Nothing handles better than a rental car. You can go faster, turn corners sharper, and put the transmission into reverse while going forward at a higher rate of speed in a rental car than in any other kind. Plus you can use the trunk as an ice chest.
P.J. O’Rourke (I think)
Check Enterprise directly. They had (by far) the best rate when I went to Ireland. Also, they may have given me a AAA discount (although maybe I just imagined that).
Try Google Street View-ing the places where you will be going. It helps a surprising amount!
:: looks at Dublin on Google Maps ::
Wow! Thay’ve added an “earth view” which give you 3D renderings and perspective right in the browser! Strangely, I can’t see the Street View icons at all now. Have they been removed, or did Ireland ever have them?
Edit: looks like you can have either Earth View or the straight-down view that includes the Pegboy icon for choosing a Street View location.
Not available yet. You can use Street View for Northern Ireland though.
I rented a Nissan Micra last year when we were in Ireland. I don’t know how much it cost. It was included in the package. But I can say that it was a decent little car. Plenty of room and plenty of power
Driving on the left was easy to get used to. The roads are thin but Irish drivers are considerate so it seemed like an easy drive to me.
In driving a manual in Ireland, my problem wasn’t the steering…it was the shifting.
The shift pattern is the same as in the US, but that’s what makes it hard. First gear is “up and towards me” in the US, but “up and away from me” in Ireland. The number of times I put the car into 2nd, when I wanted 4th…that poor gearbox!
I agree. Wasn’t too bad. Of course every time I pulled on the road, I actually said (out loud), “Left! Left!” Worked for me!
My mental block was instinctively grabbing the window winder when I put my foot on the clutch. By the time I got the nerve signals re-routed to the proper arm, the position of the gears wasn’t a problem any more.
[/hijack]
If it’s a guide, I am hiring an Alfa for two weeks in November. The total cost is 472 Euro. That is through Hertz.
Also re supplemental insurance- if you have travel insurance check what that covers. I am not certain if you mean what we term “excess”.
Reported for Mod action as necessary.
When we traveled in Europe a few years back, we were recommended that it was less expensive to simply just book a ride already from any of the booking agents , because the prices were better than if you just stepped into a lease broker when you came.
Two comments:
Firstly, buy every extra bit of insurance the rental company offers otherwise you’ll get dinged for something when you return it.
Second, you’ll find the switch to driving on the ‘wrong’ side of the road very easy; it’s the switch back when you get home that’s dangerous.
It’s true, you have to watch for zombies coming from the other direction.
I hired a car in Ireland, from Dublin airport, in April. I booked over the internet (can’t remember the company, something like Holiday Autos), paid for everything in advance, including collision waiver. I arrived the Euro Car (Holiday autos were acting as an agent, I didn’t realise when I booked) rental desk and the girl said I’d have to pay Euro Car Collision wavier if I wanted it, I refused and said I’d already paid for it. She said if I didn’t, I’d have to leave a 3000 Euro deposit on my credit card, if I had any damage they’d keep the 3000 and I’d have to claim it back from Holiday Autos. I didn’t have any choice, I had my family standing there, so I paid the deposit. It turned out ok, I didn’t have any damage, and got my deposit back, but it was hassle I could have done without.
We are planning on seeing Ireland again this May. I found a site/place that has outstanding comments on TripAdvisor, http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g186591-i88-k5398854-o110-Easy_tour_Ireland_for_rental_cars-Ireland.html for renting/hiring a car in Ireland, Easy Tour Ireland. They seem to be affiliated with Hertz. Their rate includes CDW and also what is referred as Super CDW, which covers the deductible for CDW.
Suppose to have the best prices in Ireland.
Because the major car rental companies are/were owned by auto manufacturers. They were used as a dumping ground for unsold vehicles.
When the manufacturer had built a lot of a particular model of car and it wasn’t selling well, they would transfer thousands of them to the rental company. Good deal for both: lowers the inventory, increases sales figures for the manufacturer, and the rental company gets vehicles at a discount.
Oh, God, yes. If you’re used to the US, much of Ireland is a maze of poorly labeled too-narrow country roads, especially outside of a city. Get the GPS and you’ll be infinitely happier.