Titanic Museum Guide (Belfast)
Belfast is full of many wonderful and interesting things to do.
Whether visiting on a weekend city break or adding it to your full Ireland travel itinerary, Belfast will surely be full of unforgettable memories.
One of the most notable things to do in the city is to visit the fascinating Titanic Museum.
This article outlines everything you need to know about visiting the Titanic Museum in Belfast.
We highlight useful information about the Titanic Museum, how to get to the museum and answer many frequently asked questions about Titanic Belfast.
Belfast is infamously the place where the doomed ship was built and so the ship and the city share some incredible history. The Titanic Museum is one of the best things to do in Belfast, and hopefully, this article will provide you with everything you will need to make your visit a success.
So, let’s dive into: Titanic Museum Guide
Disclaimer - this blog post contains affiliate links where we can earn a commission if you make a purchase through them (at no extra cost to you).
Titanic Museum at a Glance
How long do I need to spend at the Museum? Plan to be there between 3-4 hours
How to buy tickets: purchase fast-track entry tickets online here before you arrive
Best place to stay near the museum: Titanic Hotel Belfast
Useful information about Titanic Museum
Address: Titanic Queen's Road, The Titanic Quarter, 1 Olympic Way, Belfast BT3 9EP
Website: www.titanicbelfast.com
Phone number:+44 (0)28 9076 6386
Titanic Museum Glossary
Before beginning our Titanic Museum Guide, we thought we’d quickly define some of the terms often associated with a visit to the Titanic Museum in Belfast. Some of these terms sound very similar and can often get confusing, so here are a few quick definitions for you to get started.
Titanic Belfast/Titanic Museum - these names are interchangeable and refer to the entire building
Titanic Experience - the self-guided experience through the museum exhibits and galleries. The bit you actually come to do.
SS Nomadic - a tender ship used to ferry mail, cargo and passengers to the Titanic. It is the last remaining White Star Line Ship in the world and is now in situ 150m from the Titanic Museum.
Discovery Tour - an outdoor guided tour of the area surrounding the Titanic Museum.
Titanic Quarter - the name given to the area in North East Belfast where the Titanic Museum is located. The Titanic Quarter is only a 5-minute drive from Belfast City Airport.
Where is the Titanic Museum?
The Titanic Museum is found in the heart of the Titanic Quarter - a lovely dockside area in North East Belfast. The museum is a 5-minute drive from Belfast City Airport and a short walk into Belfast City Centre.
How to get to the Titanic Museum?
The Titanic Museum is fantastically located in the centre of Belfast and is very easy to get. Here is a quick rundown of how to get to the Titanic Museum:
Taxi - taxis are readily available from the centre of Belfast. Depending on traffic, a taxi ride from central Belfast to the Titanic Museum will take around 10 minutes and should cost somewhere between £5.00-£7.50.
Bus - Bus Route 26 (26; 26a; 26b; 26c) travels from Belfast City Centre all the way to the Titanic Quarter. The Titanic Museum has a dedicated stop. Click here for Belfast bus routes and timetables.
Car - if you’re driving along the M1 or M2, follow signs for the airport and then take the exit towards the Titanic Quarter. There is paid underground parking on-site at the museum.
Walk - walking from Belfast City Centre to the Titanic Quarter is possible. The 1.5-mile (2.4km) walk should take around 20-30 minutes.
When does the Titanic Museum open?
The opening hours for the Titanic Museum vary throughout the year so here’s a quick rundown:
Jan - Feb, Oct - Dec - 10:00-17:00
Apr - May, Sep - 09:00-18:00
Jun - Aug - 09:00-19:00
*Opening hours vary, check latest opening times here
How much does it cost to visit the Titanic Museum?
There are a few different ticket options when it comes to the cost of visiting the Titanic Museum, so here is a quick outline:
Titanic Experience and SS Nomadic (The ticket you probably want to buy):
Adult - £21.50
Child (5-15) - £10.00
Child (<5) - Free
Family Pass (2 Adult; 2 Children) - £53.00
Important note: you must buy your tickets online before arriving.
Order your Titanic Museum tickets online and use the Self-service ticket collection in Titanic Museum
Where to stay when visiting the Titanic Museum?
There are a number of great places to stay in the Titanic Quarter but underneath we have highlighted the best options for staying close to the Titanic Museum. Each of the options listed below are situated in the Titanic Quarter and/or are a short walk from Titanic Belfast.
Most Authentic Titanic Accommodation Option - Titanic Hotel Belfast - a grand hotel located in the Harland & Wolff Headquarters Building where the Titanic was designed initially.
Unique Experience - Titanic Barge - stay on your very own private house barge, moored within walking distance of the Titanic Museum.
Best budget-friendly option - The Flint - our top choice for budget-friendly accommodation in Belfast City centre. The rooms even come furnished with cooking facilities and a kitchenette.
Titanic Hotel - the most authentic Titanic-themed hotel in the world
Can you do a guided tour of the Titanic Museum?
It isn’t currently possible to do a guided tour of the Titanic Museum. The Titanic Experience is all self-guided, but there is plenty of information along the way, and it is really easy to understand everything in the exhibits.
However, it is possible to do the Discovery Tour, one of the best tours in Belfast - an outdoor walking tour around the Titanic Museum itself, uncovering more about where the famous ship was built. You can buy tickets online for the Discovery Tour here. (It is worth noting that buying a ticket for the Discovery Tour doesn’t give you access to the Titanic Experience inside the Museum)
Want to learn more about the Titanic? Some of the best travel books on Northern Ireland include historical recounts of the building and manufacturing process of the famous ship.
How long do you need to spend at the Titanic Museum?
In general, we recommend spending at least 3 hours at the Titanic Museum. The Titanic Experience usually takes around 1.5 - 2.0 hours to complete, while a stroll around the SS Nomadic can take up to 30 minutes.
When you factor in slight waiting times, the option of grabbing food and drink, and the chance to do the Discovery Tour, a visit can often exceed 4 hours.
Titanic Museum - stop 5 on the Hop on Hop off Belfast Tour
Best things to see in the Titanic Museum
Titanic Experience
We will start with the obvious one - the Titanic Experience is what everybody sees and explores.
The well-crafted exhibits showcase the life and times of the famous ship - beginning with the construction of the Titanic in Belfast Docks, through to the ill-fated maiden voyage and the legacy the ship has left behind.
It is the largest collection of Titanic exhibits in the world and is absolutely worth the entrance fee. You don’t have to be a maritime enthusiast to appreciate what the museum has to offer!
Titanic Quarter
Ok, so this one isn’t technically in the Titanic Museum, but it’s still worth mentioning. Described as being ‘one of Europe’s largest urban waterfront regeneration projects’, the Titanic Quarter is in the heart of Belfast’s Innovation District and is a lovely place to wander around when you visit the Titanic Museum.
On top of the Museum, the Titanic Quarter is home to the Maritime Mile (a great place to walk around and see the waterfront) and a number of major TV and film studios - you might even be able to spot a celebrity or two if you’re lucky!
SS Nomadic
The last remaining White Star Line Ship in the world, the SS Nomadic can be found less than 200m from the entrance of the Titanic Museum and is certainly worth exploring when you visit Titanic Belfast.
The SS Nomadic was a tender ship for the Titanic, meaning it carried mail, cargo and passengers out to the ship.
Originally built in 1911, SS Nomadic has undergone major renovation works and has now been successfully restored to its former glory, back in its hometown of Belfast.
SS Nomadic - located beside the Titanic Museum
The Slipway/Plaza
Outside the Titanic Museum, you can wander around the slipway where the iconic ship was built and originally launched.
In the Plaza area, there are a series of large lamp posts, each representing the position of the stanchions of the Arrol Gantry - one of the world’s largest cranes at the time that was used to build the Titanic.
You will also see a lifesize plan of the Titanic’s main deck etched into the floor beneath your feet. While we often associate the Titanic as being one of the biggest ships in the world (which it was at the time), it is surprising to see how small the boat is compared to modern ships nowadays.
Titanic Store
To round off your visit to the Titanic Museum in Belfast, you need to get yourself to the Titanic Store, found in the main entrance hallway to the museum.
The Titanic Store is home to many Belfast-themed gifts, Titanic memorabilia and Northern Irish staples such as Guinness-inspired treats. The Titanic Store is a really great place to find authentic Northern Ireland souvenirs as a lovely reminder of your trip.
Titanic Store - the perfect place to find a Titanic-themed gift
There we have it folks, a conclusive round-up of everything you need to know about visiting the Titanic Museum. The museum is one of the highlights of a trip to Belfast. Learning about the intertwined history of the ship and the city is something everybody should experience when in Northern Ireland’s up-and-coming capital city.
Here are some links to articles that we think will come in handy for your upcoming trip to Belfast.
Belfast Travel Advice
How to visit Belfast Castle - step-by-step guide on how to get to Belfast Castle in North Belfast
Best Tours in Belfast - embarking on a tour is the best way to discover everything Belfast has to offer
How to get from Belfast International Airport to Belfast City Centre
Best cheap hostels in Belfast - brilliant affordable accommodation recommendations in Belfast
