Major city · United Kingdom
PortrushPort Rois
Give Portrush 2 nights as a Causeway Coast base: beaches and golf on foot, Giant's Causeway and Bushmills by bus 402. One night only if you drive.
Portrush is a small seaside town on a peninsula in County Antrim, population about 6,000, and the handiest base for the Giant's Causeway coast. The town itself is walkable in an afternoon: two beaches, a harbour, a funfair and a championship golf course. Everything else on the coast is a bus ride east. In July and August beds sell out and prices jump, so book ahead.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Jul–Aug (crowds and peak prices); Northwest 200 race week in May if you want quiet
- Airports
- BFS · BHD · LDY
- Nights
- 2
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 Portrush999 ▾
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 Portrush, 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
- SafetyA small, low-crime resort town; the real risks are cold water and rip currents at the strands, wet clifftop paths…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers999 or 112 police, fire, ambulance · 101 police non-urgent · 111 NHS non-urgent (not 911, 999 or 000)
- 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 (Train from Antrim to Coleraine, then change for Portrush; about 2 h total).
- Getting aroundWalk: the town is small and the peninsula layout makes driving slow, with scarce parking in summer.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
- BeerPint of beer£5–6.50 (≈ US$7–9)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week£8–15 (≈ US$11–20)
- Museum or sight ticketDunluce Castle entry£6–8 (≈ US$8–11)
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per person£30 (≈ US$40)
- Mid-range bedB&B or hotel double room, a night, per room£140 (≈ US$190)
- High-end bedB&B or hotel double room, a night, per room£220 (≈ US$300)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £45 (≈ US$60) · Mid £85 (≈ US$120) · High £150 (≈ US$200)
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 (Train from Antrim to Coleraine, then change for Portrush; about 2 h total) · BHD George Best Belfast City (Bus or taxi to Belfast Grand Central, then the hourly train north) · LDY City of Derry (Smaller option; bus or taxi to Coleraine then train)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
not flagged
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
Care
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jun
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jul
Care
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Aug
Care
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Sep
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Oct
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Best: Jun, Sep. Mixed: May, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Jan (18 rain days), driest Apr (13). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Portrush: 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)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
18 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
15 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
16 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
13 rd
May
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
13 rd
Jun
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
13 rd
Jul
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
15 rd
Aug
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
16 rd
Sep
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
15 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
17 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
17 rd
Dec
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
18 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
Walk: the town is small and the peninsula layout makes driving slow, with scarce parking in summer. Bus 140 links Portstewart every 20 min Mon–Sat; bus 402 runs every 30 min east to Dunluce Castle, Bushmills, Giant's Causeway and Ballycastle. Trains run hourly to Coleraine and Belfast.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Giant's Causeway
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Bus 402 from Dunluce Ave, about 30 min
Go early; the stones are free to walk to, the visitor centre is ticketed.
Dunluce Castle
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Bus 402 towards Bushmills, about 15 min, then a short walk
Ruined clifftop castle; open daily 9:30–16:00.Ruined clifftop castle; open daily 9:30 AM–4:00 PM.
Bushmills distillery
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Bus 402, about 25 min
Tours run through the day; book ahead in summer.
Portstewart
goDoor to door: About 20 min
Bus 140, about 10 min, or a 3-mile walk west
Similar small resort with a harbour and a long strand.
Door to door: About 1 h
Bus 402 towards Ballycastle, then walk
Timed tickets in season; check before travelling.
Door to door: About 2 h
Train via Coleraine, hourly
Too far for a comfortable day return; stay over instead.
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 and around the station)
Hotels, the railway station and both strands on foot; noisiest near late bars.
Lansdowne Crescent and Dhu Varren
B&B strip half a mile south of the centre, near the Dhu Varren rail halt.
Ballyreagh Road and the golf course
Quieter, east of town; caravan park and a hotel, 20–30 min walk to the centre.
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
- £70–120 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
- High
- £120 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| B&B or hotel double room1 × 2 nights × £140 | £280 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × £85 | £340 |
| Bus 402 day return to Giant's Causeway2 × £12 | £24 |
| Train Belfast → Portrush return2 × £30 | £60 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × £10 | £20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £72 |
| Trip total≈ £199 per person per day, bed included | £796≈ US$1,100 |
2026 estimate in pounds; travel to Portrush excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | £3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Fish and chips | £10–16 (≈ US$14–25) |
| Pint of beer | £5–6.50 (≈ US$7–9) |
| Causeway Coast bus day ticket | £10–15 (≈ US$14–20) |
| Dunluce Castle entry | £6–8 (≈ US$8–11) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | £8–15 (≈ US$11–20) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer weekends and race week fill every bed: book weeks ahead.
- Parking in the centre is scarce in July and August; leave the car at your accommodation.
- The Northwest 200 closes roads around Portrush, Portstewart and Coleraine for a week in May.
- Sea and surf here are cold year-round; West Strand has lifeguards in season only.
- Bus 172 from Coleraine bypasses Portrush: take 402 or 140 instead.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 999 or 112
- Police non-urgent
- 101
- NHS non-urgent
- 111
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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PortrushPort Rois
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance999 or 112
- Police non-urgent101
- NHS non-urgent111
Embassy
No embassies in Portrush; the US consulate-general is in Belfast, and most other countries keep embassies in London or Dublin.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus 402 Portrush → Giant's Causeway: about £6 (≈ US$8) single, 30 min
- Train Portrush → Belfast: about £15 (≈ US$20) single, 2 h
- Taxi across town: £5–8 (≈ US$7–11)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Please — Please
- Where is the bus stop? — Where is the bus stop?
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the toilet? — Where is the toilet?
English is spoken everywhere; no phrasebook 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 Portrush. 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 Jul–Aug (crowds and peak prices); Northwest 200 race week in May if you want quiet · 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
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for BFS and BHD: last train north field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: West Strand and the station, the harbour and Ramore Head, East Strand and the funfair, the golf course and Ballyreagh.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Dunluce Castle, Giant's Causeway visitor centre, Bushmills distillery) and eat pages with last orders.
- Northwest 200 and summer-peak fixtures so gates A–D can go green.