I already have a car paid for that I am picking up after 3 nights in Dublin. I made my pick-up location at Dublin airport because that location opens earlier in the day and I figured this way we can get an earlier start ( We're going to Glendalough and then heading down to Dungarvan and would like to arrive at Dungarvan as early as possible).
My question is this:
Does it make sense to go all the way out to the Dublin airport to pick up a car at 8am rather than just pick it up in town at a more convenient location a little later in the morning, like 9:30?
Will it get me on the road to Glendalough that much earlier that it would be worth the trouble of dragging ourselves out of bed at 6AM and rushing in a cab out to the airport? Or should I just relax and stay in town until the city location opens?
Another thing is that this is a Wednesday morning and it looks from the map I have like the airport is north of the city and we are travelling south.
So you can see I'm questioning the wisdom of this airport idea.
There are a few advantages to picking up your car in the city center. First you don't have to rush around and maybe have to skip breakfast. You may be able to avoid the "airport surcharge" which can be anywhere from 20-25 euro additional. You won't have to pay the toll on the M50. No backtracking.
Downside is that it is very easy to get lost in Dublin. I suggest getting detailed driving directions on how to head south to Glendalough from your hotel or the car rental company. Write those directions down because you will never remember them. Remember, you are on vacation!