One of my first trips abroad was to Ireland, and I decided that it was a country best seen by car (which I still stand by). However, it was incredibly intimidating to rent a car in Ireland, knowing I’d be driving on the opposite side of the road. This post is to guide you in deciding whether or not renting a car in Ireland is worth it, how to rent a car, and tips for driving. It includes information on both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
If you’re planning a trip to Ireland, make sure to check out…
Is Renting a Car in Ireland Worth it?
In my opinion, yes, renting a car in Ireland is worth it. The country is not well connected by train and the best way to see hidden castles, the beautiful countryside, and cliffs is by freedom of car. Keep in mind, seeing Ireland by car is NOT the only option so if you’re not convinced by the end of this post to rent a car, know that you can always see Ireland by bus.
If you want to rent a car in Ireland, I suggest Discover Cars where you can compare rentals across multiple agencies and choose the best choice for you.
For buses, you can purchase tickets on Bookaway.
What You Need to Rent a Car in Ireland
As an American renting a car in Ireland, you don’t need much. What you do need is…
- Passport
- Valid drivers license
- Credit card
- Car insurance (third-party and CDW, see blow)
You do not need insurance to rent a car, however I strongly suggest it in case of an accident or emergency. I use and recommend SafetyWing; read why here and here.
Get travel medical insurance here!
Understanding Car Insurance
In Ireland, you need both third-party liability insurance and collision damage waiver (CDW). Third-party liability insurance is already included in your rental cost when you rent a car in Ireland. However, you will also need CDW. Most travel credit cards in the United States offer CDW for free, as an added perk of using your credit card. Make sure you call your insurance company to ask, before you purchase extra insurance.
If your credit card does offer car insurance, you need a written, dated letter of authorization from the company as proof of coverage to present at the rental counter.
When booking your rental, make sure that you pay attention to whether you’re booking manual or automatic!
Navigating the Roads
As I mentioned earlier, in Ireland, you will be driving on the left side of the road – opposite of how we drive in the United States. Here are some things to keep in mind when driving this way…
- The passing lane is the right lane
- In the countryside, you might notice small stone walls to keep you on the road
- In the Republic of Ireland (also referred to as just “Ireland”), speed limits are marked in kilometers
- In Northern Ireland, speed limits are marked in miles
- In Gaelic speaking parts of Ireland, the signs will be in written in Gaelic
Please note: Seatbelts are mandatory in Ireland for every passenger in the car
Fuel, Tolls, & Parking
FUEL
For fueling your rental car, the most important thing to keep in mind is that Ireland has both petrol and diesel fuel. When filling up, generally petrol is indicated by a green handle, and diesel by a black handle. Fuel prices will vary between service stations and if you’re traveling between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, you’ll notice that fuel prices are given in euro in the Republic of Ireland, and pounds in Northern Ireland. Some service stations are pay and go, and others you fill your car and then go inside to pay. Almost all service states accept both credit cards and cash.
TOLLS
There are no toll roads in Northern Ireland, but there are tolls roads in the Republic of Ireland. All of the tolls can be paid in person upon crossing, with the exception of the M50 ring road around Dublin. To pay the M50 toll, you can do it online, and it needs to be paid before 8pm the following day.
PARKING
In most everywhere around Ireland you do need to pay for parking. (When looking for hotels, you can filter your search based on if your hotel has parking available.). Paying for parking varies depending on where you are. Some places accept payment via machines – you pay the machine, receive a ticket, and place the ticket in your front windshield. And other places offer cashless payments that you can pay online or via an app. When you park, look for how you’re supposed to pay to avoid a fine.
Crossing the Border Between Ireland & Northern Ireland
You are allowed to use your rental car to drive between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, but you have to notify the rental agency beforehand. When you do this, you’ll need to pay a border fee (usually around €30). Make sure to have your rental agreement handy to show proof of insurance. There are no border checks, but remember that signs will change between mph and km/hr.
Lastly, if you’re planning on traveling to Northern Ireland, you do need a UK ETA (a visa) which you can get via the “UK ETA” app.
Traveling between Ireland and Northern Ireland? Don’t miss…
Ireland Essentials – What You Need & Need to Know About Visiting Ireland
TRAVELING THROUGH IRELAND
- The easiest way to book train & bus tickets in Ireland is through Omio
- To book a flight to Ireland, I recommend a large booking platform or Skyscanner to compare options (if you’re from the US, sign up for Going for free, cheap flight alerts)
- For car rentals in Ireland, I recommend Discover Cars
- If you want a private driver waiting to pick you up at the airport, use Welcome Pickups
- I highly recommend travel insurance when traveling through Ireland – I use and recommend SafetyWing(read why here and here)
- If you need a SIM card, aloSIM for an easy and affordable e-SIM – use code “KYLEE5” for a 5% discount
- You will need a visa to visit Northern Ireland which you can get through the app, “UK ETA”
ACCOMODATION IN IRELAND
- To easiest way to book hotels in Ireland is through a large booking platform
TOURS IN IRELAND
- For tours and activities in Ireland, I recommend using Get Your Guide or Viator
- For food tours in Ireland, I recommend Devour Tours
- For walking tours in Ireland, I recommend Take Walks
WHAT TO BRING TO IRELAND
- Don’t forget a Ireland guide book or a Northern Ireland guide book to help plan your travels
- You’ll need a travel plug adapter (Ireland uses type G)
- My favorite luggage is Calpak
- My favorite travel backpack is Nordace
- I recommend bringing a reusable water bottle to cut down on plastic waste
- Ireland can often be rainy – be prepared with an umbrella, rain poncho, and rain shoes
I hope that this helps you navigate car rentals in Ireland. If you have any questions about renting a car in Ireland, driving in Ireland, or visiting Ireland in general – let me know in a comment below!
Looking for road trip inspiration? Don’t miss…
- How to Spend 2 Days in County Wicklow, Ireland
- 10 Things You Can’t Miss in Ireland: The Ultimate Bucket List
- 10 Best Hotels in Ireland: Where to Stay for a Getaway
For more information on things to see and do in Ireland, make sure to check out my Instagram page/highlight reel by searching “#ppinireland” or under my highlights for “Ireland”; alternatively, head to my TikTok and search for the saved “Ireland” highlight
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Founded by Kylee, a NICU nurse with nine years of experience, including seven years as a travel nurse; Passports and Preemies was created in 2017 and is now the go-to travel and lifestyle channel for nurses who crave adventure beyond the bedside. Whether you’re a staff nurse looking for your next getaway or a travel nurse navigating life on the road, this space is designed to help you maximize your time off, explore the world, and prevent nurse burnout.
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