My wife and I are planning a trip to Ireland, Scotland and England this fall. We wanted to drive in Ireland, Scotland, and Wales and then turn the car in in England and take trains. However, I can't find a rental car company that allows this one way international travel. We wanted to pick up a car in Dublin and drive to the west of Ireland then Northern Ireland and take a ferry to Scotland and drive through Scotland then drive close to London where we would turn the car in. Any good advice?
Posted by
Gig Harbor, Washington, USA
1850 posts
An Avis agent at Calais told me last summer that it's OK to take rental cars on the ferry, people do it all the time. However, taking a car on the ferry is expensive. Why not rent a car in Ireland, turn it in at the ferry, and rent another car when you get to Scotland? Probably no more expensive than the extra cost (and hassle) to take a car on the ferry.
Posted by
Charlotte, NC, USA
3428 posts
While I can see the need to drive in Ireland (limited rail service), Wales, Scotland and England have wonderful train service and good bus service. Why not turn in the care in Ireland. Previous posters have mentioned the problem with taking the car out of Ireland. They say if you must drive in the UK, get a different car upon arrival.
Posted by
Jonesboro, Arkansas, USA
606 posts
"Wales, Scotland and England have wonderful train service and good bus service."
If you're just interested in seeing stuff in towns and cities, you can certainly get around the island of Britain using public transportation.
But I absolutely loved driving across Scotland in a car from Edinburgh to Ft. William, as well as the drive back along Loch Ness and along the east coast. We enjoyed driving into a village and looking around for a B&B for the night. We enjoyed stopping in roadside country stores for snacks and talking with the local country folk who don't see many tourists.
There are freedoms and experiences that can only be had when traveling by car, just as there are great experiences only had by train. Whatever choice you make, you'll have pluses and minuses. But mostly pluses!
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9369 posts
You will find that the drop off charges for renting in one country and dropping off the car in another are exorbitant. Your best bet would be to drop off your car before taking the ferry, then rent another car in the UK, as a previous poster suggested.
Posted by
San Diego, CA, United States
864 posts
We did this trip basically a couple of years ago and picked up a car in Ireland (we flew in) and a different car in Scotland. Be advised a second driver is an extra fee in Ireland, spouse or not. Trains have become really expensive in the U.K. Check out prices before deciding.
Posted by
Atlanta
1358 posts
And be prepared, I believe there's an extra charge to drive a car rented in the republic into Northern Ireland.