Causeway Campers Rental company category:Economy
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Causeway Campers Derry CityDerry CityView map
Hiring a campervan in Derry means starting your trip at the foot of 17th-century walls that are still complete, on the banks of the Foyle, a few minutes from the border with the Republic of Ireland. Once over the line, the Inishowen Peninsula, Malin Head and the headlands of north Donegal follow one after another; to the south-east, the Sperrin Mountains unfold moorland roads that are almost empty. Our partner company, Causeway Campers, hands over its vehicles in Derry itself.
Northern Ireland's second city, Derry is linked to Belfast by a railway whose final miles run along Lough Foyle: a pleasant way to reach the depot after flying into Belfast.
1 rental partner
Where to pick up your vehicle in Derry City?
Road trip ideas
Road trips from Derry City
1 Inishowen 100 and Malin Head
- Derry
- Grianán of Aileach
- Buncrana
- Fort Dunree
- Gap of Mamore
- Malin Head
- Culdaff
- Greencastle
- Derry
Just over the border, the stone ring fort of Grianán of Aileach overlooks Lough Swilly and Lough Foyle. The signposted Inishowen 100 loop then heads north via Buncrana, Fort Dunree and the Gap of Mamore to Malin Head, the northernmost point of the island, before coming back down past Culdaff beach and the harbour of Greencastle. The Gap of Mamore, narrow and very steep, can be bypassed inland with a large motorhome.
- Distance
- about 180 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Campervan or converted van
2 Fanad Head, Horn Head and Glenveagh
- Derry
- Letterkenny
- Rathmullan
- Fanad Head
- Downings
- Dunfanaghy
- Horn Head
- Gweedore
- Glenveagh
- Derry
Via Letterkenny, the western shore of Lough Swilly leads to Rathmullan and then, along the Knockalla coast road, to Fanad Head lighthouse. The route then skirts Mulroy Bay to the Rosguill Peninsula and its Atlantic Drive, then to the cliffs of Horn Head, near Dunfanaghy, and to the Gweedore area at the foot of Mount Errigal. The way back crosses Glenveagh National Park, with its lakes and castle.
- Distance
- about 300 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Campervan, converted van or compact motorhome
3 Sperrin Mountains and the Fermanagh lakes
- Derry
- Feeny
- Beaghmore
- Glenelly Valley
- Gortin
- Omagh
- Enniskillen
- Marble Arch
- Belleek
- Derry
South-east of Derry, the Sperrins form a range of bogs and heather, crossed by the Glenelly Valley, one of the quietest roads in Northern Ireland. After the Beaghmore stone circles and the Ulster American Folk Park, near Omagh, head on to Enniskillen, between the two loughs of the Erne, and the Marble Arch Caves. Return via Belleek and its pottery, then through the Barnesmore Gap, on the Donegal side.
- Distance
- about 350 km
- Recommended vehicle
- All types of motorhomes
Weather and seasons
When to go in Derry City?
Best time
April to June, then September
April to June, September
highs 12 to 17 °C, lows 5 to 10 °C
The most pleasant time to set off from Derry: April and May are the least rainy months of the year, and May averages ten hours of sunshine a day. Donegal's campsites have reopened, and in September the Inishowen roads empty out while the low light shows off the cliffs of Slieve League, further south-west.
High season
July and August
July to August
highs 18 °C, lows 12 °C
The mildest months, but not the driest: August receives more than 120 mm of rain, the highest total of the year. It is also holiday time on both sides of the border, when the beaches of Portsalon, Culdaff or Rathmullan fill up at weekends: book your campsite pitches.
March and October
March, October
highs 10 to 13 °C, lows 4 to 8 °C
Two transition months, cool and damp, but still fine with a heated vehicle. At the end of October, Derry hosts one of the biggest Halloween celebrations in Europe, with a parade and fireworks over the Foyle: a good reason to stop in town, provided you book early, as accommodation fills up fast.
Winter
November to February
November to February
highs 7 to 10 °C, lows 3 to 5 °C
Winter stays mild near the coast, with average lows above freezing, but the days are short, with three to five hours of sunshine, and rain is frequent. Many Donegal campsites close at this time of year: check opening dates and choose a well-insulated vehicle for windy nights on Inishowen.
Climate in Derry City, month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 7 °C | 3 °C | 93 mm | 3 h/day |
| Feb | 8 °C | 3 °C | 99 mm | 5 h/day |
| Mar | 10 °C | 4 °C | 89 mm | 6 h/day |
| Apr | 12 °C | 5 °C | 73 mm | 8 h/day |
| May | 15 °C | 8 °C | 80 mm | 10 h/day |
| Jun | 17 °C | 10 °C | 97 mm | 9 h/day |
| Jul | 18 °C | 12 °C | 107 mm | 8 h/day |
| Aug | 18 °C | 12 °C | 122 mm | 8 h/day |
| Sep | 16 °C | 10 °C | 101 mm | 7 h/day |
| Oct | 13 °C | 8 °C | 110 mm | 5 h/day |
| Nov | 10 °C | 5 °C | 91 mm | 4 h/day |
| Dec | 8 °C | 4 °C | 106 mm | 3 h/day |
Averages 2016–2025 computed from Open-Meteo data (ERA5 reanalysis).
Practical tips
Everything to know before hitting the road
A speedometer in miles, signs in km/h
Registered in the United Kingdom, the vehicle usually shows its speed in miles per hour, while in Donegal speed limits are given in km/h: a difference that is easy to forget a few minutes out of Derry. The border is not checked, but make sure before departure that the offer's insurance does cover the Republic of Ireland.
Supplies before the peninsula
Villages on Inishowen and in north Donegal often have just one grocery shop and one filling station, sometimes closed on Sunday evenings. Do your big shop in Derry or Letterkenny, carry a bank card accepted on both sides of the border, and keep a few euros in cash for small shops and rural car parks.
Visiting the walled city without the vehicle
Inside the walls, the streets are narrow and steep, and multi-storey car parks have height limits: there is no room for a motorhome. Leave it in a surface car park outside the walls or at the campsite, then walk the circuit of the walls before crossing the Foyle by the Peace Bridge.
What travellers ask
Your questions about a road trip in Derry City
Where can I pick up a campervan in Derry?
All the offers available for Derry depart from the depot of Causeway Campers, our partner company in the city. The address and appointment time are given in your booking confirmation. At handover, ask to be shown the heating and how the leisure battery is charged: in the damp climate of the north-west, these are the features you will use most.
How much does it cost to hire a campervan in Derry?
The rate depends on the season, the length of hire and the vehicle: a van for two and a family motorhome do not cost the same, and the summer holidays remain the busiest period on the north-west coast. Enter your dates in the search: available offers are shown with mandatory fees included, ready to book online straight away.
Why is it called Derry or Londonderry?
It is the same city. Londonderry is its official British name, shown on road signs in Northern Ireland; Derry, from the Irish Doire, is the name used by many residents and on road signs in the Republic of Ireland. The choice of name remains sensitive locally: when travelling, both are understood, and a satnav recognises either one.
Can I return the campervan in another city?
Coleraine, 44 km away as the crow flies on the north coast, and Belfast also have depots of our partner companies. One-way hire depends on each company's network and may involve a fee: enter the return city when you search, and only the offers that accept it will appear, with that fee already included in the price.
Can I take the hired vehicle to Scotland?
Ferries link Belfast and Larne with Cairnryan, in Scotland, 147 km from Derry as the crow flies, but many rental companies forbid or restrict sea crossings. Check the authorisation and insurance in the offer's conditions before booking a ticket. Cairnryan and Glasgow also have depots of our partner companies, useful for continuing with a second vehicle.
Verified customer reviews
They rented in Derry City 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 Derry (Londonderry)
What licence do I need to drive a campervan around Derry?
Up to 3.5 tonnes, a category B licence is enough, and most hired campervans and motorhomes stay under that weight. British and European licences are recognised on both sides of the border; for a licence from another country, an international driving permit may be required. Minimum age and years of driving are set by the rental company, in the offer's conditions.
Where can I stay overnight in a campervan in Donegal and around Derry?
Campsites are the safest option: you will find them on the Inishowen Peninsula, around Dunfanaghy, Downings and Portsalon, and in the Sperrins. Many open only in the warmer months. In beach car parks, height barriers and overnight bans are common: check the rules in force, which differ between Northern Ireland and the Republic.
How do I get to Derry by air?
City of Derry Airport, at Eglinton, east of the city, mainly offers flights to Great Britain. Most travellers arrive at Belfast International, about an hour and a half away by road, or at Dublin Airport, linked to Derry by direct coaches taking three to four hours. Give the rental company your arrival time to set the appointment.
Are there tolls around Derry?
No: Northern Ireland has no toll roads, and Donegal's roads, from the Inishowen Peninsula to Slieve League, are free. Tolls only begin as you head south towards Dublin, notably the barrier-free M50 toll around the capital, which you have to pay yourself. Check the payment arrangements if your route goes that way.
What is there to see in Derry before hitting the road?
The walk around the walls, lined with cannons, gives the best view of the city and of the Bogside, known for its large murals tracing the history of the Troubles. The neo-Gothic Guildhall, the Tower Museum and the Museum of Free Derry complete the visit, and the Peace Bridge leads to Ebrington Square, a former barracks turned concert venue.
When should I book a campervan from Derry?
With a single partner company in town, the fleet available from Derry remains limited. For July and August, book several months ahead, especially for a van. For April, May or September, a few weeks are often enough, except around Easter and bank holiday weekends, which travellers from both sides of the border make the most of.
About us
Why start a campervan trip from Derry
Derry is the most direct starting point for Donegal, the wildest county in Ireland: in twenty minutes you go from the city walls to the roads of the Inishowen Peninsula, and in a day you reach Malin Head, Fanad Head or Horn Head. In the other direction, the Sperrin Mountains and the Fermanagh lakes offer a more inland journey, on quiet, wide roads.
Causeway Campers hands over its vehicles in town, as close as possible to Donegal. Coleraine, on the north coast, and Belfast also have depots of our partner companies, which makes some one-way trips possible. The weather changes quickly and rain is frequent all year round, but summer days are long and distances short: you enjoy the scenery, in stages of a few dozen kilometres, more than the miles covered.
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