Car rentals at Dublin Airport

How to Find Your Car Hire Desk at Dublin Airport (DUB)

• In-Terminal Desks — Terminal 1: After collecting your bags and clearing customs in Terminal 1, head towards the main exit on the lower level. The car hire desks are grouped together in a clearly signposted zone within the Arrivals Hall, positioned to the right as you walk through from baggage reclaim. All major suppliers are easy to locate from the main walkway, and once your paperwork is complete your vehicle is accessible directly from the adjacent terminal car park.
• In-Terminal Desks — Terminal 2: Terminal 2 handles the majority of long-haul and transatlantic flights into Dublin. Once you clear customs, continue straight ahead into the Arrivals Hall where the car hire area sits adjacent to the multi-storey car park. All major supplier desks are accessible from the same concourse, making it straightforward to locate your booking and get on the road without having to navigate between buildings.
• Shuttle to Eastlands Car Hire Village: A number of suppliers at Dublin Airport operate from the dedicated Eastlands Car Hire Facility, located a short drive from both terminals. After completing your paperwork at the in-terminal desk, board the complimentary shuttle bus to collect your vehicle. Build in an extra 20 to 40 minutes for this process — and a little more during peak summer travel periods. Always check your booking confirmation before you travel to confirm whether your supplier is in-terminal or based at the off-airport Eastlands facility.

Pick-Up, Drop-Off, and Refuelling at Dublin Airport

• Out-of-Hours Returns: If you have an early morning or late-night departure, most car hire suppliers at Dublin Airport offer a secure key drop box so you can return your vehicle without needing staff on site. In-terminal suppliers generally position their drop boxes near the car park on the arrivals level, while Eastlands-based suppliers have dedicated return bays at their off-airport facility. Always confirm the exact out-of-hours return procedure with your desk agent when you first collect the car. As a general rule, allow at least 45 minutes before your check-in time if you are returning to an off-airport Eastlands supplier.
• Nearest Petrol Station: The most convenient place to refuel before your car hire return is the Circle K station located within the airport complex, just 5 minutes from the rental return areas near the main entrance roundabout. Search for "Circle K Dublin Airport" on any maps app for a direct route. Filling up here before returning your vehicle is the easiest way to comply with a full-to-full fuel policy and avoid any refuelling charges from your supplier.

M50 Toll Road — Important Information for Dublin Airport Car Hire

If your driving route at any point takes you onto the M50 motorway, be aware that it operates as a fully cashless, barrier-free toll road. There are no cash booths — payment must be completed online no later than 8pm on the day following each journey. When you collect your hire car at Dublin Airport, ask the desk agent whether the vehicle is already fitted with an electronic toll tag. If not, you will need to pay the fee yourself at eFlow.ie to avoid an administration surcharge being added to your rental bill by the supplier.

Top Car Hire Agencies at Dublin Airport (DUB)

Dublin Airport is one of the busiest aviation gateways in Europe and is well served by a strong mix of global car hire brands and reputable Irish operators. At the terminal desks you will find internationally recognised names including Hertz, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Sixt, Enterprise, Alamo, and National, alongside well-regarded local suppliers. This gives you genuine choice across vehicle categories, pricing tiers, and service levels. Use eCarBookers to compare live rates across all available suppliers in a single search and book the deal that best fits your trip and budget.

Getting from Dublin Airport to Dublin City Centre

Dublin Airport is located just 10 kilometres north of the city centre. Once you leave the car hire pick-up area, follow the signs for the M1 motorway southbound for a straightforward 20 to 30-minute drive into the heart of Dublin. If you are travelling during weekday rush hours, allow a little extra time as you approach the city via the N1 or the port tunnel interchange. From Dublin city centre you also have easy onward access to the M50 ring road for destinations across Leinster and beyond.