Major city · United Kingdom
StrabaneAn Srath Bán
Give Strabane half a day on the way to Derry: the Tinneys sculpture, Gray's Printing Press and a walk across the bridge to Lifford. Sleep in Derry.
Strabane is a border town of about 13,500 on the east bank of the River Foyle, in County Tyrone. The Foyle is the border with the Republic, and Lifford, the county town of Donegal, is a 15-minute walk across the bridge with no checks. The town has one National Trust site, a theatre with the tourist information desk, and a set of bars and eateries; its best use is as a short stop between Omagh and Derry, or as a cheaper bed for a Derry trip.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Jan–Feb (wet, dark early)
- Airports
- BFS · BHD · LDY
- Nights
- 0–1
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.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Strabane999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Strabane, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £).United Kingdom-wide
- SIM or eSIMEE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines…United Kingdom-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.United Kingdom-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.United Kingdom-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United Kingdom-wide
- SafetyStrabane is a small town with a low risk of street crime; the practical issues are rain, dark early evenings in winter…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police, fire, ambulance · 101 police non-urgent · 111 NHS non-urgent
- Sundays & holidaysShops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 or 11:00–16:00 or 17:00).Shops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–4:00 PM or 5:00 PM).United Kingdom-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBFS Belfast International (About 1 h 30 min by road; bus connections via Belfast).
- Getting aroundThe centre is walkable in 10 minutes; Lifford is a 15-minute walk over the bridge.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or tea in a café£2.50–4 (≈ US$4–6)
- Sit-down mealPub main course£12–18 (≈ US$16–25)
- BeerPint of beer£4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi across town£5–8 (≈ US$7–11)
- Metro or bus rideBus Strabane to Derry£5–7 (≈ US$7–10)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week£6–12 (≈ US$8–16)
- Budget bedDerry hostel or hotel bed (alternative base), a night, per person£25 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse or B&B double, a night, per room£95 (≈ US$130)
- High-end bedGuesthouse or B&B double, a night, per room£130 (≈ US$180)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £55 (≈ US$75) · Mid £90 (≈ US$120) · High £160 (≈ US$250)
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 →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
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.
- Airports
- BFS Belfast International (About 1 h 30 min by road; bus connections via Belfast) · BHD George Best Belfast City (About 2 h by road; Ulsterbus 273 from Belfast Grand Central, 2 h 30 min) · LDY City of Derry (About 40 min by road; nearest airport)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Mar
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
May
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jun
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jul
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Aug
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Sep
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Oct
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Nov
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jan (20 rain days), driest Apr (15). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Strabane: 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 (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
20 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
16 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
18 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
15 rd
May
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
15 rd
Jun
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
15 rd
Jul
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
17 rd
Aug
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
18 rd
Sep
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
17 rd
Oct
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
19 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
19 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
20 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is walkable in 10 minutes; Lifford is a 15-minute walk over the bridge. Buses towards Omagh stop at Sion Mills. For anything else out of town you need a car or a taxi.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
Ulsterbus 98 from Strabane bus station, about 40 min
Walled city, museums and the best food and beds in the area; go for the day or move your base there.
Omagh
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Ulsterbus 273 towards Belfast, about 40 min
Ulster American Folk Park is the reason to come; bus 97 adds extra weekday runs.
Lifford, County Donegal
goDoor to door: 15 min
Walk across the Foyle bridge, 15 min
Old Courthouse museum and tours; no border checks, but bring ID.
Sion Mills
cautionDoor to door: 20–30 min
Bus towards Omagh, or 10 min by car
Derelict mill village; the swinging bridge and riverside mechanisms are the visible parts.
Door to door: About 1 h
Car via the A5 and A505, or bus with a change
Better as a stop on a longer Tyrone drive than a return day trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
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 (Main St, Railway St, Castle St)
Walk to bars, the Alley Theatre and the bridge to Lifford; limited rooms, book ahead.
Dublin Road / south end
Fir Trees Hotel and easy A5 access; 10–15 min walk to the centre.
Ballymagorry, north on the A5
Guesthouses midway to Derry; only useful with a car.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- £45–70 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- £70–110 (≈ US$95–150) excl. bed
- High
- £110 (≈ US$150)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse or B&B double1 × 1 night × £95 | £95 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × £90 | £180 |
| Ulsterbus Strabane to Derry, one way2 × £6 | £12 |
| Ulsterbus Belfast to Strabane, one way2 × £18 | £36 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × £8 | £16 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £34 |
| Trip total≈ £187 per person per day, bed included | £373≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in pounds; based on a short stay, since most travellers sleep in Derry. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or tea in a café | £2.50–4 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Pub main course | £12–18 (≈ US$16–25) |
| Pint of beer | £4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Taxi across town | £5–8 (≈ US$7–11) |
| Bus Strabane to Derry | £5–7 (≈ US$7–10) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | £6–12 (≈ US$8–16) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The Foyle is the international border: carry your passport or ID card, and check your car hire or insurance covers both the UK and Ireland.
- Mobile phones can latch onto Irish networks across the river and pick up roaming charges; check your network settings.
- Sion Mills mill buildings are derelict and fire-damaged: view from a distance, do not enter.
- Gray's Printing Press is closed at present: check the National Trust site before travelling for it.
- Some bars and eateries have closed or changed hands; check opening hours on the day.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 999
- Police non-urgent
- 101
- NHS non-urgent
- 111
Pocket card
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StrabaneAn Srath Bán
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance999
- Police non-urgent101
- NHS non-urgent111
Embassy
No embassies in Strabane; the US consulate-general is in Belfast, and Dublin handles many nationalities for the island.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Strabane → Derry (Ulsterbus 98): about 40 min, £5–7 (≈ US$7–10)
- Bus Strabane → Belfast (Ulsterbus 273): about 2 h 30 min, £15–20 (≈ US$20–30)
- Taxi in town: £5–8 (≈ US$7–11)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Please — Please
- Excuse me — Excuse me
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Where is the bus station? — Where is the bus station?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
English is spoken everywhere; no local phrase list is needed.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
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 Strabane. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Jan–Feb (wet, dark early) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares