Major city · United Kingdom
DerryDoire
Give Derry 2 nights: walk the 1.3 km (0.8 mi) walls in the morning, the Bogside in the afternoon, then use it as a base for the Causeway Coast.Give Derry 2 nights: walk the 0.8 mi (1.3 km) walls in the morning, the Bogside in the afternoon, then use it as a base for the Causeway Coast.
Derry is Northern Ireland's second city, built on the River Foyle where the walled centre sits on a crag above the Bogside. The walls, the Bogside murals and the two conflict museums are the core; the compact centre is walkable in a day, but two nights let you add the Causeway Coast or Donegal.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Jan–Feb (wet and windy)
- Airports
- LDY · BFS · BHD · DUB
- 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 Derry111 ▾
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 Derry, 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
- SafetyOne of the safer UK cities for visitors; the centre and Bogside are fine in daylight.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers111 NHS non-urgent · 101 police 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.
- AirportLDY City of Derry Airport (7 miles east at Eglinton; taxi to the centre about 20 min, bus stops on the main road 200 yards from the terminal).
- Getting aroundThe centre is compact and walkable: the walls are 1.325 km (0.8 mi) around and the Bogside is a short walk from the gates.The centre is compact and walkable: the walls are 0.8 mi (1.325 km) around and the Bogside is a short walk from the gates.
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 draught 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 ticketMuseum entry (Tower, Siege, Free Derry)£4–10 (≈ US$6–14)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person£22 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per room£110 (≈ US$150)
- High-end bedGuesthouse 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 £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
- LDY City of Derry Airport (7 miles east at Eglinton; taxi to the centre about 20 min, bus stops on the main road 200 yards from the terminal) · BFS Belfast International (Airporter bus runs hourly from Derry bus station direct to the airport) · BHD Belfast City (George Best) (Same Airporter bus, after Belfast International) · DUB Dublin (Bus X3/X4 from Dublin Busáras and the airport, about 3 h 30 min, 3 per day)
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 (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Jan (18 rain days), driest Apr (13). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Derry: 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)
14 rd
Aug
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
15 rd
Sep
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
15 rd
Oct
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
17 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
17 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°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
The centre is compact and walkable: the walls are 1.325 km around and the Bogside is a short walk from the gates. Bus 2d links the Waterside railway station to the centre hourly, or walk across Craigavon Bridge or the Peace Bridge. You need your own wheels for Grianan of Aileach and the Donegal coast.
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 and Bushmills
goDoor to door: About 2–2.5 h each way
Train to Coleraine, then bus along the Antrim coast
A full day; start early, the coast bus is infrequent.
Grianan of Aileach
goDoor to door: About 30 min by car
Car or taxi to Burt, Co Donegal, about 15 min from the border
Free, open 24 h; a 6th/7th-century ringfort with walls 4.5 m thick. No public transport.
Castlerock and the coast line
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Train from Waterside station
The last stretch of the Belfast line along the coast is the scenic part.
Portstewart
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Train to Coleraine, then bus
Better as a summer beach stop than a wet-day trip.
Limavady
skipDoor to door: About 40 min
Goldline 234 bus via Limavady
A transport stop, not a sight in itself.
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.
Cityside (walled city)
Inside or beside the walls; everything on foot, best for a short stay.
Waterside
East bank by the railway station; cross the Peace Bridge or Craigavon Bridge, about 15–20 min walk to the centre.
Bogside / Creggan
West of the walls; the murals and Museum of Free Derry are here, quieter at night.
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
| Guesthouse or hotel double room1 × 2 nights × £110 | £220 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × £85 | £340 |
| Airporter bus, Derry to Belfast International, one way2 × £20 · check | £40 |
| Train Derry to Belfast, one way2 × £15 · check | £30 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × £10 | £20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £65 |
| Trip total≈ £179 per person per day, bed included | £715≈ US$1,000 |
2026 estimate in pounds; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | £3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Pub lunch or a bowl of soup | £8–14 (≈ US$11–19) |
| Pint of draught beer | £5–6.50 (≈ US$7–9) |
| Taxi, city centre to City of Derry Airportcheck | About £11 (≈ US$15) |
| Museum entry (Tower, Siege, Free Derry) | £4–10 (≈ US$6–14) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | £8–15 (≈ US$11–20) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The city name is political: signs south of the border read Derry, north of it Londonderry, and some are defaced. Use Derry unless a local corrects you.
- The Bogside is safe in daylight; treat murals and memorials as living political space, not a backdrop.
- Walls are mostly over 12 ft high with a walkway and no railings in places: watch children and wind.
- Rain arrives fast off the Atlantic; a waterproof beats an umbrella on the wall walk.
Emergency numbers
- NHS non-urgent
- 111
- Police non-urgent
- 101
Pocket card
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DerryDoire
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- NHS non-urgent111
- Police non-urgent101
Embassy
No embassies in Derry; the US has a consulate-general in Belfast, and most countries' embassies are in London or Dublin.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi LDY airport → city centre: about £11 (≈ US$15), 20 min (check)
- Train Derry → Belfast: about £15 (≈ US$20), 2 h (check)
- Goldline 212 bus Derry → Belfast: about £12 (≈ US$16), 2 h (check)
Say or show
- Excuse me — Excuse me / Sorry
- Thanks / Cheers — Thank you
- How much is that? — How much is it?
- Do you take card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where's the toilet? — Where is the toilet?
UK plugs are type G, 230 V. Tipping: 10–12.5% in restaurants if no service charge, not in pubs.
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 Derry. 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 and windy) · month by month →
- 4 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
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for LDY: taxi rank and yellow-phone fallback, bus stop 200 yards out, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: walls and Guildhall, Bogside and Free Derry Corner, Waterside and the Peace Bridge, Foyle Street bus station.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Guildhall, Tower Museum, Siege Museum, Museum of Free Derry) and eat pages with last orders.
- Wet-day and hostile-arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.