We are traveling next month from Scotland to Ireland and had planned to rent a car to ferry across. It looks like it is illegal to do this, but I see no reference to this in the guidebook. Maybe a new thing. Anyone know anything about this?
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
5464 posts
I don't think it's that unusual for car rentals to disallow taking their cars on some ferries.
Posted by
955 posts
I wouldn’t base that kind of decision on a guidebook, which could easily outdated. Go directly to the car rental agency website.
Posted by
Land of La
9254 posts
Would you drive one way from US to Canada or Mexico?
Posted by
Camano Island, WA, usa
1521 posts
Take a bus to the Ferry, do a walk-on, and arrange to rent a car or get a train pass in Ireland. I bet you will save a lot of money. Maybe, you could be a passenger on a bus transiting to Ireland if you don't want to have carry your luggage. Also, I think insurance coverage would be extra to take a car.
Posted by
Reading, PA, USA
1637 posts
The drop off fee for dropping a car in a different country is often very large.
Posted by
Lake District, England
8033 posts
A ferry from Scotland will arrive in Northern Ireland, which you drive through to reach the Republic of Ireland. No ferry goes from Scotland to the Republic.
You would have to go to Holyhead (Wales) for a ferry direct to the Republic.
It is not illegal, it is what the rental car company will or will not allow, and the huge drop off charges to repatriate the car to Scotland.
A guidebook can not cover that kind of nuance.
Take Hannons bus from Glasgow to Belfast (which drives onto the ferry with you) then the train to Dublin to rent a car there. Bus/ferry/train all in should be no more than around £60 or so per person Glasgow to Dublin.
Even if you could take the car over for 2 people and a car you will pay at least £200 for the ferry alone
Posted by
Camano Island, WA, usa
1521 posts
isn31c: Thanks for the real info!