Self-Drive Tours in Dublin
Ireland
Pick up your car in Dublin and hit the open road — from the cobbled streets of Temple Bar to the wild Wicklow Mountains and the ancient passage tombs of the Boyne Valley, all within an hour's drive of the city.
Self-Driving in Dublin
Dublin is where most journeys through Ireland begin, and for good reason. The capital sits on the east coast at the mouth of the River Liffey, making it a natural starting point before heading south into Wicklow, west toward the midlands, or north to the Boyne Valley. Spend your first days exploring the city on foot — Trinity College and the Book of Kells, the Guinness Storehouse with its rooftop Gravity Bar, and Kilmainham Gaol are all within walking distance of the centre — then collect your rental car and let the wider countryside unfold.
A self-drive holiday from Dublin puts you in control of the pace. Head south along the M11 and within an hour you're in the Wicklow Mountains, where the ancient monastic ruins of Glendalough sit between two dark lakes in a glacial valley. The Sally Gap road crosses open moorland that feels a world away from the city you left that morning. Drive north instead, and in under an hour you'll reach Brú na Bóinne in County Meath, home to the 5,000-year-old passage tomb at Newgrange — older than the Egyptian pyramids and aligned to catch the winter solstice sunrise.
Dublin itself rewards the curious driver on its outskirts. The coastal village of Howth, a 30-minute drive from the city centre, offers cliff walks above Dublin Bay and fresh seafood at the harbour. Malahide Castle, just north of the city, sits in 260 acres of parkland and dates back to the 12th century. To the south, the seaside towns of Dún Laoghaire and Dalkey line the coast road with Victorian architecture and views across to the Wicklow hills.
Our self-drive packages from Dublin include a diverse range of vehicles, fully comprehensive insurance with zero excess through our Peace of Mind Package, and a personalised itinerary planned around your interests. All tolls are included, and you can collect your car from whichever location suits your route best. We handle the accommodation bookings, route planning, and local recommendations so you can focus on the road ahead.
What's Included
Highlights of Dublin
Trinity College & the Book of Kells
Ireland's oldest university, founded in 1592, houses the 9th-century Book of Kells in its Old Library. The Long Room holds 200,000 of the library's oldest books beneath a barrel-vaulted ceiling.
Wicklow Mountains & Glendalough
An hour south of Dublin, the Wicklow Mountains National Park covers 20,000 hectares of blanket bog, heath, and woodland. The monastic city of Glendalough was founded by St Kevin in the 6th century.
Howth Cliff Walk
A 6km loop trail along the cliffs of the Howth peninsula, 30 minutes northeast of the city centre. The walk offers views across Dublin Bay to Dalkey Island and the Wicklow Mountains.
Brú na Bóinne & Newgrange
The Boyne Valley complex in County Meath includes Newgrange, a 5,000-year-old passage tomb precisely aligned with the winter solstice sunrise. Access is by guided tour from the visitor centre.
Guinness Storehouse
Housed in a 1904 fermentation plant at St James's Gate, the seven-storey experience traces the history of Ireland's most famous export. The Gravity Bar on the top floor offers 360-degree views of Dublin.
Sample Dublin Self-Drive Itinerary
A suggested rhythm — yours to bend.
Day 1
Dublin City on Foot
Explore Dublin without a car on your first day. Walk from Trinity College to the Guinness Storehouse via Dublin Castle and Christ Church Cathedral. In the evening, find a traditional music session in the pubs around Temple Bar or on Capel Street.
Day 2
Howth Peninsula & North Dublin Coast
Collect your rental car and head 30 minutes northeast to the fishing village of Howth. Walk the cliff path loop (6km, roughly 2 hours), then have lunch at one of the harbour-side seafood restaurants. On the way back, stop at Malahide Castle and its 260-acre parkland.
Day 3
Wicklow Mountains & Glendalough
Drive south on the M11 toward Enniskerry and take the winding road through the Sally Gap — one of Ireland's most scenic mountain passes. Continue to Glendalough, where the round tower and ruined churches sit between two glacial lakes. Allow 2-3 hours for the monastic site and lakeside walks before returning to Dublin via the N11.
Driving Tips for Dublin
Essential Tips for Your Self-Drive Adventure
- 1Avoid driving in Dublin city centre — bus gates on College Green and other streets issue automatic fines to private cars. Use park-and-ride facilities on the Luas tram or DART train lines instead.
- 2All tolls are included with your Celtic Vacations rental car, including the M50 barrier-free electronic toll around Dublin. No need to worry about registration or payment — it is handled for you.
- 3We offer flexible car collection from locations across Ireland, so you can pick up your vehicle wherever suits your itinerary best — whether that is at the airport, in the city, or at another point along your route.
- 4Speed limits in Ireland are in kilometres per hour: 50 km/h in towns, 80 km/h on regional roads, 100 km/h on national roads, and 120 km/h on motorways.
- 5When driving through the Wicklow Mountains, fill up on fuel before leaving the main roads. Petrol stations are sparse on the Sally Gap and Military Road routes.
- 6Irish rental cars are predominantly manual transmission. Book an automatic in advance if you prefer one, as they are limited and cost more.
- 7Allow extra time for rural roads south and north of Dublin. Google Maps estimates can understate journey times by 30-40% on narrow country lanes.
Frequently Asked Questions: Self-Drive in Dublin
No. Dublin's main attractions — Trinity College, the Guinness Storehouse, Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin Castle, and Temple Bar — are all within walking distance of each other. The city centre is compact and well served by the Luas tram, DART train, and Dublin Bus. We recommend exploring the city on foot first and collecting your rental car when you are ready to head into the countryside.
We offer car collection from locations across Ireland, so you can choose whichever is most convenient for your trip. If you are spending your first days exploring Dublin on foot, we can arrange pickup for the day you are ready to head into the countryside. We will help you choose the best option when planning your itinerary.
No. All tolls are included with your Celtic Vacations rental car, including the M50 barrier-free electronic toll around Dublin. There is nothing to register for and no payments to make — it is all taken care of as part of your package.
Glendalough in the Wicklow Mountains is approximately 50km south of Dublin, about a one-hour drive via the M11 and R755. If you take the scenic route over the Sally Gap, allow 90 minutes. The mountains are one of the most popular day trips from Dublin and can easily be covered in a half-day or full-day excursion.
Newgrange and the Brú na Bóinne visitor centre are approximately 50km north of Dublin, about a one-hour drive via the M1 motorway. Entry to Newgrange is by guided tour only, departing from the visitor centre. During peak season (June-August), book your timed entry in advance as tours sell out early.
You drive on the left side of the road in Ireland, the same as the UK. Rental cars have the steering wheel on the right. Most visitors adjust within a day. Take extra care at roundabouts — enter clockwise and give way to traffic coming from your right. Our detailed driving guide included with your itinerary covers all the essentials.
Let's start dreaming —
Ready to Explore Dublin by Car?
Let our experts help you plan the perfect self-drive adventure through Dublin. We'll create a customized route based on your interests and pace.