Major city · United Kingdom
BallycastleBaile an Chaistil
Base here 2 nights for the Causeway Coast: Carrick-a-Rede, Fair Head and Rathlin are within 30 min, and beds cost less than Portrush in July.
Ballycastle is a small harbour town on the north Antrim coast, 5,600 people, with the Giant's Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and the Dark Hedges all within a short drive or bus ride. It works as a quieter, cheaper base for that coast: two nights covers the headlands, the beach and a ferry day on Rathlin Island. A car or bike makes the difference; without one you are tied to the hourly coastal bus.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Feb (wind, rain, short days)
- 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 Ballycastle111 ▾
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 Ballycastle, 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 low-crime small town; the real risks are coastal: cliff edges at Fair Head and Torr Head, fast tides and cold water at the Strand…
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.
- AirportBFS Belfast International (About 1 h 15 min by road; no direct bus, change at Ballymena.).
- Getting aroundThe town is walkable in 15 minutes end to end.
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£12–20 (≈ US$16–30)
- BeerPint of beer£5–6 (≈ US$7–8)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi, town to Carrick-a-Redecheck£12–18 (≈ US$16–25)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person£25 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse or B&B double, a night, per room£120 (≈ US$160)
- High-end bedGuesthouse or B&B double, a night, per room£170 (≈ 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 →
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 15 min by road; no direct bus, change at Ballymena.) · BHD George Best Belfast City (About 1 h 30 min by road via the Antrim coast or M2.) · LDY City of Derry (About 1 h 15 min by road east along the A2.)
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
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Aug
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Sep
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Oct
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Nov
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Jan (20 rain days), driest Apr (14). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Ballycastle: 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)
20 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
16 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
17 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
14 rd
May
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
14 rd
Jun
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
14 rd
Jul
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
16 rd
Aug
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
17 rd
Sep
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
16 rd
Oct
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
19 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
19 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
19 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 town is walkable in 15 minutes end to end. For the coast, Ulsterbus 402 runs every 30 min daily along the A2 via Dunluce Castle, Bushmills, the Giant's Causeway, Dunseverick and Ballintoy (Carrick-a-Rede), about 70 min end to end. Bus 131/217 goes inland to Ballymena hourly Mon–Fri, four on Saturday. Everything else — Fair Head, Torr Head, Kinbane, the glens — needs a car, taxi or bike. The seafront car park is free but limited to two hours and fills in summer; ferry passengers should park on Ann Street off Quay Road.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Rathlin Island
goDoor to door: About 1 h plus island time
Rathlin Island Ferries from the harbour, about 30 min, four sailings daily
Cars are not carried for visitors; park on Ann Street. Bring layers and a full day.
Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Ulsterbus 402 to Ballintoy, then a 20-min walk
Timed tickets in summer; no dogs.
Giant's Causeway
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Ulsterbus 402 west, about 40 min
Go early or late; the visitor centre charges, the stones themselves are free to reach on foot.
Bushmills distillery
goDoor to door: About 35 min
Ulsterbus 402, about 30 min
Tours sell out in summer; book a slot.
Fair Head and Murlough Bay
goDoor to door: About 20 min
Car or bike via Torr Road from the A2
No bus. Cliffs up to 100 m; stay back from the edge in wind.
Dark Hedges
cautionDoor to door: About 30 min
Car via Armoy, about 20 min; bus 131/217 stops at Armoy
A short roadside stop, not a half-day; go before 9AM to avoid coaches.
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.
Harbour and North Street
Guesthouses, the Marine Hotel and the beach on foot; no need for a car in the evening.
The Diamond and Castle Street
Town centre: pubs, Spar, museum; 5–8 min walk to the harbour.
Quay Road and Cushendall Road
Guesthouses and the golf club; 10–15 min walk to the seafront.
Whitepark Road (Ballintoy)
Hostel and self-catering near White Park Bay; you need 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 × 2 nights × £120 | £240 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × £75 | £300 |
| Ulsterbus 402 day return along the coast2 × £8 · check | £16 |
| Rathlin Island ferry, return2 × £14 · check | £28 |
| Carrick-a-Rede adult ticket2 × £15 · check | £30 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × £10 | £20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £63 |
| Trip total≈ £174 per person per day, bed included | £697≈ US$950 |
2026 estimate in pounds; flights and car hire excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or tea in a café | £2.50–4 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Fish and chips | £10–15 (≈ US$14–20) |
| Pub main course | £12–20 (≈ US$16–30) |
| Pint of beer | £5–6 (≈ US$7–8) |
| Dulse and yellowman at the Lammas FairFair only, last Monday and Tuesday of August. | £2–5 (≈ US$3–7) |
| Taxi, town to Carrick-a-Redecheck | £12–18 (≈ US$16–25) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The seafront car park has a two-hour maximum stay and fills quickly in July and August.
- Carrick-a-Rede is a timed-ticket site in summer: book ahead or arrive at opening.
- There is no footpath between Carrick-a-Rede and Ballycastle, so the Causeway Coast Way section here means walking the busy main road.
- Coastal winds and rain arrive fast; a waterproof beats an umbrella on the headlands.
- Rathlin ferries can be cancelled in high wind — keep the return leg flexible.
Emergency numbers
- NHS non-urgent
- 111
- Police non-urgent
- 101
Pocket card
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BallycastleBaile an Chaistil
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- NHS non-urgent111
- Police non-urgent101
Embassy
No embassies in Ballycastle; the US consulate-general is in Belfast, and most other countries have embassies in London or Dublin.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Ulsterbus 402, Ballycastle → Giant's Causeway: about 40 min, day return under £10 (≈ US$14) (check)
- Rathlin Island ferry, return: about 30 min each way, four sailings daily (check)
- Taxi Ballycastle → Ballymena: £35–45 (≈ US$50–60) (check)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Please — Please
- Where is the harbour? — Where is the harbour?
- One fish and chips, please — One fish and chips, please
- Is the ferry running today? — Is the ferry running today?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
English is the everyday language here; Irish (Gaeilge) is spoken in some homes and on signage.
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 Ballycastle. 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 Nov–Feb (wind, rain, short days) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 4 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 bus and train times, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: harbour and Strand, The Diamond, Quay Road, and the Ballintoy/Whitepark Road strip.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Carrick-a-Rede, Giant's Causeway, Bonamargy Friary, Kinbane) and eat pages with last orders.
- Ferry-day fixtures for Rathlin and the Kintyre Express so weather cancellations have a plan B.
Sources
- officialBallycastle — North Antrim official site
- officialRathlin Island Ferries
- officialNational Trust — Carrick-a-Rede
- officialNational Trust — White Park Bay
- officialCommunities NI — Bonamargy Friary
- officialWalkNI — Ulster Way / Causeway Coast Way
- secondaryWikivoyage: Ballycastle, revision 5209682 (CC BY-SA 4.0)