Ireland camper van hire

How Ireland camper van hire works

Ireland rewards slow travel. A camper van turns winding lanes, coastal viewpoints, and quiet villages into your backyard. Most providers offer compact panel vans, larger motorhome style rigs, and family layouts. Manuals are common, so request an automatic if you need it. Book early for summer and public holiday periods since fleets are limited compared with mainland Europe.

Age, licenses, and insurance

• Minimum age typically ranges from 21 to 25 with at least one to two years of driving experience.
• A domestic license in English is usually accepted. If your license is not in English, bring an International Driving Permit as a translation.
• Insurance often includes collision damage with an excess. Expect a refundable security deposit that varies by vehicle class and driver age.
• Additional drivers must be named on the policy. Nighttime street parking can be restricted in cities, so plan arrival times with that in mind.

Pickup, returns, and costs

• Common pickup points include Dublin, Cork, Shannon, and occasionally Belfast. Check cross border policies if you plan to visit Northern Ireland.
• Standard inclusions can be unlimited mileage, cookware, basic bedding, and a gas canister. Optional items include bike racks, outdoor tables, child seats, and portable toilets.
• Costs fluctuate by season. Summer commands the highest rates, while shoulder months offer value and cooler temps.

Driving, tolls, and fuel

• Ireland drives on the left with right hand drive vehicles. Roundabouts flow clockwise.
• Rural lanes are narrow with stone walls that leave little margin. Use pull offs to let oncoming traffic pass.
• The M50 around Dublin uses barrier free tolling. Confirm how your rental handles toll charges.
• Diesel is common in larger camper vans. Distances are short by American standards, but weather and winding routes can slow progress, so plan modest daily mileage.

Routes, camps, and seasons

Ireland is compact, but it packs a wide variety of landscapes into a small footprint. Mix headliner routes with short detours to hidden coves and hill passes.

Route ideas worth the miles

• Wild Atlantic Way from Kinsale to Donegal stacks sea cliffs, surf towns, and island ferries.
• Ring of Kerry and the smaller loop around the Dingle Peninsula serve big views with tight lanes.
• Connemara delivers boglands, quartz beaches, and mountain passes near Kylemore Abbey.
• Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland features basalt columns and castle ruins if your rental allows cross border travel.

Camping and wild camping rules

• Designated campsites and holiday parks provide hookups, showers, and waste facilities.
• Wild camping is limited and subject to local bylaws and landowner permission. Respect no camping signage and leave no trace.
• Many camps close or reduce services in winter. Call ahead during the shoulder season to confirm hours.

Weather and packing

• Summer brings long daylight, breezes, and crowds.
• Spring and fall offer quieter roads and cooler temps that suit hiking.
• Pack layers, waterproofs, quick drying towels, and soft luggage that stows easily in compact storage.
• Bring a paper map as a backup where rural coverage fades.

When a rental is not the answer

A short trip suits a rental. If you see yourself traveling for months across North America, a purpose built van tailored to your routines becomes a smarter tool. OZK Customs is a custom builder in Fayetteville, Arkansas. We do not rent vans. We design recreational adventure rigs that match how you cook, sleep, ride, and work on the road.

• Want a van built around your daily rhythm, not a generic layout Check our Custom build van.
• Need a platform that can finance with a proven package Explore Mainstream vans.
• Curious about our approach and handoff experience Visit Recreational vans.

What custom ownership solves

• Storage tailored to your gear, from surfboards to bikes to camera kits.
• Power systems sized for your devices, work needs, and climate control.
• Durability for gravel, salt, and winter with materials that clean fast.
• A layout that fits your height, sleep preferences, and cooking style.

A quick planning checklist

• Define your must haves for sleeping, cooking, and power.
• Choose a base vehicle for the places you plan to explore.
• Decide on off grid goals like solar, battery capacity, and water.
• Map your first three trips to stress test the design before handoff.

Bottom line

Use rentals to scout your travel preferences and favorite camps. When you are ready for a rig that feels like a second home, a custom build turns every mile into familiar territory. OZK guides you from idea to adventure with clear communication, thoughtful design, and a sendoff that sets you up for the long haul.

Tell us how you travel and what you carry. We will translate your wish list into a build plan that fits your routes, budget, and timeline. We do not rent vans. We build them for the way you live outside.