Essential Information

Internet and WiFi

Internet and WiFi access is widely available throughout the city, including in the Visit Belfast Welcome Centre.

If you require PC and printing facilities, your hotel may provide this service for free or for a small charge. Belfast Central Library can also provide PC and printing facilities for a small charge.

Phone Calls

The international dialling code for Northern Ireland is 00 44 28. The local code for Belfast is 90.

Directory enquiries can be contacted on 118 500 or dial 0 from a public telephone for operator assistance.

Post Offices

Most post offices are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5.30pm and some are also open on Saturday mornings. The main post office is located on Bridge Street in Belfast City Centre and is open 9am to 5.30pm, Monday to Saturday.

Currency

In Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, the currency is pound sterling (£). One pound is equal to 100 pence. Notes are available as £5, £10, £20, £50 and £100. Coins are available as 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 and £2.

Some shops and visitor attractions may also accept Euro – which is the official currency used in the Republic of Ireland and elsewhere in Europe – but this is not guaranteed.

Banks and Bureau de Change

Most banks are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and some are also open on Saturdays.

Credit Cards and Payment Options

Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted throughout Northern Ireland; American Express is accepted in some places but not all. Alipay is accepted in the Visit Belfast Welcome Centre.

Northern Ireland’s 2024 public and bank holidays are below:

• Monday 1 January – New Year’s Day
• Monday 18 March (substitute day) – St Patrick’s Day
• Friday 29 March – Good Friday
• Monday 1 April – Easter Monday
• Tuesday 2 April – Easter Tuesday
• Monday 6 May – Early May Bank Holiday
• Monday 27 May – Spring Bank Holiday
• Friday 12 July – Battle of the Boyne / Orangemen’s Day
• Monday 26 August – Summer Bank Holiday
• Wednesday 25 December – Christmas Day
• Thursday 26 December – Boxing Day

Many shops in Belfast City Centre are open:

• Monday: 9am – 6pm
• Tuesday: 9am – 6pm
• Wednesday: 9am – 6pm
• Thursday: 9am – 9pm
• Friday: 9am – 6pm (Victoria Square shopping centre is open to 9pm)
• Saturday: 9am – 6pm
• Sunday: 1pm – 6pm

Opening hours for smaller shops may vary. Opening hours are subject to change on Bank Holidays. Shops usually extend their opening hours in the run-up to Christmas.

The award-winning St George’s Market is open Friday (8am – 2pm), Saturday (9am – 3pm) and Sunday (10am – 3pm).

Carrier Bag Levy

Northern Ireland retailers must charge at least 25p for new carrier bags. The main aim is to protect the environment by greatly cutting the number of carrier bags used. Reusing carrier bags saves natural resources and reduces the need for landfill. Find out more about the Carrier Bag Levy.

Tax Free Shopping

All visitors from outside the European Union are able to avail of tax free shopping in the UK when they purchase eligible goods from participating retailers. The scheme is entirely voluntary so look out for the Tax Free Shopping logo before you purchase. Tax free shopping is available in the gift shop in the Visit Belfast Welcome Centre.

Driving Laws and Road Safety

Driving in Northern Ireland is on the left-hand side of the road and all passengers are required to wear seat belts at all times. For those riding motorcycles, both motorcyclists and their passengers must wear helmets. Northern Ireland’s laws on drink driving are strict. Those drivers found to be contravening the laws will be heavily penalised. Use of mobile/cell phones while driving is strictly prohibited.

Roads in Northern Ireland are prefixed with an M for motorway, and an A and a B for primary and non-primary roads.

Signposts and speeds are in miles and miles per hour, as in the rest of the UK.

For more information on driving laws, road safety, insurance and licences, visit www.nidirect.gov.uk.

The weather in Northern Ireland can be unpredictable, and we talk about it quite a lot! We don’t have the extreme temperatures of other countries, with relatively mild winters and cool summers.

Below are the average maximum temperatures during the seasons:

• February – April: 8 – 12°C
• May – July: 18 – 20°C
• August – November: 14 – 18°C
• December – January: 8°C

As our weather can be changeable, we suggest wearing layers of clothing that you can then put on or take off as the temperature changes. Pack a rain coat and umbrella for those rainy days, and don’t forget the sun cream during the warmer summer days.

And if it does rain, there are plenty of indoor attractions, cosy pubs and tasty restaurants to enjoy!