Everything You Need to Know About Car Rental in Ireland (2024)
Renting a car in Ireland is the best way to experience everything the country has to offer. You will be able to explore Ireland at your own pace, not on someone else's schedule. You can stay longer in an area you are drawn to, change your itinerary at will, or just take the long, meandering road to your next destination.
Looking for the EASIEST car rental in Ireland?
Irish Car Rentals offers Contactless Car Rentals with Full Insurance at Dublin Airport!
Car rental in Ireland isn't as simple as it is in other places. You have a few important choices to keep in mind as you choose your rental car – from size and transmission to rental company and insurance coverage.
There is a lot of information in this article- if you want a condensed version here is what you MUST know about renting a car in Ireland.
- Most cars in Ireland are manual transmission. If you can not drive a ‘stick shift' be sure to reserve an automatic. Rates are higher.
- Understand additional fees you may encounter (all are listed here).
- You do not need a car in Dublin. Plan to pick up after your city stay or return when you visit.
- Cars are a bit smaller and boot (trunk) space can be limited. Review car size carefully before booking.
- Additional insurance is mandatory, whether you purchase it or use a credit card. Read this section to understand your options (this is the most important part).
Want a quick overview? View Ireland Car Rental in 8 Easy Steps.
How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Car in Ireland?
Car rental costs will vary based on the type of car you rent, when you rent it, the time of year you are visiting, where you rent from (and drop off), as well as any additional products or services you add to your rental.
Note on car rental in 2024: High demand and scarcity of new vehicles may cause price increases during high tourist season. Book early to receive the best pricing.
Average Ireland rental car costs in 2024 (updated April 9, 2024)
7 day round-trip rental with SCDW from Dublin Airport via Irish Car Rentals using my exclusive rental link.
| May | |||
| Manual Economy | €278.43 | Automatic Economy | €445.78 |
| Manual Compact | €291.85 | Automatic Compact | €470.98 |
| Manual Intermediate | €439.92 | Automatic Intermediate | €504.62 |
| Manual SUV/Family | €433.02 | Automatic SUV/Family | €534.07 |
| July | |||
| Manual Economy | €290.40 | Automatic Economy | €423.67 |
| Manual Compact | €294.94 | Automatic Compact | €447.17 |
| Manual Intermediate | €420.58 | Automatic Intermediate | €474.51 |
| Manual SUV/Family | €411.85 | Automatic SUV/Family | €538.86 |
| October | |||
| Manual Economy | €322.03 | Automatic Economy | €377.24 |
| Manual Compact | €329.21 | Automatic Compact | €397.02 |
| Manual Intermediate | €397.02 | Automatic Intermediate | €449.18 |
| Manual SUV/Family | €411.54 | Automatic SUV/Family | €451.10 |
Additional Ireland Car Rental Costs
As you can see above, it costs more to rent a car with an automatic transmission than a manual, but that's not the only cost that can be added to your car rental in Ireland. Other fees can include:
- Renting a diesel vehicle will increase rental costs but may save money on fuel
- One-way rental costs
- Admin fee for using your own insurance (€30 – PLUS a hold on your credit card in excess of €5000)
- Admin fee for using a credit card (€5)
- Irish car rental taxes (some companies build this into the rental cost)
- SCDW (or Excess) insurance (you want this -> read the section on insurance)
- Cross border fee (if you visit Northern Ireland)
- Additional Driver
- Refueling (return the car with an empty fuel tank)
- Age related costs (under 25 and over 75)
- GPS rental (don't do this! Use the map on your mobile device. Get tips here!)
- Petrol (obviously)
How to Save Money on Car Rental in Ireland
The cost of renting a car can seem steep, so you are likely looking for a way to save a bit of money.
Whatever you do, DO NOT scrimp on the insurance. The SCDW insurance with a zero deductible is often the best money you will spend. Considering using credit card insurance coverage? Read this first.
Here are a few ways to save money on your car rental:
- Rent early for the best rate. I recommend booking as soon as you know your travel dates.
- Rent a manual transmission vehicle (but ONLY if you already know how to drive it!).
- Rent the smallest vehicle you can be comfortable in (don't forget about your luggage).
- Only rent a car for the days you need it (you will NOT need a car in Dublin city).
- Return your car to the same location you rented from.
- Rent from Irish Car Rentals with my exclusive link to save 10%.
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How to Rent a Car in Ireland (in 8 simple steps)
When it comes to renting a car in Ireland it's helpful to begin at the beginning. So let's start with the basic steps.
- Know your arrival and departure dates and locations.
- Do you need a car for your entire trip? (Note- you won't need a car in Dublin!)
- Research car rental companies.
- Choose the car.
- Get your quotes– but be sure you are comparing apples to apples. (Note- this is where the real work comes in!)
- Check, and double check, your insurance options.
- Make your reservation.
- Tips for Picking up and Returning your Rental Car in Ireland
Step #1: Know Your Arrival & Departure Dates & Locations
Before you can begin pricing your Ireland car rental you need to have your flights booked. Note the dates and times.
Planning car pick up at the airports:
Arriving in Dublin: plan to pick up your car 60 minutes after you land, though it may take longer.
8 Tips for a Smooth Car Rental Experience at Dublin Airport
Arriving in Shannon: plan your pick up for 30 minutes after you land. Shannon Airport is much smaller than Dublin and immigration lines are usually quite quick.
Departing from Dublin: plan to drop off your car 3.5 hours prior to boarding time. It will take 20-30 minutes for the shuttle (if needed) to bring you back to the airport after you return the car or for you to park at the airport and have the car checked by an associate. I recommend dropping off people & luggage at the departures gate then returning the car for minimal hassle.
Dublin Airport Tips
Departing from Shannon: plan to drop off your car 2-2.5 hours prior to boarding time. Shuttles (if needed) usually take 10-15 minutes.
Pick up or drop off at non-airport locations: Be sure to check opening hours and plan your schedule accordingly. Carefully note closing time and weekend hours.
OK, that was easy…
Step #2: Do You Need a Car for Your Entire Trip?
Next, determine if you will need or want a car for the duration of your trip.
If you have a couple days planned in Dublin you won't need a car in the city. When deciding between airport or city pick up/ drop off be sure to check your accommodations- is parking included or will you have an additional fee? Also check availability of car rental facilities: What hours are they open? What are the weekend hours?
Picking up your car rental in Dublin city? You need to read this.
Ready to move on?
Step #3: Research Irish Car Rental Companies
You'll find plenty of options when searching for car rental in Ireland.
All the big names are there: Enterprise, Budget, Hertz, Avis, Thrifty, National… (tip: use the .ie web extension for the Irish website).
And you have the European companies: Europcar and Sixt (I never rent with Sixt ever again).
And a couple of Irish as well: Irish Car Rentals (a division of Europcar) and Dan Dooley (which was purchased by Enterprise but still maintains it's own branding, for now.)
So, how do you choose? I have a few tips to narrow down your choices:
- Choose a rental company that offers points or discounts through your credit card, a membership, or your business.
- Over 70? You CAN rent a car but not all companies have the same senior rental policies. Read this article to learn policies for each company.
- Choose based on price: Both Discover Cars and AutoEurope are comparison sites which can be used to determine which companies are offering the best deals for your dates.
- Choose based on availability: some car rental companies are only available at airports. If you are planning to pick up or drop off at other locations you will have fewer options.
- Choose based on your age. Drivers ages 25-74 should have no problem choosing a few Ireland car rental companies to compare. Drivers aged 21-24 and 75 and older will find fewer options, higher rates and/ or extra fees. If you are under age 21 you can not rent a car in Ireland.
- Follow my recommendation: I usually use Irish Car Rentals (use exclusive link to save 10% **). I've found the prices to be fair, the vehicles to be in great condition, and the staff very helpful.
Do you have your car rental companies narrowed down?
Step #4: Choose the Car Type
The rule of thumb for car rental in Ireland is to choose the smallest vehicle possible as fuel (petrol) prices in Ireland can be high. Petrol is sold by the liter (1 gallon = 3.78 liters). Average price in Ireland (December 20, 2023) €1.76/L.
You also need to consider your comfort. Be honest about the space you will need for both people and luggage. A few points to consider:
- How much luggage are you bringing? And how large is it?
- Will you bring or use car seats?
- How much driving will you do daily?
And finally- can you drive a manual transmission? If not you must reserve an automatic, and those are more expensive.
Now the real work begins…
Step #5: Get those Ireland Car Rental Quotes
Crack out your spreadsheet skills – computer or paper- for all the notes you'll be taking.
My spreadsheet has these columns:
- Rental company
- Quoted price – be sure to work in a single denomination so you have equal comparison
- What is included – limited liability insurance, mileage, taxes, airport surcharge, breakdown service, etc
- Costs for extras (each in their own column) – Super Collision Damage Waiver (also SCDW, CDW Excess, CDI Excess), additional driver, GPS, etc.
You want to make sure that your quotes are as similar as possible.
Additional Reading: Why GPS is a Waste of Money in Ireland
Now a bit more about that insurance…
Step 6: Check – and Double Check- Those Insurance Options
The thing that makes car rental in Ireland tricky is the CDW insurance. It's something that surprises people if they haven't done their research and beginning your vacation with the feeling that you just got fleeced isn't a great start.
Ireland car rental terms can be a bit tricky, but the main thing you must realize is that you will not be allowed to drive away in your Irish car rental without some form of excess insurance.
Why is extra insurance coverage a requirement in Ireland?
Because, for all its wide motorways connecting the major cities, Ireland is a country of narrow, winding roads lined with hedgerows and stone fences.
Narrow village streets lined with cars nearly guarantee a mirror swipe with the fault yours or someone else's. Over 90% of rental cars in Ireland return with some sort of damage.
This is where things get a bit confusing.
Ireland car rental insurances:
Limited Liability Insurance This is a legal requirement when renting a car in Ireland and is included on every car rental, automatically (and must be declined if you wish to use a credit card to cover insurance).
What it covers: Assists in paying the damages caused to another person’s property when you are at fault in an accident.
What it doesn’t cover: The damage to you or your own (rental) car in an accident when you are at fault.
What you need to know: Sometimes this will be listed as CDW but it is not the Super CDW (SCDW or CDI Excess), only the liability. (I know, confusing). Rental companies in Ireland will not let you rent a car without additional coverage in place.
If you opt out of the excess coverages, a ‘hold' will be placed on your credit card to cover any damages that may occur. This is based on rental company, car value, and rental term; amounts will vary from €2000- €7000.
Super Collision Damage Waiver Aka SCDW or Excess insurance. Additional insurance coverage. I highly recommend purchasing this coverage.
What it covers: Limits your financial liability for material damage to the vehicle, including theft, as long as the vehicle is used in accordance with the terms and conditions of the rental agreement.
What it doesn’t cover: The deductible you will pay in case of damage.
What you need to know: Adding this will cost you extra (often called excess; ie CDW Excess or CDI Excess), ranging from €20-30 per day, depending on type of vehicle, length of rental, and rental company. Your deductible can be as low as zero when you purchase this coverage.
Tip: If possible purchase this prior to your trip. Not only will you have it taken care of in advance (and possibly in your own currency, thereby skipping exchange fees) but you will be out the door and in your car quicker! Currently Irish Car Rentals, Dan Dooley and Auto Europe offer pre-purchase of CDW insurance. You can also pre-purchase CDW Excess at most major car rental websites that end in .ie (but not .com).
If I purchase Excess Insurance (SCDW) will I have to leave a credit card deposit?
If you purchase a zero deductible SCDW there will be NO HOLD on your credit card. If you purchase a €100 deductible SCDW there will be a €100 hold on your credit card.
The credit card hold is ONLY placed on your card if you decline to purchase excess insurance.
VIP Express Also called VIP Express Insurance
What it is: A service offered by some tour packages which adds CDW/ CDI excess to your self drive vacation package.
What you need to know: This often needs to be added when you make your booking; you may not be able to add it separately to your package. Read the fine print carefully.
Free Insurance Protection You may see this listed on some car rental websites
What it is: CDW and theft protection coverage.
What they don’t tell you (unless you hit the ‘details’ link): USA and Canadian rates generally do not include CDW; please check the rental terms to confirm what is included.
Tip: Be sure to read the rental terms thoroughly before renting a car. You will find accepted credit cards listed here (note that Discover card is not accepted in Ireland), as well as insurance coverage, fuel and mileage limits, restrictions, etc.
What You Need to Know About Credit Card Insurance Coverage in Ireland
Certain credit cards (World Mastercard and Chase Sapphire) offer collision damage cover for the driver, however most VISA, Mastercard, and American Express card issuing companies in the USA have withdrawn coverage for car rental in the Republic of Ireland. A few Canadian issued credit cards also offer coverage.
If the customer wishes to use their credit card to cover collision damage, they must first waive CDW when reserving their rental car, then obtain a current Letter of Authorization from the credit card company must be presented at the time of rental in order to waive the CDI coverage. Client should note that theft insurance may not be included.
Tip: Letter needs to be issued less than 2 weeks prior to picking up the car. A quick call to your card issuer will result in an immediate email of authorization. Print this out and present to rental company. Credit card used to rent the car must be the same as credit card offering coverage.
It is your sole responsibility to determine coverage with your provider and present proof upon arrival. If proof of coverage is insufficient, you will be liable for the full value of the vehicle and a minimum deposit of €3,000/£2,500 will be required. Alternatively, you may opt to purchase CDW/CDI locally which will limit your liability.
Also note that your credit card will have a ‘hold’ place on it for at least €3000 (often €5000 or more) in case of damage, so be sure your credit limit is sufficient. This ‘hold’ is released when the car is returned undamaged.
What About Travel Insurance Policies that Cover Car Rental?
Third party excess policies do not reduce your excess to zero. They simply insure the excess. This means that if your excess (the amount held on your credit card) is taken due to damage caused by you during your rental, you can claim this amount back through the company you purchased this policy from.
You must have proof of the policy when you pick up the car and it must confirm relevant coverage for the Republic of Ireland. You will be required to leave an excess (often €5000 or more) held on the credit card used to rent the car.
Drivers who arrive without a relevant card and letter, or those who do not have excess available on their card, will be required to purchase SCDW/ Excess/ Super CDW coverage from the car rental company.
Also note that not all car rental companies will accept third party insurance. You will want to verify that the insurance will be accepted before arriving in Ireland.
Always read the fine print. I have heard that some car rental companies have begun charging a surcharge to use your credit card insurance. From what I found this is not the norm and seems to be associated with bookings made with vendors like Travelocity and Expedia. I do not recommend booking your vehicle with these sites as the fine print excludes US credit card coverages as well as other rules and restrictions.
Important to know about credit cards: Visa and Mastercard are accepted everywhere credit cards are used. American Express is not as widely accepted due to fees. And Discover card is not accepted at all.
Additional Insurances
It is important to note that theft and personal liability insurance are not included in your Irish car rental coverages.
What if I or my family is injured?
I recommend doing your homework on the coverage your credit card provides for travel (remember it must be the card you used to book your trip/ car rental for coverage to be effective!). Look for terms like Travel Accident Insurance, Travel Assistance, Roadside Assistance, etc. And then learn what is- and what is not- included in that coverage.
You may find that it will cover the card holder and no one else, or that the coverage is minimal. I always purchase and recommend everyone consider purchasing travel insurance for an Ireland vacation.
Any questions? If not you can move on…
Step 7: Make Your Car Rental Reservation
Now that the hard work is done and you've decided on the best car, price, and options for your trip, it's time to purchase your car rental in Ireland.
Just a couple important tips to remember:
Your car must be reserved in the name of the main driver.
The credit card used must be in the name of the main driver. Cash and travelers checks can not be used to rent a car in Ireland. If you opt to use a debit card it must be a Visa or Mastercard debit and may be subject to a hold on your bank account.
You will need a current drivers license to rent a car. An international drivers license is not necessary in Ireland.
Do offer your flight information on your reservation in case of flight delays.
And you're done! Congratulations!
Step 8: Tips for Picking Up, Driving, and Returning Your Rental Car in Ireland
If you have pre-purchased your Excess insurance and any other optional accessories your rental process should be quick and you'll be exploring Ireland in no time! But there are a few things I recommend before you leave.
- Purchase the refueling option. The rates are fair and it allows you to return the car empty. So much easier than finding a gas station as you return to the airport!
- Inquire about tolls. The M50 around Dublin is an automatic toll road. There are 8 other toll roads in Ireland. Some rental companies will have the charges added to your bill; others require that you pay the charges either onsite or online. Know your rental company's policy.
- During the walk around, or before you drive out of the lot, take photos of the car from all angles. This is your ‘insurance' against being charged for previous damage to the vehicle. If possible set the time/date stamp on your camera for these photos.
- If the car interior is excessively dirty when you return it you may be charged a cleaning fee. Remove trash and sweep out sand or dirt before returning.
- Upon return take photos of the car from all angles. Often agents don't do a final walk around with you upon return. This is your ‘insurance' against being charged for damage you didn't incur.
I realize this is an exhaustive list of tips for car rental in Ireland- congratulations on reading til the end! You are now completely prepared to rent a car in Ireland!
Any questions? Ask in the comments below- I always reply!
** The 10% discount is only applicable to certain car classes; the mini & economy classes are excluded. Other restrictions may apply.
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