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Rent a car or use public transportation/itinerary feedback

Hi - we are first time travelers to Ireland, we are traveling in Sept so are expecting somewhat cooler rainy weather. Our itinerary is:

  1. Dublin 2 nights
  2. Cork area 2 nights
  3. Dingle Penninsula walking 3 nights
  4. Connemara/Aran Islands 3 nights
  5. Northern Ireland 4 nights
  6. Dublin 2 nights

I am wondering if it makes sense to rent a car to allow for flexibility when much of the time it will be parked while we explore these areas?

We have not booked accommodations yet in any of these places so if anyone has suggestions that would be great.

Posted by
6970 posts

I am wondering if it makes sense to rent a car to allow for
flexibility when much of the time it will be parked while we explore
these areas?

It's not a binary choice. Rent a car for a day or two when it's useful and stick to trains and buses when they are a better option.

Posted by
2980 posts

You won't need a car in Dublin but one would come in handy for your other proposed destinations, so the obvious solution would seem to be to rent the car on your way out of Dublin and returning it there upon your return. Since you'll be driving down from NI returning the vehicle at Dublin airport would be easiest - you really don't want to drive in Dublin city.
If your intention is to stay in Cork city you could probably forego picking up your car for another couple of days and do a one- way rental from there back to Dublin. Might save a few Euros given the high cost of rental cars at the moment.