Renting A Car In Ireland: What You Need To Know Before You Book

Ireland is one of the best countries in Europe for a road trip. Between the dramatic coastline, tiny villages, and countryside scenery, having a car gives you access to places you simply can’t reach by train or tour bus.

That said — renting a car in Ireland works a little differently than in the U.S. I road tripped across the country and learned quickly that things like insurance, car size, and even transmission type matter more here than you might expect.

This guide covers what you should know before booking a rental car in Ireland so you can avoid surprise fees, unnecessary stress, and common first-timer mistakes.

Important Things To Know About Renting A Car In Ireland

Manual Transmission Is Standard (And Automatics Cost More)

Like most of Europe, manual transmission is the default in Ireland. Automatic cars are available, but they’re more limited, more expensive, and should be reserved well in advance — especially during peak travel season.

If you haven’t driven stick shift in years (or only “kind of” know how), I strongly recommend booking an automatic. Ireland’s narrow roads, steep hills, roundabouts, and tight parking garages are not the place to relearn manual driving.

On our trip, one driver in our group was experienced but rusty. While exiting a very steep parking garage, the clutch was burned, and we had to return the car for inspection before continuing our road trip. It ended up being fine — but it’s not a situation you want to deal with on vacation.

Insurance Is Required When Renting A Car In Ireland (seriously)

This is one of the biggest surprises for travelers. In most countries, travelers rely on their credit card’s rental insurance — but most U.S. credit cards specifically exclude coverage in the Republic of Ireland.

Why? Damage rates are higher here due to narrow rural roads, stone walls, hedges, and tight city streets.

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) insurance is mandatory when renting a car in Ireland. You won’t be able to decline coverage at the counter, so it’s best to plan for this cost upfront rather than getting sticker shock at pickup.

Expect Insurance To Significantly Increase The Price

Rental insurance in Ireland isn’t cheap — it can easily double your daily rental price.

Most companies offer tiered options. Typically you’ll choose between:

• A lower daily rate with a high deductible (often €1,500–€2,000+)
• A higher daily rate with little to no deductible

We chose the top coverage with a €0 deductible. For international travel, this is what I recommend.

If something happens and you’ve agreed to a large deductible, that charge can hit your card after you’re already back home. Being thousands of miles away makes disputes difficult and stressful. Paying more upfront gave us peace of mind for the entire trip — and it was absolutely worth it.

How Much Does It Cost To Rent A Car In Ireland?

Prices vary by season, location, and vehicle type, but here’s a realistic ballpark:

• Small manual car: often €40 – €70 per day
• Automatic car: often €70 – €120+ per day
• Insurance add-on: €30 – €40+ per day depending on coverage

Summer, holidays, and rural pickup locations tend to be more expensive. Always compare prices with insurance included — not just the base rate.

DiscoverCars is a rental car comparison site that can help you compare prices. Just be sure to compare costs with CDW Insurance included.

Choose The Smallest Car That Fits Your Needs

Ireland’s roads are narrow. Really narrow.

You’ll be much more comfortable driving a compact or small hatchback than a large SUV. Smaller cars handle rural roads better, are easier to park, and cost less in fuel.

If you’re traveling with multiple people, balance luggage space with vehicle size. Our group of eight rented two small SUVs, which already felt large on many roads. A full-size SUV would have been stressful to drive outside major highways.

Use Your Phone For Navigation (Not a Rental GPS)

Skip the rental GPS.

Your phone’s navigation apps are far better — especially when paired with mobile data. We used phone GPS for the entire trip without issues.

You can use:

• An international data plan
• An eSIM
• A portable WiFi hotspot (available through rental companies or online)

This makes navigating roundabouts, rural roads, and small towns much easier — and be sure to download your maps in advance in case service is poor.

Driving In Ireland: What To Expect

Here are the main differences to prepare for:

You’ll drive on the left side of the road and the car will be right-hand drive. It feels strange at first, but most travelers adjust within a day.

Speed limits are posted in kilometers per hour.

Outside of motorways, expect narrow two-way roads that often look like they should be one-way. In rural areas, it’s common to pull slightly onto the shoulder to let oncoming traffic pass.

Roundabouts are everywhere — especially near cities and highway exits — so brushing up on roundabout rules beforehand is helpful.

Have euro coins on hand, you’ll need coins specifically for the occasional toll or parking meter. 

What You’ll Need At Pickup

When you arrive to pick up your rental car, have:

• Your valid driver’s license
• A credit card in the main driver’s name
• Passport or International ID
• Booking confirmation

An International Driver’s Permit is not required for U.S. travelers in Ireland.

Parking Tips (Especially In Dublin)

If you’re staying in Dublin, try to choose accommodation that includes parking. Street parking rules vary by area and can be confusing.

We primarily used paid parking garages in the city. Outside of Dublin, parking is much easier — many hotels, restaurants, and attractions offer free lots.

Always ask your accommodation where they recommend parking if it isn’t included.

Is Renting A Car In Ireland Necessary?

If you’re only visiting Dublin or a major city, you don’t need a car.

But if you’re planning to explore the countryside, coastal routes, small towns, or do a full road trip — renting a car is absolutely worth it. Some of Ireland’s best scenery is only accessible by car, and the flexibility is unmatched.

If you’re planning a multi-day route, I’ve shared the exact itinerary we followed in my 7-Day Ireland Road Trip Itinerary.

Driving through the countryside ended up being one of my favorite parts of the entire trip.

Renting a car in Ireland comes with a learning curve, but it’s completely manageable with the right preparation. Book early, choose a smaller vehicle, budget for insurance, and don’t underestimate the roads.

With those basics covered, you’ll be free to explore some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country — at your own pace. I hope this information helps prepare you for renting a car in Ireland!

Any questions? Please leave a comment below or reach out on social media.

Looking for more ideas? Below are additional Ireland guides.

More Information For Your Trip To Ireland:

• Dublin, Ireland: 1 Day Itinerary
• Dublin, Ireland: 2 Day Itinerary
• Ireland: 7-Day Road Trip Itinerary