Car Rental Do's & Don'ts

Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland

We get asked " Which are the Best Car Rental Companies?

Occasionally renting a car may not go smoothly. We have put this blog together to advise and help you reaise a wonderfull visit to our green and friendly Ireland.

Car rental companies in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland also include major international brands and local providers, with prices and insurance coverage that differs by region, provider, and booking platform. Most companies allow cross-border travel between Ireland and Northern Ireland, but taking rental cars to Scotland (across the Irish Sea) is generally restricted and often incurs significant extra charges or is not permitted at all.

Company	Typical Price Range (per day, small car)	Insurance Included	Notes on Cross-Border/Scotland Use
Payless	Among the cheapest, from €20–€35	Usually includes basic insurance	Cross-border to NI often allowed; Scotland not standard
NewWay	Competitive, from €25–€40	Yes, insurance included	Contact directly re: Scotland.
Hertz	€30–€50	Basic insurance included, upgrades extra	Cross-border fee to NI; Scotland usually not allowed or extra
Europcar	€35–€55	Basic insurance included	Cross-border to NI for a fee; Scotland rarely allowed
GoCar	Hourly/day rates, varies	Yes (with restrictions)	Short-term, not practical for Scotland
Budget	€25–€45, varies by location	Yes, basic insurance included7	Scotland usually not allowed.

Northern Ireland

Company	Typical Price Range (per day, small car)	Insurance Included	Notes on Cross-Border/Scotland Use
Enterprise	£30–£50	Basic insurance included	Cross-border to ROI often allowed; ferry to Scotland rarely permitted
Hertz	£30–£55	Yes, insurance included	Cross-border fee for ROI; ferry to Scotland possible with permission and fee
Keddy Branch of Europcar	£25–£45	Yes	Cross-border to ROI allowed; Scotland not standard.
Budget	£25–£45	Yes	Cross-border to ROI allowed; Scotland not standard

Comparison sites like EasyTerra, Rentalcars.com, Discover Cars, and AutoEurope are recommended to compare current rates and inclusions across all providers

Insurance: What’s Included?

• Basic insurance (Third Party Liability) is legally required and included in all rental prices in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland

• Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Theft Protection are commonly offered, but the excess (deductible) can be high unless you purchase additional coverage.

• NewWay and Budget explicitly state insurance is included in their prices.

• Credit card insurance rarely applies in Ireland and is often excluded by card issuers; check your credit card policy carefully if you plan to rely on it.

Using Rental Cars in Scotland

• Direct use in Scotland (i.e., taking a car on a ferry from Ireland to Scotland) is generally not included in standard rental agreements.

• If permitted, extra fees apply, and you must obtain written permission from the rental company. This can cost anywhere from £100–£150+ for the cross-channel authorization, plus ferry charges.

• Most companies strongly discourage or prohibit taking vehicles on ferries between Ireland and Great Britain due to insurance, breakdown coverage, and logistical issues.

• Cross-border (Republic ↔ Northern Ireland) is generally allowed with a supplemental fee, but cross-sea (to Scotland) is rarely allowed and should be confirmed case by case.

Key Considerations

• Always read the terms and conditions: Some companies impose high fees for cross-border or cross-sea travel, and violations can result in voided insurance.

• Insurance excesses can be high—consider purchasing a zero-excess CDW or supplemental coverage in advance for peace of mind4.

• Comparison sites are the best way to see current prices and inclusions for both regions.

In Conclusion :

When crossing the Irish border make sure when you book your car that it is covered by insurance inclusive in the price and not an extra.

Check the car over for any scratches dents etc. and bring that to the reception team's attention and have it noted. . Take photos of the car before setting off, of all four sides.

Follow speed limits in Northern Ireland and the Republic as it may end up costing a lot.

Book a car big enough for luggage. Bear in mind European cars are that bit smaller than say American.

Be aware that particularly in Dublin driving isn't necessary. It's a walkable city, with good transport options . So when leaving the city you may be able to pick your car up at a city centre depot, rather than travelling by bus or taxi to the renta; depot at the airport.

Enterprise ( My Irish Cousin) has depots across Dublin

• Dublin City Centre South (St Stephen’s Green)

• Dublin City Centre North (Russell Street)

• Swords (north County Dublin)

• Finglas (Dublin North)

• Kylemore (Dublin West)

• Tallaght (Dublin Southwest)

• Dun Laoghaire (Dublin South)

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Finally relax and enjoy you time in Ireland. Soak in the natural beauty culture and come back next year. Have fun. Slainte