Car Rental Statistics in Ireland

Ireland's car rental market has transformed over the past decade. Economic shifts, tourism trends and the pandemic have reshaped the industry in significant ways.

What is the car rental market size in Ireland?

• Ireland’s car rental market was valued at €1.4 billion in 2024, representing a complete recovery from pandemic lows and a 4% increase over pre-pandemic figures.

How much revenue does Ireland’s car rental market generate each year?

The car rental industry in Ireland generally generates more than €1 billion in annual revenue.

• Ireland’s car rental and leasing industry generated more than €1.3 billion in revenue in 2019, supported by strong tourism growth and business demand.
• Revenue declined to approximately €700 million in 2020, representing a 50% drop during COVID-19 travel restrictions.
• The market gradually recovered to €750 million in 2021 and €1.0 billion in 2022 as travel restrictions eased.
• Revenue rebounded to €1.3 billion in 2023 and reached €1.4 billion in 2024, marking a full recovery from pandemic disruption.

How many car rental companies are there in Ireland?

Ireland’s car rental landscape included 231 companies in 2024, covering short-term car hire and vehicle leasing activity across the country.

• The number of rental companies increased from 200 in 2014 to 231 in 2024.
• The number of companies reached 230 in 2018, then decreased to 218 in 2019.
• The market remained active during the pandemic, with 220 companies in 2020 and 225 in 2021.
• This number rose to 230 in 2022 and stabilized at 231 in 2023 and 2024.

Several trends have shaped Ireland’s car rental market in recent years, especially tourism demand, fleet rebuilding, price changes, and the early shift toward electric vehicles.

• Tourism remains central to car rental demand in Ireland. In 2019, 32% of holidaymakers visiting Ireland hired a car, while Fáilte Ireland also reported that 20% of all overseas tourists rent a car.
• Car hire is especially important for regional tourism because visitors with rental cars are more likely to travel beyond major cities and visit rural destinations.
• Rental prices spiked during the post-pandemic supply shortage. In 2022, RTÉ reported examples of a 10-day small-car rental from Dublin Airport costing about €1,545, while a larger estate car quote exceeded €5,700.
• Rental prices eased as supply improved. DiscoverCars data showed Ireland’s average summer daily rental price falling from €63 in 2023 to €47 in 2024, a 26% decrease.
• Europe’s rent-a-car market continued recovering in the first half of 2024, with 779 000 rental registrations, up 24% year over year, although electric vehicle uptake in rental fleets remained low.

Ireland’s car rental market includes major international and local operators serving airports, cities, and regional travel routes.

• The Car Rental Council of Ireland lists major member companies including Avis/Budget, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Europcar, Hertz, Motability Ireland, and Sixt.
• International rental brands remain especially visible at airport pickup points, where overseas tourism demand is concentrated.
• Local and specialist operators also serve regional and accessibility-focused rental needs.

What are the most common reasons for renting a car in Ireland?

Leisure tourism is the clearest demand driver for car rental in Ireland, followed by business rentals and replacement rentals.

• Leisure travel and tourism account for an estimated 60–65% of car rentals in 2024.
• Business trips represent the second-largest customer segment, accounting for about 30% of rentals.
• Insurance and temporary replacement rentals account for approximately 5–10% of rental activity.
• Tourism-related rentals are especially important because visitors with hire cars are more likely to travel outside major cities and visit regional destinations.

Popular Rental Destinations: Car Hire in Ireland

Dublin Airport is Ireland’s main tourism car rental hub, while regional routes remain important for visitors using hire cars to explore the country.

• Dublin Airport is the key starting point for tourism car hire, with 80% of tourism car rentals initially rented at Dublin Airport.
• Rental cars help overseas visitors reach rural and regional locations that are less convenient to access by public transport.
• Popular self-drive routes include the Wild Atlantic Way, Galway, the Cliffs of Moher, Boyne Valley, and the Sky Road.
• Cork, Shannon, and Belfast also function as important airport or regional pickup points for visitors planning road trips across Ireland and Northern Ireland.

How long do rental car companies keep their cars?

Rental companies in Ireland typically keep cars relatively new before moving them into the second-hand market.

• In 2019, 95% of Ireland’s car rental fleet had been purchased within the previous three years.
• Most rental cars reaching their fourth year are sold into the second-hand market.
• The rental fleet also provides a stream of newer used cars for Ireland’s second-hand vehicle market.
• Fleet renewal slowed during the pandemic because rental companies reduced purchases and faced supply constraints.

What are the peak rental periods in Ireland?

Summer is Ireland’s peak rental period, with prices highest during the main tourism season.

• KAYAK lists January as the cheapest month to hire a car in Ireland, at an average of €27 per day.
• August is the most expensive month, with average car hire prices reaching €80 per day.
• August prices are about 73% above Ireland’s yearly average hire price.
• High summer prices reflect stronger visitor demand and tighter fleet availability during the main travel season.