Car Rental at Dublin Airport

Airport travel guide

The capital of the Republic of Ireland, Dublin is both the most international place in the country and the epitome of Irishness. Whether you’re looking for museums, history, nightlife, or easy access to Ireland’s beautiful nature, Dublin has it all. These are six of the most interesting attractions in and around it:

• EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum. A modern and popular institution that was recognized by the World Travel Awards as recently as 2020, the interactive Emigration Museum covers everything from groups that arrived in Ireland 1,500 years ago to the Irish Famine and subsequent exodus to North America of a large percentage of the population. Visit the museum’s official website to learn more about different exhibitions and admission. 
• National Maritime Museum. Appropriately located in the former Mariners’ Church which was built for Irish seafarers in 1837, this one is another of the Irish capital's really fascinating museums. There are a number of interesting artifacts and exhibits on display, as well as models of famous Irish ships like the RMS Leinster. The museum is in the suburb town of Dún Laoghaire and can be reached by car from the city center in about 35 minutes.
• Wicklow Mountains National Park. One of the six national parks of the Republic of Ireland, this popular day trip is about an hour’s drive south of Dublin. Attractions include both the network of hiking trails that snake through an impressive landscape of highlands, forests, valleys, and wetlands and the valley of Glendalough which is home to a 6th-century monastic complex.
• The Guinness Storehouse. Located at St. James Gate Brewery, this popular tourist attraction celebrates the history of the famous beer company, Guinness. Since its opening in the year 2000, it has received over 20 million visitors. Travel through seven floors to learn about beer production and its famous advertising through the ages and enjoy a pint of Guinness when you reach the top floor. The bar offers 360-degree panoramic views of Dublin, and it’s the perfect place to savor a pint.
• St Mary's Pro-Cathedral. Catholicism has always been and remains a major part of Irish culture, so it’s little wonder that one of the city’s main churches is also a famous landmark among local and foreign visitors alike. Dating back to the early 19th century, the cathedral is on Marlborough Street near a number of other notable attractions.
• Samuel Beckett Bridge. Although ranking among the city’s most recent landmarks – it was opened in 2009 – this bridge has quickly become one of the symbols of the city and many visitors will recognize it from travel blogs and promotional videos of Dublin. Named after one of the city’s most famous sons, the playwright and novelist Samuel Beckett, and designed by the world-famous Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, the bridge is instantly recognizable for its curved pylon that is held in place by 31 cables. Dublin is home to another river crossing created by Calatrava, the James Joyce Bridge, which, while not as architecturally ambitious, predates this one by six years.

Top international routes

• London
• Manchester
• Amsterdam
• Birmingham
• Edinburgh
• Paris
• Glasgow
• Liverpool

Main airlines

Aer Lingus, Air France, Air Canada, Ryanair, American Airlines, British Airways, Swiss, KLM, Qatar Airways, and United Airlines

Terminals

There are two—Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 (with the adjoining pier E). There are no shuttle buses or railways between them, but they’re connected by a covered walkway. The walk takes only about five minutes.

Location

Dublin Airport is about 10 km (6.2 mi) from the city center. Motorways M1 and M50 are the main roads connecting the airport to the city.

Most popular types of rental car

• Small cars - from $10 per day
• Medium cars - from $12 per day
• Large cars - from $17 per day
• SUVs - from $13 per day
• Premium cars - from $34 per day
• Station wagons - from $16 per day
• Vans - from $31 per day

Car rental desks

There are car rental desks in both airport terminals. In Terminal 1, you’ll find them right after entering the arrivals hall. In Terminal 2, they’re located in the multi-story car park connected to the terminal.

Services and facilities

There are many cafés, bars, and restaurants, as well as stores. You’ll also find ATMs, lounges, a pharmacy, a baby changing room, and an airport church. The baggage storage service is located in the arrivals hall of Terminal 1 and is open daily from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. You can find more information on the airport's official website.

Nearest gas station

Topaz gas station is located just outside Dublin Airport, on Collinstown Road. It can be reached in less than five minutes and is open 24/7.

Popular one-way rentals

• Belfast (158 km / 98 miles)
• Galway (213 km / 132 miles)
• Limerick (208 km / 129 miles)
• Cork (266 km / 165 miles)
• Waterford (176 km / 109 miles)
• Holyhead Port (119 km / 74 mi)
• Wolverhampton (374 km / 232 mi)
• Wrexham (268 km / 166 mi)
• Grimsby (499 km / 310 mi)
• Swansea (408 km / 253 mi)