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Road Genius makes it easy to find great car rental offers in Derry/Londonderry. Compare rates and make bookings in one place. Simple. Pick up in the city or at City of Derry Airport (LDY), compare Derry car rental deals side by side and add cross-border cover if you plan to drive into Donegal. Automatics and one-way rentals to Belfast or Dublin are available, but demand spikes in summer and for the Halloween festival, so book early.
Car Rental Locations & Options
Key Rental Locations and Options
Derry offers multiple car rental locations, including at the City of Derry Airport and in the city itself.
| Location | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| City of Derry Airport (LDY) |
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| Derry City Centre |
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Car Rental Prices
How to save?
- Compare pickup spots: Check prices at City of Derry Airport vs city-centre locations. City offices can be cheaper, but add in the taxi or bus cost to see what’s actually lowest.
- Time your booking to the season: For summer and Derry’s Halloween festival, book 4–6 weeks ahead. In spring/autumn aim for 2–3 weeks, and in winter 1–2 weeks is usually fine.
- Test trip length: Weekly deals often kick in at 5+ days. A slightly longer rental can be cheaper than a shorter one.
- Pick a smaller car and manual: Economy models cost less and sip fuel. Manuals are usually cheaper than automatics, which are limited in summer.
- Know your border plans: If you’re not driving into the Republic of Ireland, avoid cross-border options to skip the fee. If you are, fuel up in the Republic where prices are often lower and factor in the exchange rate.
- One-way costs vary: Compare returning in Derry vs dropping in Belfast. Cross-border drops to Dublin usually have higher fees.
Car rental prices at Belfast City Airport 2025/2026
Parking and Driving
| Car Park Type | Rates | Time Limits | Additional Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foyleside Shopping Centre car park | Varies; check posted rates | Shopping hours | Convenient for city centre access |
| William Street car park | Varies; check posted rates | All day | Central location |
| On-street spaces | Varies; check posted rates | Usually 1-2 hours | Limited availability in city centre |
| Quayside multi-storey | Hourly rates with a daily maximum; check posted rates | All day | Close to Peace Bridge and city centre |
Key Driving Rules
- Drive on the left side of the road
- Speed limits are in miles per hour in Northern Ireland
- When crossing into Republic of Ireland, limits change to kilometres per hour
- The Foyle Bridge and Craigavon Bridge are main crossing points over the River Foyle
- The historic walled city has some narrow streets and limited access points
- One-way systems exist in parts of the city centre
Local Driving Challenges
- Rush hour congestion on bridges crossing the River Foyle
- Navigation within the historic walled city can be challenging
- Border crossings into County Donegal are seamless but remember currency changes
- Some rural roads outside the city become narrow and winding
Why rent a car in Derry/Londonderry
Get a rental car to get to:
- Giant's Causeway – A2, 63 km, 50 min
- Causeway Coastal Route – A2, Dunluce Castle, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
- Inishowen Peninsula – A2/N13, Malin Head, border crossing, fee, Euro, 78 km, 1 hr 20 min
- Glenveagh National Park – N13/N56, border crossing, Euro, 72 km, 1 hr 10 min
- Slieve League Cliffs – N56, border crossing, Euro, 125 km, 2 hr
- Belfast – A6, 113 km, 1 hr 30 min
Local Rental Locations
- ABZ Airport
- Aviemore
- Ayr
- BFS Airport
- Car Rental Sumburgh
- Derry
- Dundee
- Dunfermline
- East Kilbride
- Elgin
- Enniskillen
- Falkirk
- Fife
- Fort William
- INV Airport
- Isle Of Man
- LSI Airport
- Oban
- Paisley
- Portadown
- Scotland
- St Andrews
- Stirling
- Stornoway
FAQs
Do I need special documentation to drive from Derry into County Donegal?
You won't find any border checks, but you need to tell your rental company you're travelling across the border. They might charge you a cross-border fee of around £23.
How does renting from City of Derry Airport compare to city locations?
The airport only has two rental companies and they have fewer cars to choose from, but you can pick up your car as soon as you land. Places in the city might have more choice, but you'll need to get yourself there from the airport.
Are automatic transmission vehicles available in Derry?
Yes, but rental companies have fewer automatic cars. If you need an automatic, you should book it well ahead of time, especially during summer.
Can I pick up a car in Derry and return it in Belfast or Dublin?
You can usually arrange a one-way rental to Belfast for an extra fee. Companies charge more for one-way rentals to Dublin because it involves crossing the border.
Is it easy to find parking in Derry city centre?
You can find several public car parks around the city centre that charge reasonable rates. It's hard to find a park inside the historic walls, so you might want to park outside and walk from there.
