The car rental market in Ireland has become very competitive in recent years, which means more choice and better value for visitors. Whether you are traveling alone or with a larger party you will find what you are looking for with everything from small hatchbacks to minibuses on offer from most rental agencies.
A quick search online will reveal a wide choice of rental agencies offering competitive deals. In general, the quality of service and vehicles is excellent, with all rental cars under six months old.
You will, of course, need to present a valid driving license from your country of residence and be between the ages of 25 and 75. If you are older or younger you may be limited in your choice of car rental agencies. You will also be asked to credit card and your passport.
Before you sign the rental agreement be sure to read the contract carefully and be aware of all the charges, even if you have booked in advance. You should also be clear on what you are insured for and how much it costs. Insurance costs will be lower if you agree to pay an excess in the case of an accident.
If you already have a good travel insurance package, you should not need extra insurance for personal injury or personal belongings. Also check how much fuel you need to have in the car when you return it.
Before you drive away, do a thorough check of the outside and the inside of the car. If you can see any damage make sure that this is noted by the rental company so they know that you were not responsible.
If you are unfamiliar with driving on the left, do a few laps of the car park before you take to the road to get accustomed to it and, if you can, keep to quieter roads for the first day or two.
Colm Brady is Director of Business Development for Thrifty Car Rental Ireland and has worked with Thrifty since 2000. Colm is continually developing the companies business through both the traditional and online channels. Among the websites that are currently under the Thrifty Umbrella are: Renting a Car in Ireland with Thrifty, and Rental Cars in Ireland with Dollar.
