Car hire in Ireland
Ireland is one of the world’s most magical travel destinations. Its verdant rolling hills hide ancient castles, abbeys, villages and some of the most spectacular scenery imaginable. Unfortunately, Ireland’s trains and buses only take you half the way there. To really access the out-of-the-way treasures, you’ll need a rental car. Our website makes it easy to compare car hire rates from all of the leading international companies such as Alamo, Hertz and Sixt.
Car hire driving tips in Ireland
Irish people are notoriously friendly to travellers, making Ireland a pleasure to visit. Yet some of the best places are well off the tourist trail. With car hire, you have the freedom and ability to reach crumbling castles, dramatic isolated coastline and charming villages where tourists rarely go. Irish holidays are popular so be sure to reserve a rental car well in advance to ensure the lowest rates and widest selection of vehicles.
Need to know essentials
Driving licences: a valid driving license from your home country is sufficient inIreland as long as it is in English. An International Driving Permit is necessary for those holing licences in languages other than English.
Which side does Ireland drives on: the left.
Speed limits:
Highways and dual carriageways (outside urban areas): 120kph
National or provincial roads: 100kph
Local roads: 80kph
Urban roads: 50kph
Alcohol limits: driving with a blood alcohol level over 0.08 per cent or 80mg/100ml is illegal inIreland and may land you a serious fine or prison time. Police frequently set up checkpoints to catch offenders.
Driving age: 17 years (21 years if you want to hire a car).
Compulsory items: a warning triangle is mandatory.
Seatbelts: everyone in the car is required to wear a seatbelt, and children under the age of 12 cannot ride in the front. Infants and small babies need to be restrained in a child safety seat in the rear.
Mobile phones and GPS: it is against the law to use a mobile phone while driving inIreland, and the police regularly check for this. Some of Ireland’s best driving is in its countryside, and GPS can be helpful in navigating the winding rural roads as signs are sometimes difficult to spot.
Cost of fuel in Ireland: unleaded petrol (95 and 98 octane) and diesel are about the same price as in the UK.
Car hire and fuel payment: whoever rents the car needs to show a valid credit card to act as a security deposit against damages and late fees. Credit cards are widely accepted at petrol stations, many of which have self-service pumps that take cards.
Insurance: third-party liability coverage is required by law, but car rental firms don’t automatically include extra cover like collision. Read the rental contract carefully and be sure you have adequate coverage for minor issues like tyre and windscreen damage.
Traffic and parking: traffic isn’t much of a problem in Ireland, even in the large towns. Many cities inIreland use pay and display systems for parking in lots. Make sure you pay for a ticket from the machine and display the receipt on your dashboard. Double yellow lines on the street mean no parking at any time, while a single yellow line indicates parking is allowed between 08:00 and 18:30, Monday to Saturday. Broken yellow lines mean drop offs and pick ups are allowed. On-the-spot fines are issued for parking offences.
Our travel editor’s recommended drives
Causeway Coastal Route – Mother Nature outdid herself carving the magical forms of places like Giant’s Causeway and the Glens of Antrim. This popular route from Belfast to Londonderry gives plenty of food for thought.
The Burren – the rolling patchwork fields and the surreal limestone Burren mix with small stone-built villages and natural scenery to create a quintessential Irish cruise that can only be found here.
Copper Coast – this classic day drive follows the stunning coastline from Dungarvan, passing some of the coolest geology in the country, with mountains, valleys and sheltered coves making frequent appearances.
Dingle Peninsula – the town of Dingle is as Irish as they come, serving as the starting point for a leisurely cruise around this popular peninsula that boasts dramatic surf, cliffs and a host of superb seafood taverns in little seaside villages.
Ireland travel tips
Ireland is a great escape for Brits in search of a slight variation on their own neck of the woods. This magical landscape is overflowing with crumbling castles, friendly locals and some of the planet’s most inspiring geology. It seems like every town and village has at least one charming inn to sleep at and a lively pub or two. But the only way to dig into the core ofIrelandis with a rental car, which gives you the freedom to reach those truly magical spots.
Ireland weather and tourist seasons
Ireland’s climate can best be described as cool and rainy. The Gulf Stream and temperate southwesterly winds ensure pleasantly warm summer temperatures, a delightfully mild spring and autumn, and a chilly winter. It rarely gets bone chillingly cold in Ireland, but visitors should expect rain at any time during the year. Depending on your mood, there’s no bad time to visitIrelandas sometimes a wet Emerald Isle weekend is just the ticket.
Ireland contact numbers (+353)
Emergency services – 112
Emergency Medical – 999
Emergency Police – 999
British Consular Emergency Services – 353 1 205 3700
British Embassy – 353 1 205 3700
US Embassy – 353 1 668 8777
Canadian Embassy – 353 1 234 4000
Australian Embassy – 353 1 664 5300
Holidays and festivals
The public holidays in Ireland run much along the same lines as in the UK, although St Patrick’s Day (17 March) seems to have a bit more oomph here. Christmas is a popular time for a visit as the country really pulls out the stops to create a light-filled, festive atmosphere. The rest of the year is filled with a lively schedule of festivals and special events centred around music, traditional Irish culture, food and the arts. There are some really great annual events in Ireland that are well worth planning a holiday around, such as the Cork Jazz Festival in late October.
Money matters
Ireland uses the euro as its currency. Credit cards are accepted in all but the most rural villages and ATMs are easy to find and connected to the European banking grid. Cash can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change and airports. Banking hours are Monday to Friday, 09:30 to 16:30, though in Dublin banks stay open until 17:00 on Thursdays. Travellers cheques are widely accepted throughout the country and can be conveniently cashed at banks.
Health and safety
Ireland has no major health concerns, but it’s recommended that travellers have a hepatitis vaccination before visiting. The tap water in every town is drinkable and food standards are generally top notch. In the case of unexpected illness or a medical emergency, EU citizens are entitled to free healthcare if they are carrying their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). All other visitors are advised to purchase travel or medical insurance.
Fitting in…
The Irish are naturally courteous and interested in people from other lands, just don’t rush them. They work hard and value the simple things in life like a cup of tea with friends or a pint at the pub. You can expect to find plenty of conversation if you allow yourself to open up to these friendly, relaxed people.
Visas for Ireland
British passport holders arriving directly from the UK can enter Ireland with any form of official identification and stay as long as they like. EU residents need only show their national identity card to stay indefinitely. Citizens of the US, Canada and Australia must have a passport valid for at least three months past their date of entry but do not need a visa. All other nationals should check with their local Irish embassy for specific visa regulations.
Electricity
The voltage in Ireland is 220-240 Volts, 50 Hertz, and most outlets take the round, two-pin plugs that are common in Europe. Travellers from North America will need to bring along a universal travel plug adapter to use the outlets here with appliances from home.
Business hours
Business opening hours vary depending on whether the business is rural or urban. In general, shops open Monday to Saturday from 09:00 to 18:00. Most small towns designate one night a week, such as Thursday or Friday, to stay open until 20:00 or 21:00. Most small shops close on Sundays but major retailers open from 12:00 to 17:00.
Resources online
