Total price, taxes and location charges
Look at the full rental cost rather than the daily rate alone. Taxes, local government charges and location-specific fees can all add to the price shown first.
Compare car hire
before you book
Review car hire options, total prices, excesses, deposits and fuel policies before continuing to your chosen provider.
Compare car hire
CarTrawler integration coming soonLive car hire search is not yet available on this redesigned page. The existing CarTrawler booking engine will be added during the final integration and testing stage.
- Irish-ownedsince 2013
- Compareselected rental options
- Check total priceand terms
- Continue toyour booking provider
How comparing car hire works
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Enter your rental details
Choose the pick-up location, dates and driver age when the live CarTrawler search becomes available.
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Review selected options
Compare the total price, vehicle type, excess, deposit, fuel policy, mileage and rental conditions shown.
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Continue through the booking provider
Review the final booking and supplier terms before completing the reservation through the provider's booking journey.
What to compare before booking
The headline daily rate is only part of the cost of a rental car. These are the details worth checking before you compare one option against another.
Security deposit and rental excess
These are two separate amounts that can affect how much is held on your card and what you could be liable for. See our dedicated section below for a fuller explanation.
Insurance and waivers included
Check exactly what cover is included in the rate shown, and what is offered as a paid extra, rather than assuming a rental is "fully insured".
Fuel policy and mileage allowance
How you're expected to return the car's fuel, and whether mileage is limited or unlimited, can both affect the real cost of a rental.
Additional drivers and child seats
Adding a second driver or a child seat is often charged separately per day, so it's worth checking these costs before you compare two rentals.
One-way and airport or location surcharges
Returning a car to a different location, or collecting from an airport desk, can carry an extra fee that isn't always visible in the headline price.
Cancellation and no-show terms
Check whether a rate can be cancelled or amended free of charge, and what happens if you don't arrive to collect the car at the booked time.
Collection location and shuttle requirements
Some rental desks are inside the terminal, while others require a shuttle bus from a separate car park. This can affect how much time you need to allow.
Understanding excess, deposits and insurance
Excess, deposits and insurance are among the most misunderstood parts of car hire. Here's what each one generally means, so you can read a supplier's terms with more confidence.
What is a rental excess?
The excess is the maximum amount you could be responsible for if the car is damaged, lost or stolen during your rental, even where the rate includes some level of cover.
Excess versus security deposit
The excess is a potential liability. The security deposit is a separate amount the supplier typically holds or pre-authorises against your card, which it can draw on to cover the excess or other charges.
Why suppliers pre-authorise your card
A pre-authorisation temporarily reserves funds on your payment card to cover the deposit. It isn't usually a completed charge, but it can reduce your available card balance during the rental.
Collision damage waiver
A collision damage waiver typically reduces your liability for damage to the car, often down to the level of the excess, rather than removing liability entirely.
Theft protection
Theft protection generally covers the vehicle itself if it's stolen, but exact terms, exclusions and any remaining excess vary between suppliers.
Common exclusions
Even with cover included, items such as tyres, glass, the roof, the underbody or lost keys may be excluded or charged separately, depending on the supplier.
Excess-reduction products
Some suppliers and third-party providers offer additional products that can reduce or refund your excess. These are separate purchases with their own terms and conditions.
Always read the supplier's own terms
Cover, exclusions and deposit amounts differ between suppliers and vehicle categories. Check exactly what's included for your specific rental rather than assuming a rental is "fully insured".
This is general information only, not personalised insurance advice, and cover is not the same on every rental. Always check the individual supplier's terms for your booking.
Fuel policies, mileage and common extra charges
Fuel and mileage terms vary by supplier and can change the real cost of a rental. These are some of the common terms and extra charges worth checking.
Full-to-full
You collect the car with a full tank and return it full. This is often the most straightforward and cost-effective policy if you can refuel just before drop-off.
Same-to-same
You return the car with roughly the same fuel level it had at collection, rather than a full tank. Check how the supplier measures this.
Prepaid fuel
You pay for a full tank upfront and can return the car empty. This can suit some trips, but you may not be refunded for unused fuel.
Limited versus unlimited mileage
Some rates cap the distance you can drive before extra charges apply, while others offer unlimited mileage. Check which applies before a longer trip.
Optional extras and passenger equipment
Adding another driver or a child seat is usually charged per day and per item, and requirements can vary between suppliers.
Tolls, road charges and cleaning fees
Tolls and road charges are often billed after your rental ends, and an excessive cleaning charge may apply if the car is returned in poor condition.
Late return and one-way charges
Returning the car later than agreed, or to a different location than you collected it from, can both trigger extra charges from the supplier.
Cross-border, young-driver and out-of-hours fees
Taking a car across a border, being under or over a supplier's standard driver-age range, or collecting outside normal desk hours can all carry additional fees, alongside airport or location concession charges.
Car hire guidance for Irish travellers
A few practical things worth checking before you compare car hire, whether you're renting at home or abroad.
Licence requirements and International Driving Permits
Check that your Irish driving licence is valid for your destination, and whether an International Driving Permit is required. Requirements vary by country, so verify current rules before you travel.
Lead driver name and payment card
The lead driver's name generally needs to match the name on the booking and the payment card presented at collection, or the supplier may refuse the rental.
Credit card and debit card requirements
Many suppliers require a credit card in the lead driver's name for the deposit, and some don't accept debit cards or cash. Requirements vary by supplier, so check in advance.
Driving on the opposite side of the road
If you're travelling somewhere that drives on the opposite side to Ireland, allow extra time to adjust, particularly around junctions, roundabouts and motorway slip roads.
Automatic versus manual transmission
Automatic cars can be less widely available or cost more in some destinations. If you need a specific transmission type, check availability before you travel.
Choosing the right size of car
Consider the number of passengers and the amount of luggage you'll be carrying. A car that looks large in photos may have limited boot space once seats are in use.
Tolls, congestion and low-emission zones
Many countries and cities operate toll roads, congestion charges or low-emission zones with their own rules and charges. Check what applies to your route before you set off.
Cross-border travel, ferries and Northern Ireland
Rules on taking a rental car across a border, onto a ferry, or between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland vary by supplier. Always confirm the specific policy and any local driving or equipment requirements before you travel.
This is general guidance only. Driving and licence requirements can change, so always verify the current rules for your destination and the individual supplier's terms.
Airport collection and vehicle-return checklist
A practical checklist to work through when you collect and return an airport rental car.
Before you collect the car
- Enter the correct flight number where the supplier requests it.
- Check whether the rental desk is inside the terminal or requires a shuttle bus.
- Confirm the desk's opening hours, especially for early or late flights.
- Bring the required licence, identification and payment card for the lead driver.
- Inspect the vehicle carefully before you leave the rental compound.
- Photograph any existing damage before driving away.
- Check the fuel level and mileage shown on the paperwork match the car.
Before you return the car
- Understand exactly where the return location and desk are before you set off.
- Allow enough time before your flight for the return, shuttle and check-in.
- Return the car with the fuel level required by your fuel policy.
- Retain your collection photographs and any fuel or toll receipts.
- Report any new damage to staff directly and get written confirmation.
- Keep your final rental documentation until after your card statement clears.
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Compare travel insuranceAbout CompareTravel.ie
CompareTravel.ie is an Irish-owned travel comparison website, established in 2013, and is a trading style of Magenta Online Marketing. This car hire page works with CarTrawler as its selected car hire technology and booking partner, and aims to help travellers understand important booking conditions before continuing to a provider.
This page does not represent every rental company, vehicle or available rate, and CompareTravel.ie does not take bookings, take payment, manage reservations or provide customer service for a booking you complete through the booking provider. Prices, availability, deposits, excesses and rental conditions are set by the booking platform and vehicle supplier. Read more in our Affiliate Disclosure and Editorial Policy.
Car Hire FAQs
No. CompareTravel.ie works with CarTrawler as its selected car hire technology and booking partner, and will show a selection of rental options and suppliers available through that integration. It does not represent every rental company, vehicle or available rate on the market.
CarTrawler is CompareTravel.ie's selected car hire technology and booking partner. The live search panel on this page will be powered by CarTrawler once the integration has been added and tested.
No. CompareTravel.ie does not take bookings or payments. Once live, you will review options here and then continue to complete your booking through the CarTrawler-powered booking journey and your chosen supplier's terms.
The excess is the maximum amount you could be responsible for if the rental car is damaged, lost or stolen during your rental, even where some level of cover is included. It varies by supplier, vehicle type and any extra protection you choose.
The excess is the amount you could be liable for if something happens to the car. The security deposit is a separate amount, often held or pre-authorised on your payment card at collection, which the supplier can draw on to cover the excess, fuel, tolls or other charges.
Many suppliers require a credit card in the lead driver's name for the deposit and pre-authorisation, and may not accept a debit card or cash. Requirements vary by supplier and location, so always check before you travel.
This depends on your trip. A full-to-full policy, where you collect and return the car full, is generally the most cost-effective if you can return it full yourself. Prepaid fuel and same-to-same policies work differently, so check the terms shown for your rental before choosing.
Not always, and rules vary by supplier and country. Some suppliers restrict or charge extra for cross-border travel, including between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland or onto ferries. Always check the specific supplier's cross-border policy before you travel.
Check the licence, identification and payment card required, inspect the vehicle for existing damage, photograph it, and confirm the fuel level and mileage before you drive away.
We're finalising the CarTrawler integration for this page. The comparison panel above will become active once that integration is confirmed and fully tested.