Dublin car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Dublin
The best car rental companies in Dublin are Sixt, Enterprise, Europcar. Prices start from €42/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 14%.
✓ Free cancellation options✓ No booking fee✓ Full-to-full suppliers✓ You book direct
Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Dublin
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Sixt
Editor’s pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€46/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Enterprise
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 25Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€48/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#3
Europcar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 25Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€44/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#4
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 25Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€49/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#5
Avis
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 25Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€47/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#6
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 25Free cancellationAirport
From€42/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#7
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 25Free cancellationAirport
From€45/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 25Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€50/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Thrifty
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 25Free cancellationAirport
From€40/day
base rate
View Thrifty deal
#10
Dollar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 25Free cancellationAirport
From€40/day
base rate
View Dollar deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-01 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Dublin
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €42 | Volkswagen Polo | 5 |
| Compact | €46 | Ford Focus | 5 |
| SUV | €64 | Nissan Qashqai | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | €82 | Volkswagen Sharan | 7 |
| Luxury | €105 | BMW 5 Series | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Dublin
Airport — Dublin Airport (DUB)
Sixt, Hertz, Avis and National have in-terminal desks; Europcar, Budget, Enterprise, Alamo, Thrifty and Dollar are at the off-airport Car Rental Village via free shuttle.
Downtown — Dublin City Centre
Desks near Connolly Station, the docklands (IFSC) and the Baggot Street area.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~14% of base rate | Any Dublin Airport pickup |
| M50 eFlow toll | €3.70/crossing (+€2–5 admin) | Driving the M50 between J6 and J7 |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | €30–38/day | Drivers under 25 (where permitted) |
| Additional driver | €10–14/day | Per extra driver |
| One-way fee | €40–120 | Different drop-off location |
| Super CDW (excess reduction) | €15–30/day | To cut the €1,500–2,500 excess to €0–100 |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Dublin
- Drive on the left; most Irish rentals are manual — request an automatic explicitly and book early.
- The M50 eFlow toll is barrier-free (no booths): cameras read your plate and you must pay online by 8pm the next day or face a penalty — confirm whether your supplier auto-pays.
- Ireland’s narrow rural roads are lined with stone walls and hedgerows — pick the smallest car that fits your party and add tyre & glass cover.
- Non-EU drivers whose licence is not in English need an International Driving Permit (IDP) carried alongside the original licence.
- Base CDW carries a high excess of €1,500–€2,500 (up to €3,500 on premium SUVs/7-seaters); a Super CDW top-up reduces it to €0–€100.
- Minimum rental age is typically 25; only a few suppliers (e.g. Sixt) rent to ages 21–24 with a young-driver surcharge.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Dublin
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Dublin?
Most companies rent from age 25. A few — notably Sixt — rent to drivers aged 21–24 with a young-driver surcharge of roughly €30–38/day. Premium categories may still require 25+.
Do I drive on the left in Ireland?
Yes. Ireland drives on the left, so the steering wheel is on the right and, in a manual, you change gear with your left hand. Take it slow for the first hour and use your front passenger as a co-pilot.
What is the M50 toll and how do I pay it?
The M50 motorway around Dublin has a barrier-free eFlow toll: cameras read your plate as you pass between Junctions 6 and 7. You must pay the €3.70 charge online at eflow.ie (or at a Payzone shop) by 8pm the following day. Some suppliers auto-pay via a tag for a €2–5 admin fee — confirm who is responsible at pickup.
Do I need an International Driving Permit in Ireland?
Not if your licence is from the EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia or New Zealand and is written in English. If your licence is not in English, you must carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside the original.
What insurance is included and what is the excess?
Third-party liability is included by law, plus CDW/theft — but the excess is high, typically €1,500–€2,500 (up to €3,500 on large SUVs and 7-seaters). A Super CDW top-up (€15–30/day) cuts that to €0–€100. Tyres, glass and undercarriage are often excluded on Ireland’s narrow roads, so a separate add-on is worthwhile.
What deposit should I expect?
A credit-card hold of roughly €250–300 is standard for the rental; if you decline Super CDW, suppliers may block the full excess of €2,500 or more. It is a hold, not a charge, and is released after you return the car undamaged.
Can I do a one-way rental (different drop-off)?
Yes, most suppliers allow one-way rentals within Ireland for a fee of roughly €40–120. Note that taking an Irish rental across the border into Northern Ireland must usually be declared in advance.
Where can I pick up a car — airport or city centre?
Both. At Dublin Airport (DUB), Sixt, Hertz, Avis and National have in-terminal desks, while Europcar, Budget, Enterprise, Alamo, Thrifty and Dollar are at the off-airport Car Rental Village reached by free shuttle. There are also city-centre desks near Connolly Station and the docklands.
