Self-Drive Tours in Kerry

A self-drive holiday in Kerry puts some of Ireland's most dramatic scenery within reach of a single base. Most visitors start in Killarney, where the national park begins at the edge of town and the Ring of Kerry departs from the N71 heading south toward Kenmare. The 179-kilometre loop can be driven in three to four hours without stopping, but it rewards a full day — or better, two — with time to pull over at Ladies View, walk down to Torc Waterfall, and explore the quiet harbour at Cahersiveen.

The roads in Kerry are well-surfaced on the main routes but narrow quickly once you leave the N70. The Ballaghbeama Pass, an inland alternative to the coastal road between Sneem and Killorglin, is a single-track lane through open mountain with passing places — a far quieter option than the main Ring and a favourite with photographers. South of the Ring, the Skellig Ring Road adds an 18-kilometre detour to Portmagee and the Kerry Cliffs, where the rock face drops 300 metres to the Atlantic and the Skellig Islands sit on the horizon.

Killarney National Park is best explored by bike or on foot rather than by car, since vehicle access to the lakeside and Muckross House area is restricted. Jaunting car rides — horse-drawn carriages unique to Killarney — cover the Gap of Dunloe route and the lakeshore paths. The town itself has a compact centre with a strong food and pub scene, and accommodation ranges from family-run B&Bs to lakeside manor hotels.

Our self-drive packages include a diverse range of vehicles with fully comprehensive insurance and zero excess, unlimited mileage, and all tolls covered. We handle accommodation bookings, route planning, and local recommendations so you can focus on the drive.