Destination guide
Car hire in Dublin for crew on a break
Dublin's compact centre doesn't need a car, but Ireland's real draw — the coastal drives, green countryside and small towns — absolutely does. The Wild Atlantic Way and routes like the Ring of Kerry are some of the best road-trip driving in Europe, and they start well outside the reach of any train line.
Why bother with a car here
Skip the car for the city — Dublin is walkable and has decent trams and buses. But step outside it and Ireland opens up fast: the cliffs and villages of County Wicklow are within an hour, and longer drives reach the Ring of Kerry or sections of the Wild Atlantic Way, both genuinely built for a car rather than public transport.
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Search car hire →What to know about driving here
- Driving side: left-hand side — the same as the UK, but worth double-checking if you're used to driving on the right.
- Rural roads can be genuinely narrow, with hedgerows right up to the tarmac — go slower than the speed limit suggests on smaller routes.
- Weather turns quickly. Rain is common year-round; wipers and reduced speed are more useful than sunglasses.
- Dublin Airport (DUB) has a large rental car campus with most major providers represented.
Good use of a day off
Wicklow's mountains and Glendalough monastic site make an easy, scenic half-day from Dublin. For a longer break, the coastal drive south toward Kilkenny or west toward Galway both make for a genuinely memorable day behind the wheel.
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Search car hire →Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car in Dublin itself?+
No — the city centre is walkable with good trams and buses. A car is most useful for exploring the Irish countryside and coast beyond the city.
Which side of the road does Ireland drive on?+
The left, same as the UK — worth a moment of extra care if you're more used to driving on the right.
Are Irish rural roads difficult to drive?+
They can be narrow with hedgerows close to the tarmac. Going slower than the posted limit on smaller routes is a sensible habit.