| Should I rent a car when I go to Ireland?

Should I rent a car when I go to Ireland?

jonny q man asked:

Going to Ireland for the first time in late August - early September for 10 days and 10 nights. I’ve heard driving is the way to go. Problem is, however, I don’t know how to drive a stick and sticks are $600+ cheaper to rent than autos. However, I’ve got nothing to do throughout the month of August, so I could learn how to drive a stick during that time. Thus, this is basically a two-part question:

1) Is it reasonable to expect to spend only a couple weeks or so learning to drive a stick sufficiently to NOT make a total ass out of myself in Ireland, or cause a serious accident?

2) If getting a stick would be stupid, should I pay the $800 it would cost for the duration of the trip to get an automatic rental car rather than doing the bus/train thing?

Seems like there are some great parts of Ireland where a car is absolutely preferable… I keep waffling on what to do, and could use some advice.
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Comments

5 Responses to “Should I rent a car when I go to Ireland?”

  1. cbrdgt on March 22nd, 2009 10:41 am

    When I was in Ireland, I didn’t rent a car, but I noticed that the roads there(especially country) are VERY narrow, and their “rules of the road” are different than ours. If you don’t have enough practice with stick before you go, rent the car w/ auto. Have fun in amazing Ireland!!

  2. licketychick on March 22nd, 2009 7:14 pm

    If you’re used to driving on the right and sitting in the left side of the car, driving in the UK/Ireland takes some getting used to. You’re going to need to shift using the other hand and your mirrors will be opposite to what you’re used to.

    I know how to drive a stick, shifting did take some extra getting used to and …. I am left handed so you’d think it’d be easy. Roundabouts take some getting used to as well.

  3. ak on March 25th, 2009 7:11 pm

    I think you should definitely rent a car, although as already said you should practice caution, especially at night, but the main roads are very good and you will need a car to visit some places such as Ring of Kerry and also it might work out cheaper than taking a tour bus which is inconvenient if you want to spend more or less time at a certain attraction.

    Good Luck and Enjoy your trip I am sure you will love every minute

  4. chat_have on March 26th, 2009 8:09 pm

    I suggest you rent an automatic car. You would not get a manual geer change car without a license to drive a “Manual transmission” car so don’t wast you time or money getting one.
    It may be confusing for you to drive on the RHS but most if the country roads are narrow and diserted
    Take an opportunity to come north, we have the best scenary

  5. Valerie H on April 1st, 2009 9:48 pm

    Ive been to Ireland 2 times on the ’self drive B & B’ trips. Both times we opted for automatic transmissions because driving over there is stressful because they drive on the opposite side of the roads, the roads are more narrow and not as well marked as in the USA.

    Renting a car with an automatic transmission is one less thing to worry about - ya know?