Travel is better when shared:
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.
But car rental in Ireland isn't as simple as it is in other places. It's a topic I've written about often here at Ireland Family Vacations. And now I'm bringing all those articles together into one in-depth guide.
8 Steps to Car Rental in Ireland
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!)
- Choose a rental company.
- 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 Irish Car Rental
So far so good, right? Now let's dig into each of those steps
Step #1: 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 30-60 minutes after you land, though it may take longer.
Arriving in Shannon: plan your pick up for 30 minutes after you land. Shannon Airport is much smaller 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 to bring you back to the airport after you return the car. 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 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?
Ready to move on?
Step #3: Choose a Car Rental Company
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… And you have the European companies: EuropCar and Sixt. And a couple of Irish as well: Irish Car Rentals 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.
- Choose based on price: I will often use AutoEurope, a comparison site, to determine which companies are offering the best deals for my 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 Irish 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: since Dan Dooley was acquired by Enterprise I have begun using- and recommending- Irish Car Rentals (use code IFV 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 are double to triple the cost of gas in the US. Also worth noting, petrol is sold by the litre (1 gallon = 3.78 litres). The last time we visited petrol was €1.31 per litre.
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 large is the luggage you are bringing?
- 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 denimination
- 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, car seats, WiFi
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 this 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.
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 (CDW 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.
Collision Damage Waiver Aka CDW 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 €15-25 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).
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.
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, 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) in case of damage, so be sure your credit limit is sufficient. This ‘hold’ is released when the car is returned undamaged.
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. I recommend doing your homework on the insurance coverage your credit card provides (remember it must be the card you used to book your trip/ car rental for coverage to be effective!) as well as considering travel insurance.
Any questions? If not you can move on…
Step 7: Make Your Irish 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 Irish Car Rental
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!
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Glad I found your article and I have posted it to my own facebook page. The car rental desk has become the one traumatic part of my vacation home to relatives in Ireland. I literally spend the whole trans atlantic trip worried about what BS they are going to pull this time at the desk. I have British and American passports and driving licenses and my way around is to have an annual car hire insurance excess policy for UK residents. I think the behaviour of front line staff (particularly Hertz) at Dublin is disgraceful upselling insurance to Americans with tales of that ‘poor American who was killed last week a mile from the terminal on a roundabout’. I have been kept waiting for two hours (with three exhausted young kids and hubby in tow) while they reluctantly agree to accept my coverage and let me rent the car I booked without paying the extra rich american tax! I am English so I now ban any of my American family from opening their mouths and we get by! But very good points well explained.
A little knowledge goes a long way. Most tourists are unaware of the insurance requirements in Ireland and that leaves them feeling ‘fleeced’ or taken advantage of.
I’m glad you found the article helpful and hope you will pass it along to friends & family.
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Hello! Your tips are spot on! One thing I might add…tire insurance is not generally covered by any of the aforementioned insurance plans…we are thankful we purchased additional tire coverage! Tires suffer tremendous wear and tear in Ireland! Headed back to Ireland in 10 days and will be purchasing all insurance options for total peace of mind!
Very good point! Thanks for bringing it up!
Thank you for this! We are in the process of planning our 2nd visit to Ireland and this time around we will be renting a car. Our first trip was in 2017, but we stayed right in Dublin and didn’t need a car (I had to chuckle at your comment about the recommendation to NOT drive in Dublin. I have to agree with you wholeheartedly!). This time we will be staying in Dublin for the first few days and will not have a car there – we will pick up a car after our stay in Dublin and will spend the rest of the trip driving along the coast and eventually ending up in Galway. This article provided me with some valuable information!
Thanks so much for your comment!
If you plan to pick up your car in Dublin city centre do be sure to read this article!
Safe travels!
Thanks so much for newsletter and tips. Just returned. Found the Costco Citi Visa does cover Ireland, and they emailed letter that explicitly states Ireland.
Rented through Buget.IE and at the counter it required a firm “Yes you do. Yes you can. Yes you will” to get clerk to process/accept and waive CDW. He went to supervisor and magically the form then appeared. My card benefit/insurer made sure I understood I must decline car rental company’s insurance, as they will only accept claim if they are primary and only (this does not pertain to “third party” portion).
Just reserved online with Irish Car Rentals for next trip. Irish Car Rental site pricing, processing and then declining CDW was a much better experience.
Thanks so much for you and your readers.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Mark. Sometimes I don’t think it’s a ‘hard sell’ technique so much as that personnel just don’t know. Glad you knew your facts and got it straightened out!
Safe travels on your next trip!
Our driving experience in Ireland was pretty good! My 4 rules would be:
1) RESERVE and automatic in advance.
2) Think through in advance that you will be driving on the opposite side of the road as in the US.
3) Think through in advance the process of getting into a round-a-bout in the clockwise direction.
4) Get used to the idea that many rural roads are VERY narrow!
If you are prepared in advance, you will LOVE Ireland and driving in Ireland!
Very handy tips to think about before driving in Ireland! Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you for the information! We start in Dublin for two days and now WON’T rent until we leave. But we are dropping off in Belfast. Any recommendations? We understand there will be extra fees…
So glad to help!
The main thing with dropping a car off in Belfast are the fees for leaving a car in another country. They can be steep and will be different for each car rental provider, so I recommend doing your research.
I always pay for the ‘return the tank empty’ option. A) it’s less hassle the day of departure. To me the convenience is worth the cost. and B) there have been noted cases of gas stations in Ireland raising their rates the closer they are to airports. Most have been shut down, but that’s not to say others don’t do it.. But totally your call.
Otherwise everything should be the same as if you were returning the car to the same place you picked it up.
Safe travels!
I’m booking thru a travel company and they are taking care of the care rental for me. I just read that you said that you said you should have $2000-5000 free on your card for the rental. Is that true???
Hi Wendy. It really depends on how your travel agent books it. Some travel agents will include the insurance coverage, some won’t.
And then it depends on if the credit card you used will cover car rental insurance in Ireland.
I go through this pretty thoroughly in Step 6 of the car rental article above.
You need to check with your tour company and see what is covered- and what is not. Ask thorough questions and be sure you understand their answer. If it is vague or doesn’t quite make sense, ask again.
But, yes, if you plan to cover your car rental insurance with a credit card, and not the CDW Excess (additional purchased insurance coverage), you will need to have a specified amount available as a ‘hold’ on your credit card. Your rental contract should outline costs.
Your tour company should be able to outline all this for you. You just need to ask for all the information.
Hope that helps!
I’m so glad I discovered you! I was about to create a rental car disaster to start our Mother Daughter Irish Road Trip. Your information is so spot on!
What is the extra add on that Irish Rental Cars offers to “collect your car at terminal”? Will it save me time? We are on a tight schedule to drive to Cobh….but don’t want to pay if not necessary.
Hi Linda! I’m so glad the car rental information was helpful!
To answer your question- rental times at Dublin airport can be long, so if you are pressed for time collecting your car at the terminal could save you at least 30 minutes. If you are flying into Cork it won’t make much difference as that airport is much (much) smaller.
Have a wonderful trip!
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If I use my credit card for the collision damage and theft do I need Third Party Liability Coverage or is this what you are saying is always included in the Rental? I just want the car I am driving to be covered as well as the car and driver of another car if I am at fault. Also how do I know how much the Rental company will Charge my Credit Card if I do not use their insurance?
Basic liability- sometimes called third party liability- is included with any car rental.
Your car rental company should spell out the terms of exact coverage and limitations and the information should be available prior to finalizing the car rental. My preferred company, Irish Car Rentals, lists everything on their website in easy access to customers under the tab Rental Information. They even list the credit card hold amounts in their Knowledge Information link from that page.
Other rental companies should also have this information available on their websites (use the .ie version for Ireland specific information; example: enterprise.ie ). If you can’t find the information I would call the rental company directly – the Ireland office- for the answer.
I hope that helps. Safe travels!
I have friends who were in an accident in Ireland in May. They had rented their car through Budget. The insurance they purchased with the car did not cover the driver’s hospitalization, only the passenger’s bills. Is this the way it is with all rental companies and insurance? Is this why we would need TravelGuard or similar insurance?
It is actually that way with all car rental- even in the US. You just don’t realize it because in the US you usually have your own auto insurance to cover you.
Under the insurance portion I wrote:
It is important to note that theft and personal liability insurance are not included in your Irish car rental coverages. I recommend doing your homework on the insurance coverage your credit card provides (remember it must be the card you used to book your trip/ car rental for coverage to be effective!) as well as considering travel insurance.
Personal liability is the coverage you need in case of your own injuries.
quick home selling
Everything You Need to Know About Car Rental in Ireland
We have spent many holidays in Ireland and always rented a car. However, we are planning another trip and while we are alert and hold a clear licence we have just turned 80 year. Do some companies rent to seniors over 80 and what are the conditions they offer ? Thanks, Carole
Hi Carole. As you’ve likely noticed, finding car rental when over 75 can be tricky. Each company has their own criteria, so to narrow down options can be tricky.
I know that Irish Car Rentals, who I recommend, does rent to persons over 80, you just need to provide the following:
Drivers aged 75 and over will need to provide a PRINTED medical certificate which states that they are fit to drive and a letter from their insurance company stating that they are currently driving and have not had an accident within the last 5 years. This information must be received at least 5 working days in advance of your rental.
Auto Europe is pretty handy for narrowing down rental options. When you open the page under the pick up/ drop off and dates is a box that says ‘Driver age 25-69’. Uncheck that box and enter your age. All results will be companies that offer rentals to you. My search showed Sixt, Avis, Alamo, and Enterprise. Each will have their own terms, so be sure to read them carefully.
And don’t forget to add on the excess insurance. I would be sure to do that when you reserve the car- just to be safe. And also have that doctor’s note with you, even if the rental company doesn’t request it. Again, better safe than sorry!
I hope that helps you find a rental car. Have a wonderful trip back to Ireland! Safe travels!
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Thanks for a great article. I just want to confirm….I need to purchase a CDW AND a Super CDW? Avis is also trying to sell me Personal Accident and theft insurance. Seems a bit excessive! Especially when you add an extra driver at $10 a day too. Super expensive!
Hi Kelley. Basic CDW is included in your car rental rate.
Super CDW is extra, and a MUST if you don’t have credit card coverage in Ireland (most don’t).
Accident and theft are an option ; I’ll be honest and say that I have never purchased them.
Additional driver is an expensive add on, I agree.
Hope that helped!
Thanks for replying and the great article. I just made my reservation with Irish Car Rentals! We will be there in a couple of weeks!
Have fun! Be sure to drive with caution and have a safe trip!!!
Maybe I’m confused…Anda’s question was about how personal liability isn’t covered in the cost of the car rental, and your response seems to confirm that. But then in response to John’s question, you wrote that all rentals include liability in the cost if the rental. Are these two different “liablity” coverages?
Similar to John, I can opt out of CDW and excess/SCDW bc I have a Visa CC with coverage that is accepted by most Irish rental companies. The coverage is up to $100,000 and includes theft, tires, rims, and glass. I thought I was all set because it was my understanding that the base rate of all rentals in Ireland includes third party liability. But after I read your answers to Anda’s and John’s questions, I’m not so sure. Can you please clarify?
Hi Suzanne.
Third party liability is included in the base quote of car rentals in Ireland. It provides coverage for someone who is not the policy holder. So if you cause an accident the third party liability covers damage or injury to what you hit. The car rental companies are required to carry this as you are driving their car and they don’t want to be sued.
John’s credit card does not cover third party liability- and your’s probably doesn’t either- because it is included in the rate of the car rental.
Personal liability, also called first party liability, is what your credit card (or the CDW) cover. It is coverage for damage or injury to yourself or the vehicle that is caused by you.
I hope that clears it up a bit.
Thank you for all the info! Now that I read on this it doesn’t sound as hellish as I thought it would be…
Glad I could help ease your mind!
On my rental paperwork I don’t see Super CDW but I have collision damage coverage and theft protection for the vehicle both with a deductible of $0 EUR. Would that actually be the “super” CDI/CDW we want to have?
I just don’t want an surprises at the desk! Thanks!
Not all rental companies use the same terms- which makes things really confusing! If you have paperwork that says you have coverage with a zero deductible then you should be set.
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My Amex rep says they cover the CDW in Ireland(since Sept 17′) when using their card. They do not cover liability. Do I need excess insurance coverage?
Hi John. All car rentals in Ireland automatically include the liability in the cost of the rental. You should not be able to ‘opt out’ of that and should not need additional insurance coverage for it.
As to Amex covering the insurance… This is really going to depend on who you rent with. If you rent with an international company (Hertz, Enterprise, Avis) you should be ok. But you might find that the local Irish companies don’t accept Amex as payment when you arrive. In which case you will have to purchase the excess insurance.
Don’t forget to have between $2000-$5000 ‘free’ on your card for the hold. And you will need the letter of coverage dated no more than 2 weeks prior to your trip as proof of coverage.
Safe travels!
Hello!
Very interesting article! This summer I plan to visit Ireland and I would like to rent a car. Can you advise good companies where you can take a car if I’m less than 25 years old?
I would check local companies like Europcar and Sixt. And be prepared to pay a premium due to your age. Good luck.
Thank you, but these companies refused to rent cars. I had to take 14Cars France.
As I said in the article, most do not rent to you if you are under 25.
I’ve also noticed for a lot of car rentals super CDW still doesn’t cover damage to windshields or tires either, it’s in the sneaky fine print. Great article! We’ll be picking up our rental in September, it should prove interesting haha. Not sure if anyone can answer this question, you mentioned shuttles from dropping your rental off to the airport at Shannon. Is that for all rental agencies? We’re picking up and dropping off our car from Hertz at the airport but I haven’t been able to find any info on shuttles.
Hi Jackie. Yep, that fine print. 🙂
Some Shannon car rentals are right on site- you just walk out the arrivals door, cross the street, and get your car. For any that are not right on site there will be a shuttle.
Have a great trip!
This is very helpful information. We are planning to go to Ireland next year and of course, we want to rent a car. I’m going to bookmark your page, but I could help noticing the “additional” insurance point you make. If theft and personal liability insurance are not included in your Irish car rental, then what is? Sounds kind of ridiculous, but I guess that’s the norm there.
Hi Anda.
Theft and personal liability aren’t included in most car rentals, it’s just that we normally don’t notice it as those two items are covered by our personal insurance accounts which cover our car rentals 99% of the time.
Limited Liability (basic CDW), which is automatically included in Irish car rentals, covers any damage you cause to another person’s property.
The CDW Excess (Super CDW) covers any damage to the vehicle you have rented.
Often the credit card you use to book your car rental will cover theft of your property from the car. It will also often cover your personal liability up to a point.
I encourage people to understand car rentals and liabilities no matter where they travel as it’s often not as ‘clear cut’ as you may assume.