September rental car pick up (not yet booked ) Dublin airport ; start the drive right away towards the west..7 days .. ( not Shannon arrival because we have family visit on the way to the west), then question is arriving back to stay in Dublin and will drop the car right away before 2 day stay : is it better driving up from Kinsale area to drop back at the airport and taxi in to town, or to navigate Dublin streets for a center city drop off and then get to hotel ; the Fitzwilliam on St. Stephen's green. Some rental companies have "city center" drop off : but is driving in Dublin not advised ? And if the drop off is not too close to the hotel ? Any advice is welcome.
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8395 posts
I picked up and dropped off our rental car at the Dublin Airport. We spent the night north of the city by a mall with the rental car in the hotel garage instead of dropping it in the center city. That way we did not have to jockey for a way to and from the airport.
Be careful making your reservation and make sure the price includes govt. mandated physical damage coverage. We saw a rental representative overcharge a new customer that did not address insurance until he arrived at the airport.
Posted by
Salt Lake City
3139 posts
There are a few car rental locations on the outskirts of the city center that might be alternatives to the airport but they close early - between 5 and 6 PM - whereas the airport concessions are open until very late, so depending on how pinched you are for time the airport might be the more convenient option.
Driving in central Dublin isn't for the faint of heart - I'd opt for the airport. We've always found the door to door service of a taxi from the airport into the city to be well worth the cost for 2 or more people with luggage, and you can't beat the convenience.
Posted by
OP
16 posts
Thanks ! I will drop off back at the airport. Which are the most reliable rental companies? We will book med size automatic transmission for 2 people with not a lot of luggage. Will reserve and pay including all necessary insurance in advance.
Posted by
Mountains of S. Oregon
910 posts
After a week of driving, I think you can probably manage the Dublin streets far enough to get to the drop offs, many of which are on the North or South Circulars. A speech enabled guidance on your phone will make it pretty do-able. On the other hand, if the in-city drop offs are far from your lodging, a taxi from the airport is not much different than a taxi from closer in.
I'd base the decision on other factors like hours, being able to drop bags off if your walking, etc. with little weight given to the driving,
If you choose Enterprise and it's open, they have a drop off in the same block as the Fitzwilliam, and the driving from Kinsale is very direct.
Posted by
Salt Lake City
3139 posts
Like many here we rely on Auto Europe for rentals in Ireland. We've found their rates to be competitive and their pricing for the various insurance covers to be straightforward. Our vehicles with them have typically been with Hertz.
A relatively new entry onto the market is NewWay which has been getting terrific reviews. Haven't used them yet ourselves but they do look like a great option - worth checking out anyway. Per their website they feature a zero deductible insurance cover, windscreen and tire coverage, 24 hour breakdown service and no cross-border fee if you want to head up into NI.
Posted by
Seattle, WA & Bordeaux, France
418 posts
We usually rent from Enterprise at the Dublin airport (and in other towns) without any issue. We have, only once, dropped our rental in the city centre rental location. That was crazy town and we'll never do again. Also, there's so much traffic in the city that it takes twice as long to drive anywhere. It's just as easy to pick up/drop off at the airport before you are beginning/ending your stay in the Dublin city centre. I hope you have a great trip!
Posted by
OP
16 posts
Thx for all the info. We will be stopping at Rock of Cashel and Cooleney Farm .. cheese place.. not wanting to rush.. the later hours at the airport drop off give peace of mind if the day goes longer ... it happens and then no worries as the airport drop off will be open ...
I really appreciate all the viewpoints from you who have done this ..,, last time I was in Ireland was 1996.. a fabulous trip, but a lot has changed !