Fly Drive ?
 

I am graduating from college and my brother and I are planning a trip to Ireland.<BR>We are 21 and 23 years old. Where can I find info and packages on this type of trip.<BR>We want to spend a week or 8 days and would like to drive the country.<BR><BR>Thanks

I'm not sure what you mean by "fly drive" - - do you mean anything other than "fly to Ireland" and fly away when you're done?<BR><BR>If so, then this is an ordinary car rental you're asking about. Or did you really mean a package of flying somewhere within Ireland - - or between and somewhere else before leaving Ireland. Even if that is yiur intent, the flights on Ryanair are so cheap that I don't think you will find any packages with any significant savings.<BR><BR>Or maybe you mean something different.<BR><BR>Nest wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

I suspect you mean "fly to Ireland, drive around, fly home"?<BR><BR>You could probably either book a package deal where the car is ready for you and a route prepared, or you could do it yourself. Figure out what is important for you - visiting pubs? kissing the Blarney stone? - then if you're prepared to do it yourself away you go.<BR><BR>The Ireland section on this site (ie the main Fodors section, not these noticeboards) might be of help picking out things to see & do. Alternatively, you could try the "Let's Go" or "Lonely Planet" guides which are aimed more at the student and/or budget traveller.

Jim,<BR><BR>Are you coming from the US? And if so where exactly in the US are you coming from?<BR><BR>O'Connors Travel www.oconnors.com is a great East Coast travel agent that i use to fly home from Boston every year (they can get you a favourable car rate as well). <BR><BR>Car Rental is the best way to see Ireland but its pricey with all the extras (If you have a visa/mastercard - check to see if they will cover CDW, collision damager waiver and avoid hefty fuel surcharges by filling the tank yourself before you return the car to the airport and make sure to read the fine print and book from the US). <BR><BR>What i would suggest you do is pick up a car at Shannon (Fly Into) and head south to Killarney and stay in the area for 2 days (B&B) - the town itself is a marvel to walk around and there are days trips you can take (Ring of Kerry, Blarney Stone) etc. Travel Time via Car from Shannon is ~ 21/2 hours. <BR><BR>You could then head to Dublin for another 2-3 days (4-5 hour drive from Kerry) but be prepared for traffic and forget about parking. Your best bet would be to find a B&B in one of the Dublin Suburbs where you can leave your Car and then explore Dublin on foot via the public transport which is very efficient.<BR><BR>After that i would head to the best city in Ireland (Galway, of course i am biased) 3-4 hour drive from Dublin where you could stay in a B&B, enjoy the great social and night life in town, take a day trip to Connemara, drink pints with locals and only have an hour - hour 15 minute commute back to Shannon again.<BR><BR>As far as seeing other parts of the Country, you really need more time, which in the US unfortunately is not a generous luxury versus Europe.<BR><BR>Good Luck.<BR>Aidan<BR> <BR><BR>

Jim:<BR><BR>Becareful when reserving a car that the rental company allows drivers under 24 or 25. Many of them don't. In most cases, they restrict the car size for younger drivers.<BR><BR>That said, driving is the best way to go.<BR><BR>Bill