Rental car advice for two weeks in southern Ireland

Get a van, a car won't hold the people and stuff. Get if from whoever has the best deal. Get full insurance from the rental outfit, your credit card insurance won't cover anything.

As far as who to rent from, look around and see who gives you the best deal (if you had more time, I'd say book one and then if you find a better deal, cancel it, but you'd have to know the cancellation policy). A lot of people use Auto Europe (which is a consolidator); Dan Dooley seems popular; we're renting from Budget for our upcoming trip. They were the cheapest when I compared earlier. When you compare, be sure it's apples to apples (ie, same size/class car, if it includes insurance); if you find a really cheap one, it probably doesn't include insurance. As far as insurance, I think all of the rentals include basic CDW, but you will be left with a REALLY high deductible if anything happens, upwards of 2000 Euro! Take out the super CDW or "excess waiver"; yes, it costs about $20/day (I think ours is 15 EUR/day), but it reduces your deductible to 0 so you can return the car w/piece of mind! If you search around the helpline a little you will find TONS of stories relating to this, especially stories detailing the different kinds of insurance and why it's good to get the super CDW. Hope that helps!!

I usually rent through Enterprise. Each time I have requested and received a Ford Focus (4 door) - it's considered a Class D: Large Compact. The trunk is bigger than it appears - 4 carry-on luggage will fit easily. A few trips ago, there were 4 of us and the trunk held 2 large (about 27") and 2 carry-on size luggage. The car itself is small but comfortable for 4 average size people. You really don't want to get too big of a car since some of the roads are extremely narrow. I would also recommend getting the super CDW. Things happen and it allows you piece of mind. The time I didn't get it, I had to pay for a gas tank cover since it broke during my first time filling the car. I was charged 200 Euros for a replacement. The cost was minimum but it could have been a lot higher. Also don't rent a GPS from the car rental - it's too costly for a 2 week stay - just purchase one there at a local Tesco - it will cost a fraction of what you will pay for a rental GPS (plus you have one for your next visit!) I highly recommend having a GPS - I know you might think "getting lost is part of the experience" - that thought becomes very annoying after you are lost for a few hours.

Thanks for all of the help. Can you tell me what model of GPS you bought? Thanks again,
Jeff

I use a Garmin GPS that I bought in the US. It came with the US maps and I use it here. I bought a card with the maps of Europe that goes into a slot on it. It works well. Map cards are available on Amazon and eBay. If you already own a GPS, the map card is the way to go. I've seen reconditioned GPS units that say they are loaded with the US and Europe maps. They are still far cheaper than paying to rent a GPS. You'd be money ahead buying a GPS and map card for the trip even if you just throw it out afterwards. In Ireland you definitely want to get the super CDW insurance. Even with it tires are not covered.

Last year in March, we also rented a class "D" for 4 adults. We all had four-22" roller bags, and 4 smaller bags/personal item. We had plenty of room interior and for the luggage in the boot(trunk). We rented thru Journey Through Ireland who has a long time Hertz franchise. They had a very good rate (prepaid in US dollars for a hefty discount and no cc conversions fees) and turned out to be inclusive....no surprises at the rental counter. Had gotten an auxiliary policy from insurance4carhire.com, a British company for tires and misc, but coverage for non EU citizens is not now available. Tell Journey Through Ireland what you need, and they will size the vehicle for you....I don't think you will need a van, unless you go crazy on luggage. Dan

The GPS I bought at the Tesco is a Binatone. It is exclusively in Europe - not known here. It works great and is inexpensive. It came ready with Ireland and UK maps installed. If I remember correctly, it cost me about 45 Euros so roughly, around $65.00 (less than buying a Ireland map card for my personal GPS I use in the states). I have used it for the past 4 trips to Ireland and England. Originally when I went, I thought reviewing maps would be sufficient to get me from point A to B in Ireland. I chose not to bring my GPS I use here (Garmin). So I ended up purchasing one there. I asked the sales clerk if any of the lower priced ones were any good - he pointed me to this brand. I personally have had no problems with it (but I don't use it more than 2-4 weeks a year). If you own a GPS - think about purchasing or downloading the Ireland/UK map.