Explore on your own rating

A tender to a village, then a 40 minute ride to the city or the coast.

Where ships dock

  • Greencastle tender port, County Donegal: big ships (up to about 325 m) anchor in deep water at the mouth of Lough Foyle and tender to pontoons in the harbour (about 5 minutes)
  • Smaller ships berth at Lisahally (7 miles from Derry, 15 to 20 minute shuttle) or the city-centre berth at Queen's Quay

Getting to town

Greencastle is a small fishing village; Derry~Londonderry is about 20 miles away, roughly a 40 minute coach ride. The ferry across Lough Foyle to Magilligan (about 15 minutes) is the shortcut towards the Giant's Causeway.

Most people take a ship's tour or the line's coach to Derry. The Local Link 957 bus runs between Greencastle and Derry a few times a day (check the current timetable). The Lough Foyle ferry is seasonal. Taxis are few, so book ahead.

Fares are as reported by the sources below and change often. Treat them as estimates.

Money & entry

Currency: Euro (€) in Greencastle (Ireland); British pound (£) in Derry~Londonderry and Northern Ireland. Cards work almost everywhere on both sides.

Entry: Greencastle is in County Donegal, Ireland (EU, not Schengen): U.S. citizens need only a valid passport there. Derry~Londonderry and the Giant's Causeway are in Northern Ireland, part of the UK. If you cross the border, U.S. citizens need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), even though there are no checks: GOV.UK says the land-border exemption covers only people living in Ireland. The ETA costs £20 on GOV.UK or the official "UK ETA" app. (Checked Oct 2026.)

Top sights nearby

  • Derry's 17th-century city walls, walkable all the way round
  • The Guildhall and the Peace Bridge
  • Museum of Free Derry and the Bogside murals
  • Giant's Causeway (UNESCO; tour via the Lough Foyle ferry)
  • Inishowen Peninsula and Malin Head, Ireland's most northerly point (tour)
  • Greencastle's harbour and its Martello-style fort

Beaches

  • Shroove and Kinnagoe Bay on the Inishowen coast (tour or taxi)

Safety & tips

  • Derry/Londonderry: both names are used, and locals may prefer one; "Derry~Londonderry" is the tourism board's choice.
  • Get your UK ETA before you sail if you plan to go to Derry or the Causeway.
  • Atlantic weather can stop tenders: listen for the ship's announcements.

Check U.S. State Department travel advisories before you sail.

⏰ Back to the ship on time

Allow 45 minutes from Derry and longer from the Causeway. Be at the Greencastle pontoon 30 minutes before the last tender.

Ship time can differ from local time. Your ship won't wait for independent travelers.

Shore excursions that get you back on time

Prefer a guided option in Greencastle (for Derry~Londonderry)? Browse shore excursions with reviews, and pick one that returns well before all-aboard.

Find Greencastle (for Derry~Londonderry) shore excursions on Viator ↗

Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission if you book through these links, at no extra cost to you.

Quick answers

Can you explore Greencastle (for Derry~Londonderry) on your own?

Yes, with some planning (rated Moderate). A tender to a village, then a 40 minute ride to the city or the coast.

How far is it from the cruise dock to town in Greencastle (for Derry~Londonderry)?

Greencastle is a small fishing village; Derry~Londonderry is about 20 miles away, roughly a 40 minute coach ride. The ferry across Lough Foyle to Magilligan (about 15 minutes) is the shortcut towards the Giant's Causeway.

Do I need a passport for Greencastle (for Derry~Londonderry)?

Greencastle is in County Donegal, Ireland (EU, not Schengen): U.S. citizens need only a valid passport there. Derry~Londonderry and the Giant's Causeway are in Northern Ireland, part of the UK. If you cross the border, U.S. citizens need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), even though there are no checks: GOV.UK says the land-border exemption covers only people living in Ireland. The ETA costs £20 on GOV.UK or the official "UK ETA" app. (Checked Oct 2026.)

When should I head back to the ship in Greencastle (for Derry~Londonderry)?

Allow 45 minutes from Derry and longer from the Causeway. Be at the Greencastle pontoon 30 minutes before the last tender.

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📚 Sources