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Major city · United Kingdom

AntrimAontroim

Sleep one night if you land at Belfast International (BFS) or want Lough Neagh; otherwise pass through — Belfast is 40 min by train.

Weather
see forecast
Currency
GBP
Best months
May–Sep
avoid Dec–Feb (short days, many attractions closed)
Airports
BFS · BHD
Nights
1
Not field-verifiedbasic guide
Print / PDF guide
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
  • Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
  • Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
  • United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
  • United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
  • United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.

Antrim is the historic county town of County Antrim, 22 miles northwest of Belfast and 4 miles from Belfast International Airport. Most travellers see it from a bus window. It is worth one night if you land late at BFS, want a cheap base for Lough Neagh and the north, or need a rail stop between Belfast and Derry. The town itself is compact and walkable: a 10th-century round tower, a restored castle garden, a river walk and a handful of bars and restaurants.

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Antrim, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Coffee£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
  • Sit-down mealPub main course£12–18 (≈ US$16–25)
  • BeerPint of beer£5–6.50 (≈ US$7–9)
  • Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per room£110 (≈ US$150)
  • Mid-range bedHotel or B&B double room, a night, per room£110 (≈ US$150)
  • High-end bedHotel or B&B double room, a night, per room£180 (≈ US$250)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget £45 (≈ US$60) · Mid £75 (≈ US$100) · High £130 (≈ US$180)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Antrim Round Tower (10th century)Antrim Castle Gardens and Clotworthy HouseLough Neagh shore and Ram's IslandBelfast International Airport (BFS)
Airports
BFS Belfast International (Aldergrove) (4 miles south of town; no direct bus to Antrim — Bus 109A links the airport with Antrim hourly Mon–Sat, or take a taxi (about 10 min).) · BHD Belfast City (George Best) (About 20 miles southeast; train or bus via Belfast.)

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Antrim: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

8°C

2°C

16 rd

Feb

8°C

2°C

13 rd

Mar

10°C

3°C

14 rd

Apr

12°C

4°C

12 rd

May

15°C

6°C

12 rd

Jun

18°C

9°C

11 rd

Jul

19°C

11°C

12 rd

Aug

19°C

11°C

13 rd

Sep

17°C

9°C

13 rd

Oct

13°C

7°C

15 rd

Nov

10°C

4°C

15 rd

Dec

8°C

2°C

15 rd

High / low °C · rd = rain days

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

The centre is compact enough to walk: round tower to castle gardens is about 15 min on foot. Trains run hourly from Belfast (about 40 min) and continue to Ballymena, Coleraine and Derry; the bus and rail centre is a quarter-mile northeast of the centre. Local buses are limited in the evening; SML is the main taxi firm.

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time
Belfastgo

Door to door: About 1 h

Train from Antrim bus & rail centre, hourly

Titanic Quarter, City Hall and the cathedral quarter; a full day or an evening out.

Ballymena

go

Door to door: About 45 min

Train north, about 20 min

Market town and gateway to the Glens; pairs with a rail day.

Larnecaution

Door to door: 1.5–2 h

Train to Belfast then train or bus to Larne

Ferry port and Antrim coast start; better as a stop on a coastal drive.

Lisburngo

Door to door: About 1 h

Bus 109A via Crumlin and the airport

Linen history and Hillsborough Castle nearby.

Ballycastleovernight

Door to door: 2–2.5 h

Train to Ballymena or Coleraine, then bus

Causeway coast and Rathlin ferry; too far for a comfortable return day.

Bushmills

overnight

Door to door: 2–2.5 h

Train to Coleraine, then bus

Distillery and Giant's Causeway; sleep on the coast.

Portrush

overnight

Door to door: 2–2.5 h

Train to Coleraine, change for Portrush

Beaches and amusements; a coast base rather than a day trip.

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Town centre (High St / Castle Mall area)

Walk to bars, restaurants and the castle gardens; limited parking, use town car parks.

Junction retail park / Ballymena Road

Holiday Inn Express and the retail park; a mile north of the centre, best with a car.

Airport area (Aldergrove / Crumlin)

B&Bs and the Maldron at the terminal; good for early flights, nothing to walk to.

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
£45–70 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
Mid
£70–110 (≈ US$95–150) excl. bed
High
£110 (≈ US$150)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Hotel or B&B double room1 × 1 night × £110£110
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × £75£150
Train Belfast → Antrim, one way2 × £8 · check£16
Bus 109A airport → Antrim, one way2 × £4 · check£8
eSIM, about a week of data2 × £10£20
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge£30
Trip total≈ £167 per person per day, bed included£334≈ US$450

2026 estimate in pounds; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
Pub main course£12–18 (≈ US$16–25)
Pint of beer£5–6.50 (≈ US$7–9)
Taxi, town centre to airportcheck£12–18 (≈ US$16–25)
Train Antrim → Belfast, one waycheck£7–9 (≈ US$10–12)
Patterson's Spade Mill tourFirst Saturday of the month only; check£9 (≈ US$12)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

A low-crime commuter town; the real issues are quiet evening streets, limited late buses and rain. Standard UK precautions apply.
  • Buses from BFS do not serve Antrim town directly — plan the 109A or a taxi.
  • Many restaurants close by 21:30 and some shut early in the week; check before a late arrival.
  • Six Mile Water Caravan Park is seasonal (Apr–Oct).
  • Shane's Castle and Castle Upton grounds are private; do not expect access.
  • Rain is possible any month — pack a waterproof.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
999
Police non-emergency
101
NHS non-urgent
111

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

AntrimAontroim

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance999
  • Police non-emergency101
  • NHS non-urgent111

Embassy

No embassies in Antrim; the US Consulate General is in Belfast, and most other missions are in London or Dublin.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Train Antrim → Belfast: about £7–9 (≈ US$10–12), 40 min (check)
  • Bus 109A airport → Antrim: about £4 (≈ US$6), hourly Mon–Sat (check)
  • Taxi town centre → BFS: £12–18 (≈ US$16–25), about 10 min (check)

Say or show

  • Please — Please (pleez)
  • Thanks — Thank you (thanks)
  • Sorry — Excuse me (sor-ee)
  • Where's the bus stop? — Where is the bus stop? (wairz thuh bus stop)
  • Do you take card? — Can I pay by card? (doo yuh tayk kard)
  • Cheers — Cheers (cheerz)

English is spoken everywhere; a few Irish-language signs use Aontroim for Antrim.

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Antrim. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (short days, many attractions closed) · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 7 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for BFS: last bus and train times field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
  2. Walking clusters with rescue anchors: High St and Castle Mall, the castle gardens, the round tower and Steeple Road, the Lough Road riverbank.
  3. Place pages with verified hours (Antrim Castle Gardens, Clotworthy House, Patterson's Spade Mill, Old Courthouse Theatre) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Seasonal fixtures for Six Mile Water Caravan Park and Lough Neagh boat trips so gates A–D can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to United Kingdom

Sources