Ireland Rental Car

Old Jan 20th, 2014, 08:37 AM
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Ireland Rental Car

Hello. I am traveling to Ireland on March 14th, 2014. We will be staying in Dublin, Ireland from March 15th to March 18th. From there we will be going to Galway for a few days. My plan has been to rent a car on the day we are leaving Dublin, but I wondered if anyone had any suggestions. Should I take other transportation to Galway then rent a car in Galway? Also, what do you think the best and most reasonably priced car rental companies are in Ireland? Thanks!
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Old Jan 20th, 2014, 08:44 AM
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It just depends on what you want to do. It's an easy drive on major roads to Galway from Dublin, but it's also an easy trip by train.

Lots of things to factor in--ease (or lack thereof) of picking up a rental car in Dublin vs. Galway; cost of renting a car in Dublin vs. Galway; any possible drop-off fees for renting in Galway vs. Dublin, etc.

I have rented twice with Hertz in Ireland (once in Dublin, once in Shannon) at a good rate and with no problem. One local company that gets good buzz on Trip Advisor is Dan Dooley. Just make sure you research the insurance issue since that's the biggest "bug-a-boo" for most Americans when renting in Ireland.
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Old Jan 20th, 2014, 09:10 AM
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Budget have a "City" office in Galway so no problem getting the express bus across.

It depends how long you have all together and what if anything you fancy seeing on the way over. http://goo.gl/maps/FDZCV is a bit of something I am working on, options for people driving across. http://goo.gl/maps/L5ihu is west of Galway.
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Old Jan 22nd, 2014, 10:06 AM
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Hi Holly,

Are you planning to pretty much stay in Galway or need the car for day trips to tour? If you are going to stay in the city I'd recommend just taking the train from Dublin.

If you do need the car, the drive itself is really straightforward and I would recommend Dan Dooley.

I specialize in travel to Ireland. I only use Dooley for car rentals, I've been working with them for years. You can have the car delivered to your hotel the morning you want to leave Dublin.

Another tip - they can rent you a GPS (about $10/day) or if you have your own, you can download Ireland maps to it. Just check the website of your GPS company and check prices and see what works out best.
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Old Jan 22nd, 2014, 10:37 AM
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If you can read a map (and anyone over the age of 12 should have that skill), then you can drive in Ireland without GPS. It's a myth that you need GPS to get around Ireland.
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Old Jan 22nd, 2014, 11:05 AM
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Yes of course you can get around with just a map. But it's nice to not have to consult the map, when driving out of the city and to have the GPS to navigate you so that you can focus on the road.
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Old Jan 22nd, 2014, 02:19 PM
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Road signage in Ireland has come a long way in recent years so the need for a comfort blanket is greatly reduced..Just don't try to find us using sat nav you will go on a 5 mile loop from Connors (200 yards away)
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Old Jan 22nd, 2014, 04:34 PM
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Some of the best parts of our several trips to Ireland have been because we got lost. What a wonderful place in which to get lost. Side roads, country trails and lanes are full of beauty and if you take or have the time to "get lost" ditch the GPS device and see Ireland.
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Old Jan 22nd, 2014, 07:14 PM
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Why does it have to be one or the other? I take my Official Road Atlas and Roadwatch driving directions along with my satnav and use them all. The usefulness of any of these aids depends a lot on the person riding shotgun.
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Old Jan 23rd, 2014, 01:32 AM
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And how up to date things are.. OK my newest map is 2007 and most of the roads I need a map for have been the same for Decades but in the last 5 years Motorways have boomed, roads avoiding crossing Motorways have moved the old Trunk roads the Motorways replace have been renumbered etc etc.

So for a map make sure it is as up to date as possible.. The same for Sat Nav GPS or whatever.. as said above I go out and meet guests (and new delivery drivers) who are using the hi tec kit..

The dear brother in law came over for the first time last year and ignored my mapped out directions, 2 1/2 hours from Dublin Port took 6 hours by 2011 sat nav, sent him through the port tunnel and M50 toll Twice and had him off the M6 at Athlone heading back to Mullingar before I went out and rescued him. (UK sat nav's put in M4 and they immediately assume you want to be in South Wales so make sure the default is Ireland when over here)
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Old Jan 23rd, 2014, 06:34 AM
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tony, that is funny but sad!! We are like that in Fl. They are doing so much road construction it all changes. I miss going through all the villages on the way to Galway from Dublin. The bypass is great but I am sure many of those places miss the business. Athlone was one of our fav stops.
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Old Jan 28th, 2014, 03:28 PM
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I spent two weeks in Ireland. I spent a few days in Dublin, and rented a car at the airport, on my way out of the city. That worked out very well. Based on a lot of online recommendations, I used Dan Dooley, and am very glad I did. Their prices and service were excellent. One tip. They offered to upgrade me, and give me a larger car, at no extra charge. I turned them down, and was glad I did. Many of the roads in Ireland are very narrow, and the smaller the better. Everything you've heard or read about getting lost being part of the fun is absolutely true. If you start off with a good attitude, and acknowledgement that you will get lost, you will meet some wonderfully friendly people when you stop and ask for directions. In preparing for the trip, I read that I should plan on averaging 35 mph-40 mph. I don't know exactly what my average speed was, but it certainly was lower than I would have expected. You will love every minute in Ireland!
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Old Jan 28th, 2014, 05:49 PM
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Gary in Cary is so right..some of our best Irish moments came about when "lost". Magnificent valleys, hidden "holy wells" rump painted sheep galore, thatched cottages and watching thatchers and visiting with them, 6 foot plus rhurbarb plants and huge fuchia hedges along the back lanes..and more, more, more.. Speed is not something you want to in Ireland. Dan Dooley was great.
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Old Feb 9th, 2014, 11:09 AM
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Good information about Dan Dooley, but could anyone clairfy the issue with insurance? Does one's US insurance cover rental car in Ireland? Is Ireland any different than other countries in Europe?
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Old Feb 9th, 2014, 11:17 AM
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Which US Insurance?? Some US Mastercards have acceptable insurance but this must be agreed by both parties, the Card and the car rental company.. Using anything other than the Irish rental companies insurance will involve having a "Hold" placed on the available funds of that card up to maybe €2000+ any damage will be taken from that "hold" and it will be up to you to sort the claim.
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Old Feb 9th, 2014, 12:13 PM
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Listen to Tony2phones.. Irish ins. is the way to go as any problems can cause much stress. Dan Dooley is/was our agency of choice!
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Old Feb 9th, 2014, 12:18 PM
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>>Does one's US insurance cover rental car in Ireland? Is Ireland any different than other countries in Europe?
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Old Feb 10th, 2014, 11:29 PM
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I am travelling to Ireland in June and just got a Chase Sapphire Preferred--primarily to get the chip & signature feature--but it also covers theft and collision damage waiver abroad.
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Old Feb 11th, 2014, 04:31 AM
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"but it also covers theft and collision damage waiver abroad"

Double check that this Includes "Ireland" and "N.Ireland" (if crossing the border deliberately or unintentionally) and then Check if there is an Irish rental car company (the people who give you the car not an agency) that they are\willing to accept the cover provided.. (see my previous answer above)
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Old Feb 11th, 2014, 12:48 PM
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I very much doubt it covers car insurance in Ireland. The UK - yes. France - yea. Ireland or Italy or Israel - no.
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