Causeway Campers Rental company category:Economy
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11 Cashel Road, BT51 4 PW Macosquin, ColeraineView map
Hiring a campervan in Coleraine means setting off from the very middle of Northern Ireland's north coast: the Giant's Causeway, the ruins of Dunluce and the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge are less than half an hour away, with Mussenden Temple and Benone beach on the other side of the Bann estuary. Our partner company, Causeway Campers, hands over its vehicles in Macosquin, a neighbouring village south-west of the town.
A university town on the River Bann, Coleraine forms the north coast's "Triangle" with the seaside resorts of Portrush and Portstewart, about ten minutes away: long sandy beaches, seafront promenades and renowned golf courses.
1 rental partner
Where to pick up your vehicle in Coleraine?
Road trip ideas
Road trips from Coleraine
1 From Portrush to Ballycastle via the Giant's Causeway
- Coleraine
- Portstewart
- Portrush
- Dunluce
- Bushmills
- Giant's Causeway
- Ballintoy
- Carrick-a-Rede
- Ballycastle
- Dark Hedges
- Coleraine
Via Portstewart and the limestone cliffs of Whiterocks you reach Portrush, then the ruins of Dunluce, clinging to the cliff edge, and the Bushmills distillery. Next come the basalt columns of the Giant's Causeway, the little harbour of Ballintoy and the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. From Ballycastle, a day on Rathlin Island is a must before heading back along the beech avenue of the Dark Hedges.
- Distance
- about 100 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Camper van or converted van
2 Torr Head and the Glens of Antrim
- Coleraine
- Ballycastle
- Fair Head
- Torr Head
- Cushendun
- Cushendall
- Glenariff
- Carnlough
- Glenarm
- Slemish
- Coleraine
After Ballycastle, the headland of Fair Head and the narrow Torr Head road look out to Scotland on clear days, before dropping down to Cushendun, with its Cornish-style cottages and its caves. Cushendall, the waterfalls of Glenariff Forest Park and the harbours of Carnlough and Glenarm mark the way south, then you head back via Slemish mountain, linked to the legend of Saint Patrick.
- Distance
- about 180 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Camper van or converted van
3 Mussenden, Binevenagh and Lough Neagh
- Coleraine
- Downhill and Mussenden
- Benone
- Binevenagh
- Limavady
- Roe Valley
- Glenshane
- Bellaghy
- Ardboe
- Kilrea
- Coleraine
West of the Bann, Mussenden Temple stands on the cliff edge of the Downhill estate, above the long beach of Benone. The Bishop's Road then crosses the Binevenagh escarpment to Limavady and Roe Valley Country Park. Over the Glenshane Pass you reach Bellaghy, home village of the poet Seamus Heaney, then the shores of Lough Neagh, the largest lake in the British Isles.
- Distance
- about 200 km
- Recommended vehicle
- All types of motorhome
Weather and seasons
When to go in Coleraine?
Best time
April to June
April to June
highs 11 to 17 °C, lows 4 to 10 °C
The best time to set off from Coleraine: April is the driest month of the year, May and June average ten hours of sunshine a day, and Rathlin's seabird colonies, puffins included, can be seen until summer. On weekdays the coast stays quiet before the summer holidays.
High season
July and August
July to August
highs 18 °C, lows 11 °C
The mildest months, with lows around 11 °C, but August is also the wettest of the year. Portrush and Portstewart are in full holiday mode, Whiterocks beach draws surfers and families, and the car parks at the Giant's Causeway fill up by mid-morning.
March, September and October
March, September to October
highs 9 to 16 °C, lows 3 to 10 °C
September keeps mild days and still averages seven hours of sunshine, with a coast far quieter than in summer. March and October are cool and damp, but autumn storms on the cliffs of Dunluce or Fair Head are worth seeing, provided you check which campsites are still open.
Winter
November to February
November to February
highs 7 to 9 °C, lows 2 to 5 °C
It rarely freezes on the coast, but days are short, with three to five hours of sunshine, and the wind blows hard off the Atlantic. You may have the Giant's Causeway almost to yourself; the Torr Head road, slippery, is best avoided, and a well-heated vehicle is essential.
Climate in Coleraine, month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 8 °C | 3 °C | 91 mm | 4 h/day | 8 °C |
| Feb | 8 °C | 3 °C | 92 mm | 5 h/day | 8 °C |
| Mar | 10 °C | 4 °C | 85 mm | 7 h/day | 8 °C |
| Apr | 11 °C | 5 °C | 77 mm | 9 h/day | 10 °C |
| May | 14 °C | 8 °C | 84 mm | 11 h/day | 12 °C |
| Jun | 16 °C | 10 °C | 95 mm | 10 h/day | 15 °C |
| Jul | 17 °C | 12 °C | 117 mm | 9 h/day | 16 °C |
| Aug | 18 °C | 12 °C | 116 mm | 9 h/day | 16 °C |
| Sep | 16 °C | 10 °C | 108 mm | 7 h/day | 15 °C |
| Oct | 13 °C | 9 °C | 108 mm | 5 h/day | 13 °C |
| Nov | 10 °C | 6 °C | 97 mm | 4 h/day | 12 °C |
| Dec | 8 °C | 4 °C | 107 mm | 3 h/day | 10 °C |
Averages 2016–2025 computed from Open-Meteo data (ERA5 reanalysis).
Practical tips
Everything to know before hitting the road
Pick-up in Macosquin
The Causeway Campers depot is in Macosquin, a few kilometres south-west of Coleraine town centre, on Cashel Road. If you arrive by train, a taxi from Coleraine station is the easiest option: agree the appointment time with the rental company, given in your confirmation.
The Dark Hedges on foot
Bregagh Road, lined with centuries-old beech trees and made famous by TV series filming, is closed to traffic to protect the trees. Park the campervan in the dedicated car park nearby and walk the avenue, ideally early in the morning or late in the day, when there are fewer photographers.
Roads closed for the North West 200
Every year, usually in mid-May, the North West 200 motorcycle race is run on closed public roads between Portstewart, Coleraine and Portrush. On race days traffic is diverted and nearby campsites are fully booked: check the dates before setting your departure.
Torr Head by camper van only
The scenic Torr Head road, between Ballycastle and Cushendun, is a very steep single-track lane with tight bends and few places to pass. It suits a small camper van driven carefully; with a wider motorhome, take the A2 inland, which is more direct and easy.
What travellers ask
Your questions about a road trip in Coleraine
Where can I pick up a campervan in Coleraine?
Offers departing from Coleraine are those of Causeway Campers, our partner company, whose depot is in Macosquin, just south-west of the town. At handover, take time to get used to the right-hand steering wheel and the size of the vehicle, and ask to be shown the heating, essential in the north coast climate.
How much does it cost to hire a campervan in Coleraine?
The price depends mainly on the season, the length of hire and the type of vehicle: a camper van for two does not cost the same as a family motorhome, and summer or the North West 200 week are the busiest periods. Run a search with your dates: offers are shown with mandatory fees included and can be booked online.
Can I take the campervan to Rathlin Island?
No: the ferry leaves from Ballycastle, but visitors' vehicles are not normally allowed on the island. Leave the campervan at the harbour and cross on foot for the day; on the island, a shuttle bus or a hired bike takes you to the West Light seabird centre. Book the crossing in summer.
Can I return the vehicle in Derry or go on to Donegal?
Derry, 44 km away as the crow flies, also has a depot of our partner companies: enter it as your return city in the search to see whether a one-way hire is offered, fees included. Donegal, in the Republic of Ireland, begins just past Derry; check in the offer's conditions that the insurance covers both sides of the border.
How many days should I plan from Coleraine?
Three days are enough for the coast between Portrush and Ballycastle, Rathlin included. With a week, you can add the Glens of Antrim via Torr Head, then Mussenden, Binevenagh and Lough Neagh. Distances are short, but coastal roads are slow and the sights many: stages of a few dozen kilometres a day are plenty.
Verified customer reviews
They rented in Coleraine with CoolDrive Nomad
4.3
818 reviews
Functional and easy-to-use application that meets expectations.
N.
United Kingdom · Jul 2025
Trustpilot
1. The motorhome had neither a reversing alarm nor a rear camera. Essential for this type of vehicle. 2. There was no option to purchase insurance without a deductible. The options were either to take out an external one or to reduce it with Indie Campers. Additionally, in the case of the one rented in Scotland, we were informed at the last moment that no insurance covered the upper and lower parts of the sides... Incredible! We could crash it but not scratch it... 3. Regarding the rental in Dublin: a) The location is very far from the airport and much further from the city.
J.
United Kingdom · Jun 2024
Trustpilot
Available team and very good service
Nicolas E.
United Kingdom · Jun 2024
Avis Vérifiés
Frequently asked questions
FAQ — Campervan and motorhome hire in Coleraine
What licence do I need to drive a campervan in Northern Ireland?
A category B licence covers vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes, which includes most hired camper vans and motorhomes. British and European licences are recognised; with a licence issued elsewhere, an international driving permit may be required. The minimum age and years of driving required by Causeway Campers are given in the offer's conditions.
Where can I stay overnight in a campervan on the Causeway Coast?
Portrush, Portstewart, Bushmills and Ballycastle have campsites that welcome motorhomes, often full in July and August. In beach and clifftop car parks, no-overnight signs and height barriers are common. Check the local rules in force and book your pitches in advance in high season.
How do I get to Coleraine by plane or train?
City of Derry Airport, at Eglinton, is about three quarters of an hour away by road, and Belfast International about an hour. From Belfast, the train reaches Coleraine in just over an hour, on the line that continues to Derry along Lough Foyle. Let the rental company know your arrival time to set the appointment.
Do I have to pay to see the Giant's Causeway?
The natural site, managed by the National Trust, remains accessible on foot along the paths; it is the visitor centre and its car park that charge a fee. With a campervan, the visitor centre car park is the most convenient, but it fills up quickly in summer: arrive early, or park in Bushmills and take the shuttle.
What driving rules should I know in Northern Ireland?
You drive on the left, distances are in miles and speed limits in miles per hour, lower for heavy motorhomes than for cars. Roundabouts are taken clockwise. Northern Ireland has no toll roads, but the small coastal roads often require you to pull in to let oncoming traffic pass.
What is there to see in Coleraine before hitting the road?
South of the town, the Mountsandel site, on the banks of the Bann, is among the oldest traces of human settlement in Ireland, and its wooded paths make for a pleasant walk. The town centre, around the Diamond square, is best explored on foot; leave the campervan in an open-air car park, as multi-storey car parks have height limits.
When should I book a campervan from Coleraine?
With a single partner company on site, the fleet is small: for July, August and the mid-May North West 200, book several months ahead. Major golf tournaments at Royal Portrush also saturate the whole coast. In April, June or September, a few weeks' notice is often enough.
About us
Why start a campervan trip from Coleraine
Coleraine is the closest starting point to the north coast's great sights: instead of spending a day driving up from Belfast, you are at the Giant's Causeway, Dunluce or Portrush in less than half an hour. The town also sits at the meeting point of two landscapes, with the basalt cliffs, Rathlin and the Glens of Antrim to the east, and the beaches of Benone, Mussenden Temple and the Binevenagh escarpment to the west.
Causeway Campers hands over its vehicles in Macosquin, on the edge of town, and Derry, 44 km away as the crow flies, also has a depot of our partner companies, useful for extending the trip to Donegal. Stages are short and the light changes with every shower: a camper van is enough for the coast, a better-equipped motorhome for the cooler months.
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