Allen's Tours - (Causeway Tours)
ENTRY
from £12
WHERE
Belfast
What it’s like
A day tour from Belfast out to the Giant's Causeway, with time to walk the basalt columns and coastal trails.
The main event is the coastline itself: thousands of hexagonal basalt columns stepping out into the sea, with trails along the cliffs either side. The guided tour gets you there and back without you having to think about the coastal driving, and most people spend an hour and a half to two hours actually at the stones once you arrive, with the tours themselves allowing two to two and a half hours.
There's a paved path down from the visitor centre, with a gradual incline, and an accessible shuttle runs between the centre and the stones if you'd rather not walk it. The walk down is about 0.8 miles and mostly downhill, which sounds easy until you're doing the return leg into a headwind. Wear proper walking shoes with grip, because the stones get slippery when wet, and the site is honest that the weather along this coast turns quickly.
Getting to the stones themselves is free, but the National Trust visitor centre package is a separate cost on top and it isn't cheap: parking alone can run £16 to £18 for an adult once you add in the exhibition and centre access. July and August between 11am and 3pm are the crowded hours, so if you can go in spring or early autumn instead, do. Winter brings its own problem, as the exposed trails can close in strong wind and heavy rain.
Prices for the tours themselves range from £12 up to £35 depending which one you book, with the Causeway and Game of Thrones tour and the hop-on hop-off city tour both on offer alongside the shore excursion option for cruise passengers. Booking is available online, and cruise passengers travelling into Belfast for the day are specifically catered for on the day tour.
Need to know
- How long to allow
- 1.5 to 2 hours at the Giant's Causeway itself
- Wheelchairs
- Paved path from visitor centre to stones with gradual incline
- Wear walking shoes with good grip, the basalt stones are slippery when wet
- Bring a waterproof and dress in layers, the coastal weather changes quickly
- Winter visits can be disrupted, exposed trails sometimes close in strong wind and rain
- The 0.8 mile walk down is easy going but the uphill return is tiring in bad weather
Plan your visit
How much does the tour cost?
It depends which one. The Causeway and Game of Thrones tour is £30, or £12 with the Belfast City Sightseeing discount, and the shore excursion tour for cruise passengers is £25.
Is the Giant's Causeway itself free to get into?
Access to the basalt stones and coastal trails is free. The National Trust visitor centre package with parking and exhibitions is a separate paid extra, and parking alone can be £16 to £18 for an adult.
How long do you get at the Causeway?
Most people spend an hour and a half to two hours at the stones, and the tours build in two to two and a half hours to allow for that.
Is it manageable with limited mobility?
The path from the visitor centre to the stones is paved with a gradual incline, and there is an accessible shuttle between the centre and the main formations if you would rather not walk it.
What is the best time to go to avoid crowds?
Spring and early autumn tend to be quieter with better weather. July and August between 11am and 3pm are the busiest hours.
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