How to find a cheap car hire deal in Dublin
Pick up a cheap rental car in Dublin for around $686 a day and drive away happy. We do the hard work for you by searching trusted rental companies, so you can easily compare prices and book.
$23 is the cheapest daily price for a rental in Dublin.
For longer trips, grab a weekly rental from $161 and pack more sights into your itinerary.
Timing is everything when it comes to finding the best price on a Dublin car hire. Try booking around two weeks before you go.
Easirent, Budget and Carhire are among the top-rated providers in the city. They're a great starting point for comparing offers.
Whether you choose Easirent or a different supplier, double-check the coverage on your Dublin car hire. Some companies include a collision damage waiver (CDW), while others offer it as a paid add-on.
Booking one-way could land you a cheaper deal on your rental. Providers sometimes offer lower rates when vehicles need to be moved between branches. Simply choose 'Return car to a different location' when searching the cars for rent in Dublin.
Skip the hidden fees by booking a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy.' Begin and end your trip with a full tank, paying only for what you use.
Hit the highway without watching the miles and racking up additional charges. Go to the 'Policies' filter and click 'Unlimited mileage' to find a car that lets you explore further.
Best value car hire options right now
You'll get the best value with this company. Prices average $114 a day.
Offering daily rates of around $116, this provider is next in line.
The third option won't stretch your budget either. You'll pay roughly $127 a day with this supplier.
Need a car that covers most travel plans? The Large rental category ranks as the top pick for travellers visiting Dublin.
Flying to Dublin? Think about an airport pick-up
Get a head start on your Dublin trip by picking up a car hire at Dublin Airport. The city centre is about 11 kilometres from this airport, which is a drive of around 25 minutes.
Compare car hire types in Dublin
Small: Including classes like mini and economy, this cheap rental car in Dublin gives you the freedom to explore for less. These nimble, fuel-efficient cars are ideal choices for short trips and city driving.
Medium: A solid choice when you need something that's easy to drive but with a few more features. This category includes compact and intermediate models that offer a bit of extra room compared to smaller options.
Large: Long drives are effortless in this Dublin car hire category. Also known as full-size, their bigger engines are built to perform. The extra legroom and comfort make them an excellent choice for groups of friends and families.
SUV: Enjoy a higher driving position and a wide-angle view of what's ahead in an SUV. Whether you're navigating rugged country lanes or gliding down stretches of highway, many offer all-wheel drive to keep you steady on any road.
Van: Choose this category of vehicle when you need a car for rent in Dublin that can handle the heavy stuff. Featuring commercial vans and trucks, they're designed to transport more, whether that's equipment, suitcases or big groups.
Insurance and optional extras
Choosing excess insurance for your Dublin car hire gives you peace of mind. It protects you from paying a hefty excess fee in case of an accident or theft. Insurance policies can vary between rental providers, so always compare your options.
From GPS units to mobile Wi-Fi, the right extras can make all the difference on the road. Think about which extras will suit your needs when you rent a car in Dublin.
Good to know
To rent a vehicle in Ireland, you usually have to be at least 21 years old. Some places may allow younger drivers to rent vehicles for a higher fee, so always check the policies before securing your wheels.
Travelling with kids? Child car seat laws vary by location, and the right setup may depend on their age, weight and height. Make sure you add the right one to your Dublin car hire booking.
You'll be asked to provide some documents when you pick up your ride. As a rule, bring a valid driver's licence, a credit card with enough funds for the excess (debit cards usually aren't accepted), and another form of photo ID. Your booking will tell you exactly what you need.
Spend a moment familiarising yourself with your rental. Set up your seat and mirrors, test the lights and blinkers, and get a feel for its handling before you set off. And don't forget to stick to the left side of the road in Ireland.
Local speed limits are usually about 45kph in urban areas and around 110kph on highways. Check the road signs, as limits may vary.
A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of 0.05% applies in Ireland. The safest choice for staying legal to drive is to not drink at all.
Try to travel outside high-traffic periods for a smoother run. 5pm is one of the busiest times to be on the road in this destination.
The euro (EUR) is the currency you'll be using for day-to-day purchases and excursions. Pay with a credit or debit card when it's convenient, and keep a little cash when electronic payments aren't accepted.
English is the language you'll hear most often in this country.
Best hotels in Dublin for drivers
Spend less time looking for a parking spot and more time enjoying the comfort of Stauntons on the Green Hotel. About 2 kilometres from central Dublin, it comes with parking, a games room and a laundry.
The Green gets things right with parking and features like a ticket office and a bar. It's roughly 0.80 kilometres from the city centre.
Explore the full range of hotels in Dublin and pick the stay that matches your trip. Filters make it easy to tailor your search to what you need — like 'Parking,' 'Outdoor parking,' or 'Valet parking.' There's even an 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to find hotels with charging access.
After you've locked in a car hire deal in Dublin and the right hotel, the only thing left to decide is where to explore first. Start your trip with big attractions such as Trinity College Library, Guinness Storehouse and St. Patrick's Cathedral.
Hit the road: Where to drive to from Dublin
Keep travelling to Drogheda. Around 40 kilometres north of central Dublin, you'll find must-do sights like Monasterboice Monastic Site and St. Mary's Church.
Go-to accommodation options with parking in Drogheda include Boyne Valley Hotel - Bed & Breakfast Only and Flynns of Termonfeckin Boutique Hotel.
Or collect your cheap car hire in Dublin and drive about 72 kilometres north to Dundalk. Featuring Church of Immaculate Conception and Cúchulainn's Castle, its highlights live up to the buzz.
Dundalk has some great places to stay including Fairways Hotel Dundalk and The Gateway Hotel. Both give you somewhere to leave your car during your stay.
There's plenty of road left if you're up for more. Take off to Ennis, around 193 kilometres west of Dublin. From Glor Irish Music Centre to Ennis Friary, it'll round out your trip nicely.
Book a room at Hotel Woodstock Ennis or Temple Gate Hotel. They make it a breeze to discover everything Ennis has to offer. They also come with parking.
