Europe > Ireland > Dublin (DUB)
The Car or no Car advice for Dublin can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Dublin ; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Dublin ?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Dublin?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
✈️ Arriving at Dublin Airport (DUB)
Dublin Airport is busy, efficient, and well connected. Even though there is no rail station, the bus network is excellent. The Aircoach and Dublin Express services run every few minutes and stop in key city-centre locations including O’Connell Street, Trinity College, and St Stephen’s Green. Journey times vary with traffic but normally take 25–40 minutes. Because of this strong link, most travellers skip car rental on arrival.
🚶 Getting around Dublin without a car
Dublin’s core is easy to navigate. You can walk between major sights such as:
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Temple Bar
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Trinity College and the Book of Kells
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Grafton Street
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St Patrick’s Cathedral
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The Guinness Storehouse
Public transport fills the gaps. The Luas tram lines cover the Docklands, the southside, Heuston Station, and parts of the northside. DART coastal trains run from Malahide to Bray and are ideal for seaside day trips. Meanwhile, buses remain the backbone of the network and run late into the night.
Parking in the city centre is expensive and tight. Roads are often congested and full of bus lanes and restrictions. Consequently, having a car in central Dublin can be a burden rather than a help.
🌊 Easy day trips without driving
Dublin is one of Europe’s best cities for car-free day trips:
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Howth — coastal walks, seafood, and cliffs.
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Bray & Greystones — connected by the cliff walk and the DART.
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Malahide Castle — a short train ride away.
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Kilkenny — direct trains and a charming medieval centre.
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Wicklow Mountains — buses to Glendalough make this a simple escape.
These routes make ditching the car very practical.
🚗 When a car becomes useful
A rental car helps only when you want to explore Ireland more widely. Driving opens up areas that are difficult to reach by public transport, such as:
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The Ring of Kerry
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Dingle Peninsula
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The Beara Peninsula
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Connemara
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The Burren and the Cliffs of Moher
Ireland’s scenery shines on road trips. However, narrow rural lanes and sheep-filled roads mean that driving takes patience and confidence. Many travellers choose to spend a few days in Dublin car-free and then rent a car after leaving the city from a suburban depot or the airport.
Conclusion — Should you rent a car in Dublin?
Not for the city itself. Walking, trams, buses, and trains cover almost everything. Yet a rental car becomes valuable once you leave Dublin and begin exploring Ireland’s coastlines, mountains, and remote countryside. A popular strategy is to stay in Dublin without driving, then pick up a car only when your road trip begins.
