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Travel: How to enjoy a budget family day trip to Belfast

© Peter RobinsonStena Line Superfast sails into port.
Stena Line Superfast sails into port.

Everyone looks forward to the summer break but very quickly you can find yourself running out of ideas on what to do – especially if you have small children to entertain. There are only so many soft plays one family can visit.

If that is how you are feeling, then you are in luck because Stena Line have launched an amazing offer on a day trip to Belfast and we are going to tell you how to get the most out of this budget family holiday getaway.

From just £20 return per adult and £10 per child, you can visit an amazing city, full of culture, history and incredible places to eat and drink. If you have kids, then there are brilliant activities such as Titanic Belfast, the Ulster Museum and the W5 science centre.

If you are child-free then you have to hit the Crown Bar for an authentic pint of Guinness and take a Black Taxi Troubles tour.

Cafe on the Stena Line ship.

Now, how to plan the trip. You can get a train to Ayr and a connecting bus to the Stena Line port at Cairnryan but I suggest taking the car and parking at the ferry terminal.

The parking costs just £6 for the day and it is about 30 yards from the terminal check-in desk, so it is completely hassle free.

From there, you are straight onto the ship for the start of your holiday. The Stena Line Superfast ferry is a joy. There is a cinema for chilling out on the sailing (2hr 15mins) as well as an interactive games zone and a secure soft play area for younger children. For the adults, there are bars and restaurants and if you really want to indulge, the boat even has its own Pure Nordic Spa complete with a Jacuzzi and sauna – plus your day trip ticket gives you 20% off all treatments.

Stena Line Superfast VII

Once you arrive in Belfast port, you can hop on a bus (day trippers can pre-book a Metro Daylink Card for unlimited travel on all Metro and Glider bus services throughout Belfast for just £4). This ticket will take you anywhere in Belfast.

Your day trip can be anything you want it to be, from a visit to the zoo, a day at Helen’s Bay beach or a shopping splurge at Belfast’s Victoria Square, where the food and drink options range from Five Guys burgers to Mexican food at the local’s favourite street food spot Boojum.

Day at Helen's Bay beach

If you are after a little history and culture, the Titanic Belfast museum is a must-visit and a Black Taxi Tour around the city’s Troubles-era hotspots is highly recommended – the taxi can even pick you up or drop you off back at the Stena Line terminal. There is so much to do and at such an amazing price, there is no reason why you can’t book multiple trips. Happy sailing!


Prices start from just £20 per adult and £10 per child for a return trip to Belfast. Stena Line day trips to Belfast take place daily until December 18. For more information visit https://www.stenaline.co.uk/special-offers