Car hire reviews
Car hire in Dublin is best approached as an outward-bound tool rather than a city necessity. Central Dublin is walkable, the Luas and buses cover most tourist routes, and parking in the centre is both expensive and limited. But for the Wild Atlantic Way, County Kerry, Galway, Wicklow Mountains, or cross-county itineraries, a rental is one of the most practical choices you can make. Dublin Airport pickup is usually the best option because supplier choice is strongest there, logistics are clean, and you can head west or south without wrestling city traffic first. City pickup can work if you are staying in Dublin several days before departing, but stock is narrower. This is left-hand drive territory, so continentals should allow extra adjustment time on roundabouts and narrow rural roads. Expect variable weather, narrow country lanes, and small to mid-size cars as the practical norm. The reviews below show which Dublin suppliers deliver smooth handovers and which ones lean too hard on extras. For more on Irish rentals, see our Ireland car hire guide, and compare Hertz and Budget for reliable airport desks.
Counter intelligence
17 min
Best: Enterprise (10 min)
33% low
High at: Europcar
0%
0 of 9 reviews
80%
Got car they booked
Based on 9 reviews across 23 locations and 10 suppliers. Average rating: 3.7/5 · Typical wait: ~17 minutes · Higher upsell reports: Europcar
Quick insights
Quick research insights on suppliers and pickup locations in Dublin.
Locations in Dublin
Dublin Airport
Airport
Dublin Airport Business Park
Airport
Dublin City Centre
City / downtown
Baggot Street Bridge
Other location
Dublin
Other location
Dublin Beggar's Bush
Other location
3.7
Good
9 reviews
Vera Klimova
17 Dec 2025
Staff were unusually human, explained M50 toll handling clearly, and handed over a barely run-in Hyundai i30 without the usual fear-based script around every Irish roundabout.
Tanya Sokolova
5 Dec 2025
No drama on paperwork and the lot is easy to find, but the additional driver fee felt mean and the return photos took longer than the original pickup.
Alex I.
13 Nov 2025
Even with two US arrivals landing close together, we waited only 20 minutes and collected a clean Skoda Octavia, with staff sensibly flagging that excess liability still sat above €2,000 on the basic package.
Thomas L.
18 Jun 2025
My partner and I rented from Europcar at Dublin Airport for our recent couple's trip, and honestly, it was the smoothest part of our travel day. We arrived around 9:00 AM and were pleasantly surprised to find absolutely no queue at the counter. The staff member was friendly and efficient, getting us sorted in under ten minutes. There was a brief mention of upgraded insurance, but it wasn't a hard sell at all, which was a relief. We were given a nearly new Toyota Corolla that was spotless and perfect for navigating the coastal roads. The pricing was exactly what we booked online with no hidden fees. It’s rare to find a car hire experience that is genuinely stress-free, but this was definitely one of them. Highly recommended.
Thomas L.
16 May 2025
I rented from Sixt at Dublin Airport as a solo traveler earlier this month, and it was a huge mistake. The pickup process took nearly 45 minutes because there was only one agent working the counter, despite the long queue. I was aggressively upsold on a toll plan I didn't really need, but the real issue started after I got home. A week later, I noticed extra charges on my credit card for 'windscreen damage' and an admin fee. I definitely didn't crack the windshield, and no one contacted me to discuss it before they took the money. It feels like a scam to squeeze extra cash out of tourists who have already left the country. I won't be using them again.
Thomas L.
8 Apr 2025
I rented from Europcar at Dublin Airport for a quick weekend trip to the west. The location is convenient being right in the terminal, but the pickup process left a bit to be desired. I had to wait about 20 minutes in line despite having a reservation. The staff member I dealt with was professional enough, but the conversation quickly turned into a hard sell for extra insurance coverage. Even after I declined, I was given a bit of a lecture about potential excess fees, which felt unnecessary since I already had coverage. On the positive side, the car itself was a VW Golf that was spotless inside and out, and it ran perfectly for the whole weekend. Returning the keys was fast and easy. It was a mixed bag—great vehicle, but the aggressive sales pitch at the counter put a damper on the start of the holiday.
IslandHopper99
13 Nov 2025
Even with two US arrivals landing close together, we waited only 20 minutes and collected a clean Skoda Octavia, with staff sensibly flagging that excess liability still sat above €2,000 on the basic package.
Tanya Sokolova
5 Dec 2025
No drama on paperwork and the lot is easy to find, but the additional driver fee felt mean and the return photos took longer than the original pickup.
Vera Klimova
17 Dec 2025
Staff were unusually human, explained M50 toll handling clearly, and handed over a barely run-in Hyundai i30 without the usual fear-based script around every Irish roundabout.