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Comparing Car Rental Quotes in Ireland: How to Read Them Fairly

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Quotes can look wildly different at first glance; one bundles taxes and roadside, another separates fees until checkout. This guide walks through how I compare quotes fairly so you can see the real total before you book.

Comparing Car Rental Quotes in Ireland
What I compared
  • Five quotes from Irish Car Rentals, Enterprise.ie, Sixt.ie, New Way, and My Irish Cousin.
  • Same dates and pickup/drop at Dublin Airport.
  • Same class of vehicle (similar to a Hyundai Tucson, automatic).
  • Tip from experience: for international brands, use the .ie site to see Irish coverage options during booking.
    • Where prices really diverge
    • Excess coverage and roadside assistance: sometimes bundled, sometimes add-ons.
    • Additional driver and cross-border fee: often shown late in the process; I had to hunt these down on a few sites.
    • Taxes and surcharges: included in some quotes, added later in others.
    • Deductible differences: one example had a €250 deductible even with excess.
    • Tires and windscreen: included in some quotes with excess coverage, on others it appeared under roadside.
    • Mileage: most quotes showed unlimited mileage; still worth confirming in the terms.
      • Finding the missing pieces

      If you can’t add a fee during booking, check the terms.

      • Example: Irish Car Rentals lists the Northern Ireland fee in the terms (per rental).
      • Terms also clarify rules like not taking the car off the island, what counts as a covered tire issue, and payment methods accepted.
        • Inclusive providers vs build-your-own
        • New Way and My Irish Cousin include excess coverage and other extras in a single price for a ‘no hassle' experience
        • Others let you toggle items on screen; a few require you to read terms to find the fee.
          • The takeaway from my sample
          • In my spreadsheet, Irish Car Rentals came out least expensive once everything I needed was added.
          • New Way landed next; My Irish Cousin and Enterprise were close together; Sixt was highest in this run.
          • Quotes change – sometimes by the hour. I lock in when my dates are set; booking earlier usually wins.
            • How to compare fairly when quotes aren’t identical
            • Match basics first: same dates, pickup/drop, vehicle class, transmission.
            • Add what you actually need: excess coverage, an additional driver, cross-border if applicable, roadside.
            • Look for what isn’t shown: taxes, surcharges, out-of-hours fees, and any deductible left on excess.
            • Confirm small but important items: tires and windscreen coverage; mileage; where cross-border is permitted and priced.
            • Total everything; then decide which full quote fits your trip, not just which looks cheapest at first glance.
              • Choosing the Quote That Fits Your Trip

              Pick the offer that covers what you need, shows a clear total, and doesn’t hide essentials in the fine print. Once you know your dates, get a number you’re happy with and book; you’ll avoid the last-minute scramble and the price creep that follows it.

              Traveling in Ireland podcast episode 300

              The post Comparing Car Rental Quotes in Ireland: How to Read Them Fairly appeared first on Ireland Family Vacations.

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              Ireland Travel Tips Archives - Ireland Family VacationsBy Ireland Family Vacations