Car Rental in Kerry

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Pick-up location

Kerry, Ireland

Return car in same location

Pick-up date

Drop-off date

Driver's country of residence is United States of America (USA) and age is 30-65

500+ Trusted Suppliers:

Cheapest Car Rental Rates

Kerry Airport Car Rental

Mini

Kia Picanto or similar

4
2
2
Man.

per day

Kerry Airport Car Rental

Economy

Volkswagen Polo or similar

5
2
4
Man.

per day

Kerry Airport Car Rental

Compact

Opel Astra or similar

5
2
5
Man.

per day

Kerry Airport Car Rental

Standard

Skoda Octavia or similar

5
3
4
A/C
Auto.

per day

Travel Information

Language

English,
Irish

Currency

EUR

Drive on

Left-hand side

Country code

+353

Average car rental price

$68.69 / per day

Average car rental length

5 days

Speed limit within town

30 - 50 km/h

19 - 31 mph

Speed limit out of town

80 - 120 km/h

50 - 75 mph

Acceptable limit of BAC

0.05%

Rating

8.7

Why rent a car in Kerry?

County Kerry, a region located in the southwestern part of Ireland, is a great place to explore, especially if you have a rental car. Often considered the most scenic part of the country, it is home to the famous Ring of Kerry, beautiful nature, impressive hills, and traditional little villages. After seeing the best that County Kerry has to offer, you can easily explore the rest of Ireland - the distances are small and the roads are in great condition.

One-Way Car Rentals in Kerry

The most popular one-way rental options for pick up in Kerry and drop off in another city include:

From Kerry to Dublin - 34 offers from $26.60 per day
From Kerry to Knock - 34 offers from $26.60 per day

Top ways to enter Kerry

Kerry Airport: Also known as Kerry-Farranfore, this small airport is only served by Ryanair. The airport hosts some domestic flights as well as flights to and from the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, and Portugal. Kerry Airport is 20km (13 miles) southeast of Tralee, the county town of County Kerry.
Shannon Airport: Located in County Clare, this small airport served 1.5 million travelers in 2022. In addition to providing domestic and European connections, it also hosts flights to and from a number of destinations in the USA and Canada. Located near the city of Limerick, Shannon Airport is 125km (78 miles) northeast of Tralee and can be reached in about 1 hour and 40 minutes.
Cork Airport: Serving Ireland’s second city, Cork Airport handled about 2.24 million travelers in 2022. The airport has flights by 7 different airlines, including carriers like Aer Lingus and Air France. Located 120km (75 miles) southeast of Tralee, Cork Airport can be reached in about 1 hour and 50 minutes.
Dublin Airport: By far the largest airport in the country, and among the 15 busiest in Europe, Dublin Airport handled 28 million travelers in 2022. The airport is served by more than 40 airlines with most of the air traffic provided by Aer Lingus, Ryanair, and TUI Airways. Located in the northeast of the country, Dublin Airport is 304km (189 miles) from Tralee and can be reached in just over three hours.

City facts

Like much of the rest of Ireland, County Kerry has a temperate oceanic climate. The average high temperature is 20°C (68°F) in July, the warmest month, and 9°C (48°F) in January, the coldest. Precipitation is constantly high, with an exceptional increase from October to January. Kerry is known as one of the warmest, but also rainiest places in Ireland.
Even more than in the rest of the country, County Kerry is known as a center of Gaelic football. An old sport that could be loosely characterized as a mixture between rugby and football (or soccer), Gaelic football is played in every town of the region, and its senior team is the most successful in Ireland in the history of the sport. Other traditional games like hurling and rounders are also very popular in the region.

Top destinations and activities

The Ring of Kerry. About 180km (111 miles) long, the Ring of Kerry is a tourist route that’s often mentioned as one of the most scenic drives in the world. Though it passes through a few small Irish towns and villages, the main attraction of the drive is the spectacular green nature of southwest Ireland. There are also some landmarks on the way including the Staigue stone fort and the Ladies View to the beautiful Gap of Dunloe mountain pass and Torc Waterfall. If you’re in County Kerry and have a rental car, this is the one thing you should not miss doing. The usual entry point of the Ring of Kerry is Killarney.
Killarney. Speaking of Killarney, the picturesque town has a number of attractions itself. Visitors love it for the ruins of Muckross Abbey, Ross Castle, and its excellent dining opportunities. Killarney is 34km (21 miles) southeast of Tralee, the county town of County Kerry, and can be reached in about 35 minutes.
Portmagee. A quiet and quaint fishing village, Portmagee is the best place to see what life in County Kerry is really all about. Visit a local pub, catch a traditional Irish music concert, or watch Gaelic football (you can even join a match yourself if you’re brave enough). If you’re up for something more spectacular, there are also a number of whale watching tours taking off from Portmagee (although these usually need to be booked in advance). About 80km (50 miles) southwest of Tralee, Portmagee takes 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach.

Traffic and parking

Driving takes place on the left side of the road in the Republic of Ireland.
Unless specifically indicated otherwise, the speed limits are 120km/h (75 mph) for motorways, 100km/h (62 mph) for national roads without motorway status, 80km/h (50 mph) for local and regional roads, and 50km/h (31 mph) for urban zones and built-up areas. Unlike in neighboring Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom, the speed limits are indicated in kilometers per hour, not miles per hour.
Most road signs are displayed in both English and Irish. However, in some Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) areas, the road signs are only in Irish. This is important to keep in mind because some Irish city names are different from their English names - for example, the Irish name of Cork is Corcaigh.
The legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for experienced drivers and 0.02% for novice drivers. Exceeding the limit can lead to large fines, an EU-wide license ban, or even imprisonment.
The proof of insurance and car registration needs to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
When driving, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
The emergency number, like elsewhere in the EU, is 112.

Toll roads

There are 11 toll roads in the Republic of Ireland. There are also two toll tunnels and two toll bridges. One of the toll bridges is the Suir Bridge on the Cork-Rosslare Highway.

Payment for using any of the toll roads, bridges, or tunnels can be made with cash at the toll gate. The tolls for some roads are payable with a credit card. For driving on the M50 road you can pay online. Some rental cars are also equipped with an electronic toll tag that will make the toll payment automatically. Some car rental providers might charge an additional fee for this service. Ask your car rental provider about it in advance.

For more information about the toll roads in the Republic of Ireland and for the toll road map, visit the Republic of Ireland’s official toll road website.

Ideas for day trips

Skellig Michael. A beautiful island and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Skellig Michael is one of the main tourist attractions of County Kerry. A monastery was established there in the 6th century, and 300 years later it even survived Viking raids. But there’s even more ancient history to be found, namely, a megalithic stone row dating back to pre-Christian times. You cannot access the island with a car, but it’s possible to drive to Portmagee or Derrynane, park there, and then take a boat.
Killarney National Park. A large area of oak forests, wet woodlands, bogs, and beautiful lakes, Killarney National Park is the largest protected area in the region. The national park is home to wildlife species like red deer, osprey, golden eagle, and heron. Located 37km (23 miles) southeast of Tralee, the national park can be reached in about 40 minutes.
Annascaul. Surfing might not be the first thing that comes to most people’s minds when they think of Ireland, but this is exactly what this small village offers. Located on the south coast of the Dingle Peninsula, Annascaul’s Inch Beach is considered the best place to hit the waves in the whole country. Just 32km (19.8 miles) southwest of Tralee, it takes 35 minutes to reach.
Dingle. A narrow, but long peninsula, Dingle is home to the aforementioned surfing sites, but its main claim to fame is ancient sites like the Gallarus Oratory and Dunbeg Fort. You can also learn about this heritage in the Celtic Prehistory Museum. The area is also home to the colorful village of Dingle and the small, but scenic Dunquin Harbor.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Kerry is the Toyota Corolla, although many travelers also go for the Toyota Avensis and the Ford Ka. The most popular rental car types are economy, standard, and mini.

Further destinations

Cork. Ireland’s second city and the largest in the south of the country, Cork has its fair share of attractions. Travelers like the Elizabeth Fort, St. Finbarr’s Cathedral, and Lough Park. The city also hosts many festivals, and, of course, is home to an even larger number of pubs. Located 112km (70 miles) southwest of Tralee, Cork can be reached in about 1 hour and 50 minutes.
Cliffs of Moher. One of the most famous attractions of Ireland, the beautiful Cliffs of Moher are located in County Clare near the village of Doolin. Home to around 30 species of birds, the cliffs offer spectacular views of the ocean. The cliffs are home to Moher Tower and O’Brien’s Tower. Located 175km (108 miles) north of Tralee, the cliffs can be reached in about 2 hours and 40 minutes.
West Ireland. The least densely populated part of Ireland and the one where the Irish language is still spoken on a daily basis, West Ireland is a unique travel destination. The area is home to the fun university city of Galway, the beautiful Aran Islands, and many little traditional villages and spectacular nature areas. Galway is 200km (125 miles) north of Tralee and can be reached in about 2 hours and 50 minutes - you can explore the rest of the region from there.
Limerick. Although known to be a little rough around the edges, the city of Limerick is one of the most interesting urban destinations in this part of the country and has lots to see. The city’s Georgian architecture is surpassed only by Dublin while gems like King John’s Castle reveal even older pages of the city’s past. Located just a 90-minute drive northeast of the Kerry Airport, Limerick is definitely worth a visit.

Car Rental Prices in Kerry

Large cars - from $98 per day
Medium cars - from $60 per day
Small cars - from $45 per day

Money-saving tips

Land a great rental car in Ireland by following these simple tips:

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 Kerry is the cheapest in February when renting a car is about 65% cheaper than the yearly average and a whole 83% cheaper than renting a vehicle in May.

This information was written, fact-checked, and/or translated by our content creators. Learn more about our Editorial Policy.

Fact checked by:

Lauren Yakiwchuk

Lauren Yakiwchuk is an award-winning travel blogger and content creator at Justin Plus Lauren and Ontario Hiking. She writes about outdoor adventures, exploring cities and small towns, and sustainable travel. Lauren is an expert on vegan travel and is one of the very first vegan travel bloggers.

What travel writers say

If you are more of a leisure enthusiast then sit back and drive yourself toward the Ring of Kerry, commonly regarded as one of Ireland’s most scenic drives.

Brooke Saward

Hello! My name is Brooke. I’m originally from Australia but have long had an ongoing desire to travel the world and share my stories with others.

Located just outside of Tralee on the west coast of Ireland, Ballyseede Castle is a great base from which to explore the delights of this scenic part of the Emerald Isle. There is lots to see and do nearby. You can take a tour of County Kerry, enjoy some watersports, or even take a boat trip to the remote yet awe-inspiring Skellig Islands. From Tralee, you can also head off to visit some of the other castles that are dotted about the Irish landscape; Ballyheigue Castle is certainly worth a visit, as it is perched on a clifftop overlooking the Atlantic.

H&A

Hannah & Adam

We are Hannah & Adam, a Wisconsin couple who left behind the American dream to travel the world and chase our own dreams.

Next, you’ll want to drive the Ring of Kerry, which is a path of very narrow roads that allow you to see some beautiful sights. Continue the amazing driving vistas as you head out to Killarney. Killarney itself is also full of things to do. Like the Killarney National Park, the Ross Castle, and the Torc Waterfall. Finish your trip by heading out to the Cliffs of Moher where you’ll experience breathtaking views.

T&V

Terrence & Victoria

Hi! We are Victoria and Terrence, a traveling couple on a mission to inspire others to see the world!

Top 18 Cities near Kerry

Killarney Car Rentals

15.3 km / 9.5 miles away
Tralee Car Rentals from $49.99 per day

15.3 km / 9.5 miles away
Shannon Car Rentals from $31.47 per day

70.8 km / 44.0 miles away
Cork Car Rentals from $31.47 per day

80.1 km / 49.8 miles away
Limerick Car Rentals from $41.65 per day

81.2 km / 50.5 miles away
Galway Car Rentals from $41.65 per day

127.1 km / 79.0 miles away
Waterford Car Rentals from $41.65 per day

156.2 km / 97.1 miles away
Kilkenny Car Rentals from $41.65 per day

161.8 km / 100.5 miles away
Athlone Car Rentals from $41.65 per day

173.1 km / 107.6 miles away
Knock Car Rentals from $36.14 per day

198.0 km / 123.0 miles away
Mullingar Car Rentals

209.5 km / 130.2 miles away
Naas Car Rentals from $28.91 per day

223.4 km / 138.8 miles away
Sligo Car Rentals from $41.65 per day

238.5 km / 148.2 miles away
Cavan Car Rentals from $49.99 per day

248.5 km / 154.4 miles away
Dublin Car Rentals from $29.71 per day

258.6 km / 160.7 miles away
Donegal Car Rentals from $62.15 per day

327.8 km / 203.7 miles away
Letterkenny Car Rentals from $41.65 per day

330.2 km / 205.2 miles away
Wexford Car Rentals from $40.71 per day

2947.9 km / 1831.7 miles away

Top 7 Locations near Kerry

Kerry Airport Car Rentals from $45.39 per day
Shannon Airport Car Rentals from $31.47 per day

70.8 km / 44.0 miles away
Cork Airport Car Rentals from $31.47 per day

80.1 km / 49.8 miles away
Knock Airport Car Rentals from $36.14 per day

198.0 km / 123.0 miles away
Downtown Car Rentals from $28.91 per day

223.4 km / 138.8 miles away
Dublin Airport Car Rentals from $29.71 per day

258.6 km / 160.7 miles away
Donegal Airport Car Rentals from $62.15 per day

327.8 km / 203.7 miles away

What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Kerry?

Car rental prices in Kerry vary by time of year. This graph shows the average prices per month to help you find the best time of year to rent.

Average rental costs per day in Kerry

$33.10

January

$26.00

February

$38.44

March

$41.41

April

$63.69

May

$118.93

June

$137.06

July

$112.71

August

$74.92

September

$77.06

October

$37.84

November

$74.05

December

The cheapest month to rent a car in Kerry is February (when prices average $26.00 per day). This is 63% cheaper than the yearly average and 81% cheaper than renting in July (when prices average $137.06).

This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. How much your car rental will cost will depend on the type of vehicle you rent, how long you’ll rent it for, and how far ahead you book. Simply enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see the exact prices.

What’s the usual rental length in Kerry?

How long travelers keep their rental cars for varies from month to month: in December, the average renter keeps their car for 9 days, and in July, they keep their car for 4 days.

Average rental length in Kerry

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

What's the most popular month to rent a car in Kerry?

Based on the number of searches by our customers, the most popular month for renting a car in Kerry is April, and the least popular is January.

Monthly searches in Kerry by pick-up date relative to the average

12%

January

75%

February

139%

March

348%

April

290%

May

35%

June

64%

July

110%

August

52%

September

17%

October

12%

November

46%

December

Car Rental Information

Car rental locations	1
Airport locations	1
Popular suppliers	Budget, Hertz, Enterprise, Thrifty, Europcar
Popular car categories	Small cars, Medium cars, Large cars, SUVs
Lowest price	$45 per day
Cheapest supplier	Avis

Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers

Rental Supplier	Model	Doors	Luggage	Type
Budget	Renault Clio	4	2	Medium cars
Budget	Toyota Corolla	5	2	Large cars
Budget	Volkswagen Polo	3	1	Small cars
Budget	Ford Ka	2	1	Small cars
Budget	Skoda Citigo	4	1	Small cars
Budget	Dacia Jogger	5	2	Vans
Budget	Toyota Corolla	5	2	Large cars
Budget	Hyundai ix35	5	2	SUVs
Enterprise	Opel Astra	4	4	Medium cars
Thrifty	Volkswagen Polo	4	2	Small cars

Our Customers' Reviews

Because we want to make sure each review listed here is left by a real customer, we don’t have an option to post a review here. Instead, we ask each and every customer to leave a review after they return their rental car. This way, you know that all reviews are authentic, verified, and trustworthy.

United Kingdom

Toyota Corolla

April 25, 2019

So much to see,a car is a must!

Car Rental Statistics

Highest rated company

Budget

9.4 / 10

Lowest rated company

Avis

8.5 / 10

Total number of reviews

Total rental companies

Average daily price

$68.69

Lowest daily price

$64.17

Total cars available

Top 8 Suppliers in Kerry in 2023

Budget

Exceptional 9.4 / 66 reviews

1 location

Enterprise

Excellent 8.9 / 1 reviews

1 location

Alamo

Excellent 8.9

1 location

Hertz

Excellent 8.8 / 2 reviews

1 location

$65 - $141

Keddy

Excellent 8.8 / 11 reviews

1 location

Thrifty

Excellent 8.7 / 1 reviews

1 location

Europcar

Excellent 8.6 / 1 reviews

1 location

Avis

Excellent 8.5 / 2 reviews

1 location

$45 - $107

Highly recommended by our customers

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Car Rental in Kerry

Cheapest Car Rental Rates

Most Popular Car Rental Deals

Travel Information

Why rent a car in Kerry?

One-Way Car Rentals in Kerry

Top ways to enter Kerry

City facts

Top destinations and activities

Traffic and parking

Toll roads

Ideas for day trips

Most popular cars

Further destinations

Car Rental Prices in Kerry

Money-saving tips

What travel writers say

Top 18 Cities near Kerry

Top 7 Locations near Kerry

Map of Car Rental Locations

What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Kerry?

What’s the usual rental length in Kerry?

What's the most popular month to rent a car in Kerry?

Car Rental Information

Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers

Our Customers' Reviews

Car Rental Statistics

Top 8 Suppliers in Kerry in 2023

Highly recommended by our customers

Kerry