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| *Travel Tips>>>General - Ireland Travel Tips |
Should I rent a car when I go to Ireland? |
Travel Info Going to Ireland for the first time in late August - early September for 10 days and 10 nights. I've heard driving is the way to go. Problem is, however, I don't know how to drive a stick and sticks are $600+ cheaper to rent than autos. However, I've got nothing to do throughout the month of August, so I could learn how to drive a stick during that time. Thus, this is basically a two-part question: 1) Is it reasonable to expect to spend only a couple weeks or so learning to drive a stick sufficiently to NOT make a total *** out of myself in Ireland, or cause a serious accident? 2) If getting a stick would be stupid, should I pay the $800 it would cost for the duration of the trip to get an automatic rental car rather than doing the bus/train thing? Seems like there are some great parts of Ireland where a car is absolutely preferable... I keep waffling on what to do, and could use some advice. Travel Tips Whatever you decide on - rent a car, you were well advised -Driving is the best way to enjoy the country bar none. The problem with learning to drive with a stick shift in the US is that stick shift cars in the US tend to be harder to handle than stick shift in Ireland. The gear changes and clutching tend to be smoother and easire with Irish cars rather than with US stick shifts. The moral here I guess is if you find a stick easy enough to handle in the US, you should find that aspect of driving easier in Ireland. Having said that, trying to master a stick shift and drive on the other side of the road at the same time can be quite difficult, and it a vacation so ultimately you want to enjoy yourself so think about that in terms of how comfortable you feel. Don't worry about making a fool out of yourself - like most countries Ireland has an ample ration of fools on the road already. Maybe there's a middle ground - have you shopped around for more car rental quotes? Try some of these local car rental companies as well as the big brands - they're both decent and well known within Ireland. www.irishcarrenatals.com www.dandooley.com and try a few car hire brokers for their rates - they act as brokers for the big brands except their rates are often much better ( sounds daft but who cares if you can save a buck). So you get the same car from the same guys but often (not always) at a better rate. I like these guys - there's quite a few others out there as well www.novacarhire.com www.autoeurope.com Also if you have a Gold Mastercard then you can decline the CDW insurance as you card should cover you for this in ireland (worth confirming with your credit card company to be 100% sure). That might save you a bundle. Source(s): live and drove automatics and stick shift cars on both sides of the Atlantic Other Travel Tips When I was in Ireland, I didn't rent a car, but I noticed that the roads there(especially country) are VERY narrow, and their "rules of the road" are different than ours. If you don't have enough practice with stick before you go, rent the car w/ auto. Have fun in amazing Ireland!! If you're used to driving on the right and sitting in the left side of the car, driving in the UK/Ireland takes some getting used to. You're going to need to shift using the other hand and your mirrors will be opposite to what you're used to. I know how to drive a stick, shifting did take some extra getting used to and .... I am left handed so you'd think it'd be easy. Roundabouts take some getting used to as well. If you go for a Manual(shift) then you will have to be very good. Every body in ireland drives manual, Automatics are very uncommon due to their high fuel consumption, But you will get an automatic at a rental dealer. We are used to the narrow roads here. Here is a coping tip on how to drive on narrow roads. Your wing mirrors are the furthest point of your car, if they are over the centre line or the centre of the road Slow down and keep left. Remember the most place you are likley to have an accident is when you turn onto another road, you have to remember to keep left when turning as ther would be a tendancy to keep right. Also my trick when driving on the right can transfer to you. If at any time my side of the car is not near the centre of the road with a good gap to the other side, then i am on the wrong side. Rent an automatic, Its one less thing to worry about. But remember to slow down coming into corners on country roads. Its worth getting a car Live in ireland I think you should definitely rent a car, although as already said you should practice caution, especially at night, but the main roads are very good and you will need a car to visit some places such as Ring of Kerry and also it might work out cheaper than taking a tour bus which is inconvenient if you want to spend more or less time at a certain attraction. Good Luck and Enjoy your trip I am sure you will love every minute |
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