Picking Up Your Car at Dublin Airport
Dublin Airport is Ireland's busiest airport by a long stretch, handling over 30 million passengers a year. It sits about 10 kilometres north of the city centre, just off the M1 motorway. Two terminals, Terminal 1 handles most European short-haul carriers, while Terminal 2 is home to Aer Lingus and a number of long-haul and transatlantic routes. Between the two, DUB connects to more destinations than any other airport on the island.
For visitors heading to Northern Ireland, Dublin Airport is often the smartest starting point. The route network is enormous, flights from every major European city and direct transatlantic services from North America. Belfast is under two hours up the M1, and the border crossing is completely seamless. No checkpoints, no passport control, just a quiet sign and the speed limit switching from kilometres to miles per hour. top things to see in Dublin.
A hire car from Dublin Airport gives you the whole island. Head north for Belfast and the Causeway Coast. Head south for Wicklow and the southeast. Head west for Galway and the Wild Atlantic Way. Or stay in Dublin itself, the city deserves a day or two before you hit the road. Either way, you're on the motorway network within minutes of leaving the terminal.
How Pickup Works
After clearing arrivals, our team member meets you in the terminal with a sign showing your name. We walk you to the car, which is in the short-stay car park adjacent to the terminal. Quick paperwork, keys in hand, and you're driving within ten to fifteen minutes of leaving the arrivals hall. If your flight is delayed, we track it and adjust, no stress.
Driving from Dublin Airport
The M1 motorway runs right past the airport and is your main route north. For Belfast, follow the M1 all the way, it becomes the A1 after the border, then the M1 again in Northern Ireland. The whole run takes under two hours in normal traffic. It's dual carriageway and motorway the entire way, well-signposted, and about as straightforward as driving gets on this island.
For Dublin city centre, take the M1 south and then the Port Tunnel (M1 tunnel) or follow signs for the M50 ring road. The M50 circles Dublin and connects to every major route heading south, west, and north. If you're heading to Galway, take the M50 west to the M4/M6. For Cork and the south, the M50 links to the M7 and then the M8.
One thing to know: the M50 toll. It's a barrier-free system, no toll booths, just overhead cameras that read your number plate. You must pay the toll online via eFlow within 24 hours of passing through, or your hire company may charge an admin fee on top. Most hire companies can set this up for you, but confirm at pickup. The toll applies each time you pass the toll point on the M50, not per journey.
Driving Tips for Dublin and Beyond
Ireland drives on the left, same as the UK. Speed limits in the Republic are in kilometres per hour: 120 km/h on motorways, 100 on national roads, 80 on regional roads, 50 in towns. Once you cross into Northern Ireland, it switches to miles per hour: 70 on motorways, 60 on A-roads, 30 in towns. Dublin city centre can be congested, if you're spending time in the city, park at your hotel and walk or use the Luas tram. The real freedom of a hire car kicks in once you leave the city.
Distances from Dublin Airport
- Belfast: 160 km / about 2 hours via M1
- Belfast International Airport: 175 km / about 2 hours via M1
- Giant's Causeway: 270 km / about 3 hours via M1 and A26
- Derry/Londonderry: 235 km / about 3 hours via M1 and A6
- Cork: 265 km / about 3 hours via M7/M8
- Galway: 210 km / about 2 hours 30 min via M4/M6
Airport Facilities
Both terminals have restaurants, cafes, duty-free shopping, currency exchange, and free Wi-Fi. ATMs dispense euros. Bus services connect the airport to Dublin city centre in about 30 minutes (Airlink 747 and Dublin Bus routes). There are also direct bus services to Belfast from the airport. Short-stay and long-stay parking is available at both terminals.
Routes We Recommend
The Belfast run is the obvious one: M1 north, straight line, under two hours. But consider breaking the journey at Newgrange, a 5,000-year-old passage tomb in the Boyne Valley, older than the pyramids, about 45 minutes from the airport. From there, continue north through Dundalk and across the border to Belfast. It adds an hour but it's worth every minute.
If you're heading to the Giant's Causeway from Dublin Airport, take the M1 to Belfast, then the M2 north and A26 to Ballymena and beyond. The full drive is about three hours, but you can split it with stops in Belfast or along the Antrim coast. The Causeway Coastal Route from Larne to Portrush is one of the great drives in these islands, save it for a clear day if you can.
Before you leave Dublin, check out our guide to the
Why Hire from Dublin Airport
Dublin Airport has the biggest route network in Ireland, more flights from more places than any other airport on the island. The M1 motorway puts Belfast under two hours away, and from Belfast the entire north coast opens up. Cross-border driving is completely seamless, included in your hire at no extra charge. And because you're starting from Ireland's main hub, you have the flexibility to explore both north and south without backtracking.
We meet you at arrivals with your name on a sign. Your car is ready in the car park right outside. From landing to driving: about fifteen minutes. We'll give you a road map covering the whole island and happily suggest routes, whether you're heading straight to Belfast, looping via the Boyne Valley, or spending a night in Dublin first.