We are Americans that will be visiting Italy and other areas. Our flight out of Rome will have a lay over of about 3 days in Dublin, Ireland on Aer Lingus. Will we have to go throught customs in Dublin? We will be arriving late 10:30 and we hope to get our rental car that night. The rental car agency closes at 11:30 p.m. Thanks for any advice as to how to get the car before closing.
Posted by
wichita, kansas
484 posts
Yes, you will need to go through customs.
Where will you be staying in Dublin? If you will be in the city itself a car is a liability and not at all necessary. Would it be possible to take a taxi to where you are staying the first night and then come back to the airport the next morning to pick up the car?
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9371 posts
Pat is right -- you don't need a rental car in the city if you are just staying there. I'd say take the train or bus into the city center or wherever you are staying. Parking is expensive and hard to find in the city, and the traffic is bad (plus, there's that "other side of the road" issue to deal with). If you are using a rental car to visit outside the city, you'd be better off to pick it up the next day at a location other than the airport. And you'll be more rested and ready to tackle Irish roads.
Posted by
Columbus, OH, USA
208 posts
Sally -
Don't get a car for Dublin. It's difficult to park - when you can actually find a space and unnecessary.
Could you talk to the place where you are staying about a shuttle?
If you insist on getting a car (so long as you're not staying in Dublin), could you speak with the rental company about staying open a bit later? IMO, I don't think you'll have enough time.
Posted by
OP
Cincinnati, ohio, usa
40 posts
We are not even going to visit Dublin. We will be heading out to spend our two nights and three days in the Doolin area. We will be spending the 1st night at an airport hotel. The car agency said that they will stay open until midnight. If we have time on our return we plan to drop the car off at the rental and take the public transportation into the city. Thanks for all of your concerns - we have already researched the traffic problems in Dublin and decided it was not for us.
Posted by
wichita, kansas
484 posts
I would still vote for picking the car up early the next morning when you are rested and it is daylight so you will have a better idea of where you are going unless you are familiar with the area around the airport.
Posted by
Brandon, Florida, USA
22 posts
Doolin is a beautiful area but you will likely be quite rushed with the short time and distance from Dublin. Unless you are going there for a special reason I would think more about places like Newgrange, Tara, Kells, maybe the Cooley Peninsula. It would also allow you a more relaxed visit into Dublin,(without driving). Either way, you will enjoy it and wish you had more time.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9371 posts
Chuck, Doolin is only 3.5 hours from Dublin. Even allowing for a late start the next morning, they could be there by lunchtime. That would leave the afternoon and the whole next day to see the Burren, the Cliffs of Moher, Doolin, Lahinch, etc. I think it's easily doable.
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
2724 posts
Just FYI, I just went through customs two weeks ago in Dublin (on an Amsterdam-Dublin flight) and it took FOREVER. The customs folks were extra thorough, even counting people's money, fingerprinting, and taking photographs. In the off chance this happens, I highly advise you to use the WC on the airplane, because there isn't one until long after the customs process. I hope this isn't your experience, but I thought I'd share mine.