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Cheap Ireland car hire

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Save big on car rental in Ireland

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Choose from 38 pick-up spots

Ireland car hire at a glance

Most popular providerBudget
Most popular carPremium/Luxury, 4-5 doors
Pick-up points
Cheapest price found
Cheapest month to rentMay
Best time to book4 weeks before
To give you an idea of how much renting a car in Ireland could cost, we've pulled prices from Cork.

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Find the best car rental deal in Ireland

Economy cars in Dublin

4-5 doors
From
£15
per day

Compact cars in Dublin

4-5 doors
From
£16
per day

Intermediate cars in Dublin

4-5 doors
From
£22
per day

Mini cars in Dublin

4-5 doors
From
£26
per day

Fullsize cars in Dublin

4-5 doors
From
£67
per day

Premium cars in Dublin

4-5 doors
From
£69
per day

Economy cars in Cork

4-5 doors
From
£15
per day

Compact cars in Cork

4-5 doors
From
£16
per day

Mini cars in Cork

4-5 doors
From
£17
per day

Intermediate cars in Cork

4-5 doors
From
£20
per day

Premium cars in Cork

4-5 doors
From
£59
per day

Fullsize cars in Cork

4-5 doors
From
£71
per day

Economy cars in Farranfore

4-5 doors
From
£16
per day

Compact cars in Farranfore

4-5 doors
From
£16
per day

Intermediate cars in Farranfore

4-5 doors
From
£22
per day

Mini cars in Farranfore

4-5 doors
From
£28
per day

Premium cars in Farranfore

4-5 doors
From
£80
per day

Fullsize cars in Farranfore

4-5 doors
From
£98
per day

Economy cars in Shannon

4-5 doors
From
£16
per day

Compact cars in Shannon

4-5 doors
From
£17
per day

Intermediate cars in Shannon

4-5 doors
From
£22
per day

Mini cars in Shannon

4-5 doors
From
£26
per day

Premium cars in Shannon

4-5 doors
From
£68
per day

Fullsize cars in Shannon

4-5 doors
From
£69
per day

Compact cars in Killarney

4-5 doors
From
£17
per day

Economy cars in Killarney

4-5 doors
From
£18
per day

Intermediate cars in Killarney

4-5 doors
From
£24
per day

Mini cars in Killarney

4-5 doors
From
£28
per day

Premium cars in Killarney

4-5 doors
From
£83
per day

Find the cheapest time to hire a car in Ireland

The cheapest month to rent a car in Ireland is May, when the average cost per day is £30. If that doesn’t work for you, the second cheapest month is April, when the average cost per day is £31. Keep in mind when you’re looking to book, that the most expensive month to rent a car in Ireland is February.
Mar
£32
Apr
£31
May
£30
Jun
£36
Jul
£31
Aug
£34
Sep
£34
Oct
£31
Nov
£34
Dec
£36
Jan
£34
Feb
£43
To give you an idea of how much renting a car in Ireland could cost, we've pulled prices from Cork.

Explore Ireland

What are the best car hire companies in Ireland?

Payless
Car condition
Car cleanliness
Customer service
Easy collection
Flizzr
Car condition
Car cleanliness
Customer service
Easy collection
Carhire
Car condition
Car cleanliness
Customer service
Easy collection
Europcar
Car condition
Car cleanliness
Customer service
Easy collection
Keddy By Europcar
Car condition
Car cleanliness
Customer service
Easy collection
Enterprise
Car condition
Car cleanliness
Customer service
Easy collection
Payless
Car condition
Car cleanliness
Customer service
Easy collection
Flizzr
Car condition
Car cleanliness
Customer service
Easy collection
Carhire
Car condition
Car cleanliness
Customer service
Easy collection
Europcar
Car condition
Car cleanliness
Customer service
Easy collection
Keddy By Europcar
Car condition
Car cleanliness
Customer service
Easy collection
Enterprise
Car condition
Car cleanliness
Customer service
Easy collection

All you need to know about Ireland

Side of the roadLeft
CurrencyEuro
LanguageEnglish, Irish
Motorway speed limit120kmph
Built-up area speed limit50kmph
Age to rent a car21
The information here is based on our understanding as of January 2024. For the most current and accurate information it’s recommended to check official government sources.

Getting the cheapest car rental in Ireland

Here are some tips to help you bag the best prices, and hit the road for less.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Ireland

Explore Ireland with ease by booking a cheap car hire through Skyscanner. With 26 convenient pickup points, including the popular Dublin hub, we offer access to a diverse range of cities like Farranfore, Shannon, Limerick, and Cork. Our search utilises the same efficient system behind our flight scouting, letting you compare car hire options by price, pickup ease, and fuel policy. You can enjoy peace of mind knowing your booking is flexible and can be amended or cancelled should your plans change.

Ireland's most popular car hire companies

Discover affordable car hire options in Ireland with popular providers like Easirent, Budget, Sixt, Carhire, Thrifty, and Keddy By Europcar. Each provider offers a variety of car types to suit your travel needs, whether you prefer the fuel economy and convenience of a small car for city driving, or the space and versatility of a larger vehicle for diverse road conditions.

What are the speed limits in Ireland?

In Ireland, being aware of speed limits is key to a smooth driving experience. On highways, you can drive up to 120 km/h, while expressways have a limit of 100 km/h. Country roads are typically 80 km/h, and in cities, it's reduced to 50 km/h. It's advisable to stay alert, as road conditions can vary, especially on country roads.

Popular driving trips in Ireland

Exploring Ireland by car offers an immersive experience. Begin with the Wild Atlantic Way, the longest defined coastal route at over 1,550 miles. Driving from Donegal to Kinsale provides access to stunning coastal scenery and picturesque villages. You can spend 7-21 days exploring its stretches.

Venture to County Kerry next for the Ring of Kerry, a 110-mile loop. While it's possible in a day, take a few days to visit Killarney National Park and the Skellig Ring. Booking a separate boat trip will get you to Skellig Michael.

Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coastal Route links Belfast and Derry. Journey its 185 miles over 2-3 days to see the Giant's Causeway and iconic filming spots like the Dark Hedges.

What you'll need to hire a car in Ireland

To hire a car in Ireland, ensure you drive on the left side of the road and are at least 25 years old. You should possess a full driving licence, valid for at least one year, and have a credit card for the security deposit. While the legal driving age is 17, rental companies usually have a minimum age requirement. It's advisable to carry your International Driving Permit if your licence isn't in English, and review rental terms for further age-related restrictions.


Car hire in Ireland: FAQs

You will need insurance to rent a car in Ireland, but you wont necessarily need ‘extra’ insurance. Different car hire companies offer different insurance policies, so make sure you look at the details when you pick a deal.
To rent a car with most companies in Ireland you need to be at least 21 years old. Some companies may have extra fees to pay if you are under 25 years old, so make sure you check before you book.
Our travellers best rated car hire company in Ireland is Flizzr. You can rent a car with them for £97 on average per day.

If you want to learn more about Flizzr, you can dig deeper here.
The types of documents you’ll need to rent a car in Ireland depend on the car rental company you go with. But in general, you will need a valid drivers license, ID and passport. Once you’ve booked car hire in Ireland, you can easily get in touch with your chosen provider to find out.
It depends on where in Ireland you visit. The most popular places to rent a car are Dublin, Cork and Knock.

In Dublin, it costs around £41 per day or £38 per week.

In Cork, it costs around £34 per day or £54 per week.

In Knock, it costs around £40 per day or £70 per week.
It’s easy to hire a car in Ireland. First, you need to decide where in Ireland you want to pick up your car from.

Once you’ve decided where you want to go, simply enter your dates and search for the best deal for you. Once you’ve found your deal, you’ll be redirected to the provider to book with no extra fees.
You can rent a car for as long as you like, depending on availability. If you know what dates you’re needing wheels for, start searching with Skyscanner today.
You may need a credit card to rent a car in Ireland. It all depends on which car hire company you choose.
It depends where in Ireland you want to visit. The most popular place to go is Dublin. On average, it costs £41 per day to rent a car there. The cheapest price we could find is £15 per day.

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