Dublin is the capital city of Ireland and home to over 1.3 million people. With its narrow streets, limited parking, and heavy traffic, getting around Dublin can be a challenge. Fortunately, car sharing has emerged as a popular transportation option in the city, offering residents and visitors a convenient, affordable, and sustainable way to access rental vehicles. In this article, we will explore the best car sharing options in Dublin, their unique features, and how they can benefit you and the environment.
What is Car Sharing?
Car sharing is a service that allows individuals to rent a vehicle for a short period of time, usually by the hour or day. Car sharing services typically offer a more streamlined rental process than traditional car rental companies and allow customers to rent cars without a membership fee.
Benefits of Car Sharing in Dublin
Car sharing in Dublin offers several benefits, including:
Reduced Traffic Congestion
Car sharing can help reduce traffic congestion in Dublin by reducing the number of cars on the road. With fewer cars on the road, traffic flows more smoothly, reducing travel times and improving air quality.
Lower Carbon Footprint
Car sharing also helps reduce the carbon footprint of transportation in Dublin. By sharing cars, fewer vehicles are on the road, reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions from transportation.
Cost Savings
Car sharing can also provide cost savings for individuals who do not own a car or only need to use a car occasionally. With car sharing, customers only pay for the time they use the car, rather than paying for the cost of owning and maintaining a vehicle.
Flexibility
Car sharing services offer greater flexibility than traditional car rental companies, allowing customers to rent a car for as little as an hour or as long as several days. This can be especially helpful for individuals who only need a car for short trips or who want to try out different types of vehicles.
Convenience
Car sharing services are often more convenient than traditional car rental companies, with many offering mobile apps that allow customers to reserve and access vehicles quickly and easily. In addition, car sharing services often have designated parking spots in various locations around the city, making it easy to pick up and drop off cars.
No Need to Worry About Maintenance and Repairs
When you rent a car, you don’t have to worry about maintenance and repairs. Car sharing services take care of all of that for you, ensuring that the car is always in good condition and safe to drive.
Avoid Parking Hassles
Dublin known for its limited parking, which a hassle for drivers. With car sharing, you don’t have to worry about finding a parking spot. Car sharing services often have designated parking spots in various locations around the city, making it easy to pick up and drop off cars.
Best Car Sharing Options in Dublin
Here are some of the best car sharing options in Dublin:
1. GoCar
GoCar is one of the most popular car sharing options in Dublin, providing a wide range of vehicles for rent by the hour or day. The service offers a “pay-as-you-go” pricing model, with rates starting as low as €8 per hour or €50 per day. GoCar’s fleet includes a variety of vehicle options, from compact cars to vans, and the service provides 24/7 customer support and roadside assistance.
Unique Features
- A large fleet of vehicles with over 500 cars and 150 locations in Dublin.
- Access to vehicles in other cities in Ireland, including Cork, Limerick, and Galway.
- Fuel, insurance, and up to 50 km of driving per hour included in the rental fee.
Pricing
- Hourly rates start at €8 per hour.
- Daily rates start at €50 per day.
Convenience
- GoCar has a mobile app that allows customers to reserve and unlock cars quickly and easily.
- Cars reserved for as little as 30 minutes or as long as 28 days, providing added flexibility for customers.
- GoCar has designated parking spots in various locations around Dublin.
Sustainability
- GoCar has a fleet of electric and hybrid vehicles, which are more environmentally friendly than traditional gasoline vehicles.
2. Ubeeqo
Ubeeqo is another popular car sharing option in Dublin, providing a fleet of vehicles for rent by the hour or day. The service offers a “pay-as-you-go” pricing model, with rates starting at €8 per hour or €55 per day. Ubeeqo’s fleet includes a variety of vehicle options, from economy cars to vans, and the service provides 24/7 customer support and roadside assistance.
Unique Features
- Access to a variety of transportation options, including car sharing, public transit, and taxi services.
- The ability to book and pay for multiple transportation options through the Ubeeqo app.
- Fuel and insurance included in the rental fee.
Pricing
- Hourly rates start at €8 per hour.
- Daily rates start at €55 per day.
Convenience
- Ubeeqo has a mobile app that allows customers to search for and book rental cars quickly and easily.
- Cars rented for as little as 1 hour or as long as several days, providing added flexibility for customers.
- Ubeeqo has designated parking spots in various locations around Dublin.
Sustainability
- Ubeeqo has a fleet of electric and hybrid vehicles, which are more environmentally friendly than traditional gasoline vehicles.
3. Europcar Car Club
Europcar Car Club is a car sharing service operated by Europcar, offering a fleet of vehicles for rent by the hour or day. The service provides a “pay-as-you-go” pricing model, with rates starting at €5 per hour or €50 per day. Europcar Car Club’s fleet includes a variety of vehicle options, from economy cars to luxury cars, and the service provides 24/7 customer support and roadside assistance.
Unique Features
- Access to a large fleet of vehicles from a well-known and trusted rental car company.
- The ability to earn rewards points through the Europcar Privilege loyalty program, which used towards future rentals.
- Fuel and insurance included in the rental fee.
Pricing
- Hourly rates start at €5 per hour.
- Daily rates start at €50 per day.
Convenience
- Europcar Car Club has a mobile app that allows customers to search for and book rental cars quickly and easily.
- Cars rented for as little as 1 hour or as long as several days, providing added flexibility for customers.
- Europcar Car Club has designated parking spots in various locations around Dublin.
Sustainability
- Europcar Car Club offers a selection of fuel-efficient and hybrid vehicles, which can help reduce the environmental impact of car sharing.
4. Zipcar
Zipcar is a car sharing service that operates in over 500 cities worldwide, including Dublin. The service offers a variety of vehicles for rent by the hour or day, with rates starting at €7.50 per hour or €69 per day. Zipcar’s fleet includes a range of vehicle options, from compact cars to SUVs, and the service provides 24/7 customer support and roadside assistance.
Unique Features
- Access to a large fleet of vehicles in cities around the world.
- The ability to earn driving credits through the Zipcar rewards program, which used towards future rentals.
- Fuel and insurance included in the rental fee.
Pricing
- Hourly rates start at €7.50 per hour.
- Daily rates start at €69 per day.
Convenience
- Zipcar has a mobile app that allows customers to search for and book rental cars quickly and easily.
- Cars rented for as little as 1 hour or as long as several days, providing added flexibility for customers.
- Zipcar has designated parking spots in various locations around Dublin.
Sustainability
- Zipcar offers a selection of fuel-efficient and hybrid vehicles, which can help reduce the environmental impact of car sharing.
Conclusion
Car sharing is an excellent transportation option in Dublin, offering numerous benefits for individuals and the environment. Whether you’re a resident or a visitor, car sharing services like GoCar, Ubeeqo, Europcar Car Club, and Zipcar can provide a convenient, affordable, and sustainable way to get around the city. With their unique features, flexible rental options, and designated parking spots, car sharing services in Dublin are a great choice for anyone looking to reduce their carbon footprint and save money on transportation costs.
