Ireland : Car Rentals. Am I Missing Something?

Did you try priceline? I have rented numerous times in Europe and usually end up with Budget, Hertz or Avis. I have seen some of the others that are cheaper and you prepay, but I have never felt comfortable with some company I don't know or have already paid. The prices can vary so much, it doesn't make much sense.
700 seems way too much. Sometimes it is cheaper to rent for the week, then just take it back early.

Thank Terry. I'll check into priceline tomorrow. I'll have to google Atlas' reviews too.

When are you traveling? That makes a big difference in price. I just tried a couple of dummy bookings at Irish Car Rentals (www.irishcarrentals.com), and for April 9-13, picking up in Dublin, dropping in Shannon, it was well under 200 euros. I tried another dummy booking for June and the price was more like 400 euros. With the exception of one trip where I didn't have a choice of companies (it was a package deal), I have always rented from Irish Car Rentals. Never heard of Malone. Be careful to note the return policy of whatever company you rent from. In some cases, if you rent for a week and take it back early, they will charge you the "per day" price instead of the weekly one. Book something as soon as you can, then keep watching the prices. If you see something better pop up, cancel the first reservation and take the better one. Most companies don't charge for cancelations or changes.

"...192 isn't bad but when I change it to automatic it jumps to 392 ouch...." The reality is that there are very few automatic transmission cars in Ireland and nearly all of them are owned by the rental car companies. It is considered a specialty rental car in the same way renting a convertible is in this country. It might appear they are sticking it to North Americans, but keep in mind that because it is a rare car, it costs more to maintain and repair (as well as to purchase and insure). The price is based upon supply and demand and you are there at a peak time period. If you can drive manual, I don't think the transition is too bad. However, if you aren't comfortable with driving stick, the roads of Ireland aren't the place to learn.

I used Sixt and got a good deal.

Looked up a few dates in July for Ireland while I was playing with my dates... priceline... July looks like Avis had an automatic for 3 or 4 days for 220...including taxes, also Europcar has automatics. Without know ing your exact dates it could be different, but try the weekly or the 3 day. If the weekly rate is less if you ask them they will tell you that you will be charged more if you return early, but I do it all the time and have only been questioned once. Just say you need to go home early. I also check on line as well as call . It takes work to get a good price, but you do not need to put your cc# to hold the car. I just always like to be sure I cancel all the holds I have when I find a cheaper one.

Thanks. I just think 400 Euro is crazy for 3 days rental even in peek season. That's $600 ? Woe~

Auto Europe shows a three-day, inclusive rate rental for under $150 USD which includes CDW coverage. Six years ago my Capital One World MasterCard provided CDW coverage so I was able to get by with only basic coverage, but it was the only US card to do so. I don't know if that is still true today. See autoeurope.com or call their US toll-free number. When you're getting rate quotes, be sure you are comparing apples to apples. There is a difference between CDW and Super CDW.

Tim, I tried it out but the 3 days in July? 192 isn't bad but when I change it to automatic it jumps to 392 ouch.... Did you do automatic? I've been told to do automatic since it's the left hand and all. Do shift cars there have a clutch? I used an 'automatic' 10 years ago in London, and I did have to 'shift' but there was no clutch, crazy as that sounds. If that's the case, I can handle the European type shifting. 392 for 3 days is a lot of money. This is getting tough. Any help?

Yep, automatics cost a lot more than manuals. And yes, manuals have a clutch. If you just bite the bullet and book something, you can watch to see if a better deal comes along in the meantime. On one of my trips I was considering an automatic but balked because of the price. I just kept watching the prices, though, and along came a special. I snapped it up, then canceled the original booking. The rates aren't going to improve as you get closer to your dates and other people book cars for the same period, so you need to line up something now, then change if needed.

Thanks Greg and Terry. I think I tried sixt but will give itg a shot again.

Bob, Yes, I rented a car with a manual transmission and adapted very quickly. However, I've been driving stick shift cars all my life. The gas pedal, brake, and clutch are in the same position as US cars. Although the gearshift is on the left, the shifting pattern is the same as with US cars.

Be advised that a second driver really ups the rate. Here your spouse is automatically authorized to be a second driver, not so Ireland. We rented a stick and the price with CDW with, either Hertz or Avis I forget was within the bounds of reason. At Shannon we discovered that for me to also be able to drive was, I think another $100 a day. Yikes. Check it out ahead of time.

Thanks. I think so far I've always said one driver. I have six car rentals to 'study' The stinkers....they are so tricky with their verbage and no phone no. so I can clarify with a human what the charges are . Some say 'different' fee for drop off at other location but NO price. This is work~ Good thing I got a little time on my hands. I got to tackle this daily plus a an additional flight from Shannon to Edinburgh.
Thanks again.

You can tell what the charge is for picking up at one airport and dropping at another by looking at the same dates and saying you want to pick up and drop off at the same airport instead. The charges I have seen have ranged from nothing to around $20 at various times.

Good idea. Will do. One company did charge 38 Euro for the diff. airport.

After alot of research for our Ireland trip last summer and asking questions of this helpline, we found Budget to have the best rates at that time. Other rental places would quote a cheaper rate but their final price was actually higher. The biggest cost is the added insurance you need on a car rental in Ireland. Be sure to factor that in when you are researching rates.

Marie, thank you re. Budget. So far I found Budget to be the best also.

Aoto Europe is a consolidator that has contracts with several rental car companies. The car I booked through them was provided by Budget. It was a Ford Focus hatchback. It served me well.

I have driven in Ireland many times. Always a stick shift as automatics are usually double the cost. It is all about the insurance coverage. I don't think any Credit Cards cover Ireland anymore. If they say they do, get it in writing.
Be very specific and ask the the rental company via email what you need to know re CDW and Super coverage etc. It can be very confusing. SAVE the correspondence and take with you to the counter. The counter staff don't always know all the guidelines. Don't assume anything. It is getting more and more difficult and expensive to drive in Ireland as public transportation is sparse and a car is a necessity. I have witnessed lots of arguments at the counter and the return site. Budget and Hertz when they have a special offer are my choice but any will do if you do your homework. This is not a casual transaction anymore like in the USA.

Thanks Brian. Will check into it. You're right, this is a lot of homework.

Kayak is a great search engine to find car rentals. So far I have found E-Z car rental and Thrifty the best price. I am traveling in May.

I was able to hire a car from Thrifty, pick up and drop off in dublin City Centre. 6 days, 280 euros, May to June. Good Luck!
Anne

Whatever you do avoid Hertz at Dublin Airport. Just got back last week and experience with them was awful--so badly managed.