Are you hesitant about renting a car in Ireland? Or driving? If so, my experience and tips on renting and driving a car in Ireland might be useful.

Our situation

We were a group of four women friends on a two-week trip to Ireland. I was a late starter, replacing a traveller who had to withdraw. By the time I joined, accommodation had been booked in Dublin, Galway, Killarney, and Cork. The group had decided that buses and trains would be the major means of transportation, mostly because no one was interested in driving.

On the one hand, I was pleased to see accommodation in place. It’s a challenge to find suitable lodging with four beds. Public transportation and tour buses would move us from place to place and take us to some key sights. However, I couldn’t help but think we were missing out by not having our own transportation. I had this niggling feeling that if we had our own wheels, we could see more of the country with greater exposure to Irish history, culture, and food.

My companions had plenty of reasons for not wanting to drive in Ireland.

Key concerns about driving in Ireland

1. Left-hand traffic

Ireland observes left-hand traffic (LHT), meaning people drive on the left.

Travellers from countries that observe right-hand traffic (RHT) encounter many differences, from car design to traffic flow. The switch to driving on the left requires adaptation and concentration. Driving in autopilot (that most of us lapse into from time to time in our home countries) doesn’t cut it. Pulling out of a parking spot might instinctively result in ending up on the wrong side of the road. Reaching for the indicator could activate the wipers. Concentration is key.

2. Many roundabouts

Ireland has lots of roundabouts. For those of us from places where intersections are more common than roundabouts, figuring out how they work can be challenging. Drivers must follow accepted practices for the traffic to flow smoothly. Messing up will attract a litany of honking horns, or worse, accidents.

3. Standard transmission is common

Standard (vs automatic) cars appear to be in the majority. At least, that was our experience. Every taxi we took was a standard. When we rented a car in Galway, it was standard or nothing. There were no automatics available. It had been several years since I’d owned a vehicle with a standard transmission. I wondered how easy it would be to adapt and if I’d encounter quirks in shifting gears. As it turned out, finding reverse at the outset was a challenge. Otherwise, working the clutch and gear stick became a smooth process in no time.

4. Narrow roads

Ireland has many narrow, winding roads. Compounding the situation is that the sheer beauty of Ireland, and the reluctance of many tourists to rent a car, results in a myriad of tour buses on the roads. Meeting those lumbering giants often means that ‘David’ has to back up for ‘Goliath.’ Reversing in an unfamiliar car can be stressful for those of us with questionable reversing skills.

5. Narrow or non-existent shoulders

Shoulders and verges are narrow or non-existent. It’s not uncommon for a rock wall or hedgerow to form a border to a road. These realities, and negotiating two-way traffic on what appears to be a one-way road, can result in damage to side mirrors and scrapes and scratches to a vehicle.

That about covers the primary sources of my waffling. Not to mention why my travelling companions were so reluctant to drive. What was it about their steadfast resolution to avoid driving that I didn’t get? My travelling companions included an Australian (who drives on the left in her country) and a Canadian who’s a way better driver than I am. Both were adamant, as in 150-per-cent certain they wanted no part of driving a car in Ireland.

Nevertheless, they were willing to support the decision to rent a car if I was prepared to drive. It took me several days of indecision to find the courage to take the plunge.

Why rent a car in Ireland

1. Saves time

You’ll spend less time arranging and using public transportation and more time enjoying Ireland.

2. Variety of accommodation

You’ll have the option to stay in smaller towns and villages. When my friends decided to rely on public transportation, they booked accommodation in the major centres of Dublin, Galway, Killarney, and Cork. It made sense at the time. In hindsight, with a car rental, we might have booked in smaller towns such as Kenmare and Cobh. The traffic in Cork was horrendous, as in cars driving on sidewalks to pass what seemed like impossible traffic jams. We didn’t drive in Dublin, but we heard it can be a nightmare.

3. More interaction with residents

Independent travel means more opportunities to interact with people. The Irish have to be among the friendliest on the planet and eager to interact with visitors. Drop into a pub for a meal or a Guinness, and there will be a conversation underway within seconds.

4. Better scheduling

Having the flexibility to travel independently will allow you to see some stunning scenery. You’ll plan your own itinerary, travel on your own schedule, and stop wherever and whenever on a whim. You can choose to start early and enjoy a popular spot before the tour buses arrive.

Tours can be enjoyable when someone else does the planning, and there’s often excellent commentary along the way. However, stops usually follow rigid time constraints and are limited to the availability of space large enough to accommodate the larger vehicle. That was our experience visiting the Cliffs of Moher, Ireland’s second most popular attraction. The tour bus from Galway seemed to arrive at the same time as the other tour buses and we were tied to the tour company’s schedule.

5. Wider food choices

Overall, the quality of food in Ireland is exceptional. We enjoyed traditional Irish food (and creative adaptations) in restaurants and pubs. The biggest surprise concerned the gourmet quality of meals in pubs. Having a car rental permits stopping in smaller towns, many with traditional foods on the menu (and avoiding crowds and busier periods).

6. Tolerant drivers

Drivers are courteous. I made a few mistakes that attracted the odd honking of horns. We interpreted these as warning signals as opposed to ones of exasperation or anger. Irish drivers seemed used to visitors unfamiliar with driving on the left and taking their time to negotiate the narrow roads or absorb the fabulous scenery.

Our experience renting a car in Ireland

By the time we reached Galway, everyone was on board with renting a car, as long as no one else had to do any driving. We’d spent several days in Dublin where a vehicle would have been unnecessary and a liability. The city has a good public transportation system; it’s also pedestrian-friendly and easy to navigate on foot. We loved it and enjoyed many pleasant hours strolling about the city. We’d taken a few tours, visited a couple of museums, and dropped into pubs to enjoy a meal and a Guinness. None of these activities was compatible with driving. If we’d rented a car, it likely would have been sitting idle.

All four of us are carry-on travellers. All was good on that front; the trunk/boot of our compact four-door rental easily accommodated our four standard carry-on bags and day bags. I liked that we had a car with a boot, as opposed to a hatchback. It kept our belongings out of sight.

My online research pointed to Budget as our best option. Mind you, we were in Galway and limited to rental agencies with a presence in that city. Budget had the best rates, and the terms and conditions were transparent and thoroughly explained. The advertised daily rate clearly listed what was included. Each optional extra had a pop-up window explaining what it covered. I’ve experienced frustration in the past with unclear descriptions of costs and hidden charges that would surface at the time of pickup. Budget’s online booking system promoted confidence that all costs were disclosed.

Let’s talk about insurance. Sharing narrow winding roads with tour buses and visitors unfamiliar with driving on the left presents a recipe for accidents. Chances are high in Ireland that cars will sustain scratches, scrapes, or broken mirrors. As a general rule, when renting a car, I prefer to take the rental agency’s insurance and reduce my deductible to zero. Sure, I could rely on credit card insurance and decline CDW (Collision Damage Waiver), but it requires a substantial hold on my credit card. It also requires trust in the rental agency and its representatives. By taking the rental agency’s insurance with a zero deductible, I can rest assured that any minor or major damage (existing or alleged) will be the agency’s responsibility. It alleviates administrative headaches such as back-and-forth exchanges with the rental agency or dealing with my credit card provider should it be necessary to make a claim. With four people sharing the cost of insurance, we purchased personal accident insurance, roadside coverage, windscreen protection, and opted to reduce the deductible on collision damage and theft from €2000 to €0. For a five-day rental, the extra coverage amounted to €45 per person. Saving money is always a consideration, but sometimes peace of mind is more than worth the additional costs.

A confirmation email contained a link to the complete list of terms and conditions. This provided the opportunity to read them before completing the face-to-face process with agency representatives.

In Galway, Budget’s downtown office is centrally located, and the paperwork was completed quickly and efficiently.

Budget’s fleet of rentals was in a nearby parking garage. It surprised us that no one was on site to provide an orientation or inspection of the vehicle. We had the keys and registration number, but we were on our own to figure out how everything worked.

The car was new and in immaculate condition. We had been given a Damage Report Form to mark scratches and dents, but there were none to record or photograph. On previous occasions, I’ve participated in pre- and post-rental inspections, or in their absence, taken pictures of prior damage to a rental before leaving the lot.

We had decided to drop off the vehicle in Cork at the end of our rental period and take a bus to Dublin.

This accommodated a late-afternoon tour of Kilmainham Gaol and early-morning flights home the following day. Besides, we weren’t keen on driving in the madness of Dublin traffic. Being relieved of the vehicle in Cork with time to spare felt more relaxing.

At the drop-off location at the Cork airport, the process was similar to that of the pickup. We found an empty parking bay in the unstaffed Budget section and proceeded to the Budget desk in the terminal. Again, the paperwork was completed quickly and efficiently, and no inspection of the vehicle took place. The only delay was to wait for an agent; judging from the crowd at the Budget desk and no one at the other rental counters, Budget had been a superb choice.

It was clear from the terms and conditions that we would be charged extra for a tank of petrol. Before dropping off the vehicle at the Cork Airport, we filled the tank. A short while later, a refund of the original amount appeared on my credit card statement.

Tips on preparing to rent a car in Ireland

• Make the possibility of renting a vehicle one of the early decisions. It will affect your choice of itinerary, accommodation, tours, and other forms of transportation.
• If you decide to rent a car, look for accommodation with on-site parking or available nearby.
• Do some advance research on car rental options. Check out aggregator sites to compare prices (e.g., Autoslash, Discover Cars, Expedia, and RentalCars) before visiting the major rental companies such as Avis, Budget, and local providers. If you need a rental with an automatic transmission, a booking well in advance might be required. They seem to be as scarce as hen’s teeth in Ireland.
• I was drawn to Irish sites with dot ie in the URL. It felt as though they would be the ones that would ensure that taxes and Ireland-based charges would be included in the advertised price. It’s one thing to look for an Expedia or Orbitz deal (for example), but if they don’t include all costs, they’re not the best option.
• If possible, avoid renting a car after a long flight, especially if you’re coming from a country that observes right-hand traffic. Being jetlagged will impair your ability to adapt to driving on the left.
• Pack with a car rental in mind. Each member of the group needs to commit to packing light. Smaller cars (with smaller luggage storage areas) take some of the angst out of driving on narrow roads.
• Each person should pack a driver’s license, just in case. The named driver might not be available or well enough to drive.
• Check if you need an International Driver’s Permit. With my Canadian license, I didn’t need one for driving in Ireland.
• Gather information on rental car discounts. Automobile associations, travel clubs, and retired persons’ associations offer discount codes on car rentals.
• Pack insurance policies associated with home-based vehicle insurance and what’s available through credit cards. Pack light and choose digital versions where possible.
• Download Google Maps. It’s a fabulous navigational tool.
• If your existing cellular carrier doesn’t have an affordable data and calling plan for your trip, research your options for purchasing a plan on arrival. We chose Vodafone with a hefty data allowance that more than met our navigational needs. I was including a visit to Belfast, London, and Prague as part of my trip. My 30-day EU roaming plan cost €20 and included a SIM card, setup, calling minutes, texts, and 26GB of data. 

Tips on driving in Ireland

Never in my wildest dreams would I have seen myself as someone to suggest driving tips. As a poor-to-mediocre driver, here’s what advice I can offer from my experience driving in Ireland.

• Become familiar with the vehicle away from traffic. Circle the parking lot or garage a few times. Play with the gears, and practise reversing and parallel parking. Adjust seats and mirrors, work the lights, handbrake, and temperature controls. You’ll be guaranteed rainy periods, so become familiar with the various settings on the wipers. Verify the type of gasoline and how to open the petrol tank.
• A navigator is critical. It needs to be someone familiar with Google Maps and gives expert directions. One member of our group was exceptional and willingly accepted the role. Human navigators are superior to the Google narrator for both consistency and elaboration. A navigator can:
  • give directions with loads of advance notice
  • indicate the correct exit to take off a roundabout
  • point out navigational signs
  • draw attention to speed limits
  • issue reminders to stick to the left
  • assess tight clearances on the left side of the vehicle
• Read up on how roundabouts work and how to use them safely. Or watch the video from the Irish School of Motoring for directions on how to prepare for the various exits off a roundabout. It’s an excellent tool.
• There are some routes where tour buses are mandated to travel in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. Start early, and head in the same direction as the buses.
• Focus on driving safely, as opposed to maintaining the speed limit or holding up other drivers. We pulled over when it was safe to do so or slowed down with our left indicator flashing when we deemed it safe for a driver to pass. Drivers were patient; it was as though they’re used to slow traffic on narrow roads.
• Carry lots of coins for parking and toll roads. In Cork, we were fortunate to have a church across the street that offered overnight parking by feeding coins into a parking machine.

Conclusion

All things considered, renting a car in Ireland was an excellent decision.

As for our choice of rental agencies, Budget met our needs for renting from Galway. I was delighted with the service. It would be my go-to agency on future visits, but I’d be sure to research other options.

Bottom line? Our car rental allowed us to experience parts of Ireland we wouldn’t have visited otherwise.

Have you driven a vehicle in Ireland? Do you have additional tips on renting a car in Ireland? 

 

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