Ireland is one of the world’s most romantic destinations and the Emerald Isle is a favourite location for fishing, golfing, hiking and cycling. Although Ireland has been politically divided for many decades, it is possible to visit the north or the south of the country and find the highest quality hotels and restaurants.
Hiring a car in Ireland is a great way to explore and see the sights of this stunningly beautiful and culturally fascinating country. Often referred to as 'The Emerald Isle', Ireland is a popular destination for tourists from all over the world. Rhino has a wide range of vehicles to choose from whether you are looking for economy car hire, luxury, 4x4, convertible or a 7+ seater. We have pick up points all over Ireland where you can collect your car hire and these include Dublin,
Dublin Airport,
Knock Airport,
Galway and
Cork Airport.
If you are looking for economy car hire in Ireland we have a great range of models to choose from such as the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Golf. If you plan to go off road and tackle some of the more demanding terrain then a SUV would be ideal and some of the models we have to hire include the Nissan Pathfinder and Toyota Rav4. Our rates include unlimited mileage so you can drive around Ireland as much as you want!
Minimum Age Requirements for Car Hire in Ireland
Most car hire companies in Ireland require you to be 25 or older to rent a car. However it is possible to rent a car with some car hire companies from the age of 21. If you are a young driver between the ages of 21-25 it is common for a surcharge to be added to the price of your rental car. The price of this additional charge can vary between rental car agencies and can also vary depending on the type of car you require. Please see the table below for further information:
Car hire supplier
Sixt
Hertz
Europcar
Avis
Enterprise
Payless
Budget
Minimum age
21
23
25
25
25
25
25
Young driver supplement/day
(under 25)
€30.00
€26.00
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
*average daily rates based on 7 day rental, search for todays best prices.
Customer questions about Ireland car hire
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Hi, myself and my friend are looking to hire a car from Dublin Airport for the 16th-19th June. My friend will be the driver, she is 24 but has held a full licence for 5 years. What is the best deal you have?
Hi, A Young Driver Fee will apply but we do offer a young driver discount to help offset the young driver surcharge. One moment, I will firm up a quote for you.
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Hi, I'm a German driver 20 years of age and have my license since more than 3.5 years without an accident. I want to visit Ireland in November and I want to rent a car. Is there any possibility to rent one?
Hi, if you can please confirm the dates and location you require the vehicle, I can then get a quote for you and also check our suppliers terms and conditions on young drivers.
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I would like to book an economy car from Dublin city centre on Sat morning and bring it back on Monday afternoon, are there any other additional costs associated with the rental?
Hi, optional extras are charged locally on arrival although you can reserce them on our website. Otherwise our rates are fully inclusive.
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Ireland Car Hire - Did You Know?
- Ireland is divided up into the Republic of Ireland which is about five sixths of the island and Northern Ireland which is part of the United Kingdom.
- There was a famine (often referred to as the 'Great Hunger') between 1845-1849 causing around 1 million deaths
- There are five international airports in Ireland and the busiest is Dublin Airport.
- Horse racing is very popular in the country and it is known worldwide for its breeding of fine race horses.
- Guinness is the most famous drink in Ireland and originated in Dublin.
Fuel Prices in Ireland by Month
| Month, Year | Diesel €/ltr | Unleaded €/ltr |
|
Jan , 2020
|
1.35
|
1.45
|
|
Dec , 2019
|
1.33
|
1.43
|
|
Nov , 2019
|
1.32
|
1.41
|
|
Oct , 2019
|
1.32
|
1.43
|
|
Sep , 2019
|
1.31
|
1.42
|
|
Aug , 2019
|
1.32
|
1.43
|
Mini Guide to Ireland
Ireland can be found in the North West of the continent of Europe, it is one of the largest islands in the world and third-largest island in the whole of Europe. To the east is the Irish Sea and Great Britain; whilst in the West is the Atlantic Ocean. Ireland comprises of two separate states, the largest part, which covers around three quarters of the land mass is the Republic of Ireland, a sovereign state in its own right, whilst Northern Ireland is considered a part of the United Kingdom.
Nicknamed the 'Emerald Isle' thanks to its green fields and large expanses of undeveloped rolling countryside, nearly 10% of Ireland is covered by dense forestation. In recent years steps have been taken to save these areas, especially with regard to overgrazing of cattle, and in some cases such as in Killarney National Park, large tracts of land have been completely fenced off.
Due to the fact the Ireland is a relatively small nation; it makes an extremely good choice of destination for those people who enjoy touring in their own vehicle. Regardless of where you stay in Ireland, almost all of the sights and points of interest will lay within an easy days drive. Possibly the best way to explore Ireland in this fashion is to stay in one of its larger cities, and take day excursions or trips to places that interest you the most.
Dublin is the capital city of the Republic of Ireland in the South, a truly cosmopolitan town with a long and varied history, a great place to use as a base of operations from which to explore the surrounding countryside. Dublin was originally a Viking settlement, and sits upon the banks of the River Liffey. Check here for
Dublin. Dublin is noted for its vibrant nightlife especially in the Temple Bar area and its youthful population. It has also being voted one of the friendliest cities in Europe. Music forms a large part of Dublin culture and the town has been responsible for producing several world famous bands including Thin Lizzy, the Hothouse Flowers and the Boomtown Rats. There are a whole myriad of interesting places to visit within a short drive from Dublin, some of which we will explore below.
Just North of Dublin can be found Howth Head, this is a small Peninsula which can be climbed, and once at the summit the visitor is rewarded with breathtaking views across Dublin city. It should be noted that this climb should only be attempted in fine weather, not due to any danger or risk involved but simply because if there is heavy cloud or mist, visibility becomes extremely poor in this area.
For something a little more energetic, a trip to Kilternan may be just the ticket, a range of artificial ski and snowboarding slopes have been constructed, and are available for public use for a small fee. Don't worry if you have no experience, instructors are on hand to help out people of all experience levels from beginners to experts. Equipment is also rented on site, meaning you will not have to bring your own.
Upon the north side of Dublin within the Kylemore industrial estate can be found one of Dublin's new attractions. A large indoor karting track has been constructed in one of the old warehouses, and visitors can try their hand at this exciting form of indoor motorsport. The track features race commentaries and a computerised timing system. Visitors can either book a short session or hire the entire venue for larger groups.
More Top Ireland Car Hire Locations:
Wild Atlantic Way Car Rental
Fans of scenic drives will water at the mouth over the announcement of the latest car-friendly long distance route which opens as part of a package of measures designed to boost Irish tourism. The Wild Atlantic Way covers an incredible distance of 2,500 km on its journey from Donegal to Cork on Ireland's dramatic west coast.
Whilst the route has been in place for a century or more, the attraction of the the route has led the Irish Tourist Authority to formalise it with a name and its own clear signage making it easily accessible and easy to follow. Cars can be hired at each end of the route either at the airports that serve Donegal; Belfast Airport or Cork Airport, or in the towns themselves.
The main attractions of the route are the spectacular cliffs, lonely, windswept beaches and open countryside but the towns of Cork, Sligo and Donegal, also have their attractions in great food, traditional Irish entertainment and of course the hearty Irish stout and fine whiskeys.