Car Rental in IrelandI think that the best way see a country is traveling by car. Public transport is another option, but you don't have as much freedom this way. Ireland has so many great places to see, especially when you travel through the small villages and along the small roads around the country.
If you think about renting a car in Ireland there are a few things that you should know... So, how is the actual rental process? I believe that there are differences in every country around the world. Sometimes even rental companies can have different views if something goes wrong. If you rent a car in Ireland, you can use a rental broker (agency) because it can be a safer option. Most brokers can guarantee the 'best' price and that they will beat the price offered by the hire company. So for me, it made sense to use a broker. Some of the most well-known agencies in Ireland are: Most agencies also do not charge any credit-card fees, amendment fees or cancellation fees. However, even when you use an agency, there may be other charges that you will need to pay, like... Insurance
Sometimes an agency, or even a rental company in Ireland, will just give you a price with basic insurance, rent and tax. So... you still have to include 'insurance for excess'. With this type of auto insurance, you have the option to authorise a certain amount of money on your credit-card until you return the car... or You must pay a certain amount of money (approximately 10 Euro per day) to cover your excess insurance. What's the difference? Well... Regardless of whether you use a broker or you book directly with the rental company, you must pay for excess insurance to drive in Ireland. Like I mentioned, brokers will usually refund your money if you have some damage. However... This means that you will still need to authorise about 1,000 Euro on your credit-card while you are renting. Then if something happens, the rental company will charge your credit-card... and you can ask for a refund from the broker that you used to
You can also pay the excess insurance per day with most agencies and with the companies themselves. This means that for a set fee of approximately 10 Euro per day, you will pay a maximum amount of money (maybe 100 Euro) if you have any damage. However, the daily fee is not refunded when you return to the company. There is also an option with certain companies to pay "super collision damage insurance". With this, you will usually pay a higher daily rate, but you will then pay nothing if you have any damage. Whichever insurance you choose, the most important thing I can recommend is that you examine your vehicle with an assistant when you collect it AND when you return it. Every company will have a way to check the damage, but you could also take pictures of the car if you have any concerns. When you note the damage, be sure to include... When you return, you should check the car again and ask a member of staff to sign your contract stating that everything is ok. Before renting, you should also check that you have insurance for glass and tyres. Some companies in Ireland include this insurance, while some companies charge an extra fee. The fee for this insurance is usually about half of the 'excess insurance' daily rate.
There are a few ways in which Irish car rental companies operate their fuel policies. Usually your options are: or... If you choose the second option, you will end up paying more, unless you completely empty the fuel tank. Although one of these options may be the "policy" of a company, you have the right to choose either option.
If you decide to make a booking at one of the airports in Ireland, then you will also have to pay an airport tax. When I rented a car in Dublin airport, this fee was 25 Euro. I have learned that it can be possible not to pay this fee if you rent a car in the shop around the airport. However, if you initially booked with another company, you may have to pay a penalty to cancel your booking. A good idea is to research before you make any reservation.
If you are unlucky enough to receive a fine while you are renting a car in Ireland, it is a good idea to pay the fine immediately. Most rental companies leave the responsibility with the renter and if you fail to pay the fine, or you don't inform the company, you will probably end up paying more. Another charge you might have is a toll charge, especially when you use the M50 motorway around Dublin. The M50 toll is barrier-free, so you must pay after you use it, either by phone, internet or in a retail outlet. Again, most rental companies leave the responsibility with the renter, and it is a good idea to show your toll payment receipts to a member of staff when you return.
If you are parking on a street in Ireland, there are a few things you should try to remember: You should also be aware that parking illegally here can result in your vehicle being clamped!
Driving around Ireland is a really great experience and you are guaranteed to meet many friendly people along the way. If you plan to rent a car, it's a good idea to do some research before you travel. I have some friends who work for hire companies in Ireland, and most staff in these companies are paid high commissions to sell extra insurance, maps, upgrades and more. If you are in Ireland as an international student, the most important thing for you is to keep your expenses to a minimum and to enjoy your time here. You should also remember that most companies will charge you extra if you are under 25, and usually the minimum age to rent a car in Ireland is 21. A final point to note is that you will need a credit-card to rent a car in Ireland. It is not possible to make a booking with cash or with a debit-card. I hope you can use some of this information to ensure that you pay as little as possible when you rent a car in Ireland. And...don't forget to drive safely! : )
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