Dublin is one of Europe's most visited capitals — lively, friendly and very walkable. The city itself is best explored on foot, but a hire car collected from Dublin Airport is your passport to Ireland's extraordinary countryside. The Wicklow Mountains are 45 minutes south, the Boyne Valley (Newgrange) is 45 minutes north, and the entire island is within a day's drive.

Pick-up locations

Dublin Airport (DUB): Ireland's busiest airport — two terminals with car hire desks in arrivals. The largest and most competitive hire market in Ireland. Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 have separate pick-up areas — confirm your terminal before arrival.
Dublin city centre: Several suppliers have offices near the city. Useful if arriving by ferry from Holyhead or Cherbourg. However, driving in Dublin city centre is challenging — collect from the airport when leaving on your road trip instead.

Driving in and around Dublin

  • Drive on the left. Speed limits in km/h (50 city, 100 national roads, 120 motorway).
  • The M50 ring road encircles Dublin — tolls apply (€3.10 per crossing). Register with eFlow or your hire company will charge an admin fee on top.
  • Dublin city centre traffic is heavy at rush hour — avoid 7–9am and 4–7pm.
  • Parking in central Dublin: use Q-Park at St Stephen's Green or Drury Street — street parking is meter-controlled and expensive.
  • The N7 (south-west), N11 (south-east) and M1 (north) are the main arterial routes out of the city.

Best drives from Dublin

  • Wicklow Mountains National Park (45 min) — Glendalough monastic settlement, the Military Road and Sally Gap moorland — Ireland's most accessible wilderness.
  • Boyne Valley: Newgrange & Knowth (45 min) — Neolithic passage tombs older than Stonehenge and the Pyramids. UNESCO World Heritage site.
  • Causeway Coastal Route (2 hrs north) — Giant's Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede and the Antrim glens. Cross into Northern Ireland — no passport required for EU or UK citizens.
  • Kilkenny & Cashel (1.5 hrs south) — medieval city and the dramatic Rock of Cashel fortress rising from the Tipperary plain.
Insurance warning: Ireland has some of the highest car hire excess levels in Europe. Always buy standalone excess insurance before travelling — desk upsells at Dublin Airport are particularly expensive. See our full insurance guide.