Renting a Car in Ireland — Getting Where the Bus Won't Go

When Renting a Car Actually Makes Sense

Dublin's public transport will handle most of your daily needs, and guided day-trip buses cover the Cliffs of Moher and Killarney. But some of Ireland's most rewarding experiences — the back roads of Connemara, the full Ring of Kerry loop, the deserted beaches of Donegal — are nearly impossible to do justice to without a car. If you're planning a serious weekend trip with a small group of friends, renting can be both cheaper and more flexible than a tour.

Driving on the Left — The Biggest Adjustment

Ireland drives on the left side of the road, which is the opposite of Brazil. This is genuinely disorienting for the first hour or two, but it becomes second nature faster than you'd expect. A few rules to keep in mind:

• The kerb stays to your left — if you're drifting right, you've gone too far.
• The driver sits on the right side of the car.
• Roundabouts go clockwise — give way to traffic coming from your right.
• At junctions, look right first, then left before crossing.
• Rural single-track roads: Very common outside cities. When you meet an oncoming car, one of you pulls into a passing place (a small widened section on the verge) to let the other through. Be patient — locals are used to it.

Having a passenger act as co-pilot on day one helps enormously. They can call out "keep left!" whenever you drift at a junction, which is where most mistakes happen.

Can Brazilians Drive in Ireland?

Yes — with some important conditions. Your Brazilian CNH (Carteira Nacional de Habilitação) is legally valid in Ireland for up to 12 months from your arrival date. However, rental companies set their own rules:

• Most major companies will accept a Brazilian license, but they require an official English translation OR an IDP (International Driving Permit).
• An IDP (Permissão Internacional para Dirigir) is issued by the DETRAN in your home state before you travel. It costs around R$150 and takes one to two weeks to issue. Apply before you leave Brazil.
• Without an IDP, some rental counters will refuse to hand over the keys on the day — even if your booking was confirmed online. Don't risk it.
• Minimum age: 21 in most companies. Drivers under 25 pay a "young driver surcharge" of EUR 10-20 per day on top of the base rate.

Rental Costs and Which Companies to Use

Car rental in Ireland is competitive but not cheap, especially in summer. Always compare before booking and read the fine print on insurance.

• Rentalcars.com and AutoEurope are comparison sites that show prices across all companies at once — always start here rather than going direct.
• Sixt, Enterprise, and Europcar have good reputations in Ireland and consistent policies for non-EU licence holders.
• Budget and Hertz have desks at Dublin Airport and city-centre locations.
• Typical cost: EUR 45-90 per day for a small car, depending on season and company. Weekend packages (Friday to Monday) are often cheaper per day than a 2-day rental midweek.

On insurance: The CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) included in the basic rate usually still leaves you liable for EUR 1,000-2,000 in excess if you damage the car. Full-coverage add-ons at the rental counter are expensive. A better option is a standalone policy from insuremyrentalcar.com or a similar service — around EUR 10-15 for a weekend, covering the excess completely.

Fuel, Tolls and Practicalities

• Petrol vs diesel: Always check which fuel your rental car takes before filling up — it's written on the fuel cap and in the glove box. Putting the wrong fuel in is an expensive mistake rental companies will charge you for.
• Fuel cost: Around EUR 1.70-1.85 per litre for petrol. Budget EUR 40-55 for a full tank of a small car.
• The M50 toll (Dublin ring road): There are no toll booths on the M50 — it's all electronic. If you drive on it, you must pay online at eflow.ie by 8pm the following day. If you forget, the rental company pays it and charges you an admin fee of EUR 15-25 on top. Set a reminder the moment you use the motorway.
• Other tolls: Some national routes (the N18 near Limerick, the East Link bridge in Dublin) have physical toll plazas accepting cash or card. Keep a few euro coins handy.
• Parking in Dublin: City-centre parking is expensive (EUR 3-5 per hour). Most hotels and B&Bs outside the city centre have free parking — this is another reason car rental makes more sense for rural trips than for Dublin sightseeing.

Cheaper Alternatives for Some Trips

If a full car rental is over budget for your particular trip, consider these options first:

• BlaBlaCar: A carpooling app where you split fuel costs with a driver going the same route. Very active in Ireland for intercity travel — Dublin to Galway, Dublin to Cork, Dublin to Limerick.
• Split the rental with friends: A EUR 60/day car split four ways is EUR 15 per person — much cheaper than a day-trip tour bus.
• Guided day tours: Paddywagon Tours and Wild Rover Tours run affordable day trips to major sites (EUR 35-45 including a driver-guide). Worth it for a single destination where you just want to see the view.

How Departi Can Help

Planning a road trip but not sure where to go? Departi's Ireland destination guides cover the country's top locations — from the Wild Atlantic Way to Wicklow — so you can map your route before you even arrive. And if you need to practise the English for navigating a rental counter, reading road signs, or asking for directions in a small town, Finn, Departi's AI conversation tutor, is available 24/7 to help you prepare.