I have two primary concerns for our upcoming Ireland trip; car rental and public transportation in Dublin.

We will be traveling into Dublin, then to Kilkenny, Tipperary, Limerick, returning to Dublin. The trip will be for the month of April, 2025. We are going in order for my wife to research her ancestry. Therefore, we will be needing a car to visit cemeteries, local government offices, libraries, and whatever other locations may be offered by locals' information. I mention this only to forestall any suggestions that we use public transportation for ALL of our travels. I don't think it's practical to get to this many off-the-beaten-path destinations using public trans. I simply do not want to spend all the time necessary to decipher the volumes of information available from TFI/TFI Leap Card (both “regular” and “visitor”) /trains/trams/Bus Eireann/tap-no tap/apps, etc., etc. (To get an idea of how overwhelming this can be, please refer to AlessandraZoe's Nov 20, 2024 post) I am just going to rent a car.



So....my question is: anyone have any recent experience with “Rentalcars.com”? I read about these guys on a different blog, and their prices are more than half the rate of the common budget agencies, i.e., Alamo, Enterprise. I just don't want any surprises when I arrive at Dublin airport (April Fools!!)



Secondly, having said the above, I really want to avoid the all-too-American habit of using the car to go EVERYWHERE. While in Dublin and its immediate environs I would like to use the local transportation system(s). We will be there for four days prior to our sojourn westward, and three days after. We are staying at an Airbnb on the water at St. Anne's park, NE of Dublin center. We'll head into town to see: Temple Bar (particularly the Saturday Market), St. Patrick's Cathedral, Trinity College, EPIC, Gallagher's Boxty, and whatever other suggestions the Fodor family might recommend.

I would love to be able to easily, stress-free jump on a bus to get to these places. Help, please.

I am the OP. I don't know why/how this got posted to tech support. How to get it posted correctly under "Ireland"?

I am SO SORRY to break into your thread, but I am lost. I want to get info on transportation in Dublin. I created a new thread. It got (inadvertently) posted to the Tech Help thread. I tried everything...went to tech again. Tried FAQ link. Went to Contact us forum. Tried to find the "moderator" link but it just kicks me back to FAQ!!! I just keep going in circles. Can somebody help me get the thread moved to "Ireland"?? Again, I'm sorry but at a loss what to do.
My header is "Dublin transportation and rental cars".

Moved to the Europe Forum and tagged for Ireland.

In future, if you post on an incorrect forum, click the orange triangle to ask a Moderator to move it.

Ahem--I'm the writer of the LEAP card thread and the person who has always used public transport, cycles, and drivers.

Fact: We've been in Ireland over and over again, and we used hired Irish drivers only on ONE trip over all those years.
But we've used taxis on most of the Irish trips because we like to be speedy. So don't be thinking I was born with a transport ticket in one hand and bus schedules in the other.

Don't fall down the rabbit hole of my regular LEAP card thread right now. Heck, that topic is even a rabbit hole for me!
Yes, there is a DUBLIN-only VISITOR Leap Card you might want to buy, but for right now, let's ignore that because...

You want to know if you need a car in Dublin, and you want to know about where to rent a car which I agree for your needs is essential on your Ancestry trek.
Got it!

Well, I am a total ignoramus when it comes to renting a car in Ireland. But actually, I can tell you from experience that getting around in Dublin without a car was easy-peasy and having a car there would have been insane. When we spent our week in Dublin with our then senior in college, we didn't use any transport card. Instead, we relied on cabs because there were three of us. We also bought 48-hr HopOn/HopOff bus* tix that we could leisurely grab to get to some spread-apart areas of the city, taking in key sites, and then we used our feet and cabs to fill in the rest.
*There are at least two competing companies. Don't buy your tickets ahead via Viator, etc--just wait until you get there so you can make sure you are buying in local currency.

Our trip to Kilkenny on that trip was a one-day thing in a touring coach, not something I'd recommend for your needs. And I hate touring buses anyway.

Our trip intent that year was not the same as yours. Instead, we were on a different personal mission--we were intent on ranking Galway Trad music with Dublin Trad music, and we'd try to get from an afternoon session in one pub to an early session in another and then to a late session at yet another for days on end. In Galway, quite a few Trad pubs are within a block or two of each other. In Dublin, they are often miles apart. We made it work by running or grabbing cabs everywhere and it was that simple. So I think what worked for us probably would work for you.

Good luck with the Ancestry trek. I tracked down all the key places for my husband's Cornwall roots and the following year did the same in Devon. It was fun!
Happy Planning!
AZ

AZ:
Thanks for the advice. I have communicated with the owner of the Airbnb where we will be staying at the BEGINNING of our trip. She asked some friends and they all seem to agree that a REGULAR Leap card is the way to go. The apartment is blocks away from a Luas tram stop, which takes us directly to city center. The VISITOR card is valid for only a specific period of time, i.e., 24 or 72 hours, or one week. That's it. They are valid from the moment you first use it. So we would have to pay for a 72-hour card, then pay for another 24-hour card when the 72-hour expires. It would be a waste to buy a week card because we need it for four days at the beginning of the trip, and three days at the end of the trip, and of course it will have expired after 7 days. So, the regular card can be purchased, used for four days, top it off with additional $$ at our leisure, and use it at the END of our trip as well.
I guess I didn't 'splain it very well....I know I don't need (or want) to use a car while in Dublin. I will rent the car at DUB, drive to the Airbnb, and park it until we leave for Kilkenny. What I wanted to know is if anyone has used the company "rentalcars.com", because their prices are so much lower than the others'. You know...if it seems too good to be true......
WWWT

Not sure how open you are to other ideas but for me, I would look at your needs and basic route and see if it can be done using public transport, taxis, drivers etc. The traffic, driving on opposite sides, parking are just such a hassle...I am a pretty good driver but I totalled a car in France many years ago and that sticks with ya. I don't know if you could hire cars, taxis, drivers...for about the same cost without the mess and relax. Or, a car may fit your needs best. Good luck!

Do not rent a car and drive it straight off a long haul flight, no matter how short the journey is. It is dangerous.
It also seems a waste of money to rent a car then park it for a few days. Why not just rent a car when you are ready to head off on you ancestry trip? You can go back to the airport to pick it up if it is easier/cheaper from there.
You don't say how old you are but be aware there are age limits for renting a car in Ireland.
Have you looked into using public transport to get about? Irish roads tend to be narrow, and Irish drivers tend to be fast. Unless you are really comfortable with driving on the left, and perhaps also with a manual shift gearbox, I would perhaps look more into that, though time is short now I know.

Sounds like a wonderful trip!

I agree with not renting a car right away, with fatigue, driving on the other side of the road and not needing a car in Dublin, you should pick it up when you are ready to head out. It is an easy trip to the airport, or there are some city rental locations. I would definitely get an automatic transmission.

I am not familiar with your car rental option, but I do tend to agree with the notion that if it seems too good to be true, it is. If you have done a practice booking, look at any additional charges, that pop up at the end. And you are required to carry the additional insurance in Ireland which can get expensive. Not many credit card auto insurance coverage are accepted. We used our Chase Sapphire card, which was accepted, but we needed a letter from our credit card company stating that our card was active and covered Ireland. Enjoy!

1) I would 100% not rent a car on arrival. Why when you won't need it for the first few days? You could maybe collect a car nearer your accommodations if there is one nearby. Otherwise head back out to DUB to get the car when starting the road trip

2) I've not heard of Rentalcars.com - which doesn't mean much. Apparently it is part of Booking,com so likely a broker similar to AutoEurope. If so -- you aren't renting FROM RentalCars but renting THROUGH them and the actual agency will be Sixt or Thrifty or whatever . . .

3) I'd use AutoEurope to at least compare various companies/rates.

I'll try to address these in order...
First let me state that I lived - and drove - in London for about 7 months. I also lived in Australia for one year, where I bought a Holden (GM car, Aussie version of Chevy) and drove all over the east coast. I am very comfortable on the left side of the road. The car I will be renting in Dublin is an automatic transmission. The cost for the entire 24-day span when I will be needing the car is $199USD (185 Euro). Total. Unlimited mileage. That is why I was concerned; price is incredible. Yes, the company is part of Booking.com, which is part of Eurocar.com, a very reputable company. Also, since we will be going to a number of very nice restaurants, and possibly events, we will have more luggage than we would normally carry. We don't HAVE TO dress up for dinner/theater but we will. We consider these outings like sitting at the captain's table on a cruise; it's an opportunity to dress up for a special night out. But shuffling luggage around is not my favorite thing.
So, wildiowa: with all the driving, unscheduled stops, and unknowns in a three-week itinerary, I simply cannot imagine having a car/driver for the same amount of money. And on those occasions when parking is a hassle, I'm willing to deal with it in order to give us the freedom to come/go as we please.
hetismij2: Yes, I am aware of the age restrictions. I appreciate the concern about driving after a long flight. However, I have done it a number of times, flying to the east and the west. I don't mean to sound cavalier, but the drive to my Airbnb is a straight shot, 12-minute drive. I am NOT driving into Dublin.
coral22: Yes. I looked for additional charges, and there are none. Nada. Zip. $199 TOTAL. Yes, they require a letter from my CC company, which I have. They also require a recent bank statement (with all sensitive info redacted) and a recent utility bill in cardholder's name. They do NOT require a IDP (International Drivers Permit), but I will carry one nevertheless.
coral22 and jansisj: 1) Again, I am trying to minimize hoofing luggage around from place to place. 2) Yes, I have considered going back to the airport, but the math: Uber to Airbnb is $35 USD (say $40 w/tip) Then we have to hoof luggage back into another vehicle - Uber the most likely choice since hoofing to a bus stop would be even worse. Or we hoof to one of the rental locations in Dublin center, and those locations are more expensive than airport rentals. Then we would have to do it all in reverse at the end of the inland sojourn. With the total cost of the car at only $199, why bother?? And the car won't literally be parked for three days. There is an Aldi about 2 miles from the Airbnb. There is a Farmer's Market about 5 blocks away. I will use these opportunities to "practice" my driving. I will NOT be driving into Dublin. When we leave Dublin for Kilkenny, I'll be taking the M50 AROUND Dublin to the N7 (yes, I know about the "no barrier" toll on M50).
I have checked AutoEurope, as well as the Renault "rent/buy-back" program which I have used numerous times in France and Italy. No comparison; way more $$.
So I guess I'll just have to bite the bullet if the deal isn't as good as expected. If I end up having to go to another counter and paying full price, oh well. It's what I was going to have to pay in the first place. And in looking at several travel blogs, it seems that one can do quite a bit of negotiating at the rental counter. I didn't know this. Perhaps I'll have a chance to try out that theory. Ha ha.
In May there will be a trip report...fingers crossed.

Sounds like you got it covered....and with an Aldi close by, things will be fine!

Wow! Very impressive! You have worked it out very thoroughly. I need to shout out to you next time I need advice!

I can appreciate not backtracking for the car with the expense and your time is worth something, too. That is an incredible deal, but like you said if there are some cost surprises, you are not any worse off. I also am someone who likes to pack a little something nicer for evenings out. I don't like to wear the same clothes that I have been schlepping around in all day. Enjoy!

"hetismij2: Yes, I am aware of the age restrictions. I appreciate the concern about driving after a long flight. However, I have done it a number of times, flying to the east and the west. I don't mean to sound cavalier, but the drive to my Airbnb is a straight shot, 12-minute drive. I am NOT driving into Dublin."

Because nothing has gone wrong on previous trips does not mean it won't this time. There are other considerations besides money. I have driven after long haul flights many times (when I was younger and dumber ) but would not even consider doing that now. It isn't just the possible jet lag -- micro sleeps are a HUGE problem. And one doesn't even know they are happening. Impaired driving is treated the same as drunk driving. But your mind seems firmly set, so there isn't much anyone else can do to change your mind. Just glad I won't be in Dublin when you are driving through

Worldwidetours--I am laughing away here. My "rabbit hole" thread is actually of some use! Who would have thought!

In your shoes, I also would have done the regular Leap Card, but since no one give me the same answer to all my Leap Card queries* on various forums, I did not want to trap you inside my Leap Card hell. Forgive me for misreading your intentions.
*It's just so darn hard getting Leap Card facts. I actually was told my two locals from our destination that Leap Cards would not work on the bus I would be using because it was an Expressway. Well that route is not an Expressway (my husband and I were on it, thank you, and it was a local route--and actually, Leap Cards now do work on Expressways!). GRRR.

I plan to report back from "The Front" when we travel to Ireland again in June.
______________________________
I am very intrigued by your ancestry journey, and I hope you update us about how it goes. It bugs me that I can easily trace my Lancashire coal mining family back to the early 1700s, my Devon agricultural family back to the 1600s, and my Germanic roots back to the 1600s with quite validated accuracy, yet I can't trace the "parvenue" Irish ancestors that landed in Birkenhead and Liverpool in the 1800s with any real confidence. My Londonderry (the name at the time and I now use "Derry") peeps I know something about, but the trail dries up after 1780. Thus, I shall cheer you on with envy!

AZ

First to janisj: It seems like I am pissing you off with my decision to p/u my rental immediately after arrival at DUB. I'm sorry my decision has caused you duress. I ABSOLUTELY agree with you that there are considerations besides $$. And that was not my primary consideration. As I mentioned in a couple of these posts, I do not like having to take multiple trips which require hauling baggage to and fro. Back and forth to/from the airport having to haul luggage is exactly what I want to avoid. I try not to give a bunch of information in posts that is not directly related to the query. However, I will include here a bit more information...not to JUSTIFY my decision, but to further inform you regarding the relevant facts BEFORE the decision. And, again, YES, you are right...just because it hasn't happened in the past, doesn't mean it won't happen. Which could also be said about any time I pull out of my driveway, or any time I board an aircraft, or a bus, or...or...or. I could be mugged on the streets of NYC. But does that mean I shouldn't visit NYC? NO. There are plenty of OTHER reasons why not to go there!
1) I am very much aware of "micro sleeps", as well as a plethora of other issues which MIGHT contribute to one's ability to drive. I am a commercial pilot, and have been since (AAAGGGHHHH) before the "turn of the century". I am a Commercial driver as well, and have driven vehicles as large as 55-passenger tour busses, and spent a total of YEARS driving on the Amalfi coast.
2) I recently purchased a large-screen Garmin GPS for my motorcycle. It is going with us to Ireland. I have purchased, and already installed, the sim card for Ireland into the device. I have already mapped out and saved the route from DUB to my Airbnb.
3) Even if you happened to be in Dublin at the same time as my arrival, you would be safe in Dublin. Because, as I have stated previously, I am not, let me repeat I AM NOT GOING TO DRIVE INTO DOWNTOWN DUBLIN from the airport. So if you were to be concerned about my capacity to safely drive, you needn't worry. And, again, I am NOT going to drive the car in Dublin center - EVER. That is why I'm purchasing the LEAP card.
Now, AZ: Every time I see these initials it reminds me of all the time I spent in Arizona! Thank you for starting that thread in the first place. It's what got me going here. Your thread was the impetus for further investigation. Kudos go to my wife, not to me, for all the research. She has been working on this for (literally) years! I hope this trip serves its purpose, for her satisfaction.
FWI: Yes the LEAP card DOES include "Express" now, it does NOT include Express to either Dublin or Shannon airports. (Another reason to just get the rental car and move on!)
Looking forward to hearing about your adventures. And I try to stay away from broadcasting during my travels; I prefer summarizing post-adventure.

WWWTs--I don't post during the time of our trip, either. I just scribble notes in the middle of my hand-made trip calendar and digest a bit after we get back before I apply fingers to keyboard.

BYW--The regular Leap Card does work on the Expressway from DUB and SNN. It's the visitor/tourist one that does not work. Check it out: https://www.expressway.ie/tickets-and-fares--Jump to "Leap Cards on Expressway". There's no discount on Expressways, Leap card or not. You only can charge its exact fare on it. And I have no clue where one buys the Leap Card at the airport. The TFI app with an assigned account should be able to do it. But all this makes me no never mind, because as I said, we only take taxis to/from DUB and SNN and NOC. It's only after our first pitstop that we go on to "ride the rails."

And you sure don't have to justify a decision to me. Your money is YOUR money and your trip is YOUR trip. We contributors can be a bit forceful, and I've been on the hard end of that. For example, I was told adamantly on this forum we could not tour Cornwall without a car eons ago, and ta-duh!, we did it anyway and had a great time.

Full disclosure: I did employ a professional tour guide for our first "touring" day in Cornwall so we could visit a family baptismal font in tiny Alternun, tramp around its weed-bound graveyard for all the relatives (my husband appears to have been related to everyone in the graveyard) and then look for where my husband's great grandfather and his poor impoverished mother had suffered in the middle of windswept Bodmin Moor. But since our driver a) included other sightseeing for us, b) managed to talk his way on the spot into a local's house renovation for us to see the bones of an ancient church on Bodmin Moor, one that my husband's great grandfather had attended, c) knew exactly how to avoid the parking nightmare that Cornwall can be in certain places d) knew the location of every clean restroom (much appreciated!), e) found us the perfect cozy pub in which to have lunch and f) drove us at the end of the day to our next hotel, hiring him for the day probably was the perfect trip decision.

Yes, we might have accomplished all this if we had rented the car, but we would have needed two days, and I'm sure one of us would not have been alive at the 36-hours point because we would have been choking each other.
We zipped around Cornwall for the next week by rail pass and bus with ease. So much for "it can't be done."

Do your thing and enjoy.
AZ

AZ,
Huh. Whoda thunk it. You're right about getting a lot of conflicting information on the different transportation websites. When I looked into LEAP card to take the Expressway to DUB, there is a "Note: LEAP cards are NOT valid on Expressway bus to Dublin airport".
Part of the fun of traveling is having to wing it occasionally, n'est-ce pas?

You're actually in a great spot for public transport! St. Anne's Park is served by Dublin Bus routes and the DART (train)

Now that all of that stuff is taken care of, I need to get some input about purchasing a "nano sim card" for my phone, rather than paying for the verizon one month international plan. But I'll start a new thread for that.