Car Hire in Ireland
Car Hire FAQs
What forms of payment do you accept?
Renting In The United Kingdom
If the rental is not prepaid, the renter must pay a deposit and the full rental charges using a major debit or credit card in his or her own name.
If the rental is prepaid, the renter must pay a deposit using a major debit or credit card in his or her own name.
Payment by a credit card in the main drivers name will be required to rent premium vehicles. If the debit or credit card differs from that used to prepay the rental charges, an additional deposit is required.
- In the United Kingdom, we accept American Express, Master Card and Visa.
- In the United Kingdom, we do not accept Maestro and Electron debit cards.
- If you would like to use a debit card, please call the location to discuss additional requirements.
Renting At An Airport Location In Ireland
Airport locations do not accept debit cards. If the rental is not prepaid the renter must pay the full rental charges plus a deposit of 500 Euros. If the rental has been prepaid then the deposit will be 500 Euros.
All debit or credit cards must be in the name of the renter and present at the time of rental. All cards must be present at the time of rental.
We do not accept Cash, Prepaid, Currency, Diner's Club or Maestro Cards.
Renting At A Non-Airport Location In Ireland
If the rental is not prepaid the renter must pay the full rental charges plus a deposit of 250 Euros. If the rental has been prepaid then the deposit will be 250 Euros.
All debit or credit cards must be in the name of the renter and present at the time of rental. Renters wishing to use a debit card must hold an Irish licence and will be required to bring additional documentation and will be subject to additional checks.
We do not accept Cash, Prepaid, Currency, Diner's Club or Maestro Cards.
Renters who wish to use a debit card must hold an Irish Driving Licence and must produce a pay slip that must be less than three months old. For all drivers we reserve the right to conduct additional checks and ID verification including sharing information with external partners who may verify supplied details against databases to which they have access.
Can I purchase rental car insurance and other protection products for a car hire in Ireland and the United Kingdom?
Enterprise offers additional protection products that you can purchase along with your car hire. Currently, we offer our customers Damage Waiver, Excess Protection and Roadside Assistance Protection.
United Kingdom
Damage Waiver
Damage Waiver reduces the liability you are responsible for in the event of damage to and or theft of the vehicle. If Damage Waiver is included in your reservation, then the excess amounts applicable are: cars 1000.00 GBP, MINI MPVs, MPVs, commercial vehicles 1150.00 GBP, all premiums and 4x4s 1400.00 GBP.
In Northern Ireland the excess on all commercial vehicles is 1400.00 GBP.
If Damage Waiver is not included in your booking, then it is available to purchase and the excess amount for all vehicles is zero. Customers who can provide independent and verified provision to cover damage and theft to the vehicle may be able to decline Damage Waiver - you may wish to determine if your personal coverage is adequate to cover damage, theft, loss of revenue, administration fees, diminishment of value, and any towing, storage or impound fees. If you decline Damage Waiver, you will be required to pay these charges and then seek compensation yourself from your carrier. Damage Waiver is not insurance.
Excess Protection
Excess Protection is an optional coverage that reduces the applicable Damage Waiver excess (see Damage Waiver terms) to all cars 100.00 GBP, MINI MPVs, MPVs and commercial vehicles 250.00 GBP, all premiums and 4x4s 500.00 GBP.
In Northern Ireland the reduced excess on all commercial vehicles is 500.00 GBP.
You may wish to check if your personal coverage is adequate to cover damage, theft, loss of revenue, administration fees, diminishment of value, and any towing, storage or impound fees. If you decline Excess Protection then you are required to pay any applicable Damage Waiver excess and seek compensation from your carrier. The price of Excess Protection varies by vehicle size and the prices are inclusive of VAT. Premium location fee applies to airports.
Roadside Assistance Protection
Enterprise offers roadside assistance protection - RAP. RAP allows Enterprise customers to waive all financial responsibility for the following - tyre and glass repair or replacement costs, except when part of a larger repair, replacement keys costs, and all recovery and call out charges imposed by our chosen roadside assistance providers as result of a fault caused by renter error. RAP does not exempt you from these charges if there is any breach of our rental agreement. RAP is an optional product; before purchasing you may wish to check if your personal coverage is adequate. If you decline RAP then you will be required to pay any applicable charges and seek compensation from your carrier. RAP is not insurance.
Ireland
Damage Waiver
If Damage Waiver is shown as included in your booking then the cost is included in your reservation total. If Damage Waiver is not shown as included in your booking then you may purchase it at the rental counter. Damage Waiver reduces your liability for damage to and or theft of the vehicle subject to the terms and conditions of your rental agreement. The Excess that applies to Damage Waiver is EUR 1600 for economy and mini vehicles, EUR 2500 for premium vehicles, and EUR 1750 for all other vehicles. Before purchasing Damage Waiver you may wish to determine if your personal coverage is adequate to cover damage, theft, loss of revenue, administration fees, diminishment of value, and any towing, storage or impound fees. If you decline Damage Waiver you will be required to pay these charges and then seek compensation from your carrier. Please be advised that the Republic of Ireland may be listed as an exclusion zone to your standard provider of personal insurance or credit card coverage. Damage Waiver is not insurance.
Excess Protection
Excess Protection is an optional coverage that reduces the applicable Damage Waiver Excess (see Damage Waiver terms) to: EUR 100 for economy and mini vehicles, EUR 500 for premium vehicles, and EUR 250 for all other vehicles. You may wish to check if your personal coverage is adequate to cover damage, theft, loss of revenue, administration fees, diminishment of value, and any towing, storage or impound fees. If you decline Excess Protection then you are required to pay any applicable Damage Waiver excess and seek compensation from your carrier. Excess Protection is not insurance.
Roadside Assistance Protection
Enterprise offers roadside assistance protection - RAP. Rap allows Enterprise customers to waive all financial responsibility for the following - tyre and glass repair or replacement costs, except when part of a larger repair, replacement keys costs, and all recovery and call out charges imposed by our chosen roadside assistance providers as result of a fault caused by renter error. RAP does not exempt you from these charges if there is any breach of our rental agreement. RAP is an optional product; before purchasing you may wish to check if your personal coverage is adequate. If you decline RAP then you will be required to pay any applicable charges and seek compensation from your carrier. RAP is not insurance.
What Are Your Driver's Licence Requirements For Renting In The UK And Ireland?
United Kingdom:
- All drivers must produce a valid driving licence.
- Non-EU licence holders are required to have an international driving permit if the licence is not in English.
- All renters must produce photographic ID- this can be a passport or driving licence.
- International travelers must produce a passport, proof of return travel and residency information while in the U.K.
Renters who wish to use a debit card may be subject to additional checks. We reserve the right to request additional ID or conduct further ID checks. These may include ID checks with external partners who may check supplied details against databases to which they have access.
Ireland:
- All drivers must produce all parts of a valid driving licence.
- Non-EU licence holders are required to have an international driving permit if the licence is not in English.
- Domestic renters must produce photo id, passport or driving licence.
- International travellers must produce a passport, proof of return travel and residency information while in Ireland.
Renters who wish to use a debit card must hold an Irish Driving Licence and will be subject to additional checks including verification of employment.
For all drivers we reserve the right to conduct additional checks and ID verification including sharing information with external partners who may verify supplied details against databases to which they have access.
Will I be allowed to cross into bordering countries?
United Kingdom:
For vehicles travelling to the Republic of Ireland, there is an additional charge of 150 GBP per rental. Please call the branch in advance. Vehicles may not travel outside the U.K. and Ireland.
Ireland:
Renters are allowed to travel within Ireland and Northern Ireland.
For vehicles travelling to the U.K., there is an additional charge of 150 Euros plus vat. Please call the branch in advance. Customers wishing to return the car to a different location will be subject to an additional charge.
COVID 19 FAQs
For more information, please visit our COVID-19 FAQs page.
For additional questions, please visit our main car rental FAQs page.
Jump to: About Enterprise | Car & Van Hire | Our Services | Things To Do | Driving Information
Car Hire & Van Rental in Ireland with Enterprise
Rural Ireland is filled with fairy-tale scenery, seemingly untouched by urbanisation, but its cities also offer unique experiences. With rolling fields of grass and sheep, jagged cliffs adorned with over 30,000 castle ruins and colourful coastal villages, the countryside is a unique drive you will never forget. Whether you plan to drive on the breath-taking Ring of Kerry or decide to drive to the Wicklow Mountains from Dublin, an Enterprise rental car is the ultimate way to experience what the ‘Emerald Isle’ has to offer. With branches in the capital Dublin, Ireland’s main airports, the port city of Cork and many more, we are here to help you rent a car no matter where your Ireland travels start or end.
A Wide Range of Vehicles for Hire
Whether you are planning a family road-trip along the coast or simply need a nifty city car, we are here to find the ideal rental car for your stay in Ireland. If you are after minibus hire to fit nine people or a simple four-door hatchback, our fleet is here to accommodate any of your requirements. Our vehicles come with either petrol, diesel or hybrid engines, with a choice of manual or automatic in some. Our fleet features the latest vehicle models, which are well maintained to ensure you enjoy your driving experience.
We provide additional equipment such as child seats and boosters, GPS or extra drivers on request. Get a quote above or look at our fleet page to explore what vehicles we can offer you during your stay in Ireland.
Are you after Van Hire in Ireland?
If you need extra cargo space when in Ireland, an Enterprise Rent-A-Car van hire is an ideal solution. Whether you are tackling a house-move, transporting furniture or simply need space for equipment during your travels, we have vans to cater to your needs. Our vans range from small and short wheelbase vans, all the way to Luton cab vans. Have a look at our van fleet with the latest models on offer, and pre-book one for your haulage in Ireland.
Cheap Car Hire in Ireland
If you are after cheap car hire for your trip to Ireland, look no further! With over 20 million happy customers every year, we always try to work around your specific needs and your budget. If you want to gain even more out of renting with us, you should join the Enterprise Plus loyalty membership scheme and earn points that can redeem you free rental days.
To see our current best offers, visit the deals page and see how you can save with us on your rental and more.
Airport Car Hire in Ireland
Our branches cover Ireland’s main airports. You are likely to fly into the capital city’s Dublin airport, but you can also find us in Cork Airport in the south, the north-western Donegal Airport known for its scenic landing approach, Shannon Airport in the west and Kerry Airport in the south-west.
We understand that some flights are outside of normal business hours, so our pick-up and return times are flexible. If you want to return your rental earlier outside of our opening times or you want to return the car to a different branch, our helpful staff will provide you with all the necessary information.
Enterprise Car Rental Services
At Enterprise, we understand our customers need flexibility when hiring a car or van. To ensure you recieve the best experience, we offer a number of car rental services that would help meet customer needs.
One Way Car Hire
Free Pick Up and Drop Off Service
Long Term Car Hire Service
Things to do in Ireland
Grab a pint of Guinness in Dublin
The Emerald Isle, as it is sometimes known, has a myriad of locations and plenty of things to do for all. If you are after untainted nature and breath-taking scenery, you can enjoy scenic routes along the coastlines, but if you want to experience a true Irish pub and have a pint of Guinness, you can stop-off in lively Dublin and visit the Guinness Storehouse. After experiencing the Irish capital, take a short one-hour drive down to Wicklow Mountains National Park for a hike.
Venture down the Wild Atlantic Way
The North of Ireland is home to Glenveagh National Park, a forested mountain range with plenty of Loughs (lakes) and a castled mansion to visit. The park is a short drive away from Donegal, which is home to the restored Donegal Castle. You can start the ‘Wild Atlantic Way’ scenic drive in County Donegal – a route full of breath-taking views and unforgettable roads. If you follow the drive into the County of Mayo, it’s worth stopping in the Céide Fields, which is home to Stone Age structures and tombs.
Stand over the Cliffs of Moher
In the West of Ireland, you can visit the medieval city of Galway. From there, you can take a ferry to the secluded Aran Islands where you can visit the 1100 B.C. fort of Dún Aonghasa, or witness the natural rectangular Wormhole rock pool. The Cliffs of Moher are also a short drive south from Galway and they are one of the most iconic sights of the Island.
See Luke Skywalker’s island
In the South of the country, you can drive on the scenic Ring of Kerry, which is filled with rugged coastal landscapes and traditional villages, or you can visit the famous Star Wars filming location on Skellig Michael. The County of Cork is also a must-see, if not just to visit Cobh – the last port RMS Titanic left before its tragic sinking. Thanks to an Enterprise rental car, you will be able to experience the less accessible parts of the Emerald Isle and create unforgettable memories.
Driving Information in Ireland
When driving in Ireland, there a few key things to remember:
- Ireland drives on the left, like the rest of the British Isles.
- Unless specified otherwise, the speed limit in cities and built-up areas is 50km/h, 80km/h on Regional roads labelled with R, 100km/h on National roads (designated with N) and 120km/h on motorways.
- Some roads in Ireland have tolls and most of those do not take cards, so make sure you have some spare change in Euros to pay with.
- Dublin’s M50 orbital motorway is a great way to avoid the busy city roads, although during peak hours allow extra time due to possible traffic. The M50 has speed limits ranging from 120km/h to 80km/h in the Airport Motorway-Port Tunnel section.
- Rural coastal roads and some in-land roads can get very tight and often have stone walls on each side, so be wary of oncoming traffic on tight turns where visibility is obstructed.
- If you use a GPS map or a mobile app that warns you of speed cameras, you must turn the function off due to such equipment being illegal in Ireland.
- In emergencies, dial 112 to contact the police, ambulance or fire services.
Top Cities
- Ireland Airports
- Carlow
- Cavan
- Clare
- Cork
- County Kerry
- Donegal
- Dublin
- Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown
- Fingal
- Galway
- Kildare
- Kilkenny
- Killarney
- Laois
- Leitrim
- Limerick
- Longford
- Louth
- Mayo
- Meath
- Monaghan
- Offaly
- Roscommon
- Sligo
- Tipperary
- Waterford
- Westmeath
- Wexford
- Wicklow
- Tips for Driving in Ireland
- Tips for Driving in Ireland