Getting out of Dublin Airport

Sidz · Guru

Getting out of Dublin Airport

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

I guess it would depend upon the time of day. There is a LOT of construction going on between the airport area and the M50 'Ring Road', but we did it last summer in drizzle, without too much anguish-- though we weren't 'fresh off the plane'. I'm DEPARTING DUB on 29 June, so I'll TRY to give you a TIMELY update, once we return.... hmm

I find the rental car STAFF in Dub to be LESS knowledgable and professional than the Shannon folk, but MAYBE, that's just me??? confused

Bob

Michele Erdvig · Host

Sidz,

I was just there. I arrived and departed from Dublin Airport. It was easier getting out than getting back in and finding the car rental lots. They are not signposted.

Basically just follow the "Way Out" signs and then the M50 signs. Be sure to get in the proper lane going south. They are marked.

Bob,

It is not just you. The car rental staff at Dublin Airport are totally uninformed, not at all helpful, don't listen to what you tell them and argue with you ad nauseum because they think they are right. Did I mention totally unprofessional? Well they are not right and it took me over an hour to get the car. I also rented a car in Shannon on this trip and there were no questions, they didn't even ask to see the driver's license, never asked about the MasterCard CDW, had a car set aside for me, delivered it to the curb and I was out of there in 10 minutes. Ahhh, Shannon. Give me Shannon any time. The Dubliners at the car rental desks have an "attitude". Don't get me started!!

Michele

wckc · Guru

Michelle -

I am so glad to hear that it took you so long to pick up your car. I know that you, like us, had made your reservation ahead of time and had a copy of the confirm with you. It took usan hour and a half to get our car! Granted, most of that time was waiting on the people in front of us who had no reservations, had credit cards that were over their limit, or insisted on fighting with the counter person that their US Car insurance coverage and visa card insurance would cover the car and no CDW was required, but it still took way too long.

It was quite easy for us to get on the road after picking up the car, but we also had problems finding the return desk - even with written instructions from Dan Dooley as to how to get to their location (they failed to tell you which way to turn at the stop lights so we were on our own).

-wc

Michele Erdvig · Host

WC,

There was no one in front of me at the car rental desk. I spent an hour arguing with them. They kept repeating over and over like parrots "only World MasterCard and Diners Club". I showed them the CC rules that my platinum business MasterCard sent me. I kept telling them to call MasterCard in Ireland and give them my CC number. Maybe it is a ploy to make people buy insurance that they do not need. Who knows? But I did not give up, they finally called MasterCard in Ireland (as I told them to) and two minutes later they learned I was right. No appology. Just "we will write it up". There was one woman at the desk eating snacks the whole time. I thought that was completely unprofessional.

Michele

Sidz · Guru

This is almost enough for me to pay the extra fare and continue to go through Shannon this Fall. I have never had one problem getting a car when landing at Shannon, and the Dublin folks sound like a real treat! I'll see if I can find something doable into Shannon instead.

As much as I love Ireland, getting around Dublin is a real chore for me. So much to see there, but so much hassle to get around, and I hate the crowds.

Great conversation. Thanks.

-- Edited by Sidz at 10:03, 2008-06-03

Loelle · Veteran Member

I just got back from Ireland as well...we flew in and out of Dublin. We had a really bad experience with the rental car as well. Took about 45 minutes, the girl was new and had no idea what she was doing. They forced me to pay 450 US Dollars for insurance I didnt want -- and still charged my card 1200 US dollars as a 'hold'! My bank of course put a freeze on my account and I couldnt get ahold of anyone seeing as how it was 8 hours ahead of US time...it was a real pain. (She was supposed to not take the 'hold' money since I paid for the insurance) Also, when we walked out to the car rental area, they couldnt find our car! We had to wait about 30 minutes for them to bring another one around.

We dropped the car off in Galway and that went very smoothly, but the airport experience was probably my ONLY complaint about the whole trip - and the fact that they took 450 dollars of my trip money - an expense I didnt plan or budget for.

Sidz · Guru

I'm really glad I asked this question!!!

Loelle · Veteran Member

Good luck! I already know that next time I go to Ireland, its going to be in and out of Shannon! :)

Sidz · Guru

When experienced Ireland travellers such as Bob and Michele have issues getting their car in a sane manner, it speaks loudly that there are real challenges at the Dublin Airport.

It continues to sound like a big headache for sure.

-- Edited by Sidz at 11:07, 2008-06-03

KelliJo · Veteran Member

Hmm. We must be the minority? Or just lucky? We just returned from a trip, flying in and out of Dublin. We rented with Hertz and were in our car within 10 minutes of arriving at the rental facility. No hassle at all. We put the car on our Diners Club and declined Hertz's insurance. Drove out of the lot and found the M50. Their map for return directions was helpful and we found the return facility with no problem. The only issue was maybe that the tree in front of the HERTZ logo on the return sign was overgrown, so we couldn't see it until we got right up to the turn. I actually thought finding the lot for the return was easier than finding the M50 upon our arrival.

This was our first time renting a car in Dublin....beginner's luck perhaps??

Michele Erdvig · Host

KelliJo,

I'm glad one person had a good experience. Who did you rent from?

Michele

KelliJo · Veteran Member

We rented from Hertz. We pre-booked and pre-paid.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Thanks KelliJo!

Michele

Sidz · Guru

I'll stick with Shannon and the west...

GARYVOL · Veteran Member

Just got back Wed. eve. Rented the car out of Shannon, and brought it back to Dublin airport. Good grief can it get easy not to find the rental lots.
Boy, Dublin has big plans for the airport.
I'll take Shannon airport anytime.

-gary

Michele Erdvig · Host

Gary,

Dublin Airport is not as user friendly as Shannon...by a long shot!

Michele

Sidz · Guru

Maybe the fares for this fall will drop a bit and I'll be able to go in and out of Shannon. The more I think about it the better off I might be to pay a bit more and not mess with the Dublin Airport. I don't get a good feeling on this forum that too many people have great experiences there.

Dude · Guru

Am I correct in thinking that flying into Dublin is marginally better than flying out? But then there's the rental car issue. Ah, me.

For the next trip I was planning to fly into Dublin and out of Shannon but I may rethink.June of next year seems a long time away but it'll be here before we know it.

Y'all sort it out and let me know....

Michele Erdvig · Host

Dude,

Just do whatever fits your itinerary best. With the airlines routing more people through Dublin there is no avoiding it lately. Al least now you are informed of what is ongoing and you can be prepared.

Another trip in June! How wonderful. Are you taking your grandkids this time?

Michele

Dude · Guru

Yep, this one will be with the grandsons. I hope they are as excited as I am!

I have tentatively planned to go north out of Dublin, hitting (not literally, I hope) Newgrange, Tyrone Crystal, Carrickfergus Castle, the Antrim coast, time with Anchoress in Co. Donegal, then south toward Shannon with a falconry lesson somewhere in there. The falconry lesson is supposed to be a surprise so please don't tell the boys!

Sidz · Guru

Hi Dude:

That's such a wonderful thing you are doing for your grandchildren. Something to last them forever, and something you can look back at with great enjoyment as well.

You get the Grandmother of the Year prize until I hear something better!!!

Have fun with the planning as well. Your youngsters will have a great trip I'm certain.

Sidz

-- Edited by Sidz at 13:36, 2008-06-17

Dude · Guru

Why thank you, Sidz!! Wait until I tell you about Cousin Camp!!

Don't tell the kids that they are just an excuse to get me back to Ireland...

-- Edited by Dude at 20:30, 2008-06-17

Sidz · Guru

Good excuse for sure -- whatever gets you there!

Take care.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Dude,

I know they will have a great time with their grandmother as their guide. What are their ages?

Michele

Dude · Guru

They will be 14 and 15 by next June. Still young enough to enjoy what Granny has planned, I hope. So far I haven't seen any sign of the dreaded teenage angst.

If they give me any trouble, I'll just whack 'em with me shillelagh!

Michele Erdvig · Host

You go girl!

Michele