Get a Car for Your Ireland Road Trip
Whether you need a car for a day trip or a week-long adventure, we've got you covered. Compare GoCar car sharing, traditional rental companies, and find the best option for your trip.
Car Sharing: Hourly Hire in the Cities
No rental desk, no queues, no paperwork. Just grab a car from your nearest location using the app and start driving. Insurance and fuel are included in every trip.
Pay by the Hour
From €9/hour. No minimum rental period — book for an hour or the whole day.
Insurance Included
Third party, fire & theft on every trip (€2,000 excess). Optional DEW reduces to €250.
Fuel Included
Fuel included. Refuel with the Circle K card in the glovebox. 50km free per booking, then €0.25/km.
Cars Everywhere
Vehicles across Dublin, Cork, Galway, and more. Find one near you.
Need a Car? Try GoCar
GoCar offers flexible car sharing across Ireland - perfect for day trips or when you need wheels without the commitment of traditional rental.
Car Sharing or Traditional Rental?
| Feature | GoCar | Traditional Rental |
|---|---|---|
| Booking | App-based, instant | Online or desk, advance |
| Minimum | 1 hour | 24 hours |
| Insurance | Included (€2,000 excess) | Included (€800-€2,000 excess) |
| Fuel | Included (Circle K card) | You pay |
| Mileage | 50km free, then €0.25/km | Usually unlimited |
| Best for | Day trips, short drives | Multi-day road trips |
| Deposit | Minimal | €500-€2,000 |
Either way, that excess column is the number that matters: it's what you pay yourself if the car gets damaged. Before you book, read up on car hire excess insurance — buying cover online instead of at the desk saves roughly €150 on a week's hire.
Car Rental Guides
Everything you need to know about getting a car in Ireland.
Car Hire Excess Insurance Ireland: How to Pay Less
Car hire excess in Ireland is the €1,500–€3,000 you're liable for. What cover costs at the desk versus online, and why most US credit cards exclude Ireland.
Complete Guide to Renting a Car in Ireland
Everything you need to know about renting a car in Ireland, from choosing the right vehicle to understanding insurance, deposits, and hidden costs.
GoCar for Tourists: Licence Rules for Visitors
Can tourists use GoCar in Ireland? Licence requirements for US, EU and other visitors, the age limit, how long verification takes, and how to register.
How to Use GoCar in Ireland: Step-by-Step Guide
How to use GoCar in Ireland, step by step: registering, finding a car, booking it, unlocking with the app, refuelling, and returning it to the bay.
GoCar Issues & Problems: What to Do If Something Goes Wrong
What happens if you have a problem with GoCar? From breakdowns to billing issues, here's how to handle common GoCar problems in Ireland.
GoCar Dublin, Cork & Galway: Where to Find Cars
Where GoCar bays actually are in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and the regional towns — and how to find the nearest available car in the app.
GoCar Prices vs Car Rental Ireland: Cost Compared
What GoCar costs per hour and per day versus a traditional hire car in Ireland, with worked examples for day trips, weekends and week-long road trips.
Essential Driving Guides
Prepare for Irish roads with these practical guides.
Irish Driving Rules & Road Signs Explained
13 min read
Fuel in Ireland: Types, Costs & Avoiding Misfuelling
12 min read
Manual vs Automatic: Choosing Your Irish Rental Car
6 min read
Roadside Emergencies in Ireland: What to Do
8 min read
Roundabout Rules in Ireland: Lanes, Signals & Right of Way
13 min read
Toll Roads in Ireland: M50, Tags, Prices & How to Pay (2026 Guide)
12 min read
Once You Have Your Car...
Discover Ireland's most popular scenic driving routes.
Ready to Explore Ireland?
Get €25 off your first GoCar trip, or browse our guides to find the best rental deal.