Car Hire at Dublin Airport

Airport travel guide

The capital of the Republic of Ireland, Dublin is also the country’s main tourist hub. Home to fascinating history, varied architecture, and lots of fun things to do, it has been frequently mentioned by travel blogs as one of the best weekend getaway destinations in Europe. Here are three of its most interesting attractions:

• National Museum of Ireland. So vast are the collections of the National Museum that it is, in fact, three separate museums, each dedicated to a different theme and chapter of Irish life. The museums of Archaeology and Country Life are located right next to each other while the museum of Decorative Arts and History is on the other side of the river about a 15-minute drive away.  Whether you visit just one or all three, these three branches are the best places to learn about Irish history, art, and culture. 
• Dublin Castle. One of the most impressive buildings in all of Ireland, it is also one of the most historically important. Built in the 12th and 13th centuries, the castle used to be the seat of the British government in Ireland. This heritage is best exemplified by the refined state apartments which are open to tourists. Visitors can also explore the castle’s medieval basements. Dublin Castle is located next to the body of water that gave the city its name (Dubh linn means ‘the dark pool’ in Irish).
• Dublinia. Ireland has seen waves of different peoples coming to its shores over the millennia, one of the most important being the Vikings who first arrived in the late 8th century. Dedicated to the city’s Scandinavian past, Dublinia is also known as the Viking World and has been called a living museum. In addition to various exhibitions, artefacts, and restored Viking dwellings and burial places, medieval scenes of the city life are often played out by actors, with visitors encouraged to join in.
• Dublin Writers Museum. The former home of the likes of Joyce, Shaw, Becket, and Wilde, Dublin definitely punches way above its weight when it comes to connections to world-famous authors. The best place to learn about this heritage is the unique Writer’s Museum, which boasts exhibitions on the aforementioned city’s sons, as well as a collection of quirky memorabilia.
• Wicklow Mountains National Park. Located an hour’s drive to the south, the Wicklow Mountains is one of the most popular places to take a day trip from the capital. In addition to great natural beauty and varied fauna that is especially rich in birdlife, the area is home to Glendalough, a monastic complex dating back to the 6th century.

Top international routes

• London
• Amsterdam
• Manchester
• Edinburgh
• Birmingham
• Paris
• Malaga
• Faro

Main airlines

Aer Lingus, Aer Lingus Regional, Ryanair, TUI Airways, Scandinavian Airlines, 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 hire car

• Small cars - starting at £20 per day
• Medium cars - starting at £22 per day
• Large cars - starting at £23 per day
• SUVs - starting at £25 per day
• Premium cars - starting at £54 per day
• Station wagons - starting at £31 per day
• People Carriers - starting at £48 per day

Car hire 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 petrol station

Topaz petrol 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 hires

• Belfast (158 km / 98 mi)
• Cork (275 km / 171 mi)
• Shannon (228 km / 141 mi)
• London (590 km / 366 mi)
• 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)