southampton in England, the ship was actually built in Belfast. The museum does not omit this dark chapter in the city’s history, and there are exhibitions dedicated to the tragedy. Other rooms of the museum tell the history of Belfast and the long-standing tradition of seafaring in Northern Ireland.
• Giant’s Causeway. An impressive rock formation near the northernmost point of Northern Ireland, the Giant’s Causeway is one of the most popular destinations for day trips from the capital. The stunning basalt columns came to be in a volcanic eruption millions of years ago, but many locals prefer the Irish legend which claims that the creation of the causeway was the deed of the Irish giant Fionn mac Cumhaill. Located about 95 km (60 miles) north of Belfast, the Giant’s Causeway can be reached in about one hour by car.

Top international routes

• Alicante
• Malaga
• Palma de Mallorca
• Faro
• Tenerife-South
• Amsterdam

Main airlines

easyJet, Jet2.com, Ryanair, Thomas Cook Airlines, Norwegian Air Shuttle, and TUI Airways

Terminals

The single airport terminal serves all domestic and international flights.

Location

Belfast International Airport is about 21 km (13 mi) northwest of downtown Belfast. Motorways A57, M2, and A12 are the main roads connecting the airport to the city. Dublin, the capital of the Republic of Ireland, is just 180 km (112 mi) from Belfast International Airport.

Most popular types of hire car

• Station wagons - starting at 21 GBP per day
• Large cars - starting at 16 GBP per day
• Premium cars - starting at 37 GBP per day
• SUVs - starting at 15 GBP per day
• Small cars - starting at 10 GBP per day
• Medium cars - starting at 12 GBP per day
• People Carriers - starting at 37 GBP per day

Car hire desks

Most are located in the arrivals hall.

Services and facilities

You’ll find coffee shops, bars, and full-service restaurants. Food Village is located post-security and hosts many fast food restaurants. There are many shops, including newsstands, a bookstore, and duty-free outlets for passengers leaving the EU. Belfast International Airport also has ATMs, two currency exchanges, a pharmacy, baby changing facilities, a children’s play room, a contemplation room, and an observation deck. The airport facilities are well equipped for travelers with reduced mobility, and there are porters ready to assist with baggage. Some airport staff are trained in basic sign language. You can find more information on the airport's official website.

Nearest petrol station

Emo Express petrol station, located at Airport Road, Aldergrove, Crumlin BT29 4ZR, can be reached in about three minutes and is open 24/7. There are many other petrol stations near the airport and on the way to Belfast.

Popular one-way hires

• Dublin (180 km / 112 mi)
• Edinburgh (301 km / 187 mi)
• Galway (380 km / 236 mi)