How to Find Cheap Hotels in Belfast Ireland

Belfast, located in Antim County, is the capital of Northern Ireland and the country's largest city. Sitting on the shores of the Belfast Lough and the River Lagan, it's chock-full of historical sights, restaurants, shops and pubs for you to explore.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A computer with Internet access

Choose Your Accommodations in Belfast, Ireland

1. Ask yourself whether you mind sharing a bedroom or a bathroom with strangers. In general, cheap accommodations are easier to find if you're willing to sacrifice some privacy.
2. Consider staying in a guesthouse. Their quiet, affordable 'en-suite' accommodations (rooms with a private bath/shower included) often have many 5-star amenities. They usually welcome children and even pets!
3. Play golf! Many Belfast guesthouses are located near the numerous golf courses on the city's outskirts. Most owners will gladly reserve you a tee-time.
4. Contact the property owner of a guesthouse or B&B before you book. That way, you can ask questions about their services and get a feel for them upfront. After all, if you're planning an extended stay at a B&B or guesthouse, you may get to know the proprietor intimately!
5. Rent a car if you'll be staying at a bed and breakfast, most of which are located outside of Belfast. Peak-season accommodations rates typically fall under $100, and private accommodations can be secured for a bit more. This makes them pricier than most guesthouses, but they are still much cheaper than many hotels and self-catering accommodations.
6. Think about staying in one of the handful of hostels in Belfast, Northern Ireland, all conveniently located near public transportation and tourist sites. By far the cheapest accommodations, hostels usually cost under $50 per night for one person. Even though they're bare bones, some offer kitchen access, Internet access and parking.
7. To book accommodations in Belfast, Ireland, call Northern Ireland Tourist Board at [phone] or visit the link below.

Tips & Warnings

• You can save a lot of money by traveling in the off-season. This is especially true at the non-hotel locations, which tend to book first. Peak season is July through August. Anything else is off-peak, but especially cheap accommodations in Belfast are available October through March.
• Try to find accommodations near a Translink Metro Station or an Ulsterbus Station. This will make transportation convenient and save you money on rental cars and cab fares.
• Map the location of your cheap accommodations online. Note that instead of 'Ireland' or 'Northern Ireland,' Belfast is mapped as a 'United Kingdom' location.
• If you're staying at a hostel, check for hidden fees for services like linens and locker space for your valuables. You should also ask whether they impose a curfew.
• Ask for senior citizen rates if you're eligible, because Northern Ireland is extremely gracious towards its disabled and elderly populations.
• Save on food and maximize sight-seeing time: choose accommodations that include an on-site 'Ulster breakfast'. (Also known as a 'heart attack on a plate,' it typically includes some combination of two fried eggs, two sausages, two slices of bacon, two fried black or white puddings, potato cakes and soda bread--all slathered with or fried in butter, of course!)
• Most of the civil unrest in Belfast, Northern Ireland, between Catholics and Presbyterians has been dormant since the 1998 Belfast Agreement. However, you should still keep your passport on you at all times in case something should break out unexpectedly.