Europe > Ireland > Kerry (KIR)
The Car or no Car advice for Kerry can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Kerry ; 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 Kerry ?
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 Kerry?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
Public transport exists, but it’s designed primarily to connect towns rather than to unlock scenery. Trains reach Killarney and Tralee, and buses serve major routes, but many of Kerry’s most famous sights sit well beyond practical walking distance from stations or stops. Kerry is not an island-hopping destination or a compact city break — it’s a place where freedom of movement directly shapes the quality of your visit.
Getting Around Kerry Without a Car
It is possible to explore Kerry without a car, especially if you base yourself in Killarney, which has good rail connections and frequent bus services. From here, you can join organised day tours to the Ring of Kerry, Dingle, or Skellig viewpoints, and local buses link nearby towns. Hiking trails within Killarney National Park are also accessible without driving.
However, travelling car-free means accepting fixed schedules, limited spontaneity, and crowded routes — especially in peak season. Reaching quieter beaches, lesser-known viewpoints, and remote valleys becomes difficult or impossible. Early mornings, late sunsets, and weather-driven changes are harder to take advantage of without your own transport.
Why Renting a Car Transforms a Kerry Trip
Kerry is arguably at its best when you can stop whenever the view demands it. Renting a car lets you explore the Ring of Kerry clockwise or anticlockwise to avoid tour traffic, detour onto narrow coastal roads, linger at mountain passes, or reach places like Skellig Ring, Gap of Dunloe, or isolated Atlantic beaches that buses simply don’t serve.
Driving also allows you to stay outside major towns — in coastal cottages, farm stays, or small villages — which often provide the most memorable experiences. Roads are scenic rather than fast, but that’s part of the appeal. For confident drivers, Kerry offers one of Europe’s most rewarding road-trip landscapes.
Conclusion — Should You Rent a Car in Kerry?
Yes — in most cases, renting a car in Kerry is strongly recommended.
A car gives you access to Kerry’s true highlights: remote scenery, flexible routes, quieter moments, and accommodation options far beyond public transport corridors. While it’s possible to visit Kerry without a car if you rely on tours and buses, you’ll see only a curated slice of what the region offers. If your goal is freedom, scenery, and depth rather than convenience alone, a car will significantly enhance your Kerry experience.
