Questions for those who've used AutoEurope and World MC in Ireland

If it's any consolation, I haven't booked my rental car yet, either ...

I rented a Passat desel from AutoEurope in June of '07. Loved the car, but the sevice at the Dublin Airport was exasperating, to say the least. They arbitrarily chose to not accept the MC waiver for the THEFT coverage, stating that: "We've had too many cars stolen, and MasterCard wasn't paying enough."

Last year I chose to use Dooley, for their "What you see is what you get" policy.

Dunno about holds, as I've never really pid any attention. The ONLY thing that I use my World MC for is the car hire, as a much better exchange rate ( AND lower fees)with my Credit Union's Visa Card.

Oddly enough, the car lot in Dublin was awash in Passats -- apparently all BLACK, yet when an acquaintance went to pick up HER Passat in Shannon, they didn't have ANy, and she ended up with an 'equivilent'-- a Renault, I believe.

Go figure.

Bob

I have never used Auto Europe in Ireland. However, they were great when I rented in France (x2). Ireland is often specifically excluded for coverage by credit cards companies(as is Israel and others) so you need to check with them directly - Ask the Credit Card company what they cover in Ireland (and for how long). I had rented a car in England and took it to Ireland some years back and was covered on my MC - but it would not cover me if I rented in Ireland. This was '99 and maybe things have changed, but be sure to check with the credit card people.

We rented from Budget in Shannon a couple of years ago. I usually use VISA and waive CWD, but learned at the time that MC Platinum was the only card that would give me the coverage. Best if you do your own research with your credit card company, so you'll know for sure. There are limitations in Ireland.

JoeCal and jrretired, thanks very much for your responses. I'm definitely going to call my card company before I rent. But, since it's a world MC, the only one that covers Ireland, I'm not anticipating a problem with them.

The problem is more with the car companies. Some won't accept the MC coverage, others will accept it but put a huge hold on your card.

Thanks a lot for your patience with me on this, Bob. You've answered way more than your share of car-related questions for me. And answered them all very patiently and gracefully!

It does make me feel better to know that you haven't rented yet either!

I'm happy to hear you were happy with the Passat. But disappointed to hear your "review" of AutoEurope in Dublin. So you were happy with Dooley last year? And they didn't give you a hassle about waiving the CDW?

I have to say we had no problems with them three years ago. Other than that we chose to pay for the super CDW rather than have a hold placed on our card. And we now have a second world MC so that's not so much of a problem this time (unless it's a huge hold). When one of our accounts offered a switch to a world MC, I grabbed it specifically for this reason.

I think I'll go take a look at the Dooley web site! And I'm going to go by way of the Ireland Expert site in hopes of getting that 10% discount you told me about.

I always rent from a guy here in California. Dan Montoya used to have Budget Ireland but he now has 357(?). Give him a call. He is really nice and will explain all the credit card and CDW stuff to you. I go home once or twice a year (I probably could have bought a used car for all the rentals I have paid for!) and always use him and have never had any problem with the people at the counter asking about my World Mastercard covering the insurance since my rental is all paid for beforehand. Here is his number...get a price from him and even if you don't rent from him he will give you lots of information. 800/284-2354

Caph52:

Bear in mind that AutoEurope is aconsolidator, NOT an actual Car Hire company. In MY case, the actual retal was transacted by Europcar.

Didn't rent from Dublin last year, but returned the car there. Depot is an exit or two South of the airport, but they have a shuttle. Only complaint/trouble from dooley was that they tend to keep their cars longer than most -- our June '08 rental was an '05 Ford Focus with over 50,000 Kilometers on it. Car was in good shape, though, other than a few scratches and a stain or two on the back seat.

As with ANY rental when you waive the CDW, be sure to inspect and document any flaws PRIOR to leaving the lot ...

The ONLY additional charge beyond my quote from Dooley was for the initial tank of gas. As opposed to the AutoEurope experience (from my '07 Trip Report):

There wasn't much of a line and I had my AutoEurope email receipt in hand, but it still took about 15-20 minutes to finalize the contract. As I said earlier, I have some ISSUES with car Hire in general, AND with Europcar, in specific, relative to this rental. From my response to another thread:

" My booking invoice from Auto Europe quotes a discounted price of $264.64 for a 13 day rental of the Passat, with the cdw waived, less my booking fee of $59.44, leaving a balance due of $205.20 (Not counting the "fine print", EXTRA charges .....)

When I picked up the car, I was charged $607. There was the Road Tax, The Airport Pick Up Premium, $36 to enter Northern Ireland, $95 for the initial Tank of fuel AND the 13 day charge for Theft coverage as the desk clerk informed me that Europcar had decided to no longer ACCEPT the MasterRental coverage for Theft, as they (Europcar) had "had too many cars stolen, that MC wasn't paying enough".

Add to THAT, Europcar's ASSININE "Pick it up FULL / Return it Empty" Scheme and you have my litany of "ISSUES" ....

I had anticipated that the "EXTRAS" would drive the price up to about $500, but the rather, um, SELECTIVE dismissal of the MC Theft Protection really did suprise and annoy me. "

And, Oh Yes -- in the 'Heat of the Moment', I FAILED to notice that they ALSO 'Hooked' me with DCC -- making the charge in Dollars, rather than Euro. I think that, had I noticed that little 'salt-in-the-wound', I MIGHT have said 'To Heck with it' and gone "Shopping" for a better deal ....

Hope this helps, rather than complicates.

Bob

Maureen, thank you very much for sharing that phone number with me!

And, Bob, thanks again! It does help! I really appreciate reading exactly what your experience was with AutoEupope/Europcar. And I think my brother will too. He's going on to France after the wedding and has already booked a car there with AutoEurope. He's used Dooley at least twice in the past in Ireland. But was thinking he'd use AutoEurope this time. I'm going to send this on to him.

Bob, I seemed to have a similar experience with Irish Auto Rentals (I think that was the name) a few years ago. It had a really good price listed so I thought I would try them. When I got to the counter and paid, it was much more than I was quoted online. The guy at the counter said he would fix it. I had to go through many, many emails for them to credit my Mastercard and then they only gave me $25 credit! I had to file a complaint with my credit card company. Luckily I had saved all my emails inclusive of the one with the quote. My credit card company then gave me credit back for the difference. THAT is exactly why I only use Dan now. Like I said, he gives you a quote..you are dealing directly with him not some employee...you pay by credit card exactly what was quoted...he mails or emails you the contract and when you get to the counter you only are charged for the gas. (I am not affiliated with his company..I just like him a lot and have always been treated fairly by him) And I think they are all doing the Pick it up FULL/return it Empty scheme. I hate that! You always end up paying more than if you had filled it yourself.

I'm not sure I fully understand, Maureen. Dan lives in California but owns an independent car rental company in Ireland? I'm hoping that doesn't sound snarky because I certainly don't mean it that way. Just trying to get a better understanding.

I've used both AutoEurope and Dan Dooley - of the two I greatly prefer Dooley. The car we got from AE was older and not in very good condition though the staff we dealt with was helpful enough. The folks at DD could not have been nicer AND we were given a brand new car that I don't think had much more than a hundred miles on it. (That was May '08.) We got the 10% discount at Dan Dooley's through DoChara.com - input "DoChara" in the code section at DD online and the discount kicks in. I prefer DD's way of showing the full cost with all numbers up front.

We don't have the World MC but do have a platinum MC; I don't recall either company placing a Hold at all. However, we do always get the Super CDW so maybe that makes the difference. The only time I've traveled with more than just my husband and myself we rented a Volvo V40. With four adults, all our luggage and driving around Ireland for a week it fit us just fine.

Safe travels,

Wendy

Thanks, Wendy! I really appreciate your sharing your experiences. And the discount code!

As for the hold, yes, buying the super CDW makes the difference.

Bob, just out of curiousity...

When AutoEurope (or Europcar) refused to take the MC theft insurance, did that mean you had to pay for super CDW too? I know that, in order to make a claim with MC, you have to waive the insurance. So I'm wondering whether that means the whole thing or if you can do it in bits and pieces.

I probably didn't word that very well. I hope you're able to figure out what I'm asking!

Unfortunately, I'm back with more questions.

I just checked several different web sites. The best prices I get are: Dooley, an automatic Renault (don't remember the model but it supposedly seats 5) for 8 days for 388.30 Euro using the 10% discount and AutoEurope, an automatic VW Passat for 8 days for $418.22. Both prices assume waived insurance. But the Dooley web site clearly states that they put a 2000 Euro hold on your card when you waive CDW.

Obviously, $418.22 is less than 388.30 Euro! But, from what I've been told here, AutoEurope adds a lot more once you get there. So is Dooley definitely going to cost us less in the end?

My next dilemma is deciding on pick-up and return times. Our flight gets in around 8:30 AM. But, as I've mentioned on other threads, for some reason I don't understand, the travel agent they used booked my MIL and her brother on a return flight that leaves at 2:15. So they won't need to be at the airport until around noon.

Obviously, I'd prefer not to pay for an extra day on the car. So I don't see any way around waiting around a while to pick up the car (my SIL will be picking up my MIL, her brother and their luggage so that they don't have to deal with waiting, the shuttle, etc.) and then making my husband get them to the airport earlier than necessary on their departure day. I'm thinking I'll put in 10:30 as the time for both pick up and return. Does that sound reasonable? Or am I cutting it too close?

Thanks again!

OK - First things first.

When Europcar declined to accept the MC for theft and charged me for it, I opted to ASSUME that the MasterRental was still valid, as I was not given a choice, on the theft coverage. As I didn't have an accident or a claim, dunno if I WAS correct, or not.

If you speak to your new, BFF at Dooley, perhaps she can waive the hold????

If the 2:15 departure is to the US, those folks really should be at the airport by 11:00, in order to clear security, Immigration, Tax Back and POSSIBLY US Customs (dunno when they are phasing in the Customs operation at DUB, but it's already SUPPOSED to be in effect at SNN). Don't know if you've ever flow ex DUB to the US, but I find it a bigger PAIN than flying INTO DUB.

If your arrival time is 8:30, I doubt if you will have collected your luggage and cleared Customs much before 9:30. If you opt for a decent breakfast (something sorely lacking aboard the plane, arrainging a 10:30 pick up shouldn't be an issue -- particularly with Dooley, if you have to shuttle to the Depot. Likewise, on the day of return, the return and shuttle ride will 'eat about 1/2 hour or so, so a 10:30 / 10:30 sounds reasonable, to me.

You can also check with both companies as to what 'Hourly Fees are applicable -- Many companies will charge 10 Euro or so per hour, up to 2 hours, for being late returning, BEFORE they add on a whole, extra day. Now, 2 hours @ 10 Euro per may not be any significant savings, but ONE hour @ 10 Euro MIGHT make a difference ???

Don't forget that the $418 with AutoEurope does not include the Airport Fee, road tax, or fuel -- items which can easily add 100 Euro to the rental price -- PLUS, they will doubless INSIST on charging you in US Dollars, since that is the quoted currency -- sticking you with a bad exchange rate AND a Foreign Transaction Fee, to boot.

The Renault is probably a Laguna, which is quite similar to the Passat, if not 'just a tad' larger.

Have you also checked with www.atlascarhire.com ?? Dunno if they are any cheaper, just feel concern over Europecar, given my experience in '07. For that matter, have you asked AutoEurope which company they are directing you to? They DO use multiple Rental Companies.

Bob

Darn! I just wrote a long reply only to hit "preview" and have it disappear. And find I was no longer signed in! Frustrating!

Anyway, once again, thanks so much, Bob! I feel so much better after reading your post.

I'm not even going to bother asking AutoEurope who they're using. We had a good experience with Dooley the last time. And, based on what I've read here lately, I have no reason to think we'll do better with anyone else this time.

I don't even care about the hold. It was an issue last time because our world MC also happened to be our only card that didn't charge a foreign transaction fee. That's not the case this time.

Besides, one of the companies I checked not only put a 2000 Euro hold on the card, they charged a 25 Euro "cover" fee for waiving as well!

I really appreciate your reassurance on the pick up/drop off times. I'll check with them about hourly "late fees". But I think we should be okay. I like your idea about having breakfast! My daughter and I had a pretty good full Irish breakfast at the Dublin airport the day I flew out after visiting her two years ago.

I'm really hoping to get this all taken care of tomorrow morning. Frankly, I'm tired of it!

Good luck with your car rental, Bob! And thanks again.

Cathy

Oh, on the customs in Dublin...My SIL flew home for his nephew's christening (and to take care of some wedding stuff) a month or so ago and I'm pretty sure he told me he went through customs in Dublin. Which eliminated that annoying stop at Shannon!

When I flew back two years ago, I'd just gotten settled on the plane when we landed at Shannon, where we had to get off the plane to go through customs.

Renting a car in Ireland seems so complicated and expensive in contrast to renting a car in other European countries (not UK). Now I wish we had selected a different country to visit. I have World MC and was told to decline CDW. Then in checking various car rental websites, they say if I decline CDW, I must bring a verification letter stating that I have this coverage in Ireland. Only letter MC will send is a generic that doesn't mention Ireland. One man told me to have the MC phone number available so car rental place can call them. What if they won't make the call? I have made several contacts to car rental agencies in Ireland but none has replied.

shturner, first of all, please don't let this ruin your trip to Ireland. Believe me, it's worth all the hassle!

But it is a hassle!

I hope Bob will come back and respond to your post because he's waived the CDW many times so can speak firsthand. But, from what I've read here, car rental places rarely ask for that letter. They may put a hold on your card (as I mentioned above). But, judging by what I've read here, they do usually let you waive it.

Be careful when clicking on the DoChara.com website - it apparently transferred a couple of Trojan Horse viruses to my computer. The IT guy here at work (yup, I'm doing trip research on my work computer. Not a great plan.) said the viruses are fairly low level and would not have been caught using standard security software. We have the "super deluxe spyware" or however he phrased it, here at work so it's more sensitive. He also said the viruses are not the kind that seek out personal information. They do slow your computer down, though. I don't know all of the technicalities of this... just that I had to surrender my computer for a while while the tech sought and destroyed. Thought I'd pass it on.

Rental car question now: I'm hoping to book an automatic economy car for 14 days in September. The rates I'm being quoted now are somewhere in the $900-$1000 range for Dan Dooley, Thrifty, Nova Car Hire, Atlas, and I can't even decipher Alamo. This is including the Super CDW (or Excess or whatever each company decides to call it) since I don't want to mess with Insurance4CarHire or WorldMC. These quotes feel very high.

Are these reasonable quotes for an automatic transmission? Is it better to wait until I'm closer to my actual trip and see what kind of quotes I get then? This sounds like a very dumb question ("yes, of course you should wait!") but this car rental thing could make-or-break my trip, so I'm wondering what other folks have done.

skspaz, thanks for the heads up! I was just about to go back there to do my acutal rental. (Yes, I know I said I was gonna do it this morning...!) I'll go straight to Dooley and hope I can still type in the code.

All I can really tell you is my own experience. We're actually going to be picking up the car six weeks from today. So I feel I've left this pretty late! As I said above, we're renting a 5 passenger automatic for 8 days. And the Dooley quote is 388 Euro, minus insurance. So the quotes you're getting do look a little high to me. But I just don't know enough about it to really say.

I hope the more experienced Fodorites will give you their advice and opinions. Good luck!

Finally got it done! At least the booking. They're supposed to send me a confirmation within 24 hours if the car is available.

I didn't want that 6.50 a day personal accident insurance, did I?

Oh, Bob, it's a Renault Megane. Do you know how that compares to a Passat?

Thanks.
Cathy

shturner:

Never, in ten years has any rental company asked to see a letter. They either accept the MC coverage, or they don't. You MAY (though no one has ever challenged ME) need to prove that YOUR MC provides coverage, but your Statement Of Benefits brochure should more than suffice.

It will have wording such as this:
(Quoted from MY Guide to Benefits)
"In general, coverage applies world-wide, but there are exceptions:

You may be unable to receive benefits in Australia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, and New Zealand. Please contact your vehicle rental agency before you travel.
Coverage is not available where prohibited by law."

Note that the word used for Ireland is "MAY" -- That is because the Car Hire companies are not required to accept the MasterRental due to their contract with MasterCard. Those companies are simple enough to determine, as they don't even offer you the option to waive the basic CDW.

In my opinion everthing else is 'Bait and Switch', deceptive smoke and mirrors, used to 'milk' the typically exhausted, disoriented and nervous tourist for extra profit after they've lured them in with low-balled rental quotes.

Car Hire is the bane of Irish Tourism -- what I refer to as "Kissing the Frog" -- as in, 'If you kiss a frog, first thing in the morning, nothing WORSE can happen for the rest of the day.' It is my sincere hope that the Irish government will establish smple, staight-forward guidelines to properly regulate the Car Hire Industry before the manage to alienate and lose their lucrative tourism appeal.

Does anyone remember the, "Come BACK to Jamaica" ads, a few years back????

Or, WHY they needed to run them?????

skspz:

I'm going over in early June and I haven't booked yet. Car hire is expensive (and as you see from the above, particularly complex)and automatics are at a premium as they are heavily taxed, and not the norm.

The prices you are quoting seem a bit high, depending upon the model in question, but the Super CDW for 14 days probably accounts for at least $200 of that, and possibly as much as $250. The base CDW is only about $100, total.

Even with CDW AND Super CDW, you will still have a 100 Euro deductible AND neither likely covers wheels, tires, windscreens, side mirror OR undercarraige damage. One exception APPEARS to be Atlas/Thrifty. MasterRental doesn't cover tires or windscreens either, but supposedly, Insurance4Carhire DOES, though I've never used them.

I SUSPECT that what happens to rental prices in Sept will depend very much on how May and June shake out. If the economic downturn significantly impacts bookings and tourist numbers early on, you may well see some SERIOUS rental discounts on offer.

At this point, though, MY crystal ball is a bit cloudy ...

Hope this helps

Bob

Cathy

The Megan is lised as a full size. It's probably bigger than the Passat (though not Huge). Interestingly, Dooley lists as similar, the Renault Scenic, which is a quasi mini-van that realistically seats 5 (they call it seven, by virtue of two 'Jump seats' that fold up out of the floor of the cargo area, thus using up ALL cargo room) that are fit only for small children, or contortionists!

I think you'll be fine with it. It even has AC, which could come in handy. You may not need it for the temperature, but AC is GREAT for defogging windows on rainy days.
FYI: That 6.50 per day is for Medical coverage in event of an accident.

Bob

Thanks again, Bob! Good hint about the AC! Though let's hope Ireland got it's full rain in June quota the past two summers!

Insurance4carhire does cover tyres and windscreens, and the entire excess (deductible). I lucked into a 10% discount but even without it, 49 pounds sterling seemed like cheap enough peace of mind. If I were more of a traveler it would be great because it covers for a full year.

I have, in June, a Class F2 4 door sedan (Toyota Corolla or similar) with automatic transmission for 7 days from Dooley for $450.88 turnkey job, including CDW. This with the 10% DoChara discount. All I have to pay on arrival is tank of petrol and the rental on the GPS. (and if I bring it back full of petrol I get a refund).

All this for comparison purposes. The Megane is a step up in class from what I'm getting, and twice the time, so perhaps $900-1000 isn't too bad. But consider the fine print on the other firms and see what you have to pay once you arrive. That was the selling point for me with Dan Dooley.

And I have to say that insurance4carhire is extremely simple to sign up for. I haven't had to file a claim, thank God.

Also, Cathy:

The 'Mess' with Customs that you mentioned from two years ago -- WASN'T. That was Immigration, which has always been done at your last EU location. It has always been like that.

Starting in Shannon, just this year, the US has only now approved Ireland to perform the actual Customs Inspection. If you are flying into JFK or Boston, and then onward, to home, you will no longer have to collect your luggage, go through Customs and then re-check your bag, before going to your next gate.

Likewise, if you have a direct flight (say Dublin to Chicago), you would 'clear' Customs at Dublin, then just walk off the plane, collect your luggae and go -- NO customs stop in the US. Like I said, though, I'm nt sure WHEN the Customs operation goes into effect at Dublin.

But, You can bet that it's going to ADD at least a 1/2 hour to your clearance times....

Bob

Bob -
though your crystal ball may seem cloudy to you, it is just clear enough to give me peace of mind that I don't need to stress myself on the car rental. Yet. =)
Thank you for your insight!
Sarah

forgot to add: thanks jaja for the input on Insurance4CarHire. That is helpful.

Bob, according to my SIL, when he came back late February/early March, he went through customs in Dublin. He had a direct flight from Dublin to O'Hare (no stop at Shannon) and was able to just pick up his luggage and go once he got here. Of course, he has an EU passport. But that shouldn't have made any difference.

I'll ask him if it was more chaotic and/or time consuming leaving Dublin and get back to you.

Itallian_Chauffer - thanks so much for all of the info. Since I'm intruding on someone else's forum, I will start a new one in the morning under "Car Rentals in Ireland" or something similar. I have some additional questions so hopefully you will be able to respond in my new forum.

CAPH52,
"I'm not sure I fully understand, Maureen. Dan lives in California but owns an independent car rental company in Ireland? I'm hoping that doesn't sound snarky because I certainly don't mean it that way. Just trying to get a better understanding."

LOL...no I don't think you sound snarky! Dan lives here in California and he does have a franchise for a car rental in Ireland. It was pretty funny to me also. About 10 years ago we had a young high school student working for our company as a summer intern. I had an Ireland poster on my wall and she asked me if I ever went there. I told her I went every year and she said I should call her dad that he does Irish car rentals. So I called him the next time I went. He is married to an Irishwoman and he and her cousin partnered on a rental franchise. He doesn't actually own the rental agency...just the franchise for doing the rental. Not sure how that works!! I must ask him next time I talk to him. He always gets me free tickets to the Irish Fair in Los Angeles which is coming up in June...so I should give him a call.

Mureen, thank you very much for your explaination. Now I get it. Or sort of, at least! Sounds like it was a happy "accident" for you that you found out about him.

shturner, feel free to ask questions on this thread if you'd like. The more information we get, the better off we all are!

I owe you an apology, Bob. From what my SIL just told me, it sounds like you were right. He said he went through immigration in Dublin (eliminating the stop at Shannon). But he did still have to go through Customs at O'Hare.

As you're probably aware, there was an Irish law enacted in the 70's that required all flights leaving Ireland to stop at Shannon. That's been overturned. So it's now possible to get a flight direct from Dublin to the US.

Or at least that's my understanding of what he told me!

CAPH52 - thanks for allowing me to intrude on your thread. I have gotten a lot of information.

Cathy,

No apologies needed.

I have been known to be wrong, on occassion.
Or, if NOT wrong, then perhaps, ill-informed...



shturner: Although not anywhere near as knowledgable, nor as well-traveled as Pat Preston http://www.Irelandexpert.com or Michele Erdvig http://www.IrelandYes.com I AM a SERIOUS supporter of Irisih Tourism, having 'Racked Up' (counting my up-coming trip) eleven visits over the past ten years.

Please do not let the Car Hire hassle dissuade you. Ireland is SO worth all the headaches!

Like I've said, MANY times before, Car Hire really is 'Kissing the Frog'.

LAST trip, a clerk in a chemist shop asked, "How long are ye home for?" and we told her, "Only sixteen days."

She was being politely curious, using a common phrase, but I meant every word.

When I'm in Ireland, I AM home.

Bob

Bob, thanks again for your comments. We are looking forward to our trip to Ireland in spite of car hassle. Still haven't done anything about this. Since you have been there many times, possibly you or someone else can help me on this.

Would it be best to 1. drive from Bunratty to Shannon airport, turn in car, then take train to Dublin city where hotel is; 2. Drive car from Bunratty to Dublin city and turn in car (not sure of traffic and how difficult to find car rental place) but this is what I prefer to do; or 3. drive to Dublin airport, turn in car, then take bus to Dublin city???

Thanks again CAPH52 for letting me intrude on your thread.

Anytime, shturner!

I haven't had the patience to work through all these posts, but I did use the World Mastercard to cover the CDW in Ireland. It worked like a charm. I don't recall anything about coverage for theft, though.

We got our car through the Avis company at the Dublin airport, and I don't recall any special hassles.

I do recommend either removing hubcaps or tying them on the wheels. We lost three and had to replace them. We had to do a bit of hunting to find a set that fit our car.

To continue, I don't think there was hold on the credit card, but then I usually use another card--my mileage plus card--for everything possible, so I wouldn't have noticed.

I didn't have an accident in Ireland. However, in 2001 I had an accident in England. Avis was very cooperative and gave us another car without blinking. (I was kind of surprised.) My recollection is that they sent a bill for the charges, and I paid with my credit card and was later reimbursed. No big problem, but then I have several credit cards and wasn't inconvenienced.

By the way, I was told that the World Mastercard should begin with the numbers 5466, and when my card arrived, it did indeed begin with those numbers.

Thanks, Peg, I appreciate your info! It's good to know that you were eventually reimbursed for the accident in England.

shturner: I have driven in Dublin a coule of times and I don't recommend it to anyone who doesn't know their way or have experience.

If you drop the car at the Dublin Airport, there are numerous options via bus or taxi back into City Center. The Airlinkis about 8 euro return, per person, I think whereas a taxi will run 30-40 Euro each way, depending on traffic and exactly where in Dublin you are going.

If you drop the car at Shannon, there is a bus to Limmerick, a CityLink bus to Galway (both of which offer train service to Dublin) or a shuttle service to either destination, OR Dublin. Dunno about rates, but here's a link to the info:

http://www.shannonairport.com/to-from/bybus.html

As to WHICH option? It would depend upon your itinerary and what you felt most comfortable with ...

I would drop the car at Dublin Airport, after stopping by Cashel, and maybe Cahir enroute, but if you've already seen them, or aren't interested and have NO compelling interest in Kildare, (the Stud Farms, Curragh, Japanese Gardens, Newbridge Silver) either, then it MIGHT be relaxing to just sit back, and leave the 'driving' to someone else.

Bob

Been following this with interest...

If I rent a car in Northern Ireland, drive into ROI, and then return it back into Northern Ireland, am I covered with my credit card insurance, then?

To the best of my knowledge, you ARE.

However, vehicle must be returned to N.I. as I was quote a 200 GBP 'Drop Off' fee -- and that was when Sterling was going for $2.06!!

Dunno if all charge (or that much) but you wold DEFINITELY need to check that out, first.

I've seriouslyconsidered such, as flights INTO Belfast can be had pretty cheap, but DEPARTING a UK airport usually entails a HEFTY premium.

Bob

Thanks, IC!

Itallian_Chauffer, thanks again. From your comments, it seems best to drive back to Dublin airport to turn in car and take bus to city. I checked on Shannon bus and never could get the timetable to open. We will already have driven from Dublin airport to Kildare to Cahir seeing as many sights as time allows, then on to Killarney. I have printed driving routes on everything including our last leg - Bunratty to Dublin airport so will stick with this.

Hello everyone, I just stumbled into this convo so apologies if I sound a little lost---but we are coming to Ireland in August from the US, and are going to rent a car etc, was wondering why everyone is talking abut renting at Dooley or AutoEurope since there seem to be so many issues- at times? why not just go with something more global like hertz..am I completely missing something?. The prices in US dollars did not seem that different to me..

Mythical, when I checked a few days ago, Dooley had the best price. And I noticed that some of the more global ones seemed to have more "catches", like a 25 Euro fee for waiving the insurance. But there are posters here who've rented from Hertz, Avis and the like and been very happy with their experience. Your best bet is to check around and see who gives you the best price for what you want on your dates.

You mentioned the prices in dollars, so a heads up, just in case. When you're dealing with a company overseas, it's best to pay in the local currency. Otherwise you get slammed with an extra conversion fee.

Mythical, I had an absolutely horrid experience with Hertz Shannon in '03.

It's hard to compare apples to apples with these auto rental websites, and with the brokers thrown in it's even more confusing.

CAPH52, I wonder about DCC when renting in the US from an Irish company. My credit card charges me a 3% transaction fee for converting from euros (or any foreign currency) to dollars, so I have to factor that in and check what conversion factor Dan Dooley, for example, is using. Sigh...
When I'm in Ireland I always opt for (and sometimes annoy the clerks) local currency even with the 3%. That's why I use cash whenever possible.

Just curious...do we pronounce IC as ice-y or ick? Bob is a friend of mine so I'll just call him Bob, I guess.