Van Travel
What better way to discover the ‘craic 90?! Visiting Northern Ireland in the comfort of your Campervan and Motorhome does not disappoint. It is a fantastic destination for van life with so much to offer. The Western Scottish Isles are only a stone’s throw away from Northern Ireland, making it a short and very easy journey to make from mainland Britain. Northern Ireland has some of the most varied, rugged, beautiful landscapes and seacoast. The infamous Giants causeway and the spectacular Causeway Coastal Route sure packs a punch, along 130 miles of scenic coastline, it boasts a road trip like no other. We took Jungle Jim, our self converted Van for a trip around Northern Ireland and made a guide of absolutely everything you need to know.
Long fun road tripping
Throw a stone and you’ll hit a castle ruin
Table of Contents
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom located in the northeastern region of the island of Ireland. It is made up of six counties: Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry, and Tyrone. Its capital city is Belfast. The history of Northern Ireland is complex and has been marked by conflict between those who identify as British and those who identify as Irish. This conflict, known as “The Troubles,” lasted from the late 1960s to the late 1990s and resulted in the loss of thousands of lives. Since then, Northern Ireland has undergone significant political and social changes which brought an end to the conflict. Today Northern Ireland continues to work towards a peaceful and prosperous future. Northern Ireland is a diverse and vibrant region with a rich cultural heritage. It is known for its stunning natural beautiful and legendary landscapes like the Giant’s Causeway, the Mourne Mountains, and the Glens of Antrim. It is also famous for its music, literature, and art, as well as its strong sporting traditions, particularly in football, rugby, and Gaelic games. Being such an easily accessible place from The UK makes it a fantastic getaway and holiday location.
People and culture
Famed for their dark humour and great wit. You will be greeted with hospitality like no other. When we Traveled around Northern Ireland it was a joy as we were greeted with warmth and friendliness. The people have a more relaxed and welcoming attitude towards Campervans and motorhomes and before you know it you’ll be making friends. That’s why we found campervanning in Northern Ireland to be easy and stress-free. Northern Ireland has a rich cultural and historical heritage, shaped by its location at the crossroads of several influences, including Gaelic, Anglo-Saxon, Norman, and Scottish. The area has a long history of conflict, including the centuries-long struggle between the native Gaelic-speaking Irish, English and Scottish settlers, and more recently sectarian tensions between Catholics and Protestants. This history is reflected in the political, social, and cultural fabric of Northern Ireland, including its literature, music, art, and folklore.
Best time to visit
Depending on the activities you plan to do: Northern Ireland could be great in all seasons and weather! The average response to the best time to visit would be of course; from June- August in the summer, due to the warmest, brightest and driest time of year. However, this can be a really congested time to travel with a campervan and motorhome.
We recommend Spring and Autumn as the weather hasn’t gotten so cold yet that you can’t enjoy the outdoors and it’s much quieter when travelling in a motorhome and Campervan. We travelled to Northern Ireland in March & April and had excellent weather for most of the trip. It was much drier than we expected (we are Scottish and use to Rain for eternity) with many days of sunshine.
Exploring
Causeway Coastal Route
130 miles of rugged, wild and beautiful coastline is undoubtedly one of the highlights of Northern Ireland. The Causeway Coastal Route is a wonderful and adventurous road trip and one of the most scenic in the whole of the UK. The route is adorned with quaint port towns, historic fishing villages, magnificent cliffs, mythical castles and an abundance of natural geological wonders. The Crown of the Causeway Coastal route is the Giants Causeway. A UNESCO world heritage sight that’s truly magical. The mystical causeway is home to Fin (The Giant, of course) and 40,000 Basalt rock columns. In the 130 miles of Causeway coast, you will be spoilt for choice for awe-inspiring places to visit.
Belfast
No visit to Northern Ireland is complete without a trip to Belfast, the vibrant and diverse capital. As a motorhome and Campervan traveller, you may be someone who avoids big cities as they are generally hard to navigate and park in. However, this isn’t the case for Belfast. The roads and navigation through the city is easy and straightforward. Roads are not narrow and there are plenty of safe places to park your campervan and motorhome. We stayed at a large paid-for parking area right in the city, a stone’s throw from the centre. The car park had no height restrictions and ample space for all types of vehicles big and small. We found that sticking to the East side of the river, along the Titanic Quarter, offers more expansive places to park. Check out where we stayed here.
Enjoy NI’s roads, we did
Giants causways unusual balsat formations
Getting there
An island country at the top of Ireland surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Irish Sea. There are ferry Routes connecting Northern Ireland with Scotland and England.
Ferries
At its closest point, Scotland (UK) is only 12 miles away from Northern Ireland. There has been travel between the two nations for a very long time. The most common ferry routes run from: Cairnryan to Belfast via the Stenaline Ferry and, Cairnryan to Larne via P&O Ferries. Both take around one hour and a half and there are many sailings a day. If you are making your way from England, as far as i am aware there is the Stenaline ferry from Liverpool to Belfast, which takes around 8 hours to cross. Prices can vary between crossing but are around: £171-£200 one way for a van up to 7-metres.
Borders
The Northern Ireland border is the boundary between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, which gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1922. The border is 499 km long and has been the site of much conflict and controversy throughout modern history, particularly during the Troubles of the late 20th century. In 1998, the border became largely invisible, with the free movement of people and goods between the two countries. However, the UK’s exit from the European Union in 2020 has created new challenges, as Northern Ireland is now part of the UK’s customs territory while remaining aligned with the EU’s single market. What this means for travelling in a motorhome and campervan is that it is hassle-free and there are no border-crossings.
Roads and Navigation
Most roads are easy to navigate and well-maintained. Towns and cities are well connected and there are no tollways. Some vehicles may not be suitable for parts of the Causeway Coastal Route; these roads are often narrow and lack a passing place, they are however very clearly signposted, so make sure you keep an eye out for them
Whilst driving through Northern Ireland keep your eyes on this traffic watch which gives you access to updated news regarding roads and closures good if you plan on travelling in Winter!
Check what documents you need to drive in Northern Ireland here
Check exactly what kind of to drive in Northern Ireland here.
Road rules
Drive: Left-Hand Drive
Speed Limits:
30mph in urban areas
60mph outside urban areas
70mph dual carriageways & motorways.
Tollways & Vignettes:
N/A to Northern Ireland
Fines & Fixed Penalties:
Check Here
Amazing Coastal ruins
Kinbane Castle
Temporary spit to Coney Island
Parking
Much like the rest of the UK public parking is ample. There is an extensive network of laybys, rest areas and service station areas along national highways. Most viewpoints and tourist areas will have either a free or paid parking area.
Like England, lots of land in Northern Ireland is private and you may find yourself parking on private land near a hike or tourist attraction, if this is the case you may find a donation box for the cost of parking on private land; like at Fairhead Cliffs and The hidden village of Galboly. In places like the Giants Causeway, the parking is paid, but there are many wonderful free, well-maintained parking areas like the amazing parking spot also.
Routes & Roadtrips
Some other Routes, road trips and drives are: The game of thrones filming locations, The Glens of Antrim and some other spectacular drives here:
Motorhome and campervan hire Northern Ireland
If you don’t have a campervan or want to leave yours at home; renting a Motorhome and Campervan couldn’t be easier. There are lots of reputable companies to choose from if you are travelling from the UK mainland;
or pick a local company: Motorhome Northern Ireland and Wild Campers N. I
If you have an international license, you are still able to drive legally and hire a vehicle in Northern Ireland, you may have some restrictions but check what you need on the DVLA N.I here.
Northern Ireland Outdoors: Country Code
Wild Camping in Northern Ireland
“Wild camping, stealth camping, wild parking, parking up, overnight parking or free parking” there are many names for it, but it basically just describes staying overnight in your vehicle in a non-designated campervan spot, that isn’t in a campsite, often free and or in nature.
Is it legal? It is technically “illegal” but trust me here. There is a bit of a grey area about this subject. It’s a complex answer and more than just a Yes or No. It is technically “illegal” but it is entirely doable, and people do it ALL THE TIME.
When we did the Causeway coastal route and Northern Ireland in our Camperan We “wild camped” the whole way along the coast and in Belfast. We actually travel and live in our campervan and spend 99% of our time wild parking. The thing about wild camping is you have to do it responsibly and subtly. You cannot just simply park anywhere. Stick to land that’s not private, (unless you ask permission beforehand) and stay away from areas with “No Overnight Parking” signs. The thing we do which helps the most is we travel in the low season and find that helps as its not congested and people tend to be more relaxed with campervans and motorhomes in the off seasons.
These are the best Apps for wild parking, free parking, camping, motorhome and campervan parking & services and general van life.
Campsites
There are 42 caravans and campsites in Northern Ireland. All with an extensive range of accommodations and facilities, to suit all budgets and requests! You can make a booking at a campsite easily here
If you are part of The caravan and motorhome club, They also have a few locations in Northern Ireland. If you live in Northern Ireland and/ or are travelling full-time, there is a Northern Irish motorhome and caravan club too called The Motorcaravanners Club which hosts get-togethers and van life community events.
Britstops are another amazing resource if you are looking for a safe and free place to stay. The concept is simple you buy their yearly guide book and it lists around 1100 hosts all over the UK and Ireland, who are all looking forward to welcoming you. The hosts are a varied network of country pubs, farm shops, vineyards, breweries, craft/ antique centres, etc. all offering an invitation to stay over for one night in your motorhome or campervan in a safe environment – free of charge!
Camping that way
N.I.s’ routes are clearly marked
Shopping, supplies and amenities
- Tesco
- Sainsbury’s
- Asda
- Morrisons
- Aldi
- Lidl
- Iceland
- SuperValu
- Spar
- Centra
Shops and supermarkets operate the same opening hours as the mainland of UK, with the exception of Sundays. Supermarkets are only open a few hours of trade on Sundays, with many shops choosing to close altogether.
Need your Motorhome and Campervan serviced or in need of repairs: whilst in Northern Ireland: check out Thomson Leisure. Motorhome and Camper supplies whilst on the road in Northern Ireland, these stores are your Go to: Abbey Caravans or Parts4motorhomes
Outdoors and Camping stores
You will be spoilt for choice when picking up outdoor supplies. The main and big outdoor retailers here are Mountain Warehouse, and Decathalon. If you prefer to shop local check these local outdoor stores out: Jackson Sports, Trek NI and Outdoor Adventure NI.
Cost of Living
Expect to pay a similar price to the rest of the UK and Scotland. Some things are cheaper though like attractions and certain food shops.
Average prices
- Coffee £2.95
- Milk £1.06 per litre
- Loaf of bread £1.28
- Potato (1kg) £1.26
- Meal for 2- mid-range restaurant £60.00
- Domestic Beer 1/2 litre £5.20
Public toilets
Public toilets are a lifesaver when campervans and motorhomes are concerned! These are handy little apps to have to help you find a toilet on the go!
The Showerplus.ie is an amazing resource to find not only toilets on the road but showers too!
Bins are around but you may struggle to find a bin in really remote places but that goes without saying. The obvious rule about bins here is to keep your litter on you until you find a bin, which may seem like common sense however some people are still littering. We find the best way to deal with rubbish is to put it into a large rucksack and attach it to the back of our van. You can buy a Trasharoo or use an old rucksack, like we do.
Free water taps
In mainland and northern Europe, where there is more of a culture for motorhomes and campervans. You will be able to find “Eurorelais” stations all over the place. These are little stations where you can drain your grey and black water and top up on fresh, drinking water. Britain doesn’t have these Eurorelais stations so you have to do a bit more hunting for services and water taps.
Public taps can be found using these amazing little apps: Refill NI and Water Map.
Grey and black waste disposal
Britain and Northern Ireland haven’t adopted the “EuroRelais” free public black and grey water disposal units. You will usually have to dispose of grey and black water at campsites for a fee. You may find a couple of free or “donation” based disposals dotted around but they are few and far between, to be honest. Use this app to find a black and grey water drainage point- CAMPA
Lpg pumps
Liquid Petroleum Gas, is your fuel source for heating and cooking whilst you are on the road. LPG isn’t available from all petrol stations and pumps in Northern Ireland but you will be able to find them, here is a link to a map of all LPG gas providers in the UK. Also, most petrol stations sell Calor Gas Tanks and Canisters in all sizes, usually either butane or propane gas. Some outdoor shops sell camping gas tanks also.
Petrol stations
There are 847 Petrol Stations in Northern Ireland, meaning you are never far from fuel! You can find a directory of petrol stations here. If you are organised and like to budget your trip beforehand check out this price of petrol calculator.
Cellular networks and wifi
Emergencies and safety
Visitors to Northern Ireland can receive treatment for accidents and emergencies free of charge.
Emergency numbers are 999 and 112.
For non-urgent NHS information, you can call: 111
Is a powerful tool which pinpoints your exact location, It is used by Emergency services in the UK. It is handy when you are traveling incase you run into any trouble you can always tell someone where you are.
For non-urgent police information or to report a crime you can call the police on: 101
A detailed list of emergency situations and how to call is available here:
For Roadside Assistance and breakdowns continued 03330 046 046 or online at The AA.
What3words app is a powerful tool which pinpoints your exact location, It is used by Emergency services in the UK. It is handy when you are travelling in case you run into any trouble you can always tell someone where you are.
Travelling with pets Northern Ireland
We live and travel with our pets full-time. They come everywhere with us. Travelling from the United Kingdom to the European Union (Northern Ireland is part of the UK but for the instances of pet travel they now follow the same rules as travel to Ireland, as they share a free border with Ireland)
What you need for Northern Ireland:
- up-to-date Vaccines
- Rabies Vaccine (at least 3 weeks before travel)
- Identity microchip
- Animal Health Certificate (travel within 10 days of issue)
- Tapeworm treatment (not necessary for all EU countries but Malta, Finland, Norway, Northern Ireland and Ireland)
This is the official requirement of pet travel however Northern Ireland has suspended checking animal health certificates from ferries coming from the mainland of Britain. This was the official statement that was released:
“Travelling from GB to NI or travelling from NI to GB and returning to NI: On 15 September 2021, DAERA Minister Edwin Poots MLA announced that checks on all pet dogs, cats and ferrets travelling from GB to NI would be suspended indefinitely while negotiations between the UK government and EU continue.”
So, how does this affect you and can you save yourself the cost of an animal health certificate? (which is around £150) YES! It’s a bit of a loophole, but that doesn’t mean you should take the gamble. They also state on their website that they sometimes conduct checks and if checked you should have an animal health certificate or you will be fined. Vague, I know. We travelled without an Animal Health Certificate for our Dog and Cat and no one asked us for anything though they saw both the pets when they checked the van. That doesn’t mean we recommend not getting your Animal Health Certificate, ultimately you have to decide if it is worth the gamble to you.
Antrim coastal road is epic
Dunserverick Falls in all its glory
Hope you enjoyed reading and if you decide to use this itinerary we hope you have as big a Crac 90 as we did, please feel free to sign up or leave a comment below if you enjoyed the read!
