Planning a trip to the Emerald Isle? Exploring Ireland by car offers unparalleled freedom to discover its breathtaking landscapes and hidden gems at your own pace. Based on recent personal experiences, navigating Car Rental Ireland can be a smooth and positive part of your journey, ensuring you focus on enjoying the stunning scenery and rich culture.
Picking Up the Keys: Cork and Shannon Airport Car Rental
Last spring, opting for car rental Ireland through Dollar proved to be a cost-effective choice after comparing numerous providers. Our journey began at Cork Airport, picking up a compact Seat Ibiza which served us well throughout our travels, culminating in a return at Shannon Airport. The process was largely seamless, allowing us to quickly begin our Irish adventure.
We chose to utilize our Visa card’s collision coverage, a decision that required presenting written confirmation of this coverage to Dollar at the rental desk. It’s advisable to arrange this documentation prior to your trip to ensure a hassle-free pickup experience.
While our rental experience was overwhelmingly positive, we did encounter minor signage discrepancies at both Cork and Shannon airports. At Cork, directions for car rentals initially led us away from the actual rental desks. Similarly, at Shannon Airport, return signage for Dollar deviated from signs for other car rental companies, directing us to an outdated return location. A sign posted on the old office redirected us to the correct car return lot within the main terminal area. Despite these minor signage issues, which seem to be airport-specific rather than company-related, we had ample time to navigate these slight detours without impacting our flight schedule.
Previous Positive Car Rental Experience in Ireland
Looking back further to a 2018 trip, our car rental Ireland experience with Enterprise, picking up in Galway and returning in Dublin, was also exceptional. Enterprise provided excellent service and a high-quality vehicle. However, it’s worth noting that Enterprise tended to be a more premium option, reflecting in a higher price point compared to Dollar in our more recent experience.
Conclusion: Embrace the Open Road in Ireland
Overall, both our recent experience with Dollar and past experience with Enterprise underscore the ease and reliability of car rental Ireland. While minor navigational hiccups due to airport signage can occur, they are easily manageable with a bit of extra time and attention. Choosing car rental Ireland remains an excellent way to explore the country, offering flexibility and convenience to discover all that this beautiful island has to offer. For travelers seeking an economical option, Dollar proved to be a great choice, while Enterprise stands out for its premium service. With a little preparation regarding insurance and awareness of potential airport signage nuances, your car rental Ireland experience is likely to be a positive and integral part of your unforgettable Irish journey.
