Ireland Car Trip in August

Alexander · Newbie

Ireland Car Trip in August

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Welcome! biggrin biggrin

Belmullet is an unusual choice for a base -- even though I love the area . . . What led you to choose there? confuse confuse

It's a beautiful part of the country. Achill Island, Westport and Ceide Fields are some of the most popular nearby attractions. I wouldn't want to drive those roads after dark, but you should have LOTS of daylight in August! biggrin

Using the wrong fuel. glass breakage, under-carriage damage and tyre and wheel damage is all excluded from coverage -- both by CDW and Excess. I'm not sure if you can buy the 'Tyre and Wheel' Cover if you decline the Excess Cover. You could email Dooley to find out.

Alexander · Newbie

I can't find a simple answer to your question..

In my previous travellings around the world I tried to choose places to stay according to logic, but now.. it just felt right biggrin

Thanks a lot! I'll email them

Could you give me some advice about the amount of money to take in the travel? I'm thinking of 500-700 euro

Finn MacCool · Newbie

I just got back. Driving safely had been a concern of mine as well. Took me about a day to get use to it. I suggest hopping on one of the interstates first and ride

along that until you begin to feel comfortable driving on the other side of the car. And shifting with your left hand if you choose manual which is cheaper. Eventually

you'll have to brave the much narrower roads along the coasts and in the small towns if you really want to take advantage of having your own wheels. I was so very

glad I rented a car and didn't take the tour buses. Watching them pile into and out of every place (including stopping to eat and using restrooms) they visited

more than confirmed I made the right decision. The roundabouts take a little getting used to. Maybe more than a day. I got lost many many many times but ended

up in places that I never would have seen if I hadn't. Didn't get the gps. Would have been nice at times but I managed with a map and the help of the many

friendly Irish folk I encountered along the way. Gas isn't cheap so be prepared for that. But the car I had was very good on mileage and very reliable. Don't lose your

key. It's not covered. Proper gas, or petrol as they call it over there is clearly marked. Would be very hard to get that wrong in my opinion. The coastal roads were

the most fun for me after getting the hang of it. If people are tailing you and it bothers you, just pull over at your earliest convenience and then just carry on.

No worries and Best of Luck!!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Be sure to check with your car rental company as sometimes there is an extra charge for drivers under age 25. If you don't buy the Super CDW you will be liable for the "excess" if you have an accident. I do not know of any CDW that covers glass, tires, windows, etc.

As Bob suggested Belmullet is pretty remote but perhaps that is what you are looking for.

If you have an ATM card you can get cash as you go. Otherwise using a credit card usually gives you good exchange rates (depending on card and "foreign transaction fees").

Alexander · Newbie

Finn, Michele, thank you for your advices and for the inspiration. Now I got even more excited about the trip!

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

The short answer to your Budget question is, "It depends" . . . biggrin confuse biggrin

Excluding airfare and car, 7 days CAN be done for as little as 350 Euro -- but you could EASILY spend much more. It all depends on you.

For a longer, more intelligent answer, see: https://irelandyes.wordpress.com/2009/11/18/how-much-does-a-trip-to-ireland-cost/

To further whet your appetite for your trip, here's some pictures from my visit to Westport, Achill and Belmullet, from 2008: https://www.flickr.com/photos/itallian_chauffeur/albums/72157606082291641/page1