Ferry from Scotland to Ireland-Rental Car
Feb 9th, 2020, 03:13 PM
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Ferry from Scotland to Ireland-Rental Car
We will be in Scotland and Ireland with friends for two weeks this summer. We're planning to rent a car to explore everything at our own pace. Does anyone know if we will be able to take a rental car from Scotland into Ireland? Or will we have to rent a separate rental? Also, is Cairnryan the only ferry into Ireland? Or are there other places to take the ferry over? Thanks so much for your input!
Last edited by euro18; Feb 9th, 2020 at 03:17 PM.
Feb 9th, 2020, 03:20 PM
#2
There is no ferry at all from Scotland to Ireland. There are ferries from England to Ireland and from Scotland to Northern Ireland. Yes you can take a rental car across - but why would you want to? Unless you are dropping the car back in the UK (including in NI) the drop off fee can be enormous.
Feb 9th, 2020, 04:10 PM
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Originally Posted by janisj
There is no ferry at all from Scotland to Ireland. There are ferries from England to Ireland and from Scotland to Northern Ireland. Yes you can take a rental car across - but why would you want to? Unless you are dropping the car back in the UK (including in NI) the drop off fee can be enormous.
Feb 9th, 2020, 04:48 PM
#4
Okay -- what was 'unfriendly'?? Honest question . . .
I explained there are no ferries from Scotland to Ireland -- which is what you asked about, and which could be a helpful detail.
I explained there are ferries between England and Ireland and between Scotland and Northern Ireland -- another possibly helpful detail
I said that yes, you can take cars on the ferry (you did ask)
And I mentioned that drop off fees into a different country (Ireland) can be enormous.
The only possible 'unfriendly' thing I can imagine is I used bold for the 'no' but that was to call it to your attention. Sorry . . .
So what other info are you looking for?
I explained there are no ferries from Scotland to Ireland -- which is what you asked about, and which could be a helpful detail.
I explained there are ferries between England and Ireland and between Scotland and Northern Ireland -- another possibly helpful detail
I said that yes, you can take cars on the ferry (you did ask)
And I mentioned that drop off fees into a different country (Ireland) can be enormous.
The only possible 'unfriendly' thing I can imagine is I used bold for the 'no' but that was to call it to your attention. Sorry . . .
So what other info are you looking for?
Feb 9th, 2020, 06:12 PM
#5
- Euro18, this one has most sailings and you could pick best time for your journey. I would talk to your rental agency and see what they say about drop off fees. I know we had to drop off our car and then take a shuttle to ferry. You could then rent another in Belfast or wait if you want to just be without a car in Belfast, then get another, depends on where you are staying that first night. It sounds like a good trip.
- Get price
- 5 Sailings Daily2 hr 22 min
Feb 10th, 2020, 08:34 AM
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janisj did answer your question. I was confused by the fact that you tagged "Ireland" on this post in addition to the United Kingdom. Therefore, I assumed you meant Scotland to the Republic of Ireland which, as janisj indicated, does not have a ferry.
Feb 10th, 2020, 10:03 AM
#9
Hetismij: "Janisj there are ferries from Wales to Ireland, not England. Shame on you! 
"
oops -- I knew that
. . .
Bette: Actually the thread was originally tagged only for Ireland. I asked the moderators to add the UK tag.
"oops -- I knew that
. . .Bette: Actually the thread was originally tagged only for Ireland. I asked the moderators to add the UK tag.
Feb 10th, 2020, 11:37 AM
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Originally Posted by euro18
Does anyone know if we will be able to take a rental car from Scotland into Ireland? Or will we have to rent a separate rental?
Feb 10th, 2020, 12:28 PM
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Isn't there a ferry run between Liverpool & Dublin? (which has nothing to do with the OP's question about getting from Scotland via ferry).
Back to the OP - if you are starting your Irish adventure in Belfast, NI, I would wait to pick up a car until you were heading out of Belfast (assuming you are seeing a few sights in Belfast). A car in the city can be a negative.
Back to the OP - if you are starting your Irish adventure in Belfast, NI, I would wait to pick up a car until you were heading out of Belfast (assuming you are seeing a few sights in Belfast). A car in the city can be a negative.
Feb 15th, 2020, 01:37 PM
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Originally Posted by janisj
Okay -- what was 'unfriendly'?? Honest question . . .
I explained there are no ferries from Scotland to Ireland -- which is what you asked about, and which could be a helpful detail.
I explained there are ferries between England and Ireland and between Scotland and Northern Ireland -- another possibly helpful detail
I said that yes, you can take cars on the ferry (you did ask)
And I mentioned that drop off fees into a different country (Ireland) can be enormous.
The only possible 'unfriendly' thing I can imagine is I used bold for the 'no' but that was to call it to your attention. Sorry . . .
So what other info are you looking for?
I explained there are no ferries from Scotland to Ireland -- which is what you asked about, and which could be a helpful detail.
I explained there are ferries between England and Ireland and between Scotland and Northern Ireland -- another possibly helpful detail
I said that yes, you can take cars on the ferry (you did ask)
And I mentioned that drop off fees into a different country (Ireland) can be enormous.
The only possible 'unfriendly' thing I can imagine is I used bold for the 'no' but that was to call it to your attention. Sorry . . .
So what other info are you looking for?
Feb 15th, 2020, 03:02 PM
#13
Euro18, bravo for coming back and not letting people run you off. No apology needed. I totally understood what you were saying. I thought for sure we lost another poster which we don't need as this place has so few. Trip advisor is helpful sometimes but find the Rick Steves people very helpful. Good luck planning. I heard a women from Ireland say she hoped it wouldn't be a United Ireland but a New Ireland and that is my hope.
Feb 15th, 2020, 05:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Macross
Euro18, bravo for coming back and not letting people run you off. No apology needed. I totally understood what you were saying. I thought for sure we lost another poster which we don't need as this place has so few. Trip advisor is helpful sometimes but find the Rick Steves people very helpful. Good luck planning. I heard a women from Ireland say she hoped it wouldn't be a United Ireland but a New Ireland and that is my hope.
Feb 15th, 2020, 05:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Macross
- Euro18, this one has most sailings and you could pick best time for your journey. I would talk to your rental agency and see what they say about drop off fees. I know we had to drop off our car and then take a shuttle to ferry. You could then rent another in Belfast or wait if you want to just be without a car in Belfast, then get another, depends on where you are staying that first night. It sounds like a good trip.
- Get price
- Attachment 3944
- 5 Sailings Daily2 hr 22 min
Feb 18th, 2020, 04:22 AM
#17
I do love the ferry.
Flying is ok but it is the adventurer for us now. My husband is so wanting to go on the Eurostar from London to Paris next trip so we are. I am giving him his chunnel tunnel experience. Did you figure out what you are going to do?
Flying is ok but it is the adventurer for us now. My husband is so wanting to go on the Eurostar from London to Paris next trip so we are. I am giving him his chunnel tunnel experience. Did you figure out what you are going to do?
Feb 18th, 2020, 03:30 PM
#18
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Originally Posted by Macross
I do love the ferry.
Flying is ok but it is the adventurer for us now. My husband is so wanting to go on the Eurostar from London to Paris next trip so we are. I am giving him his chunnel tunnel experience. Did you figure out what you are going to do?
Flying is ok but it is the adventurer for us now. My husband is so wanting to go on the Eurostar from London to Paris next trip so we are. I am giving him his chunnel tunnel experience. Did you figure out what you are going to do?
I did the Eurostar London to Paris in May of 2018. Amazing! We really loved it
Feb 18th, 2020, 06:24 PM
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So for anyone following, we have finally sorted things out. We are NOT able to take a car from Scotland into Northern Ireland or Ireland, no matter what fees we might be willing to pay! haha! So we will drop the car in Glasgow, hop a quick flight into Dublin, rent a new car and set out exploring from there.
