In this part of the Car Rental in Ireland series, we’re looking at one of the most common traveler questions: can you take your rental car into Northern Ireland, or even across to Scotland? Here’s what to know before planning a trip that crosses borders.

Many travelers visiting Ireland plan to explore beyond the Republic’s borders, whether that means heading into Northern Ireland or, possibly, taking a ferry across the Irish Sea to Scotland.

While crossing the border on the island is easy, taking a rental car beyond it isn’t always straightforward. Here’s how to make sure you’re covered – and avoid unexpected costs or insurance problems along the way.

Traveling between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland is simple – there’s no checkpoint or customs stop, and in most places, you’ll cross the border without even noticing (until you see a speed limit sign – the Republic uses kilometers per hour while Northern Ireland uses miles per hour). What does change, though, are the rules attached to your rental car agreement.

Rental companies charge a cross-border fee, usually a flat rate for the entire rental period, to cover additional insurance requirements. With a few companies this is included in your rate, but with most companies this is an additional fee.
(Review Car Rental Fees & Hidden Costs for more information.) Car rental series episode 2

Your rental company will ask if you plan to travel to Northern Ireland. Be honest with them – don't try to avoid the fee.
Firstly, they will know as the cars are monitored.
And second, if you don’t share that information you could void your insurance coverage and be liable for any damage or incidents that occur while you’re north of the border.

What about picking up a car in Dublin and dropping off in Belfast (or vice versa)?

Not every car rental company will allow this, so you'll need to do your research.
The rental company will need to have a rental location in both countries and there may be an extra fee for the ‘international drop off'.

I recommend creating few test bookings to compare prices and read the terms.

Pro Tip: Your rental agreement includes all insurance and roadside service information so keep your copy in the glove box.

Ferries operate from Dublin and Belfast to several ports in Scotland and England, but most rental companies don’t allow their vehicles to leave the island of Ireland. If Scotland is part of your itinerary, the easiest option is to return your Irish rental car in Belfast or Dublin and book a separate rental once you arrive in Scotland.

A few rental agencies occasionally permit cars to travel by ferry, but this is rare and always requires advance approval. Policies can change without notice, so it’s essential to confirm before you book – not when you arrive at the dock.

If permission is granted, be prepared for an increased rate to cover insurance and a return fee to cover the vehicle should it be damaged while the car is outside of Ireland.

In most cases, arranging separate rentals on each side of the Irish Sea is simpler, cheaper, and far less stressful.

Pro Tip: It may even cost less to fly from Dublin or Belfast to Edinburgh or Glasgow. Check budget airlines like RyanAir and EasyJet.

A few small but important details change once you cross the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Car insurance and currency differ north and south – Ireland uses euros (€), while Northern Ireland uses pounds sterling (£). Most credit cards are accepted on both sides, but it’s still helpful to have a small amount of local cash if you’re traveling outside major towns.

You’ll also notice a change in road signs. Distances and speed limits in the Republic are shown in kilometers, but once you cross into Northern Ireland, they switch to miles. Keep that in mind when checking your speed, setting your cruise control, and judging travel time.

Mobile coverage can vary near the border, so check whether your phone plan includes both Irish and UK networks. And if you’re using GPS or a map app, make sure your destination didn’t switch country settings automatically – it’s an easy mistake to make when towns share similar names on both sides.

So yes, you can take your rental car across the border into Northern Ireland, or even Scotland, as long as your rental agreement allows it. Just make sure you’ve paid the fee and have the proof tucked safely in your glove box.

The next episode wraps up this series with how to save money on your Ireland car rental – I’ll share the do’s and don’ts that can make your rental cheaper and easier.

Traveling in Ireland podcast episode 308

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