Before embarking on this long (16km), but relatively easy (most of the terrain is flat), it’s best to know 2-3 things before embarking on this hike. Especially if you’re travelling with your own car we have some tips that we think you should know when planning for this exciting tour of Giants Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede.
Some useful info about distance, bus price:
It can be walked one direction as well as the other direction. The walking distance is 16.5 kms so the walking time is 3h30. However, if you add the time for photos, the walking time is reduced to 4h30/5h. If you don’t want to walk the whole 32km, the best option is to take a bus and walk back to the start. It’s easy to find the bus stops (or ask for them) and the cost is around 6 €/ person. Dogs are allowed (average size), depending on the bus driver.
Parking
Giant’s Causeway : There is no entrance fee to the Giant’s Causeway site. However, there is a fee for parking (which is mandatory in addition to the entrance to the visitor center) which is about 12 €/per person for the entire day. However, the visitor center will close at 7pm. If you leave after this time, there will be no one left to verify your ticket.
Carrick- a-Rede: If you don’t want to walk the whole 32km, the best option is to take a bus and walk back to the start. It’s easy to find the bus stops (or ask for them) and the cost is around 6 €/ person. Dogs are allowed (average size), depending on the bus driver.
Tourist influx:
You may come across blogs that paint the bridge as a tourist trap with lines worse than Walt Disney World, so it’s best to avoid it. But we think it would be a nice weekday morning, even in early July as the line was barely 10 minutes, so you can have a totally different experience depending on the day.
If you want to start from Carrick-a-Rede
In our opinion, this is the best option. Begin your journey by crossing the bridge in the morning. Then, make your way to the Giant’s Causeway and return by bus no later than 6 pm (provided you park in the lower section after the gate; otherwise, there is no limit, just watch the bus).
If you want to start from the Giant’s Causeway
If you park for free, you don’t have to pay the parking/visit center fee. It’s a ticket that you can keep and show to a ticket inspector, not just the one you leave in your car like a parking meter ticket. Once you park, go for a hike and explore the Giant’s Causeway site. When you get to Carrick a-Rede, you’ll cross the bridge and take a bus back (make sure to stick to the bus timetables). If you get your car back after 7pm, you won’t have to worry about a ticket check.
