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The best way to explore Ireland is by car. This island nation is small enough to drive around on a one or two week visit and has so many places to explore. The best way to see the charming small villages, castle ruins, and thriving cities around Ireland is by renting a car and making your own tour route.
Renting a car in Ireland was far less painful than I expected. Here are a 5 things to keep in mind if you plan to rent a car in Ireland.
Automatic vs. Manual Vehicles
Most rental cars in Ireland are manual, meaning you’ll need to know how to drive with a stick shift. If you’re like me and don’t know how to drive manual, you’ll want to rent an automatic car. However, automatic cars are less common in Ireland and therefore may be harder to find. Since automatic cars are limited, reserve your rental early. While booking, make sure you pay attention to the type of car you are reserving to ensure it is in fact an automatic as many automatic and manual cars look the same. Automatic rental cars also cost more than manual due to lower supply, so be prepared to spend a premium for that automatic.
Collision Damage Waiver Insurance
Renting a car in Ireland requires you to have car insurance plus Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) coverage. Some insurance companies abroad may have the ability to purchase CDW before your trip. Certain credit cards also offer insurance coverage so check what is available to you before booking your car. I opted to add CDW through the car hire company once I got to Ireland. It cost an extra fee to get insurance through the rental company when I arrived to pick up my car but this ensured that I had to correct coverage.
Drive on the Left Side of the Road
Depending on which country you come from, driving on the left side of the road may be perfectly normal. For an American like me, though, driving on the left side of the road was an adjustment! Pay extra attention to road signs and markings to make sure you are always oin the left side. Making turns at stop lights and signs was the biggest adjustment for me. Follow the cars in front of you for guidance and make sure to pay extra attention at turns to make sure you stay on the correct side of the street.
International Driver’s License
Licensed drivers from the USA, Canada, and UK do not require an International Driver’s License to rent a car or drive in Ireland. Make sure your home license is still valid. You’ll need to present your driver’s license and passport at the car hire company to reserve and pick up your car.
Be Prepared for Narrow Country Roads
Ireland has many highways to get between the large cities. However, one of the joys of renting a car in Ireland is the ability to get off the main roads and explore the countryside. And Ireland’s countryside is stunning! You’ll find rolling green hills dotted with white sheep, castle ruins, and winding coastal drives. Many of these roads through the countryside are very narrow with little to no shoulder and stone walls on either side of teh road. I found it terrifying at first to drive down what felt like a 1 car road and have a car coming at me in the oposite direction. Sometimes you’ll even have a tour bus coming at you! When this happens, move to the side of the road, slow down, and know that local drivers drive these roads every day and know exactly what they are doing.
