Dublin Airport Car Rental

Rental; in many EU countries we found that a small wagon (Ford Focus, Opel, or similar etc) worked great for four people with lots of luggage. It is not wider than a car; just a little longer. 5 people; go down to the Ford dealer and see if you can fit in one, and keep your luggage to a minimum. We have never been to Ireland, but are doing the same thing; picking up our rental at the Dublin airport (AFTER our stay in Dublin). Some friends told us to practice driving at the airport. The worst problem I had was entering and exiting roundabouts while drving"on the wrong side". I almost killed my wife and brother-in-law and sister-in-law while exiting a roundabout in Barbados. Practice! Pick-up: go to the Autoeurope website and play with the cars and pick-up and off locations. If you have any questions, call them at their headquarters in Maine. We found that our B&B in Dublin was extremely helpful at telling us how to use public trans for arrival and departure (getting to the airport rental office. Luckily the airport is right next to the ring road that provides easy exit from the Dublin area. Take along your GPS from (loaded with Ireland maps), a good Michelin map, and a compass. Make sure that you are well insured. Go to moneymaxim.co.uk to find a lo cost policy that covers the deductables that the rental Company does not cover(and tires, wheels, windshield that no amount of rental agency insurance covers)! Have a great trip!

Thank you !

Hi John, I agree you'd be crazy to drive IN Dublin, but renting at the airport is fine, as long as you're finished in Dublin and ready to hit the countryside. We have rented cars at the Dublin airport twice: once from Dan Dooley, and once from Hertz. Both worked out fine. The airport is about 30 minutes north of the city, so you won't have to do any city driving once you pick up your car. Last year there were 5 of us in one car: me, my husband, two sons (23 and 20), and my dad. All 4 guys are 6 ft tall. We rented a Peugeot 5008 (from Hertz). Google that car to see what it looks like. I think it's advertised as carrying 7 people (ha!). We fit fine: 2 in front seats; 2 in the back seat, one in the "way back" jump seat. Tell your kids to take turns back there. ;)
We didn't have much luggage, though. One carry-on per person. (One more reason why packing light is the way to go. We were there for 8 days.) I think you're fine renting from the airport as long as you don't need to go back to the city itself. Have fun!

Thank you ! We are flying into/out of Dublin airport, but would like to visit the city itself as we have relatives living in Dublin. Thanks again !

In that case, take a taxi into Dublin, spend your days there, and take another taxi back out the airport car-rental office when you're ready to hit the road. That's what we did. With 5 of you, a taxi is a better option than 5 bus tickets, esp. with your luggage. And you'll be driven door to door. It will cost practically the same, and much more convenient. You'll have a great time!!

John are you heading north or south of Dublin when collecting your rental car? If you are heading south, look for a rental firm on the southside of the city.
On two occasions when staying in Dublin, we headed south to Co. Wicklow. Rented our vehicles from Hertz on South Circular Road. No problems heading south out of the city

I wouldn't advise getting a taxi to town and then back to the airport to pick up a car rental.. Might as well pick one up in the city and head out from there. Besides you'll save the airport location fee that some companies charge! Thrifty / Irish Car Rentals / Europcar and more are all based in the city centre, near Trinity college. Getting the bus to the city is cheaper than a taxi but may not be much cheaper due to the fact there is 5 of you :)

Thank you all! We appreciate it !

We are leaving for Dublin next week-end and need to rent a car for 4 tall people with luggage, two being our daughters who have large backpacks. I've done tons of on-line searching for a small vehicle that will hold us + luggage, but I can't find anything that's characterized as a small wagon. What kind of car IS that?

Ford Focus has a wagon option. On one of our trips, my daughter and I had a sedan, and my sister's family had the wagon. It was a tight fit for three kids in the backseat, and for all of their luggage.

Thanks Nancy! What's your take on manual vs. auto transmission rental.

Manual is always cheaper. I have no problem shifting with my left hand. But because I don't normally drive a stick, I get an automatic if the price isn't outrageous just because it removes one level of stress for me to not have to deal with shifting in addition to driving on the left, particularly in towns.