Car Rental in Ireland

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.

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.
  
• Cork Airport. Serving the second city of Ireland in the country’s southwest, Cork Airport is an important local traffic hub that handles about three million travelers every year. The airport is a base not just for Ryanair, but also the Irish flag carrier Aer Lingus, which provides multiple connections with destinations across western and southern Europe.
• Knock Airport. Named after the small village in the vicinity of which it is located, but also known as the Ireland West Airport, it handles close to one million travelers every year. In terms of local tourism, it provides easy access to the city of Galway, which is located a 90-minute drive to the southwest; while Galway has an airport of its own, it has no scheduled flights as of 2025.
• Shannon Airport. Another small but notable airport in the western part of the country, Shannon welcomes close to two million travelers annually and is one of the fastest-growing in the country. In addition to several dozen European connections, the airport provides North American connections, with direct flights to and from Boston and New York City. The airport is about an hour’s drive south of Galway, 30 minutes west of Limerick, and two hours northwest of Cork.
• By land. It might also be possible to rent a car in Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom, and then drive to the Republic of Ireland. Large airports in United Kingdom near the Republic of Ireland are Belfast International Airport, Belfast City Airport, and Derry Airport.

Top cities and places to visit

• Dublin. The capital of Ireland is also one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. While it would be impossible to list all of its landmarks, a visit to the Dublin Writers’ Museum, one of the branches of the National Museum, or the Viking World would be a highlight of any trip. 
• Galway. Located on the west coast, Galway is the favorite Irish city of many foreign visitors. Known for its colorful architecture and busy nightlife, it is also one of the centers of the Irish Gaelic culture and a place where the native tongue can still be frequently heard on the streets.
• Cork. Located in the south of the country, Cork is a lovely place to visit. As fiercely independent as it is hospitable, it is known for its impressive historical heritage (emphasized by landmarks like Elizabeth Fort), as well as great pub culture.
• The Cliffs of Moher. One of Ireland's most popular tourist attractions. Also considered the 8th Wonder of the World. They run for about 14 kilometers and can be the perfect day trip from Galway.

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.

Driver's license requirements

• Ireland recognizes driver’s licenses from all the member states of the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA) as long as they are valid. 
• Other licenses in the Latin alphabet are generally also recognized, provided that you have been in Ireland for no longer than 12 months. (Drivers who have been in the country for longer than this period are required to obtain a local license instead).
• If your driver’s license is printed in a non-Latin alphabet (Cyrillic, Arabic, etc.), you’ll need an International Driving Permit (IDP).
• Similarly, if your driver’s license doesn’t show your photograph, you might be required to have an IDP.
• Even if you have an IDP, you must also have your original license with you at all times.
• You must carry your driver’s license, not a copy, with you at all times. 
• You need to have had your driver’s license for at least two years.
• Many rental car suppliers charge a young driver fee for drivers between the ages of 22 and 25 and a senior driver fee for drivers over the age of 65.
• Many rental cars in Irelan have high deductibles and suppliers often try to sell additional coverage at the rental desk. If you’ve purchased our Full Coverage and your rental includes a CDW and third-party liability insurance, you can politely decline this.
• There may be additional requirements depending on the car supplier and category, so make sure to check the rental conditions before booking.

Crossing borders

The Republic of Ireland is bordered by Northern Ireland which is part of the United Kingdom. As of June 2021, both countries are part of the Common Travel Area, and border control is not enforced. Citizens of the member states of the European Economic Area, as well as many other western countries, can enter both countries without a visa.

Because Ireland is not part of the Schengen Agreement, visitors are required to present a passport when entering. EU citizens are also allowed to present a valid national identity card instead.

Citizens of some other countries may be permitted to visit the Republic of Ireland, but might need a separate visa to visit the United Kingdom or vice versa. We advise you to get in touch with your Ministry of Foreign Affairs to find out whether you need a visa to visit either the Republic of Ireland or the United Kingdom.

Citizens of China and India are an exception and can use their Irish visa to also visit the United Kingdom.

Some car rental providers allow you to cross national borders and even drop off your car in a different country (it is very possible to travel between Dublin and Belfast in a rental car). You can find those providers by entering your car pick-up and drop-off locations on our search. If you’d like to cross an international border during your rental, make sure to check the terms and conditions before booking a car.

Learn more about cross-border rentals in our Help Center.

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. 

Due to the narrow lanes and lack of parking, Compact and Economy car types are a great choice for a road trip in Ireland. 

Top driving routes

• Wicklow Mountains National Park. Located just a relatively short drive south of Dublin, Wicklow Mountains is one of the most popular destinations for a day trip from the capital. The area is known not just for its scenic nature, but also historical heritage like the 1,500-year-old monasteries of Glendalough, for example.
• Aran Islands. Known for their barren, hauntingly beautiful landscapes, these three small islands off the West coast of Ireland are among the most unique destinations of Ireland. Inhabited since prehistory, they are known for sites like the 3,000-year-old stone fort of Dún Aonghasa. The islands cannot be accessed by car, but you can take a ferry from either Rossaveel or Doolin; the former is about a 45-minute drive west of Galway.
• The Northwest. An off-the-beaten-path destination, the northwestern part of Ireland remains a mystery even to many Irish. You won’t find big cities here, but the region more than makes up for it with beautiful lakes and forests, remote mountain ranges, and a noticeably slower, more relaxed pace of life.
• The Wild Atlantic Way. One of the most beautiful road trips in Ireland. It’s 2600 km (1600 miles): one of the longest defined coastal routes in the world. You will drive along the Irish west coast from the Inishowen Peninsula in the north. The drive will also go through County Cork, in the deep south.
• Cooley Peninsula scenic drive. Perfect for a family road trip. You will drive between Dundalk Harbour and Carlingford Lough, on the border with Northern Ireland. This scenic drive is considered one of the best hidden spots in Ireland. Scattered with historical, archaeological and cultural stops, it’s short and provides plenty of short walking trails. 

Car rental prices in Ireland

• Large cars - from $13 per day
• SUVs - from $18 per day
• Station wagons - from $25 per day
• Medium cars - from $12 per day
• Premium cars - from $47 per day
• Vans - from $40 per day
• Small cars - from $11 per day

Money-saving and other tips

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.