Can you rent a car in Dublin, travel via vehicle ferry to Scotland, drive into England and return the car there? If not, what would you suggest. We are spending most of our time in Ireland, but would like to spend a couple days in Scotland, and the last three days in England. We want to drive at our leisure and see sites and fly out of London. Is this possible and can I find ferry/vehicle rental costs somewhere on the web? Thanks so much! MJ Del Principe
Posted by
Jonesboro, Arkansas, USA
606 posts
Rental agencies don't like to have their cars taken out of the country. Doing so can be done, sometimes, but at greater cost, often significantly greater cost.
Traveling from Ireland to Scotland, the general practice is to turn your car in, board the ferry as a pedestrian, then rent a new car at your destination. Check ahead of time, of course, but most major car rental agencies have branches in the major ferry ports on both sides of the sea.
Posted by
Gig Harbor, Washington, USA
1863 posts
Last summer at the Calais ferry port, when we turned in our Avis rental car, I asked the agent if Avis permitted rental cars to be taken on the ferry to England. She said yes, people do this all the time. I haven't tried doing it, but you might want to check with Avis and see if that truly is their policy. By the way, when you rent a car in Ireland, document carefully all of the dings and dents on the car before you accept the rental. OUr experience has been that Irish rentals have more minor damage on them than cars in other countries. Also, be sure the car has a complete working jack.
Posted by
Jonesboro, Arkansas, USA
606 posts
"...when you rent a car in Ireland, document carefully all of the dings and dents on the car before you accept the rental."
Yes, I've noticed that in all the places I've rented in Ireland and Scotland, they really take a lot of time to go around the car before you leave with it, and upon return, to check for damage.
Quite the opposite, every time I've rented a car in France, Spain or Italy, they never even look at the car when I bring it back. Amazing, since cars really get banged up a lot, especially in Spain and Italy. But every time I've returned a car in those countries, I just hand them the keys and they ask where I parked the car, then say thanks and that's it.
Not to say they NEVER check, but they're never checked me in France, Spain or Italy. They ALWAYS checked in Ireland and Scotland.
Posted by
Bromley, Kent,, UK
1829 posts
Also remember it could cost you a lot more to take a car with you on the ferry.
Posted by
Charlotte, NC, USA
3428 posts
I can understand renting a car in Ireland as public transportation is more limited there. In Scotland and England the trains and buses are easy and convienent. I'd take the ferry to Scotland, then catch a train to Inverness- stay at least 3-5 days and 7 is not too long. Lots of day trips and things to do in the city. Then train to Edinbrugh- 1 or 2 days. Then train to York- 1 or 2 days. Finally train to London- 4 or 5 days. If you want more deatiled suggesstions, private message me- we've done similar trips many times.