Cheapest way to get to Ireland and Car Hire

james2005

Hello my dad is looking to travel to Southern Ireland, Dublin and Tipperary next month and was wondering whats the cheapest way of getting there.

He lives in Littlehampton which is only 1 hour from Gatwick, He was thinking of driving all the way to Holyhead and getting the ferry and taking his own car but to take the strain away there must be a cheapish way.

Can any one recommend and cheap ways of getting there with hiring a car on the cheap when he is there?


Thank you

McAzrael

In my experience, driving to Ireland is never the cheap way. There'll be loads of flights from Gatwick and Heathrow to Dublin and Shannon. Car hire at Dublin airport is easy enough - the desks are in the arrivals hall and the lots are just outside the front door and across the short stay car park. I wouldn't describe flying as less of a strain, but I'll bet it will be less expensive.

I've just had a quick look and Flybe fly to Dublin from Southampton. Air Arran fly to Cork, which isn't too bad for Tipperary, but if he has to go to Dublin anyway then it is probably cheaper and easier to fly there.

If you can get return flights (without the extras - checked bags, choose your own seat, etc.) for £60 return you're doing good. If you find a compact car for £20/day you're doing alright. There are proper bargains out there if you keep your eyes peeled.

trets77

usual MSE tips for hiring a car . my last car hire in Ireland i did the following

I used money supermarket to price compare and then made futher savings using one of the best priced agents through quidco .

i always take my own insurance and use dailyexcess.com . this really is a no brainer .

at the CH desk they sneakly offered me the chence to pay for the fuel in £'s . Always pay in the local currency .

the car was slightly damaged when i checked it over , so i highlighted this to the agent . i also take plenty of pick up and drop off digital photos of the car so there is no trying it by the Car hire company ( okay i know i have insurance for this , but i don;t want them getting away with trying it on)

flight wise i used Aer Lingus and only payed £62 return ( no hold baggage) . i checked in online both flights and the only Aer Lingus staff i dealt with were the plane crew.

Pssst

Make sure he books a car on line with one of the big clearance agencies such as holiday autos or similar. If he just turns up and hires, he will pay dearly !!

eamon

There are some good ferry prices at present but it all depends on your budget and the distance to the ferry ports. Using multimap from Littlehampton its a good 7 hr drive to Holyhead or 6 hrs to Fishguard plus pit stops and the same coming back, does he have a comfy car? Thats a long drive! Unless he really needs his own car then fly drive is the better option imho. He/you need to get on line and check flights, car hire & prices

james2005

Thanks a lot all for your help.
yeah see what you mean holy head is far from here.

Thanks again

TimothyEBaldwin

Train + ferry combined fares are a bargain, often a lot cheaper than the British train fare. Book at a ticket office (right up to time of travel, but beware of incompetent staff) or by telephone.

brodev

trets77 wrote: »

i always take my own insurance and use dailyexcess.com . this really is a no brainer .

try http://www.worldwideinsure.com/WWTswitcher.php?policy=ERI&partnerID=0&partner=null as it may be cheaper at £1.90 per day