We have an 11 am flight out of DUB back to USA. We will be in Galway the night before, and returning a rental car at Dublin airport. If we leave Galway at 5 am (ugg), should we be ok time wise? Or what time is suggested? I know there's a motorway straight across.
Posted by
Ireland
217 posts
Presume this is on a weekday. Leaving at 5 should get you to the airport before 8 which should be plenty of time.
Posted by
Colorado Springs
2845 posts
I'm of a different opinion, having learned from past experience that I'll lose sleep the night before if I knew that I had a 3 hour drive to the airport with the added potential complication of a rental car return - just too many things that could potentially go wrong ... at least in my overactive imagination.
I'd either turn the car in in Galway and train back to Dublin the night before or drive back that evening, dump the car, and get a good night's sleep before heading to the airport for my return flight.
Posted by
Florida
509 posts
FWIW, we made a similar trip back using Robert's 2d suggestion: drive the day before; lose the rental car. We enjoyed a good night's sleep at a Dublin Airport hotel (Holiday Inn Express) and an excellent dinner at an Italian restaurant a few steps around the corner.
(If we have an opportunity to return to Ireland, we'll try to read every post by Robert!)
Posted by
49 posts
You should be closer to the airport for an 11am flight. You need to be at the airport by 8am. Plus you have to put gas in the rental car, return the rental car, etc...I would spend your last night near the airport.
Posted by
stevens point, wi, usa
1189 posts
Hi from Wisconsin,
I once stood in line to return my car for a very long time. We had stayed the previous night not 30 miles north of the airport which is also on the north side of Dublin. What could possibly go wrong?
The person in front of me at the rental counter was returning a damaged rental car. The paper work went on forever. Then the inspection of the car. Then more paperwork. And then there was waiting for the ride from the car return location to the airport. Can you say, 'heartburn'?
Also...what time in the morning does your rental agency open their doors? You might try to find out what these big new roads around Dublin are like at morning commuting time.
Turn your car in the night before your flight. Stay near the airport and eat at The GraveDigger's Pub. If you get to the Grave Digger's early, tour the Cemetery next door.
PS Listen to Robert. He has a plastic mind.
wayne iNWI