I have read that it would be best not to drive in Dublin ...but if we are flying into Dublin and staying there our first night and getting the car at the airport are there any alternatives?
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Sure. Take a bus or a taxi from the airport to Dublin. Spend the night. Take a bus or taxi back to the airport and pick up your car. Buses are very cheap. See this page on the Dublin Bus site.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9363 posts
Some rental companies have other offices at which you can collect your car. If you are using one of these rental companies, you could take public transport into Dublin, then pick up your car on the way out of town.
Posted by
Adelaide, SA, Australia
977 posts
No, no, no. Even the taxi drivers hate driving in Dublin. Check out if your rental company has an office in the city
Posted by
OP
Petersburg, WV, United States
25 posts
okay - now I am convinced - pick up the car in the city, but we still have to drive out! I guess just driving out is better though than driving in , having to find the hotel , parking and driving out!
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9363 posts
Driving out of Dublin isn't bad. It's trying to drive/park in the city center, with its one-way streets, changing street names, and traffic that is the nightmare. Or you could do as Tim suggested and go back out to the airport to get your car when you are ready to leave Dublin. Out there you are on the edge of town, close to the motorway.
Posted by
Atlanta
1357 posts
We picked up our rental car from the airport this summer, and the rental company provided us a map and directions for getting out of town. The roads around there are well marked.
Any chance your hotel has a shuttle to the airport?
Posted by
Brooklyn, NY, USA
20 posts
Take the bus to the airport to get your car like the earlier poster said. It really isn't that bad at all, quite fun :)
Posted by
Seattle
22 posts
Having been in Dublin - and taken a taxi, bus, shuttle, and nearly been run over - do yourself a favor and do not drive in Dublin. The best option is to pick up your rental car and book a hotel just outside Dublin. The bus schedules are pretty consistent and cheap. Or, you could stay in Dublin (which we did) and pick up your rental car the day you plan on leaving Dublin. If available consider getting the Never Lost (GPS system) with your rental, streets are not marked in Ireland the way they are marked in the US, usually its a sign posted on the side of a building, a SMALL sign at that. Dublin is very enjoyable and easy to walk around.