Ireland is jam-packed with natural attractions, heritage landmarks, quaint rural villages, and tranquil islands. Let’s not forget about the abundance of hidden gems that can be found throughout the country. Traveling by car is, without a doubt, the best way to discover the country since the roads are some of the most scenic in Europe and are a joy for anyone who loves to spend time behind the wheel.
In addition to the endless magic, there is to experience in Ireland by car, there is no match for the freedom you will have when having your own two wheels at your disposal, and as an Irish native, I thoroughly recommend renting a car when visiting the country.
Wondering which company is better to choose? Wondering what documents are required when driving in Ireland? Perhaps you are unsure if it is an affordable option for your trip or if you can even take the rental car across the border to Northern Ireland. With all that in mind, I will do my best to clarify these common questions so you can make the most of your Irish road trip and get the best deal.
Where Can You Book a Rental Car in Ireland?
If you are wondering where to book a car hire in Ireland, there are plenty of great comparison sites, including Kayak and Skyscanner, but it is sometimes better to check the prices directly with the car hire company. The best place to rent a car is from Dublin Airport, Knock Airport, Cork Airport, or Shannon Airport, where you will find several car hire options.
Why should You Rent a Car in Ireland?
There are endless reasons to hire a car in Ireland, but let’s start with the most important ones.
The Freedom
Having the freedom to move around the country with out relying on public transport is in valuable and will thoroughly enhance your trip. Not to mention public transport–once you leave the bigger cities and towns, it is unreliable and slow, which is not perfect if you are short on time. In bigger cities like Dublin, Galway, and Cork, you can easily explore on foot or by public transport where needed. Still, a car is necessary to explore the rest of the country, including the hidden gems.
An Irish Road trip is a must
Part of visiting Ireland is embarking on an ultimate road trip, not just getting from A to B. Ireland is one of the best places for a road trip, so much so that we have the longest coastal road in the world –The Wild Atlantic Way, which is undertaken by many people each year. If you love to drive and love a fun road trip, you will be in the perfect place to do just this – you will have zero regrets!
The Scenery
Yes, one of the main reasons you should rent a car in Ireland is the scenery. Of course, you can see the landscape from various bus and train routes, but traveling by car allows you to see a lot more – plus you can stop whenever you like. From coastal routes like The Ring of Kerry to the narrow roads of the Wicklow Mountains, you will be entranced by the ever-changing landscapes in Ireland, which are best enjoyed by car.
Many roads are toll-free
Ireland has eleven toll roads across the country, many of which get you from A to B faster than rural roads. Yet, many of these motorways (M)can be traveled for free, as long as you leave the motorway before the toll station and continue on a side road until you can rejoin. Alternatively, if you prefer to avoid motorways, you will find plenty of great National (N) roads, which are also entirely free, and more minor country roads that offer a real adventure.
Blend in with the locals
You will notice that many people have cars once you leave the cities, and very few rely on public transport to go to and from other cities and towns. Getting around by car has been the primary means of transportation since the 1980s / 1990s ; however, not much has changed. One of the things you will notice when driving in Ireland is that the locals will always wave, stop for a chat, or even save their parking space for you to use, which is the Irish way. This can only be experienced when driving in Ireland.
Requirements For Renting a Car in Ireland?
This is probably one of the most asked questions, and it is an important one to ask. If you are planning to rent a car in Ireland, there are a few things to organize before you leave home, including:
- A valid driving license for the vehicle you intend to rent
- A valid credit card is required for a security deposit
- You need to be over 21 to rent from most car hire companies
- Your passport
- If you are over 75, you may need to fulfill specific requirements
- An international driving license is often required if the original is not in the Roman alphabet.
What is the Best Time to Rent a Car in Ireland?
If you would like to explore Ireland without the crowds while enjoying cheaper car hire options, one of the best things to do is plan your arrival for the shoulder season. By traveling in either May or September, you can benefit from mild weather, long bright days, and much fewer crowds than if you travel during the summer months, which is the busiest time.
Automatic Versus Manual Transmission
If you are visiting the United States, you might be surprised that many Irish vehicles are manual, yet automatic hire cars are available to book. Not all car hire companies in Ireland offer automatic options, and if they do, the price is often much higher than that of standard manual cars. In addition, automatic cars tend to book up faster than manual cars, so if you are not experienced with manual transmission, it is best to book in advance and secure an automatic vehicle.
Car Hire Insurance in Ireland Explained
Insurance is essential when renting a car in Ireland, and the variety of options can be daunting. Let me explain how it works. When renting a car, you have the choice of the following insurance types:
- Third Party: This basic mandatory insurance covers third-party liability only and is included in your policy
- CDW: Collision Damage Waiver protects against any damage that may occur to your rental car.
- Theft Protection (TP): This is self-explanatory and essentially covers theft or attempted vehicle theft.
- Additional Liability Insurance: This optional extra covers injuries to third parties.
(In Ireland, unlimited Third-Party insurance is a legal requirement and will be included in your car rental policy, while other options like CDW and TP can be added on)
- Excess & One-Way Fee: the excess is the amount of money you are responsible for paying in the event of an accident. There are many options for excess costs, including an excess waiver, which will waive the fee in case of an accident, so be sure to check the terms and conditions of each company and decide what is best for you. If you plan to rent a car in one location and drop it off in another, rental car companies in Ireland will allow this for a fee of between€50-150, which is well worth it if you want the ultimate flexibility with no backtracking.
The Eight Best Car Rentals in Ireland
Let’s dive into the ten best car rentals in Ireland, in no particular order.
1. Enterprise Car Hire
Enterprise Car Hire is one of the world’s most well-known car hire companies and may be a top choice for you, especially if you have used them before and have had good experiences. One of the benefits of hiring a car in Ireland with Enterprise is the massive variety of vehicles they have available, as well as the variety of locations across Ireland.
- Benefits: Free pick up/drop off service
- Locations: Dublin, Kilkenny, Cork, Athlone, Galway, Naas, Sligo, Waterford, Limerick, Mayo, Drogheda, Letterkenny and many more.
- Requirements: Drivers must hold a license for at least eight years and be over 25.
- Additional Drivers: Additional drivers must meet the above requirements and can be added to the policy for a daily cost of €9.99 at all locations except airports (€11.90).
- Cross Border Policy: Drivers are permitted to cross to Northern Ireland and the UK mainland (€170.25+ surcharge for mainland), while European travel is not allowed.
- Security Deposit: €250
2. Sixt Car Hire
Sixt is another world-famous car hire company which you may have come in contact with other countries. Sixt is a popular choice in Ireland for its premium cars at a budget price and locations in leading cities nationwide. Offering early bird and long-term rental discounts, Sixt is an excellent option if you plan in advance and want to hire a car for a long road trip.
- Benefits: A well-established company providing premium cars at lower rates
- Locations: Dublin, Cork, Shannon
- Requirements: The driver must hold a license for at least four years and be at least 21/25/30 years old for specific categories of cars.
- Additional Drivers: Additional fees apply depending on the vehicle
- Cross Border Policy: Crossing to Northern Ireland is permitted, but the company must seek written permission for a charge.
- Security Deposit: €100 – €5000 depending on coverage and car category
3. Budget Car Rental
Budget Car Rental may be familiar since it is a recognized car hire company worldwide. Perhaps this may be your go-to choice if you are traveling on a budget, so let’s explain what makes Budget Car Rental one of the best car rentals in Ireland. Firstly, there are plenty of locations, including Roscommon and Kerry, which make it as easy as ever to pick up your rental, and there are great deals and ongoing special offers to enjoy significant discounts.
- Benefits: Ongoing promotions will save you lots of money – for those extra pints of Guinness!
- Locations: Over 13 locations across Ireland, including Dublin, Galway, Roscommon and Cork.
- Requirements: At least 23 years old at the time of rental. A current valid driving license held for at least two years, an English translation if appropriate, a passport or ID, and a valid credit card. Drivers who have been banned from driving in the past ten years cannot rent a car with Budget, while those over 76 can rent a car once they follow specific conditions.
- Additional Drivers: Permitted for a fee of €11.35 per driver per day.
- Cross-Border Policy: Yes, drivers can take their vehicle to Northern Ireland; however, there is a cross-border fee of €34 to cover the car in case of a breakdown.
- Security Deposit: Credit card details will be taken, and a fee may be payable
4. Hertz
Hertz is a well-established brand often considered a premium car rental company, so this is ideal if you are searching for a wide variety of rental options and are not on a strict budget. Hertz has locations across Ireland from Wexford all the way to Kerry, plus they offer a free pick up and drop off service if you are else where in the country.
- Benefits: There is a huge variety of premium cars to choose from compared to other rental companies.
- Locations: 10 locations across Ireland at significant airports and Wexford, Cork City, and Waterford.
- Requirements: Drivers must have held their full license for at least two years, must be 21 or over, and drivers over 75 can drive when specific conditions are fulfilled.
- Additional Drivers: A fee of €10 will be charged for any additional drivers per day.
- Cross Border Policy: It is permitted to drive to both Northern Ireland and mainland UK, with a cross-border fee of €30. For the UK mainland, drivers must purchase a separate AA breakdown cover or risk not covered in repatriation and breakdowns.
- Security Deposit: A credit card will be used to secure a fee based on the pick-up rental cost.
5. Avis Car Hire
Avis is one of the best car rentals in Ireland and can be found throughout the country. You can rest assured you are dealing with an established company since they exist worldwide, and their service in Ireland is excellent. The great thing about Avis is they offer their loyal customers regular discounts, complimentary upgrades, free additional drivers, and fast-track priority service with their “Avis Preferred” membership.
- Benefits: Great discounts for loyal customers and a well-known worldwide brand offering premium car rental.
- Locations: Dublin, Kerry, Shannon, Cork, Knock and more.
- Requirements: Full licenses must be held for at least two years, and drivers must be at least 25 years old at the time of rental.
- Additional Drivers: Additional drivers are permitted for a fee of €9.50 daily.
- Cross-Border Policy: Yes, drivers are permitted to drive to Northern Ireland once they have paid the cross-border fee of €34, which covers retrieval in the case of a breakdown.
- Security Deposit: Yes, the driver will need to provide a valid credit card, which will be used to secure a fee depending on your booking. Cash is not accepted.
6. Europcar
With 3,835 locations across 140 countries, there is no doubt that you may have spotted this award-winning rental company somewhere on your previous travels. Europcar is located in Ireland and remains one of the best car rentals in Ireland for many reasons, especially for its great deals, a variety of modern vehicles to suit your needs, and discounts for loyal customers. So, let us explain why Europcar should be considered when renting a car in Ireland.
- Benefits: A range of electric, automatic, and city cars, 100% self-service digital rentals, and ongoing deals throughout the year.
- Locations: A variety of locations to suit you, from Kilkenny and Limerick to all major airports.
- Requirements: You must be at least 21 years old and hold a driving license for at least one year. A valid credit card and a passport or ID card are required for the security deposit. A full license must be held for at least eight years up to 12 years for some car categories. Please note that a ‘Young Driver Surcharge’ may be applicable.
- Additional Drivers: A fee of €10.22 per driver per day is required when booking.
- Cross-Border Policy: While rentals are permitted to cross to Northern Ireland, please note that the rental is not allowed to leave the island of Ireland. A fee of €34.05 is required in advance to cross to Northern Ireland.
- Security Deposit: This is calculated by the total rental estimate and the vehicle excess and can be between €1500 – €2000, so ensure this is available on your credit card.
7. Irish Car Rentals
If you would instead book with a local car rental agency, one of the best car rentals in Ireland is Irish Car Rentals, which can be found throughout the country. Offering both short- and long-term rentals, as well as a wide variety of cars, Irish Car Rentals is an excellent choice, whatever your rental needs are. They pride themselves on having the best car and van rentals in Ireland, so let’s see what they offer and what is required to rent a car from Irish Car Rentals.
- Benefits: A local option offering the best deals on short- and long-term rentals with over 40 years of experience.
- Locations: Dublin, Cork, Shannon, Galway and more.
- Requirements: A license, passport, and credit or debit card are required when booking a rental. Drivers must be over 25, and there is no option to pay a young driver’s fee. Drivers and additional drivers must ensure they have held a license for at least eight years.
- Additional Drivers: A fee of €10.22 will be required for each additional driver per day of the rental contract.
- Cross-Border Policy: Yes, crossing the border to Northern Ireland is permitted, but you will need to inform the company when picking up your car, and a fee of €34.05 is required in addition to your rental cost.
- Security Deposit: A deposit is secured on your credit card, which will be decided upon the rental cost.
8. CarHire.ie
CarHire.ie, is an ideal option if you seek a great deal from a company with 23 locations nationwide. Priding themselves on having flexible car hire, free changes, and 24-hour emergency assistance, CarHire is a good option if you want to get lots of all-inclusive extras. This company is known for its hassle-free approach, allowing you to get on the road as quickly and efficiently as possible to save time and money. So, here is what they require to make a booking when visiting Ireland.
- Benefits: A trusted Irish business since 1984, providing a hassle-free, great-value experience.
- Locations: All major Irish airports
- Requirements: Drivers must have held a full license for at least eight to twelve years, depending on the car category. Drivers from EU countries, the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are not required to provide an International Driving Permit.
- Additional Drivers: Additional drivers can be added for a fee of €10.22 per day and must fulfill the criteria.
- Cross-Border Policy: A fee of €34.05 is required as a cross-border fee for Northern Ireland, and the company must know in advance.
- Security Deposit: A security deposit will be required when picking up the car, and the cost will depend on your rental.
Tips for Renting a Car in Ireland
Get a SIM card
Ireland has some great low-cost SIM card options with plenty of data, which makes it an excellent choice for researching and navigating activities on the go. If you stay for a few weeks, I advise you to get a Vodafone sim card, which costs €20 per month and includes unlimited data. This is a great option, as you will never need to worry about running out of data or being lost in the middle of the lush but unforgiving Irish countryside.
Download maps
If you have a sim card, Google Maps is a great option; otherwise, it is advisable to download the map before embarking on your road trip. Maps. Me is an excellent offline option, which can also be used to navigate to find water points, heritage attractions, public toilets, and everything in between.
Take your time
When you set off on your Irish road trip, you will notice how small the roads can get and how fast some locals drive – we are used to these types of roads. However, it is advisable to take your time, especially if you are driving on the left-hand side for the first time and don’t feel the need to speed up – the locals will pass you and most likely give you a big wave. Take your time to enjoy the roads and the scenery – and be safe.
Be aware of dedicated parking areas
Many cities and some towns have paid parking, which will be displayed. It is wise to check the parking areas for signs or machines to avoid getting a hefty fine. There are also many places you can not park, for which the signs should state otherwise, and if you doubt where to park safely, always as a friendly Irish local.
Take photos of your car before driving
If there is one piece of valuable advice I have gained from renting cars over the years, it is to take photos and videos before you leave the parking area. This is proof that any scratches or dents appearing on the vehicle were there when you picked it up – and this photo evidence can help tremendously if there are any disputes at the end of the rental agreement.
Remember to drive on the LEFT
Many people forget that Ireland is a country that drives on the left-hand side, just like the UK, Australia, and even Japan, which is why there are plenty of reminders in various languages along the roads. If you have never driven on the left before, get used to how things work – especially since the car may be the opposite of what you are used to. This is crucial to staying safe and avoiding potential damage to the rental vehicle.
Avoid Tolls
As mentioned earlier, there are a few ways to avoid tolls in Ireland, many of which are easy. Unlike other road systems, Ireland can leave the toll road before the toll plaza, which many people do if they are not in a rush. Alternatively, you can take the slower National or Regional roads, which do not have tolls and will generally take you in a more scenic way. A top tip is to set your maps to “Avoid Tolls”; this way, you can still opt to travel on faster roads without paying any tolls.
Gas Stations/Petrol Stations
Fear not, Ireland has plenty of petrol stations, including Applegreen, Topaz, Maxol, and Circle K, to name but a few. These are excellent spots to stop for delicious snacks from the deli, to use the bathroom, or to use Wifi if you do not have a sim card. If you are lost, these are also excellent places to stop to ask for directions.
Cross Border Driving
If you plan to take your rental vehicle to Northern Ireland or onwards to mainland UK, you need to be aware that the speed used is Miles, compared to Kilometers, which is used in Ireland. You will notice that the speed limits change as soon as you cross the border, so be aware of this to avoid any speed fines.
Roads in the UK are similar to Irish roads, albeit with a few different signs, so prepare for this by reading the road rules for both countries if you plan to embark on an island-wide adventure. In addition, the UK uses GBP while Ireland uses Euros, so be aware of this when crossing the border.
FAQs
