Car Rental in Belfast
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Cheapest Car Rental Rates
Belfast International Airport
Mini
Fiat 500
or similar
$14.47
per day
Belfast City Airport
Economy
Vauxhall Corsa
or similar
$22.51
per day
Downtown
Compact
Vauxhall Astra
or similar
$26.12
per day
Belfast City Airport
Intermediate SUV
Nissan Qashqai
or similar
$30.98
per day
Most Popular Car Rental Deals
Belfast International Airport
Standard SUV
Vauxhall Insignia
or similar
$33.94
per day
Belfast City Airport
Compact Elite
Mercedes Benz A Class
or similar
$39.18
per day
Belfast City Airport
Premium
Mercedes Benz C Class
or similar
$48.34
per day
Belfast International Airport
Full-size
Volkswagen Arteon
or similar
$36.96
per day
The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 8:14 AM on 12/14/24. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
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Travel Information
Languages
English
Currency
GBP
Drive on
Left-hand side
Country code
+44
Average car rental price
$32 per day
Average car rental length
4 days
Speed limit within town
48 km/h or 30 mph
Speed limit out of town
96 - 112 km/h or 60 - 70 mph
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.08%
Average gas price
$1.79 per liter or $6.78 per gallon
Lowest gas price
$1.68 per liter or $6.35 per gallon
Highest gas price
$1.89 per liter or $7.17 per gallon
Why rent a car in Belfast?
Long underrated as a destination for tourism, Belfast is finally starting to receive the attention it deserves. This city has everything from fascinating history to beautiful green areas, local markets, and famous pub culture. With a rental car, you can also go on to explore the rest of Northern Ireland and, if your rental car provider permits it, the neighboring Republic of Ireland.
One-Way Car Rentals in Belfast
The most popular one-way rental options for pick up in Belfast and drop off in another city include:
- From Belfast to Dublin - 80 offers from $35.12 per day
- From Belfast to Cork - 114 offers from $40.12 per day
- From Belfast to London - 27 offers from $49.16 per day
Top ways to enter Belfast
- Belfast International Airport. The busiest airport in Northern Ireland, Belfast International serves more than 6 million passengers every year. The airport is located about 21 km (13 mi) northwest of the city proper.
- Belfast City Airport. Also known as George Best Airport after the famous Northern Irish footballer, the smallest of the two city’s airports is a base for Flybe and is also served by a handful of other airlines. The airport is just 5 km (3 mi) from the city center.
- Dublin Airport. Located on the other side of the border and serving the Republic of Ireland’s capital, Dublin Airport is nonetheless only about a 100 minute drive south of Belfast.
City facts
- Although Northern Ireland is geographically separate from the rest of Britain, it has a similar oceanic climate with high and steady precipitation and relatively little temperature changes throughout the year. The average temperature is 15 °C (59 °F) in July and August and 5 °C (41 °F) in January and February.
- Belfast is made up of nine unofficial quarters based on cultural zones. Each of them prides itself on a unique history, local character, and annual events held in them. Some of the more famous ones are the Cathedral Quarter, the Titanic Quarter, and the Gaeltacht Quarter.
Top sights and activities
- Botanical Gardens. Covering 28 acres, the large and beautiful Botanical Gardens is one of the nicest places of Belfast. Its standout attraction is the Palm House which houses many unique tropical plants and animals, including a 400-year-old Xanthorrhoea and even carnivorous flowers.
- Belfast Zoo. Another place for a great day outdoors, Belfast Zoo houses many unique animals, from Asian elephants and Western lowland gorillas to giant anteaters and Jamaican boas. The zoo is located on the slope of Cavehill, a basaltic hill that’s a great natural attraction in itself.
- Ulster Museum. With fascinating collections that include ancient (and more recent) historical artifacts, zoological and botanical specimens, and great exhibits of wildlife art, Ulster Museum offers a fascinating and comprehensive perspective on what Northern Ireland is about. The museum is located in the Botanic Gardens in the southern part of the city.
- Titanic Belfast. Recently celebrating its 10th birthday, the unmistakable building of the Titanic Belfast is dedicated to the infamous passenger liner which was built in Belfast. A large museum, it explains the maritime and shipbuilding history of Belfast and tells the story of the ship’s early days and tragic sinking. Visit the official website to learn more.
- Belfast Exposed. A photo gallery that opened in 1983, it is one of the most notable of its kind in Northern Ireland, if not the whole of the United Kingdom. Producing socially relevant work often intimately tied to the realities of Belfast, the gallery has an archive of over 500 thousand images and also serves as a venue during the Belfast Film Festival and the Belfast International Arts Festival.
Traffic and parking
- The United Kingdom drives on the left-hand side of the road.
- On-street parking is usually heavily restricted. Never park on a white, double yellow or double red line (stopping on motorways and next to red lines is illegal).
- You are not allowed to use your mobile phone while driving, unless you use a hands-free system.
- Unless specifically indicated otherwise, the speed limits are 112 km/h (70 mph) on motorways, 112 km/h (70 mph) on dual carriageways, 96 km/h (60 mph) on single carriageways and 48km/h (30 mph) in residential areas and areas with street lightning.
- In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the legal alcohol limit is 0.08% for both experienced and novice drivers. Do keep in mind, however, that in Scotland the legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for both experienced and novice drivers. Exceeding the limit can lead to large fines, a suspended license, or even imprisonment.
- The insurance and documentation of the car needs to be in it whenever you’re driving.
- If you’re the driver, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
- The emergency numbers are 999 and 112.
Toll roads
Currently there is only a single toll road in the United Kingdom, the M6 toll in England. You also have to pay a toll for using a number of bridges and tunnels.
As an alternative to the M6 around Birmingham, the M6 Toll is a 43km (27 mile) long portion of the road, also known as the Birmingham North Relief Road (BNRR), that relieves congestion on the M6 itself. There are toll gates where you can pay by either cash or credit card. As of March 2023, the price is £8.20 for using the toll road from 5am to 11pm, £7.00 for using the toll road at night from 11pm to 5am. Find out more on the M6 Toll official website.
Find out more about toll roads in the United Kingdom on the European toll road website.
Ideas for day trips
- Ulster Folk and Transport Museums. Located in the nearby town of Cultra, these two museums are both worth a visit. The Transport museum has interesting exhibits of steam locomotives, vertical take-off aeroplanes, and horse-drawn trams, while the folk museum offers a full re-creation of an old Irish town.
- Ulster American Folk Park. Known as Ulstèr Merikay Fowk Pairk in Ulster–Scots, this is a collection of about 30 buildings that showcases the lives of people from Ulster who immigrated to the United States over the last couple of centuries. In addition to seeing the buildings, visitors can learn about the farm works and other traditional professions of the community, and even try Ulster-American cuisine. Located near Omagh, Folk Park is about 75 miles (121 km) west of Belfast and can be reached by car in 1 hour and 40 minutes.
- Carrickfergus. Famous for its beautiful Norman castle, Carrickfergus is a town with a truly historic feel. Its atmosphere can be soaked up by either walking its narrow streets or going on a stroll along its beautiful marina. The town is just a 30 minute drive north of Belfast.
- Killough. A small seaside village, Killough is home not only to tranquil beaches, but also to Ballynoe Stone Circle, a late-Neolithic monument that is something like Northern Ireland’s answer to Stonehenge. From Belfast, it is only an hour’s drive south.
- Giant’s Causeway. One of the most famous attractions in Northern Ireland (and one of the most popular day trips from Belfast), the Giant’s Causeway is about 3 miles (4.8 km) of coastal basalt formations. A world heritage site, the natural attraction is on Northern Ireland’s north coast. A trip from Belfast takes about 90 minutes.
Most popular cars
The most popular rental car types in Belfast are compact, economy, and mini. The most popular rental car is the Renault Clio. Travelers also love the Vauxhall Corsa and the Hyundai i30.
Further destinations
- Important: While there are many rental car companies that permit cross-border trips between Northern Ireland (which is itself a part of the United Kingdom) and the Republic of Ireland, you should still ask your rental car provider in advance. Please also visit our United Kingdom car rental page to learn more about who needs a visa to travel between the two countries.
- Derry. Also known as Londonderry, Northern Ireland’s second city boasts historic sites dating back nearly 1500 years, as well as a number of more recent churches, museums, and murals. Derry is about 112 km (70 mi) northwest of Belfast near the border with the Republic of Ireland.
- Dublin. The capital of the Republic of Ireland is truly a fun place to visit. It boasts many tourist attractions, fascinating architecture, and many famous past and present inhabitants. Easy to reach from Belfast, it is only about two hour’s drive south along the coast.
- Galway. Located on the coast of the Atlantic, this university city is famous for its nightlife, but equally important are its historic sites, art spaces, and role as a modern center for the Irish language and culture. It is about a four hour drive from Belfast to Galway, but in this case, the long distance is well worth the time.
Car rental prices in Belfast
- Station wagons - from $30 per day
- Large cars - from $21 per day
- Medium cars - from $16 per day
- Vans - from $47 per day
- Premium cars - from $39 per day
- Small cars - from $14 per day
- SUVs - from $19 per day
Money-saving and other tips
There are things you can do to get a good car rental deal in Belfast. Start with these:
- Compare the rates of different rental car providers
- Book your rental car well in advance
- Plan your route before you go
- Know your fuel and mileage requirements
- Visit on the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Belfast is the cheapest in September when renting a car is nearly 50% cheaper than the yearly average.
Fact checked by
Lauren Yakiwchuk
Lauren Yakiwchuk is an award-winning travel blogger and content creator at Justin Plus Lauren and Ontario Hiking. She writes about outdoor adventures, exploring cities and small towns, and sustainable travel. Lauren is an expert on vegan travel and is one of the very first vegan travel bloggers.
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Top 20 locations near Belfast
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Map of Car Rental Locations
What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Belfast?
Car rental prices in Belfast vary by time of year. This graph shows the average prices per month to help you find the best time of year to rent.
Average rental costs per day in Belfast
The cheapest month to rent a car in Belfast is February (when prices average $21.84 per day). This is 37% cheaper than the yearly average and 49% cheaper than renting in July (when prices average $42.86).
This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. How much your car rental will cost will depend on the type of vehicle you rent, how long you’ll rent it for, and how far ahead you book. Simply enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see the exact prices.
This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. How much your car rental will cost will depend on the type of vehicle you rent, how long you’ll rent it for, and how far ahead you book. Simply enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see the exact prices.
What’s the usual rental length in Belfast?
How long travelers keep their rental cars for varies from month to month: in March, the average renter keeps their car for 6 days, and in January, they keep their car for 4 days.
Average number of rental days in Belfast
What's the most popular month to rent a car in Belfast?
Based on the number of searches by our customers, the most popular month for renting a car in Belfast is August, and the least popular is February.
Monthly searches in Belfast by pick-up date relative to the average
Car rental information
| Car rental locations | 6 |
| Airport locations | 2 |
| Popular suppliers | Drivalia, Alamo, Avis, Hertz, Enterprise |
| Popular car categories | Small cars, Medium cars, SUVs, Vans |
| Lowest price | $14 per day |
| Cheapest supplier | Drivalia |
Most popular car models of rental suppliers
| Rental Supplier | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drivalia | Volkswagen Polo | 5 | 1 | Small cars |
| Drivalia | Fiat 500 | 3 | 1 | Small cars |
| Drivalia | Renault Captur | 5 | 2 | Medium cars |
| Avis | Fiat 500 | 3 | 1 | Small cars |
| Avis | Vauxhall Corsa | 5 | 2 | Small cars |
| Alamo | Nissan Qashqai | 5 | 3 | SUVs |
| Hertz | Vauxhall Astra | 5 | 2 | Medium cars |
| Alamo | Ford Focus | 4 | 2 | Medium cars |
| Hertz | Kia Picanto | 3 | 1 | Small cars |
| Alamo | Vauxhall Corsa | 3 | 1 | Small cars |
Our customers' reviews
Because we want to make sure each review listed here is left by a real customer, we don’t have the option to post a review here. Instead, we ask each and every customer to leave a review after they return their rental car. This way, you know that all reviews are authentic.
GC
Australia
Nissan Qashqai
9/28/24
beautiful scenery
JL
Canada
Fiat 500
7/3/24
I know the north coast, but it was just great to see it again. Ran on sands, and drove out to Mallin Point, which I had never done before.
JC
United Kingdom
Fiat 500
1/22/24
I only used the car to drive to and from the Airport
RS
United Kingdom
Fiat 500
11/23/23
Black cab Troubles tour and Titanic museum excellent. City centre buzzing at night. Great pubs and restaurants.
GJ
United Kingdom
Fiat 500
11/23/23
It was a good business trip
VS
Canada
Toyota Aygo
11/18/23
Dublin outlet was amazing!!
AF
United Kingdom
Ford Focus
10/21/23
If you are a resident of Northern Ireland or hold a DVA license then you are required to provide the original counterpart document of your license to the reception staff.
They do not accept photos or check my license code.
DW
Spain
Nissan Qashqai
8/31/23
Golf and tourism, all went well even dodging a few showers
VW
Australia
Toyota Aygo
8/8/22
Loved Eire and northern Ireland. Wish I had more time!!
PC
United Kingdom
Ford Fiesta
9/13/20
Belfast is a lovely very friendly City , it’s easy enough to drive around other ares ,we drove down to Derry all over Belfast ,you can go too any bar ,mix with the local Belfast people loved all our time spent there 🇮🇪 Will definitely be returning 😍
CM
United Kingdom
Kia Carens
8/26/20
Belfast staff were very friendly and helpful
DS
United Kingdom
Hyundai i30
6/20/19
Car hire is ok but
The crossborder fee is outrageous , double check the rate prior to arriving.
We were ripped off to the tune of £150 for 6days plus the hire fee total cost for the hire went from £51 to over £200
FJ
United Kingdom
Vauxhall Corsa
5/25/19
We loved Belfast although we would not recommend using a car in Belfast City as parking is very difficult. However, to explore the surrounding area it is much easier with a car.
JS
United Kingdom
VW Polo
5/10/19
Belfast and NI is great. Very beautiful coastline and easily accessible with car hire
MG
United Kingdom
Renault Clio
3/9/19
Northern Ireland has numerous excellent tourist attractions suitable to all age groups
CM
United Kingdom
Kia Picanto
2/21/19
Super city to visit even by car. Found free street parking for our day out in the city.
KN
United Kingdom
Renault Clio
2/17/19
Great for a trip to the Antrim Coast & along Strangford Lough with many interesting & wonderful places en route.
GM
United Kingdom
VW Golf
10/24/18
Belfast is a great city. Lots to do - Titanic Experience, Hop-on Hop-off bus tour, Cromlin Road Gaol, Giant's Causeway - and lots of great restaurants & bars
DG
United States of America (USA)
Ford Fiesta
10/18/18
If you’re not used to driving on the left or Irish roads I would recommend getting the smallest car that can accommodate you. Also, I got in automatic transmission so I would not have to change gears with my left hand. Driving on the left wasn’t as difficult as I thought it would be.
HW
United Kingdom
VW Golf
10/7/18
I used car to visit family rather than holiday but Northern Ireland has beautiful scenery especially the Antrim coast so usual destinations include Giant's Causeway, Portstewart, Bushmills (including distillery) and following trail of Game of Thrones filming locations
GB
United Kingdom
Fiat 500
9/27/18
Belfast and northern Ireland as a whole is a fantastic place to visit. There is something for everyone and the friendliness of the people make you want to return.
JB
United States of America (USA)
Ford Tourneo
9/19/18
You may want to ensure the car had automatic transmission if you're at all squeamish or unfamiliar with driving in the UK and Ireland--mine did not. It all worked out, but it is challenging to most drivers unfamiliar with driving on the left side of the road.
SH
United Kingdom
VW Passat
9/16/18
Great place for city break, beautiful coast and countryside. We loved Belfast and NI
AP
United Kingdom
Vauxhall Astra
9/7/18
Ireland is a great place to tour
DW
United Kingdom
Ford Focus
9/1/18
Beautiful city
Car Rental Statistics
Highest-rated company
Alamo
8.6 / 10
Lowest-rated company
GreenMotion
7.2 / 10
Total number of reviews
41
Total rental companies
14
Average daily price
$31.55
Lowest daily price
$14.47
Total cars available
551
Top 14 suppliers in Belfast in 2024
Alamo
2 locations
$27 - $128
Enterprise
3 locations
$27 - $182
Avis
2 locations
$25 - $28
Europcar
3 locations
$24 - $48
Hertz
4 locations
$20 - $162
Drivalia
1 location
$14 - $74
Budget
2 locations
$14 - $74
National
2 locations
$29 - $142
Keddy
2 locations
$23 - $135
Thrifty
4 locations
$23 - $135
Dollar
4 locations
$23 - $135
Routes Car Rental
3 locations
$68 - $87
SIXT
4 locations
$68 - $87
GreenMotion
1 location
$68 - $87
Awards
World Travel Tech Awards - World's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2023
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Magellan Awards Gold Winner 2023
Travel & Hospitality Awards 2021
FT 1000: Europes Fastest Growing Companies - Top 300 Companies 2021
FT 1000: Europe's Fastest Growing Companies - Top 100 Companies 2020
Uzakrota Travel Awards - World’s Leading Car Rental Website 2022
Inc. 5000 Europe - Top 500 Companies 2019
Trustpilot - Top 10 Car Rental Agencies
SimilarWeb - Top 50 Car Rental Websites
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