Car Rental in Ireland or Northern Ireland

We are visiting Ireland in a couple of months. I usually rent from Hertz on a corporate discount, however we are renting from Sixt Car Rental this time.
This is my first trip to Ireland, however it is doubtful you will have any problem going across lines to/from Northern Ireland.
I would suggest you to go AutoEurope.com and make a test reservation (going as far as getting the price.). You can compare prices picking up/dropping off cars in Dublin and/or Belfast. Don't be surprised if airport rentals are more expensive due to extra charges and tolls.
My credit card rental car CDW terms (online) specifically excludes both Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland from rental car coverage. You would need to check your own auto insurance policy to see whether international car rentals are covered, especially in the two Irelands. If not, you will have to purchase the rental company's CDW optional plans.

1. I booked through a consolidator, AutoEurope on both my 2002 and 2016 Ireland trips.
2. Never done it, but since both are in the EU (for now) don't think you will have any problem.
3. Could run into a drop fee for renting in one country and dropping in another. Consult AutoEurope or the rental company if you choose to go direct.
4. Super CDW, for sure. We had it and needed it on our 2016 trip.

Also: don't drive into Belfast or Dublin, and if that's where you will spend most of your time, don't have a car at all.

1. We use Easirent. Great rates, great people to deal with.
   
2. Not at all difficult crossing the border. They are both still EU countries so it's like driving between states. Not a hard border.
3. There is a hefty charge to drop off your car in another country but it varies between rental companies. Is it more than bus fare ? Depends on how many will be riding the bus and the companies charges.
4. It's simple. Get full super CDW. Then absolutely ask for additional tire and windshield coverage on top of that. Then ad an additional driver if needed. The tire and windshield on top of the CDW is a must. Damaging a tire on Ireland's roads and sharp curbs is not only easy but probable and one tire and rim can run into many hundreds of euros/pounds If not 1,000+. Going cheap by scrimping on the coverage is a prescription for disaster.

Also unless you are used to shifting with your left hand or gifted with amazing coordination get an automatic. Ireland's roads are challenging enough....managing them while fumbling awkwardly with shifting in a standard is at best a major headache and most likely very dangerous.

Have fun. Ireland is awesome. And follow VS's excellent advice about Dublin and Belfast if it applies !

NOT illegal to cross the borders. Why would you think that?

May get more difficult in the next few years because of Brixit but no worries now. Hell my first visit was in 1997 and the only reason I knew I'd driven into NI was that I saw British soldiers on the road.

All you'll notice between Ireland and NI is that the color of road signage will change. Have driven the island on 3 different trips. Get the coverage ( just get it) and yes there will be a large drop off fee. Ireland's and NI are 2 different countries.

Go with whatever company you rent from in the states. I'm a Hertz member so I rented my cars from Hertz.

So yes would be smarter and cheaper to return car in Belfast and train or bus back to Dublin. Easy and relaxing.

Lots of incomplete information here. Hope I can add a bit to your information pile:

There IS A FEE to cross the border in your rental car. I asked specifically of 3 companies, and they all told me they have different insurance policies in each country and they charge a fee to kick that in. IF you rent a car, don't tell them that you are leaving the country and going into the other, you are most likely NOT insured if you have an accidentno.

Europcar charges 50 euros to cross over. I don't know what it is from Belfast to here.

Also - if you get the car at one airport and leave it in the other country there is a fee as they cannot then lease the car to another driver! It would have license plates from another country and it's illegal for a RoI car hire to rent a car from the UK.

The CDW is usually not included in your home insurance or your credit card. Check!

Buy the CDW if you want it from the rental car company! If you have 3rd party coverage they will still demand the 1,000 - 1,5000 euro deposit, as they have no idea when they'll get reimbursed from your carrier -- so just make it simple and buy from them.

I do not buy the coverage any more, but I do take a risk and know it. I had one accident and the 1,500 was taken off my credit card immediately. I got it back 8 days later when the other driver's insurance kicked in. But if that's not something you can afford, don't skip it!

Also - check rates on europcar.ie as well as the .com -- goes for every brand - sometimes the prices are different.....

Susan
Expat in Waterville, Skellig Coast

Thank you all, this has been very helpful.