You step off the plane bleary-eyed after a transatlantic flight, and suddenly it hits you — you're actually here. The green signs say "Car Rental" and you realise the next hour defines whether your first day is a smooth rollout or a comedy of errors at a rental desk.
I've done this at Dublin Airport more times than I can count. Let me walk you through exactly what happens when you arrive to pick up your My Irish Cousin rental, so you're the one breezing through.
Arriving at Dublin Airport — Which Terminal?
Dublin Airport has two terminals — Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Most transatlantic flights from the US and Canada arrive at Terminal 2, though some airlines use Terminal 1. If you're coming from the UK or mainland Europe, you could be at either.
Here's the simple version: it doesn't matter. The car rental shuttle buses serve both terminals from the same stops, and the rental compounds are all in the same area near the Long-Term Red Car Park. But knowing which terminal you're at helps you find the bus stop without wandering.
After you clear customs and collect your bags, follow signs for "Car Rental" or "Bus / Coach" — these will lead you to the car rental shuttle pickup area. The walk from baggage claim to the bus stop is about five minutes in Terminal 1 and maybe eight in Terminal 2.
If you're arriving on a late-night flight, don't worry — the shuttle buses run around the clock. They're timed to flight arrivals, so even if your plane lands at midnight, the bus will come. Just allow a few extra minutes if you're the only one waiting.
Finding the Shuttle — The Ground Floor Walk
The rental shuttle pickup stops are on the ground floor of both terminals. The buses run every 10–15 minutes during peak times, every 20–30 overnight. They loop Terminal 1 → Terminal 2 → Car Rental Compounds → back, about five minutes each way.
A note on luggage: Standard shuttle buses without dedicated luggage holds — bags go on board with you. If you're four people with cases for a month-long trip it gets tight, but it's a short ride.
The Rental Compound — Where You're Going
The shuttle drops you at the Eastlands Car Hire Compound, which is the dedicated rental car area at Dublin Airport. This is where all the major rental companies are based — My Irish Cousin, Enterprise, Hertz, Europcar, the lot. The compound is about three kilometres from the terminals, but the bus makes it feel like two minutes.
When you get off the bus, you'll see a row of prefab buildings and a large car park. Look for the My Irish Cousin signage. Our desk is at Unit 5, Car Hire Returns Area, Eastlands Car Hire Compound, Stockhole, Dublin Airport. If you're ever unsure, every driver in that compound knows where each desk is — just ask.
If you're coming by taxi instead of the shuttle (say you arrived at the airport separately or you're being dropped off), have the driver navigate to the Eastlands Compound, Dublin Airport. Tell them you're picking up a rental car and they'll know exactly where to go.
At the My Irish Cousin Desk — What Happens
The process at the desk is straightforward, especially if you've already sorted your booking online. Here's what you'll need:
- Your full driving licence — your home country licence is valid for visitors from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and most other countries for the duration of a typical holiday. No International Driving Permit needed for these countries, though having one can't hurt if you already have it.
- Your passport — for identity verification.
- Your booking reference — though if you've booked online with My Irish Cousin, we'll have you in the system. Give your name and the booking comes up.
- A debit or credit card — we'll process a €1 pre-authorisation to verify the card. Not a deposit. Not a hold of thousands of euros. Just a €1 check that the card is active and yours.
That's it. No insurance upsell at the desk because you're already fully covered. No hard sell on upgrades. No hidden fees added at the last minute. You get the price you booked at.
The person at the desk will run through:
- The car type — they'll confirm what you've booked and walk you to the car to check it.
- Fuel policy — same fuel, same level. They'll note the current fuel level on the rental agreement so you return it at the same level.
- Damage check — they'll walk around the car with you and mark any existing scratches or dents on the diagram. Take your time with this step. Take photos on your phone of the car from every angle, including the roof if you can reach it.
- The toll device — your rental includes the toll device and all toll charges as standard. No separate payments, no cash for toll booths. Just drive.
- Northern Ireland — confirmed. The insurance covers driving in Northern Ireland. You don't need to tell anyone you're crossing the border, you don't need extra paperwork, you don't need a separate permit.
The Car — What to Check Before You Drive Off
You've signed the paperwork, you've got the keys. Before you pull out of the compound, do these checks:
Seat and mirrors position. You're probably tired from the flight. The seat and mirrors from the last driver will be set for someone a different height. Adjust everything before you move — then adjust the mirrors again when you're sitting properly.
Headlights. In Ireland, you need to adjust your headlights for driving on the left. Most modern cars have this function — it's usually a switch or a lever near the headlight controls that adjusts the beam pattern so you don't dazzle oncoming traffic. If you're not sure, ask the person at the desk. They'll show you in 30 seconds.
Gearbox. I cannot stress this enough. If you booked an automatic but you're standing in front of a manual, say something now. If you booked a manual but you've never driven one, say something now. A burned-out clutch on a manual car from unfamiliarity will cost you up to €2,500 and it's not covered by insurance. Ask for a swap before you leave the compound — it's much easier than calling from the side of the M1.
Phone charger. Check what kind of ports the car has — USB-A, USB-C, cigarette lighter. Make sure you have the right cable to hand. You'll need your phone for navigation, and the first thing you want is a full battery when you hit the M1.
Airport exit. The exit from the Eastlands Compound leads directly onto the airport road network. Follow signs for the M1 or M50 depending on where you're heading first.
Your First 10 Minutes of Irish Driving
You exit the compound, and suddenly you're on Irish roads. Here's what the first ten minutes look like:
The roundabout. You'll hit one within 90 seconds of leaving the compound. Remember: give way to traffic coming from your right. Approach slowly, look right, and merge when there's a gap. Don't panic if you miss your exit — just go around again.
The M1. This is a motorway, not a country lane. Speed limit is 120 km/h (about 75 mph). Stay in the left lane unless you're overtaking. The navigation will tell you "keep left" — which means stay in the left lane, not "this road goes left."
Sat nav. If you're using Google Maps or Waze, make sure you've downloaded the map for Ireland before you leave the airport WiFi. The phone signal drops in places along the M1, especially between the airport and the M50 junction.
First stop. I recommend pulling into a petrol station or service area about 15 minutes from the airport — the Applegreen on the M1 northbound past Lusk or the Circle K near the M50 junction. This gives you a chance to stop, check your bearings, set up the sat nav properly, and take a breath before you commit to a longer drive.
When to Pick Up at Dublin Airport vs. a City Location
One of the most common questions I get is whether to pick up the car at the airport on arrival or get a taxi into Dublin and collect the car the next day.
Honest advice: If you're staying in Dublin City for a day or two first, pick up at one of our city branches — Jervis Street or Church Street — and avoid the airport traffic. The airport pickup makes sense when you're heading straight out of Dublin, on a tight itinerary, or arriving late and want to be on the road within thirty minutes.
For visitors who want the freedom of a self-drive but not the weeks of itinerary research it usually takes, Celtic Vacations build self-drive packages where the accommodation is pre-booked at each stop and the route is planned out. The driving is still yours — the logistics aren't.
If you know you want to collect at the airport and head straight off, get a quote from My Irish Cousin — our zero-excess insurance means you won't be standing at a desk being sold upgrades you don't need. You book the car, you walk to the compound, you check the damage diagram, and you're on the M1 in under thirty minutes.
For a broader view of planning your whole trip, the Renting a Car in Ireland: Complete 2026 Guide covers everything from age limits to cross-border driving. If you're budgeting for the trip, Ireland Road Trip Cost: Budget Breakdown for 2026 will help you figure out what the whole thing actually costs. And whatever you do, read 10 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Renting a Car in Ireland before you book — some of those mistakes are expensive enough that a single read-through pays for itself.
Safe driving. I'll see you on the road.
