Ireland car rentals

Compact (Ford Focus Sedan or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Ireland.

Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car rental companies in Ireland are Enterprise Rent-A-Car (9.1, 64 reviews), Budget (7.0, 55 reviews), and Sixt (6.9, 314 reviews).

Take a look at our extensive car rental location map to find the best rental cars near you.

Travelers who choose to rent a car in Ireland will find driving around a straightforward procedure: roads are usually paved and well maintained. Do, however, be aware of very narrow roads and note that in Ireland people drive on the left-hand side, like in the UK. Toll roads are not especially common—there are only 8 in the entire country—but they include some popular roads like the M50 highway around Dublin.

To rent a car in Ireland, drivers need to be at least 21 years of age and have possessed a valid driver’s license for 12 months or longer. Most drivers between 21 and 25 years old will find themselves paying a daily surcharge (for example, about 24 € ($27) per day with Hertz), though a few smaller local companies may choose to waive this fee. A US or other English-language driver’s license can be used to rent a car in Ireland.

Petrol prices in Ireland are relatively average for Europe. Compact or midsize cars often run on diesel, which may help to save on fuel costs. Payment is usually made inside the station, with most accepting cash or credit card. In rural areas, petrol stations can be few and far between, so make sure to fuel up regularly. Expect to pay around 1.30 € ($1.47) per liter of diesel and 1.45 € ($1.64) per liter of petrol.

Different speed limits are enforced throughout Ireland, with speed cameras regularly operated from visibly marked vans. In towns and cities, the limit is usually 30 or 50 km/h (19 or 31 mph), while regional and local roads have a maximum speed limit of 80 km/h (50 mph). National roads, including highways, carry a limit of 90 km/h (56 mph), while motorways allow up to 120 km/h (75 mph).