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Car hire in Kerry – Traditional Ireland
The County of Kerry is situated in the southwest region of the Republic of Ireland, in the province of Munster. It covers a total area of 1,856 sq. miles. Kerry County Council is the authority for this county with the town of Tralee as its main town. In 2016, the county boasted a population of 148,000 inhabitants. Primarily a rural county, visiting this part of Ireland will expose you to a side of Ireland that is unique in comparison to major cities such as Dublin. Kerry is filled with rolling green hills and vast landscapes. With your car hire from Kerry, you can visit the coastal areas. These are extremely picturesque, with small narrow roads and individual houses dotted across the landscape. A visit to Kerry is in essence a visit to an authentic Ireland. It is not uncommon to find some locals speaking Irish Gaelic.
With over 60 years' car rental experience, Auto Europe prides itself on providing the best quotations with the largest array of vehicles to choose from. Located within 180 countries, we can provide car hire pick-ups at various locations, including at airports, train stations and city centres. Partnering with top branded car rental companies, allows us to provide an excellent car rental service, with top customer care. We don't just do car rentals but also motorhomes and luxury cars. Have a look at the comments on our Kerry car hire reviews page to see what others thought of their Auto Europe car rental experience in south-west Ireland.
For more information on renting a vehicle in Kerry, click on the car hire related topics listed below:
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Where to pick up a car hire in Kerry
We make collecting your car rental in Kerry as straightforward and easy as possible. Through our long-standing partners, you’ll find the right vehicle for your trip, at the right rate for your budget. With regular promotions, extra discounts for members, and complimentary offers to save you money – booking through us is a wise choice. We provide convenient pick-up locations both at Kerry International Airport and Kerry city centre, making hiring a car in Kerry a stress-free and pleasant experience.
If you’re looking for the very best rent a car deals in Kerry, then use our secure online booking engine to find the right car hire for you. To view all locations in the city, simply select “all location” from the drop down and enter your desired dates. The search will then provide all available suppliers for those dates. If you are younger than 26 years old, you must also enter your age into the appropriate field before conducting your search. This will allow the system to display only suppliers who are willing to rent a car for your age group. The results can be further filtered by car type, engine size, number of doors and more. An interactive is provided to allow users to view all available locations.
Kerry Airport
Located only 8 miles north of Killarney in the County of Kerry, Kerry International Airport is a regional airport that flies to Dublin, London Stanstead, London Luton, Berlin and provides seasonal flights to Alicante in Spain and Faro in Portugal. Three airlines operate out of Kerry Airport, these are Ryanair, Lingus Regional and Stobart Air. In 2016 the airport handled around 325,000 passengers, making it an important travel hub for the local economy. You can find the supplier offices in the Long Term Car park, roughly a one minute walk from the main terminal building.
Kerry Airport (KIR)
Website: Kerry Airport
Address: Farranfore, Kerry, Ireland
Telephone: +353 21 431 3131
Book with the best car hire suppliers in Kerry
If you’re looking to rent a car in Kerry, then have a glance on our website to find the very best rates for your budget. With regular deals, promotions and complimentary offers, you’re sure to save money and time. Minimise the stress of hiring a car by speaking to one of our award-winning customer service agents or our reservation team today. Our dedicated team is on-hand to answer any questions you might have about your car rental needs.
In Kerry, we have partnered with three internationally renowned car rental suppliers. Together and individually, they provide the very best service in the car hire industry. Long-standing experts in their fields, placing a booking with Europcar, Hertz or Thrifty through us is a sure deal to saving you money. To view which supplier is available, simply enter your desired location and dates. Other options are also available that might interest you during your search. These are often promotions on free additional drivers, one-way car rentals and many others – all designed to save you money.
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If you need more information about what car hire companies are available in Kerry or about their policies, please contact one of our reservation agents via email or by phone.
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Kerry
The following list has been put together to provide an easy reference of the most asked car rental related questions for Kerry. Hiring a car in Kerry can sometimes feel intimidating. Many renters have never driven outside of their home country. We are here to help ease the nerves and provide you with as much information to build confidence. If you have a question that is not covered here, please contact our reservation team. Our trained team will provide local road rules and regulation details, tips on driving in Ireland and much more.
Do I need a credit card to rent a car in Kerry?
Yes – a valid credit card is required for collecting your car in Kerry. Often more than one credit card is required which is dependant on the car category booked. The credit card must be under the main driver’s name and contain enough funds for a security deposit to be held on it. The deposit amount is stated on the car rental voucher’s terms and conditions. It is important to understand that failure to provide a credit card will mean the booked vehicle cannot be collected.
We highly advise checking the vehicle before driving off. Note anything of concern on the pick-up slip and if possible, take photographic and video evidence. Upon returning the vehicle, make sure you get a member of staff to reinspect the vehicle and sign it off as okay on the drop-off form. Only once it is confirmed that the car is in the same condition as when it left, will the deposit be returned onto your credit card. Please allow up to 14-working days for this to show on your credit card statement. Mastercard, Visa and other major credit cards are accepted for deposit purposes.
What insurance do I need for my car rental in Kerry?
All quotations obtained come with the minimal legally required insurances for Ireland. These are Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), Theft Protection (TP) and Liability Insurance – with or without excess. Unfortunately, these insurances do not cover all damage and eventualities. We therefore recommend for a small daily fee, taking out our Full Damage & Theft Protection Cover. This will allow other parts of the vehicle to be covered against damage or loss. These include the mirrors, roof, undercarriage and more.
Optional Local Insurances – these are offered by the car hire supplier locally. They are optional and for the most part if you have already taken out our Full Damage & Theft Protection Cover, it won’t be needed. Local insurances examples are; Travel Insurance, Breakdown Assistance, Super CDW, Personal Accident Insurance (PAI), Personal Effects Insurance (PEI) and many more. Consult our car hire coverage section to learn more about insurances in general.
How is the traffic in Kerry?
Traffic in the County of Kerry is generally light, especially in the countryside areas. This makes driving around a pleasant and excellent experience with your car rental in Kerry. Many of Irelands rural roads are small and narrow which can make overtaking an issue in certain places. It is recommended keeping an eye out for slow moving livestock on the roads. In the cities, traffic can sometimes be a little more congested, especially the further central you go. Road works can be an issue, especially in towns such as Tralee, which is implementing new traffic flow plans. Major intersections and rush hours often experience a higher concentration of vehicles, and thus should be avoided if possible. Consult our road rules and regulations section to learn more about driving in Ireland.
Where can I park my car hire in Kerry?
Parking in the County of Kerry has the same restrictions and laws as the rest of the Republic of Ireland. Parking is generally restricted in many cities and towns throughout the county. Appropriate signs along the road point to when these restrictions are in place. Certain areas, especially in front of shops or residential zones, employ their own parking rules – which are clearly marked. If you are disabled and have an appropriate blue badge, then you may also park in a disabled bay. Be aware however, that some have a time limit of up to 3-hours. It is also common to find parking in the centre of town more expensive than on its outskirts.
Pay and Display parking bays are available in some areas and fees are between 80 cents to 2.90€ per hour. In some areas a disc parking network exists. Here, to park you will need to purchase a book of parking discs from a local newsagent and after scratching off the appropriate date and time, display it clearly on your vehicle’s windscreen. Car parks are available throughout Kerry and prices are displayed upon entering. Wherever you decide to park, make sure that you are parked legally because local authorities have the power to tow away any car that is illegally parked. A car release fee of up to 160€ can be charged.
Do I need to pay tolls when driving my car hire in Kerry?
Yes – a toll network exists across Ireland, and two tolls in particular link up Kerry to Dublin. These are the M50 and M7. The amount paid depends on your vehicle category – with larger vehicles generally paying more. Many tolls can be paid in cash or by card. Although, the M50 toll is an e-toll which means it is barrier-free. This means that you will be given until 20h00 the following day to pay the toll amount. Failure to do so will incur fines. For convenience we advise signing up to an online toll tag account. This will allow you to pay for tolls easier, including the e-toll on the M50. Alternatively, you can also pay for e-tolls on the eFlow website.
Can I drive my car hire in Kerry into Northern Ireland?
Yes – all car rental suppliers allow for travel to and from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. You must notify us during the booking process of your intent. A small fee may be charged by the supplier for this privilege. If you fail to notify us, then this may make your insurance void. This means that any problems, damage or loss incurred will be the sole responsibility of the renter.
Kerry Travel Guide
The County of Kerry is a wild and interesting place to visit. From mountains to unspoilt coastlines and traditional towns – there is something for everyone here. Check out some museums, art galleries or spend a day in one of its pubs. There are many interesting tourist attractions, shopping opportunities and activities to undertake during your visit to Kerry. This guide has been put together to help you on your way to experience the very best that Kerry has to offer.
Best day trips with my car rental in Kerry
The County of Kerry is so varied that to stay in one place wouldn't do it justice. Seek out and explore one of its many monasteries, old fashioned towns and splendid manor houses, or simply board a boat to one of its many islands and experience isolation seldom seen in this part of the world. Following is what we would recommend once you collect your car hire in Kerry.
Town of Kenmare: A perfect day trip would be to plan a visit to the small, but yet very attractive town of Kenmare. This town was originally a plantation colony so has plenty of charm. Nestled between two mountains - Caha Mountain to the east and Macgillycuddy Reeks to the north, the town of Kenmare is awash with traditional houses, nice pubs, coffee houses and a few restaurants. Being located within a bay, also adds to its charm and from the towns pier you can admire the beautiful Kenmare Bay as far as the eye can see.
Innisfallen Island: This Island is located approximately 1-mile from the coast of Kerry and is home to the ruins of an ancient abbey. Gaining access to this island on a lake is strictly by boat, so you will have to leave you vehicle on the mainland. The island is around 21 acres so you will have plenty to explore. The abbey dates back to the 6th Century and was founded by St.Finian the Leper. Over the centuries the island became known for its wealth of knowledge due to the monks who resided in the monastery there. The Annals, which can today be found at the Oxford library, originate from here. Written in both Irish and Latin, the Annals are seen as an important scripture of early Irish history.
Killarney National Park: Known as the first ever Irish national park, Killarney National Park has around 25,425 acres of beautiful unspoilt oak and yew forests, lakes, bridges and impressive mountain peaks. It has an abundance of wildlife that lives within its borders and the only red deer herd in Ireland. The park became a UNESCO Reserve in 1981 and is now a special area of conservation of extreme importance for Ireland. A variety of recreational and tourist activities are also available, such as horse drawn carriages that take you around the park.
Dublin: Taking around 3-hours and a half to reach, Dublin is Ireland’s capital city and an extremely exciting place to visit. With loads to offer, the city is famous for Grafton Street. This location has plenty of entertainment, buskers, bars, pubs and large department stores to enjoy. Check out the popular Guinness store house and try some world-famous Guinness. For those looking for something a little more cultural, head to one of the city’s museums, art galleries or monuments.
What to do in Kerry
From rock climbing to paintballing and visiting museums, the County of Kerry has plenty to offer. Take your vehicle and explore its vast open landscapes, rivers, beautiful coastlines and small traditional towns. It’s cities are also perfect for learning about the areas rich culture and heritage, whilst enjoying some local pubs and entertainment. Consider opting for a free additional driver if available. This will allow you to share the joy of driving with a family member or friend. Here are our top five must dos for when you visit:
- Ring Forts, Kerry: If you have a fascination for Irish military history, then visiting the forts of Leacanabuaile and the two Cahergal stone forts is an absolute must whilst in Kerry. The Cahergal stone forts are from around 600AD and an early example of Irish medieval history. Its defensive walls are 3 meters thick and 6 meters high. The stone fort at Leacanabuaile is set within a hill side and is constructed in a circular shape with walls 3 meters thick. Here you will also find the foundations of square buildings built on top of an earlier settlement of circular buildings.
- Derrynane Beach, Kerry: Heading to the beach might not be your first choice, but it is nevertheless still worthwhile visiting some local beaches. With very few tourists, unlike southern European beaches, Derrynane Beach lets you escape with miles of seemingly deserted sandy bays. Derrynane Beach has been awarded a blue flag due to its cleanliness, with a present lifeguard during bathing season - although the waters are very calm due to it being quite sheltered.
- Derrynane House, Kerry: If visiting Derrynane Beach take the opportunity to also visit Derrynane House. This manor house is the ancestral home of Daniel O'Connell, a 19th Century Irish politician nicknamed "Liberator". The house is currently laid out as a museum dedicated to the O'Connell family history. Once done visiting this splendid house, you can then wander through the 300 acres of land available, which encompasses gardens and forests.
- Kerry Rock Climbing: If the outdoors is your ideal adventure, then you can do little wrong than spending the day rock climbing in Kerry. Kerry Climbing provides such a service with skilled and knowledgeable guides. Once you start your adventure you will soon see that Ireland has some of the most strikingly beautiful mountains and barren landscapes. If you enjoy lots of laughs and old-fashioned Irish hospitality and aren't scared of heights... then this could be the perfect must do option for you.
- Predator Paintball, Kerry: If you are the active type and are travelling in a large group, then there can be no better place to practice your aiming then at the Predator Paintball Centre near Tralee, Kerry. With plenty of wild forest, some outbuildings and professional friendly staff to help you along the way, this is an excellent option. Being one of the wettest areas of Ireland it is recommended that you do wrap up warm and use the essential protective gear, especially warm thick gloves.
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