Just touched down at Dublin Airport? Whether you’re visiting Ireland for the first time or you’re a seasoned traveller, picking up your rental car should be the easiest part of your journey, not the most stressful. At Value Car Rental, we do things differently. While most car hire companies send you on a trek to an off-site desk, we come to you. Here’s everything you need to know about Dublin Airport car hire with Value — and why our meet and greet service changes everything.
First Things First: Getting Off the Plane
Dublin Airport has two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Most transatlantic and long-haul flights arrive into Terminal 2, while Terminal 1 handles many short-haul and regional services. Check your boarding pass or airline app in advance so you know exactly where you’re landing.
Once you’ve cleared customs and collected your luggage, the typical Dublin airport car hire experience begins the same way for most people — a shuttle bus, a queue, a desk. But not with Value Car Rental.
No Desks. No Shuttles. No Queues — Value’s Meet and Greet Service
Here’s where Value Car Rental stands apart from every other car hire company at Dublin Airport.
Most competitors require you to:
- Follow airport signs to a shuttle bus stop
- Wait for the shuttle to an off-site Car Rental Centre
- Join a queue at the desk — sometimes a long one
- Get upsold on extras you didn’t ask for
- Then shuttle back to find your car in a large car park
With Value Car Rental, none of that applies. We offer a genuine meet and greet service — one of our team members will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with your name, ready to hand over your keys on the spot. Your car is pre-arranged, the paperwork is handled efficiently, and you’re on the road in minutes.
It’s the kind of service you’d expect from a premium provider — without the premium price tag.
What Documents Do You Need?
To make your meet and greet handover as quick and smooth as possible, have the following ready when you walk through arrivals:
- Your booking confirmation (on your phone is fine)
- A valid, full driving licence — the name must match your booking exactly
- Your passport or valid photo ID
- The credit or debit card used to make the booking
- If you hold a non-EU/non-UK licence, an International Driving Permit (IDP) may be required
Tip: Having these to hand means the handover with your Value representative takes just a few minutes. No waiting around.
What Happens During the Meet and Greet Handover?
Here’s exactly what to expect when you meet your Value Car Rental representative in arrivals:
1. We Find You
Your Value representative will be in the arrivals hall holding a sign with your name. No hunting for signage, no following crowds to a shuttle stop, just look for your name and walk over.
2. Quick Verification
We’ll verify your booking, check your ID and licence, and confirm any optional extras you’ve added — such as a GPS, child seat, or additional driver. This takes minutes, not the 20–30 you might spend in a queue at a competitor’s desk.
3. Transparent Insurance Conversation
We’ll clearly explain the cover included in your booking and walk you through any upgrade options — like Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Super Damage Waiver (SDW) — without pressure. You’ll understand exactly what you’re covered for before you drive away.
4. Deposit Hold
A security deposit will be held on your credit card at the time of handover. This is a hold, not a charge, and is released in full once the vehicle is returned in the same condition.
5. Sign and Go
You’ll sign a straightforward rental agreement, we’ll highlight the key points including the fuel policy and return time — and then you’re handed your keys. Your car is ready and waiting nearby.
Inspecting Your Car Before You Drive Away
Before you set off, your Value representative will walk you around the vehicle together to note any pre-existing marks or scratches on the inspection sheet. We’d also encourage you to:
- Take your own photos or short video on your phone as a record
- Check all windows, tyres, and lights quickly
- Flag anything that isn’t on the inspection sheet before driving off
Because we handle the handover face-to-face, any questions about the car can be answered on the spot — right there in the car park, not over a phone line later.
Fuel Policy: What You Need to Know
Our rentals operate on a full-to-full fuel policy — you collect the car with a full tank and return it full. This is the fairest, most transparent policy available and means there are no inflated refuelling charges to worry about.
There’s a petrol station close to the return area. We’ll point you in the right direction at the time of collection. And always double-check the fuel type before filling up, petrol and diesel nozzles are easy to mix up after a long flight!
Driving in Ireland: A Quick Refresher
If you’re arriving from outside Ireland, here are a few essentials to know before you hit the road:
- Ireland drives on the left-hand side of the road
- Speed limits are in kilometres per hour (km/h)
- Seatbelts are compulsory for all passengers
- Mobile phone use while driving is illegal unless hands-free
- Rural roads can be narrow — take it steady once you’re outside the cities
Your Value representative is happy to answer any questions about the local roads before you drive away, just another reason why meeting a real person beats a faceless desk experience.
What If My Flight Is Delayed?
No problem. We monitor live flight arrivals at Dublin Airport, so we’ll know if you’re running late. Your booking remains fully valid and your representative will adjust their timing accordingly. If you’re facing a significant delay, it’s always helpful to give us a quick call or message, but in most cases, we’ll already be on it.
Returning Your Car at Dublin Airport
The return process is just as straightforward:
- Fill up the tank before returning the vehicle
- A Value team member will meet you at the agreed return point to carry out a brief inspection
- Once cleared, you’re free to head straight to your terminal — no shuttle wait, no queues
- Your deposit hold will be released once the vehicle is confirmed in good order — typically within 5–10 business days depending on your bank
Allow enough time before your flight, we recommend completing the return at least 90 minutes before your departure.
Why Value Car Rental Is Different
When it comes to Dublin airport car hire, most providers offer the same impersonal experience. Value Car Rental was built on a different idea, that hiring a car should feel personal, easy, and genuinely good value from start to finish.
- Meet and greet service in arrivals — your keys, handed to you personally. No shuttles, no desks, no queues.
- Transparent pricing — what you see when you book is what you pay.
- Modern, well-maintained fleet — from compact city cars to spacious SUVs.
- Honest cover options — explained clearly, without the hard sell.
- Easy online booking — reserve your car in minutes, and we handle the rest.
Ready to Experience Car Hire Done Differently?
Arriving at Dublin Airport should be the start of an adventure, not a marathon of shuttle buses and queues. With Value Car Rental’s meet and greet service, you walk out of arrivals and straight into your trip.
Book your Dublin airport car hire with Value Car Rental today — and let us be the first friendly face you see when you land.