Driving Times

jen_br

Good Morning!

As some of you know im heading to N. Ireland tomorrow and I have a question for some of you locals....

If I land in Belfast international at 9:05 and need to be in londonderry for 1:30-1:45 do I have time to stop in Belfast for an appointment that will approx take 2hrs or less first? Otherwise ill do it another day but if I do and its not too tight id like to do it that way

Thanks!

im not sure about travelling time from belfast to Derry the map says 74 miles 1:38min. But you guys know whats best travelling wise

Appreciate your help!

dmxdave

Personally I would not risk it. Even if the flight is on time you will need to wait for bags and then sort the car hire out. Belfast is the opposite way so you will have 20 to 30 minute drive to get to the city centre.

Enjoy your trip and let us all know how you got on!

EDIT most of the journey is single carriageway so it can be slow!

Wee_Bargain_Hunter

I'd agree with Dave & wouldn't risk it.
It's probably just about do-able if everything runs like clockwork & you don't stop to eat :eek: but not worth the stress imo. Why not be a tourist & stop off somewhere on the way or have a nice lunch when you get there. I'm sure you'll get plenty of suggestions on here if you need them. Remember to top up with cheap petrol across the border if you can before you head back to the airport!

jen_br

What do you mean across the border? Im going to Derry, Ennskillen and Belfast is that close to ROI?

im confused lol

Wee_Bargain_Hunter

Derry is very close to ROI so if you were staying there for a few days then worth travelling to the "South" for petrol.

jen_br

Is there a border crosing would I need to show my passport etc to get over?

joyceyjo

No you don't need to worry about the passport. You would probably barely notice that you have crossed the border anyhow- other than an improvement in some of the roads!

Wee_Bargain_Hunter

No, it's all very casual, just keep driving! (unless for some strange reason there's a mobile checkpoint). Sometimes you'll only realise you've gone into the south when you notice the different road markings along the side of the road. Also the signs there are in km.

Edit, you beat me to it joyceyjo!

joyceyjo

Wee_Bargain_Hunter wrote: »

Sometimes you'll only realise you've gone into the south when you notice the different road markings along the side of the road. Also the signs there are in km.

Edit, you beat me to it joyceyjo!

Years back it used to be that in a lot of cases once you managed to get through the check-points you would prepare yourself for a drop in the quality of the roads (pot-hole alert)
However in more recent years i have found that the majority of their main roads are in much better condition than those in the north.

Old_Git

south off the border use Euro .But you should find all bank cards are accepted .

gawa75

Find Londonderry/Derry on Googlemaps and you'll see how close to the border you will be. 5 min drive. And yes, due to EU money, the Republic's roads are now much better than ours!