Hi - total newbie at traveling and Europe specifically. Hubby and I will be heading into Dublin and a little lost as to where to try for a hotel as well as arranging for a car. The plan is to spend three days exploring the city, pick up the car and head West. We're definitely nervous to drive and would love to figure out something where it's easy to take public transportation to the city outskirts (with bags) to pick up a car. Not sure where to start. Any thoughts?
Posted by
Land of La
9263 posts
When is this trip?
In Ireland driving is the same as driving in the US. Its IRELAND not the UK.
Use the car rentals at the Dublin airport. Take the Dublin Express bus.
If party animals then stay in Temple Bar. If wanting quieter lodgings Ballsbridge. If wanting a newer transformation then the Docklands.
Posted by
Freedonia
16411 posts
The above is wrong. In Ireland, they drive on the same side as the UK (left).
As to which bus to take into Dublin from the airport, it depends on where you are staying. This website will help:
https://www.dublinairport.com/to-from-the-airport/by-bus
One of the easiest places to get a rental car is the airport. This will make sense if your are returning the car prior to flying out of the country.
As to where to stay, that depends on budget and preferences. I have been to Dubin a few times and preferred staying south of the River Liffy. Usually around the area of Merrion Square but have also stayed near Christchurch. But that's just personal choice. Nothing wrong with north of the river.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7206 posts
When we went we picked up and dropped off the car at the airport. We took the bus into town and it dropped us off by St. Stephen’s Green. Our hotel was very near to it. The main part of the city was within walking distance.
Posted by
Colorado Springs
3010 posts
When is your trip, for how long, and where will you be arriving from?
You might see more responses if you put this inquiry in the Ireland section versus General Europe.
Posted by
Hudson Valley
2267 posts
I totally understand the nervousness and before I became a more confident traveler/driver I used to do the same as you, booking cars on city outskirts.
Most searches will default to a city's airport, but there should be options for "in town" or "city" offices. The results may just come back with office locations/addresses, and you'd need to cross reference them with a map.
As others have mentioned, planning to return the car to the airport could be wise if it fits your itinerary. Which could mean it could make sense to go back to the airport to pick it up.
AutoEurope is my go-to supplier for European rental cars. (Though I always shop around, too.)
Lastly, a note on transmissions in a right-hand drive... Renting an automatic will be much more expensive. If you're a regular, confident driver of manual transmissions, don't worry about it being on the "wrong side". It's the easiest, most intuitive part of the change.
Posted by
Alpharetta, Ga, USA
277 posts
We stayed at the Waterloo House 4 years ago, probably a 15 minute walk into the center of town.
Also picked up rental car at nearby Hertz location (booked through AutoEurope), getting out of the city was not too difficult.