The Giant’s Causeway is the reason many people come to the North Coast, and Portrush is one of the best bases for it. It’s about 20 minutes from our apartments, so you can go early, come back for lunch, or fit it around a beach walk and a round of golf. Here’s how to get there and how to make the most of your visit.
What is the Giant’s Causeway?
The Giant’s Causeway was Northern Ireland’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to the National Trust, which looks after it, there are over 40,000 basalt columns here, formed some 60 million years ago. You can read UNESCO’s own description on the World Heritage List.
Book before you go
The National Trust says pre-booking is essential. The Visitor Experience ticket includes parking at the main car park, hourly guided tours, audio guides in 11 languages and the exhibition in the visitor centre. Book on the National Trust website, where you’ll also find current prices and opening times.
Opening times change through the year. On the day we checked (3 November 2026), the coastline was open from dawn to dusk and the visitor centre from 10am to 4pm. Check the calendar on the National Trust page for your dates.
Getting there from Portrush
By car
The visitor centre is on the B147 Causeway Road, 2 miles from Bushmills village. From Portrush it’s about 20 minutes along the coast road. Parking near the Causeway is limited:
- Main car park: next to the visitor centre, for National Trust members and Visitor Experience ticket holders. The Trust strongly advises booking online.
- Causeway Coast Way car park: at Innisfree Farm, 60 Causeway Road, for walkers, at £12 per vehicle through the JustPark app. National Trust members park free.
- Park and Ride from Bushmills: park in the Dundarave car park in Bushmills, buy a Park and Ride ticket at the Bushmills Visitor Information Centre (it includes your bus fare and admission to the Visitor Experience), and take the bus to the Causeway.
By bus and train
The National Trust lists several Translink bus services that stop at the Causeway: Ulsterbus 172, Goldliner 221, the Causeway Rambler 402, the Open Top Causeway Coast 177 and the Antrim Coaster 252. Some run only in certain seasons, so check times on the Translink website before you set out. By train, you can travel to Coleraine and change to the Ulsterbus 172.
On foot or by bike
For a big day out, walk there. The Causeway Coast Way runs along the coast from Portstewart to Ballycastle. From Portrush, the section to Portballintrae is 9.3 km, past Whiterocks and Dunluce Castle, and the next section on to the Giant’s Causeway is 4.3 km, entirely off-road. Wear proper boots, take water and check the weather. If you’d rather not walk back, check the Translink bus times before you set off. Cyclists can use National Cycle Network Route 93, which the National Trust says links to the site.
By sea
To see the Causeway from the water, Causeway Boats runs trips from Portrush Harbour along the coast past Dunluce Castle to the Giant’s Causeway. Aquaholics offers a 2.5-hour trip from Portstewart to the Skerries, Dunluce and the Causeway, with a pick-up in Portrush. Trips depend on the weather.
At the Causeway: choosing your trail
The National Trust has four colour-coded trails from the visitor centre:
- Blue Trail: the direct route, under a mile (0.8 miles), straight down to the famous stones, past rock formations the Trust describes as steeped in Irish legend.
- Red Trail: a bracing clifftop trail with viewpoints along the way.
- Green Trail: about 2 miles and fully accessible.
- Yellow Trail: see the National Trust page for the route and distance.
If the walk down is too much, two electric minibuses run a shuttle from the visitor centre to the stones. Wheelchairs and mobility scooters are available to borrow at no extra charge for members and Visitor Experience ticket holders.
Our tips
- Go early or late. The coastline is open from dawn to dusk, and the stones are at their most peaceful at the start and end of the day.
- Wear shoes with grip. The columns can be wet and slippery, especially near the water.
- Dress for the wind. Even in summer it can be breezy on the cliffs.
- Bring the dog. Dogs on leads are welcome across the World Heritage Site and in the visitor centre. Read Portrush with your dog for more.
- Check the opening calendar. Winter days are short, so plan around the light.
Make a day of it
The Causeway sits in the middle of some of the best coast in Ireland, so it’s easy to combine with other stops:
- Dunluce Castle, about 12 minutes from Portrush, on the way. No need to book.
- Bushmills Distillery, in the village 2 miles away. Book your tour online.
- Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, about 28 minutes from Portrush. The bridge was first put up by salmon fishermen in 1755. Pre-booking is essential, and it can close in bad weather.
- White Park Bay and Dunseverick Castle, a quieter stretch of National Trust coast between the Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede.
Our Portrush and Causeway Coast area guide has more, from beaches and golf to where to eat.
Stay in Portrush
Staying in Portrush means you can visit the Causeway on your own schedule, then come back to the beach, the harbour and dinner in town. We have 29 self-catering apartments in central Portrush. Book direct for our best price. Pay 50% when you book (non-refundable), and the rest any time before you arrive. Coming in the quieter months? Look at our winter stays.