Car Rental in Ireland
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The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 13:41 on 2020-10-24. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
Travel Information
Language
English,
Irish
Irish
Currency
EUR
Country code
353
Average car rental length
3 days
Economy car rental price
$30.70 / per day
Traffic direction
Left-hand
Speed limit out of town
80 - 100 km/h
50 - 62 mi/h
Speed limit within town
50 km/h
31 mi/h
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.05%
Why rent a car in Ireland?
The Republic of Ireland is a great place to rent a car in. From cities like Dublin, Cork, and Galway to cozy villages, long sea coast, and beautiful nature areas, its great diversity is best explored with the freedom of having your own ride.
If you want to know more about renting a car in Ireland, don't miss our complete guide.
One-way Car Rentals in Ireland
Here are the most popular one-way rental options for pickup in Ireland and drop off in another country:
- From Ireland to United Kingdom - 155 offers from US$ 43.76 per day
Top ways to enter Ireland
- Dublin Airport: Ireland’s largest airport serves flights to and from many destinations in Europe, as well as in North America, Asia, and Africa.
- Knock Airport: Popular with low-cost carriers, Knock Airport is an entry point for Northwest Ireland.
Cork Airport: The airport of Ireland’s second city mainly hosts flights to and from United Kingdom and Western Europe. - By land: It might also be possible to rent a car in Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom, and then drive to Republic of Ireland. Large airports in United Kingdom near Republic of Ireland are Belfast International Airport, Belfast City Airport, and Derry Airport.
Top cities and places to visit
- Dublin: At once the epitome of Irish culture and the most modern place in the country, Dublin is a fascinating destination to visit.
- Galway: Small, but hip and full of life, Galway is one of the most fun destinations in Ireland.
- Cork: Its first settlement dating back to the 6th Century, Cork is a place of interesting architecture and distinct atmosphere.
- Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim. These counties may be be small, but they have beaches, hills, lakes, and other natural beauty in abundance.
- The West: In some ways, Western Ireland is the most traditional part of the country. Bordering Atlantic Ocean and full of interesting traditions, it is a place where Irish language is still spoken on a daily basis. In paticular County Donegal, with it's largest city Letterkenney, is worth a visit.
Most popular rental car
The most popular rental car in Republic of Ireland is the VW Polo, followed by the Toyota Corolla and the Ford Fiesta.
Crossing Borders
Republic of Ireland is bordered by Northern Ireland that is part of the United Kingdom. As of December 2018, both countries are part of the Common Travel Area and the border control is not enforced. Citizens of the member states of European Economic Area can enter both countries without a visa.
Citizens of some other countries may be permitted to visit Republic of Ireland, but might need a separate visa to visit the United Kingdom. We advise you to get in touch with your Ministry of Foreign Affairs to find out whether you need a visa to visit United Kingdom.
Some car rental providers allow you to cross national borders and even drop off your car in a different country, while others don’t. If you’d like to cross a national border during your rental period, make sure to check the terms and conditions before booking a car. Learn more about cross-border rentals in our FAQ section.
Most popular types of rental car
The most popular rental car type in Ireland is an Intermediate, but Compact and Economy are also frequently picked by travelers.
Top driving routes
- Dublin - Belfast (166 km / 103 mi) You can do the road between the capital of Ireland and the capital of Northern Ireland in just over two hours. Note that you’ll have to cross a national border, so check with your rental car provider first to make sure they permit it.
- Galway - Dublin (209 km / 130 mi) The route between these two cities crosses the entire Ireland from east to west, taking you from the Atlantic Ocean to the Irish Sea.
- Kerry - Cork (104 km / 64 mi) Kerry International Airport is just 90 minute drive away from Ireland’s second city.
Car Rental Prices
- Station wagons - from $64 per day
- Large cars - from $48 per day
- Medium cars - from $33 per day
- People Carriers/Vans - from $79 per day
- Premium cars - from $96 per day
- Small cars - from $30 per day
- SUVs - from $52 per day
How can I save money on my rental car?
You can do a number of things to get a good car rental deal in Ireland:
- Compare rates of different rental car providers
- Book your rental car well in advance
- Plan your route before you go
- Know your fuel and mileage requirements
- Visit on the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Republic of Ireland is the cheapest in January when renting a car is nearly 50% cheaper than the yearly average.
Top 15 Most Popular Cities in Ireland
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Car Rental in Dublin from $9.62 per day
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Car Rental in Cork from $12.78 per day
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Car Rental in Knock from $17.85 per day
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Car Rental in Shannon from $13.25 per day
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Car Rental in Kerry from $17.85 per day
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Car Rental in Donegal from $40.25 per day
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Car Rental in Galway from $26.03 per day
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Car Rental in Mullingar from $45.29 per day
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Car Rental in Sligo from $23.03 per day
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Car Rental in Tralee from $33.22 per day
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Car Rental in Naas from $24.05 per day
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Car Rental in Letterkenny from $33.22 per day
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Car Rental in Cavan from $23.03 per day
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Car Rental in Athlone from $23.03 per day
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Car Rental in Kilkenny from $28.20 per day
Top 6 Most Popular Locations in Ireland
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Car Rental at Dublin Airport from $10.42 per day
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Car Rental at Cork Airport from $12.78 per day
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Car Rental at Knock Airport from $17.85 per day
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Car Rental at Shannon Airport from $13.25 per day
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Car Rental at Kerry Airport from $17.85 per day
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Car Rental at Donegal Airport from $40.25 per day
Map of Car Rental Locations
Which is the cheapest month to rent a car in Ireland?
The cost of renting a car in Ireland depends on the time of year. This graph compares price changes from month to month in order to find the best offer.
Average Rental Price in Ireland
The cheapest month of the year to rent a car in Ireland is January — prices start from $22.08 for an Economy class vehicle. This is 50% cheaper than the yearly average and 70% cheaper than renting a car in the month of November (when prices start at $73.96 for a Compact class). This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. The exact price for your trip will depend on the length of your rental and the number of days until your rental period begins. Just enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see exact prices and offers.
What’s the average rental length in Ireland?
The average length differs from month to month. The longest rental periods are in March — an average of 7 days. The shortest are in January — an average of 5 days.
Average Rental Length in Ireland
What’s the most popular time for renting a car in Ireland?
Discover Cars users search for cars in a lot of locations daily. We gathered this information in order to analyze car rental popularity in Ireland. The most popular month is March, while the least popular is November.
Popularity of Car Rental in Ireland by Monthly Searches
Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers
| Rental Agency | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Toyota Corolla | 5 | 2 | Large cars |
| Budget | Renault Clio | 4 | 2 | Medium cars |
| Budget | VW Polo | 3 | 1 | Small cars |
| Easirent | Ford Fiesta | 5 | 2 | Small cars |
| Budget | Ford Ka | 2 | 1 | Small cars |
| Easirent | Fiat 500 | 3 | 2 | Small cars |
| Easirent | Ford Focus | 5 | 2 | Medium cars |
| Budget | Toyota Avensis | 4 | 1 | Large cars |
| Easirent | Ford Fiesta | 5 | 1 | Small cars |
| Thrifty | VW Polo | 4 | 2 | Small cars |
Our Customers Reviews
TD
United Kingdom
VW Polo
October 6, 2020
I wasn't over for a holiday. But I am originally from Ireland and I can hand on heart say that the conditions of the main roads are brilliant. And it's easy to detour in to villages and such if you want to come off the motorway. The sign posts are done really well.
DC
Ireland
Ford Fiesta
September 8, 2020
very good impressions
MR
United Kingdom
Toyota Corolla
March 8, 2020
Knock is a fantastic airport to fly into, just make sure you choose the right car hire company.
WV
Netherlands
Ford Ka
March 1, 2020
Cliffs of Moher
SC
United Kingdom
Renault Clio
October 13, 2019
Every thing was easy , from the rental to the shuttle bus everybody was friendly , thank you once again
AP
New Zealand
Renault Clio
October 8, 2019
Driving in Ireland is relatively easy with good motorways and mostly good safe driving. Consider a compact car as many roads are narrow, parking often tight and fuel prices relatively high.
XB
Greece
Renault Clio
September 23, 2019
Do not be afraid of driving on the left side of the road! It is easy to use
JG
United Kingdom
Renault Clio
September 13, 2019
Go to Wicklow and National galleries
NC
United Kingdom
Ford Fiesta
September 5, 2019
Amazing place. Very friendly people. Everyone should visit
RM
United Kingdom
Toyota Corolla
September 5, 2019
Definitely a place to visit beautiful scenery and the people are so welcoming and helpful
AF
United Kingdom
VW Polo
September 4, 2019
We drive to southern ireland from dublin which was pleasurable as the roads are quiet and when we were there, no roadworks were in place!
RK
United Kingdom
Fiat 500
August 31, 2019
Kinsale & south west Cork incl Bantry & Baltimore - stunningly beautiful & full of character, good food & friendly fun loving people. I’ll definitely come back again 👍😎
JM
United Kingdom
Renault Clio
August 23, 2019
Pay the m50 toll!
RA
United Kingdom
Toyota Corolla
August 20, 2019
Castlegregory is brilliant.
FG
United Kingdom
Ford Ka
August 20, 2019
very easy right next to departures and not too busy.
MT
United Kingdom
VW Polo
August 18, 2019
Traveling around the ring of Kerry is a definite must when visiting the south of the island. The scenery, food and hospitality of locals was delightful. We had a very memorable trip and look forward to returning soon.
DH
United Kingdom
Toyota Corolla
July 2, 2019
Top city great atmosphere shame so many people begging
BB
United Kingdom
Toyota Corolla
June 29, 2019
Knock and surrounding areas are beautiful, driving is so easy. Donegal is a lovely town, as is Carrick on Shannon, Nothing much in Sligo, I would not bother going there again.
RR
United Kingdom
Renault Clio
June 4, 2019
Clare and Kerry are great destinations.
SM
Australia
Hyundai Tucson 4x4
June 1, 2019
We definitely would recommend a trip to Ireland the scenery is spectacular and the locals are delightful friendly and welcoming.
Top 13 Suppliers in Ireland in 2020
National
018445848
ENTERPRISE RENT A CAR, IN TERMINAL NO DEBIT CARDS
Alamo
+353669763522 / +353667119304
Kerry Airport Farranfore, Co Kerry
Europcar
+353906400560
QUINN MOTORSTORE
Working hours
Mon:09:00-17:30
Tue:09:00-17:30
Wed:09:00-17:30
Thu:09:00-17:30
Fri:09:00-17:30
Enterprise
+3530906491030
Tang, Unit 4, Kenna Centre Dublin Road, Athlone, Co. Westmeath
Avis
+353669764499
Kerry Airport
Working hours
Mon:09:00-18:15
Tue:09:00-18:15
Wed:09:00-17:00
Thu:09:00-18:15
Fri:09:00-18:15
Sat:11:00-18:15
Sun:11:00-18:15
SIXT
+35312352030
Q-Park, Marlborough Street
Alamo
018445848
Enterprise Rent A Car
Working hours
Mon:05:00-23:00
Tue:05:00-23:00
Wed:05:00-23:00
Thu:05:00-23:00
Fri:05:00-23:00
Sat:05:00-23:00
Sun:05:00-23:00
Budget
35318445150
Arrivals Hall Dublin Airport
Working hours
Mon:00:00-00:15; 05:00-23:59
Tue:00:00-00:15; 05:00-23:59
Wed:00:00-00:15; 05:00-23:59
Thu:00:00-00:15; 05:00-23:59
Fri:00:00-00:15; 05:00-23:59
Sat:00:00-00:15; 05:00-23:59
Sun:00:00-00:15; 05:00-23:59
Keddy
+353906493999
MOTORPARK, MONKSLAND
Working hours
Mon:09:00-17:30
Tue:09:00-17:30
Wed:09:00-17:30
Thu:09:00-17:30
Fri:09:00-17:30
Sat:10:00-14:30
Budget
+35391564570
12 Eyre Square, Galway,
Working hours
Mon:08:00-18:00
Tue:08:00-18:00
Wed:08:00-18:00
Thu:08:00-18:00
Fri:08:00-18:00
Sat:09:00-18:00
Sun:09:00-18:00
GreenMotion
353876776068
Kerry Airport, Farranfore, -
Ace Rent a car
+35316950324 / +18778223872
Unit B4C, Airport Business Park, Cloghran, Dublin
Easirent
+35316950678
Unit 10 Naas Road Business Park,
Naas Road
Working hours
Mon:08:00-18:00
Tue:08:00-18:00
Wed:08:00-18:00
Thu:08:00-18:00
Fri:08:00-18:00
Sat:08:00-14:00
Sun:08:00-14:00
