Tickets Now Required to Cross Northern Ireland's Famous Rope Bridge
For some people, a trip to Ireland is largely about one thing: the beer. And it's certainly easy to while away an entire week in Dublin and not see much more than the inside of any number of the city's charming pubs. But for more outdoorsy types, Northern Ireland offers a number of al fresco adventures. One of its most popular destinations is the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, a nearly 70-foot-long rope bridge suspended 100 feet above the Atlantic that was first constructed in 1755.
While teetering across a nearly 300-year-old rope bridge may not be everyone's idea of a good time, it's enticing enough that it drew the largest number of visitors ever last year. (It's not hurting tourism that Game of Thrones has done some shooting in the area lately, too.) As the weather warms up, BBC reports that the National Trust — which oversees the bridge — is anticipating even more record-breaking crowds. So that you don't get stuck behind the world's slowest traverser — or someone who understandably gets a little nervous when they realize that the bridge is just 18 inches wide — visitors to Carrick-a-Rede will now need to purchase a timed ticket if they want to make the trek across the famous walkway, which can only accommodate eight people at a time.
Tickets — which will cost about £7 (~$9) per adult, £3.50 (~$5) per child, or £17.50 (~$23) per family — are only available for purchase on site the day of your visit. Sales begin at 9:15am for a 9:30am crossing. Visitors will have one hour to make their way across the bridge. While an hour to cross the bridge may seem like a lot of time, just wait until you look down.
H/T: BBC
TPG featured card
at Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1X | Choose to earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee |
| 2X | Earn 2X points + the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases |
Pros
- Choice to earn up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
- Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and the option to earn Bilt Cash
- $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
- $200 Bilt Cash annually
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Moderate annual fee
- Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
- Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
- Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.