National park · United Kingdom
Giant's Causeway
Walk in free along the clifftop path from Portballintrae or Dunseverick, or pay £18 for the car park and Visitor Centre; go before 10:00 or after 16:00 to miss the coach crowds.Walk in free along the clifftop path from Portballintrae or Dunseverick, or pay £18 for the car park and Visitor Centre; go before 10:00 AM or after 4:00 PM to miss the coach crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
approximate
Established
1986
Best months
Apr–Jun, Sep
UNESCO
World Heritage
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.
At a glance
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Area
- 1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
- The National Trust cares for about 0.7 km² of coast here; the World Heritage Site boundary is wider (check).
- Established
- 1986
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
The Giant's Causeway is a basalt column coast in County Antrim, run by the National Trust and Northern Ireland's only UNESCO World Heritage Site. The rocks themselves are free to reach on foot, 24 hours a day; the £18 adult ticket buys the car park, the exhibition and the shuttle, not the site. Around 40,000 columns run for 2–3 miles of coast, with the Grand Cascade as the centrepiece. It draws about a million visitors a year, so timing matters more than anything else.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1986Inscribed as a natural site; Northern Ireland's only World Heritage Site.
Size and age
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²) · national park since 1986
The National Trust cares for about 0.7 km² of coast here; the World Heritage Site boundary is wider (check).
Why go
- 40,000 basalt columns in hexagonal steps, formed by lava cooling about 60 million years ago.
- The low-level path puts you on the rock itself; the clifftop path gives the sea views.
- Free to enter on foot at any hour, so you can have the columns almost to yourself at dawn.
- A short drive from Bushmills distillery, Dunluce Castle and the Carrick-a-Rede bridge.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanQuiet; wind and rain, paths greasy
- FebQuiet; short daylight
- MarMild; showers
- AprLonger days, moderate crowds
- MayBest light; busy at weekends
- JunLongest days; go early or late
- JulPeak crowds and coach tours
- AugBusiest month; car park fills by mid-morning
- SepCrowds ease; still mild
- OctQuieter; shorter centre hours
- NovQuiet; wet and windy
- DecQuiet; short days, festive Bushmills
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seabirds on the cliffs (fulmar, guillemot, razorbill, cormorant)Apr–Jul · Breeding season; keep back from nest ledges. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
| Grey seals offshoreAll year · Seen from the clifftop path; do not approach. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Coastal wildflowers on the clifftopMay–Jul | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Belfast
Goldline bus 221 direct from Laganside station and Donegall Square via Ballymena and Bushmills; two morning departures, two afternoon returns.
1 h 30 min
Open the page →
From Belfast by car
M2 / A26 to Ballymena, then A44 towards Ballycastle and west on the A2 coast road.
1 h 20 min
From Coleraine
Train from Belfast to Coleraine, then bus 402 or 172 along the coast; stay aboard past Bushmills.
2–2.5 h
Open the page →
From Bushmills
Heritage railway or the shuttle bus from the park-and-ride; park free in the village.
15–20 min
From Portballintrae
Walk west along the clifftop path to the site.
25–35 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor Centre and car park | Exhibition, toilets, gift shop, The Nook restaurant next door. | Ticket holders; open daily Apr–Sep 10:00–17:00, Oct–Mar 10:00–16:00.Ticket holders; open daily Apr–Sep 10:00 AM–5:00 PM, Oct–Mar 10:00 AM–4:00 PM. |
| Low-level path | The tarmac lane down to the columns, past Portnaboe and the Grand Cascade. | Open; shuttle £1 each way. Ends at Port Reostan because of erosion. |
| Clifftop path | Miles of coast path with sea views and distant views of the rocks. | Open; linked to the low path by the steep Shepherd's Steps. |
| West coves | Portcoon Jetty and Portcoon Cave, missed by most visitors. | Open; the cave needs low tide and a torch. |
Sketch map
- 1Visitor Centre · Headquarters≈55.233, -6.517Map ↗
- 2Portnaboe (Bay of the Cow) · Beach≈55.237, -6.518Map ↗
- 3Grand Cascade · Viewpoint≈55.240, -6.512Map ↗
- 4Organ Pipes · Viewpoint≈55.242, -6.504Map ↗
- 5Portcoon Jetty and Cave · Cave≈55.234, -6.524Map ↗
- 6Lacanda Point · Viewpoint≈55.246, -6.502Map ↗
- 7Bushmills village · Town≈55.204, -6.523Map ↗
Take the points offline
7 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions along the coast from the Visitor Centre east to Lacanda Point, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visitor Centre ticket (includes car park, exhibition and shuttle) | GBP 18 (≈ US$25) | adult | 2026 estimate; child about £9, National Trust members free. Pre-booking advised at busy times. |
| Shuttle bus, Visitor Centre to the columns | GBP 1 (≈ US$2) | person each way | Free for National Trust members. |
| Causeway railway station car park | GBP 8 (≈ US$11) | car | Only if you are riding the heritage railway; free parking at Bushmills instead. |
| Goldline bus 221 from Belfast | Free | person | Fare varies by ticket type; check TransLink (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Site access on foot no permit
Car park permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- £18≈ US$25
- £1≈ US$2
- £8≈ US$11
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on National Trust — Giant's Causeway before you go.
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without permission from the National Trust (check).check
- Roadside parking
- Do not park on the narrow, double-yellow-lined roads near the entrance; vehicles are likely to be towed.
- Diving on the Girona wreck
- Forbidden; the Spanish Armada wreck lies in Spanish Bay.
- Cliff edges
- Stay back from the edge and off wet rock; the columns are slippery even in dry weather.
- Dogs
- Keep dogs under control and clean up after them; the coast path is shared with livestock in places (check).check
Where to stay
Near the park
Causeway Hotel and Finn McCool's Hostel
Both sit by the main car park, a few minutes from the entrance.
Near the park
Bushmills village
3 miles south; more rooms, free parking and the distillery.
Near the park
Portrush and Ballycastle
Larger resorts west and east along the coast with plenty of choice.
Safety
Slippery wet basalt medium
Waves and spray on the low path medium
Wind and exposure on the clifftop low
Crowds and car park full medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The low-level path from the Visitor Centre is tarmac and the shuttle bus runs along it, £1 each way.
- The clifftop path and the Shepherd's Steps are steep and not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility.
- The Visitor Centre has toilets and step-free access.
Visiting lightly
- Take the bus, the heritage railway or walk in; the high car park charge is meant to push you that way.
- Stay on the paths; the columns and cliff vegetation are fragile.
- Carry out all litter; there are no bins along the coast path.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Giant's Causeway?
The site itself is free and open 24 hours if you arrive on foot or by bus. The 2026 adult Visitor Centre ticket is about £18 (child about £9, National Trust members free), and that is what buys the car park, the exhibition and the shuttle bus. Parking at the Causeway is only available with that ticket.
What are the best hikes in Giant's Causeway?
The low-level path from the Visitor Centre to the Grand Cascade is the classic walk, about half a mile each way on tarmac. The clifftop path east towards Dunseverick Castle runs for miles with sea views, and the steep Shepherd's Steps link the two. West, the branch to Portcoon Jetty and Cave is the quietest option.
When is the best time to visit Giant's Causeway?
April to June and September give the best mix of light, weather and manageable crowds. July and August are the busiest, with the car park filling by mid-morning. Whatever the month, arriving before 10:00 or after 16:00 avoids the coach tours.
Can I visit Giant's Causeway without a car?
Yes. Goldline bus 221 runs direct from Belfast, or take the train to Coleraine and bus 402 or 172 along the coast. The heritage railway and a shuttle from the Bushmills park-and-ride are other options.
Is Giant's Causeway worth it if it is crowded?
The columns are genuinely impressive, but a million visitors a year pass through. Go early or late, walk in from Portballintrae or Dunseverick, and you can have long stretches of the coast to yourself.
How long do you need at Giant's Causeway?
Two to three hours covers the Visitor Centre, the low-level path to the Grand Cascade and back. Add an hour or two if you walk the clifftop path east, or half a day if you link it with Bushmills distillery or Dunluce Castle.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go