How to do a motorhome holiday in Ireland

What you need to know about renting and holidaying in a motorhome in Ireland ?

DriveNow sent one of our experienced reservations executives, Jack Barker, to Ireland after he had finished a European holiday.   Ireland is a popular motorhome and campervan destination for Brits and Europeans, we wanted to know why? and just how easy it was to do?

If you are considering a trip to the Emerald Isle you will already know that it's expensive.  Hotels especially are expensive and it's certainly not the cheapest place to eat and drink.  You will, of course, want to do both, since the pub culture is part of going to Ireland, so here's how you can afford to have it all.

Jack chose a vehicle from the DriveNow.com.au site, all the suppliers and vehicles on our are site are reputable, you can chose anything on offer and be confident that they will be excellent quality vehicles and that the rental company offers superior service.

On Jacks return we sat him down for a debrief and asked him a lot of questions.

Q&A with Jack on his 12 day Ireland motorhome trip in June 2025

What vehicle and brand did you have?: Bunk Campers “Europa”

How much did the vehicle cost per day?: €1513 for 12 days = €126 per day. (NB: June is peak time so the vehicles are at their most expensive)

If your travel insurance doesn't cover the rental,  the cost including the highest insurance option would be €171 per day.

Where did you pick up the vehicle?: I started my tour immediately I arrived in Dublin the depot for Bunk Campers is only a 5 minute drive from the airport terminal.  I spent time in Dublin after I returned the motorhome at the end of my tour.

Tell us about the pickup and the information you where given?: Pickup is from 2pm for Bunk Campers, So you have time to arrive and transfer to the depot.  The Bunk check-in staff give you a personalised vehicle walkthrough as soon as you have after completed the document sign in and you pay the bond.

What side of the road do you drive on in Ireland?: Left Side of the road like the UK, Japan, India, Australia and NZ.

What were the roads like?: The roads in Ireland are tiered like most countries and it's good to understand their system before you head off.

M- Motorways - good for motorhome or campervan travel

N- National roads - good for motorhome or campervan travel

R- Regional roads - good for motorhome or campervan travel, more narrow than M and N so travel more carefully take a little extra time to plan out your route, drive courteously to allow other cars to pass and drive safely to avoid any damage, then there shouldn’t be any problems.

L- Local roads - I would suggest avoiding these tight roads unless you have checked online or with the locals first.

If you have a bigger motorhome, like I did, do your homework and check online or with locals first about roads that they know you should avoid. But don't be put off there are plenty of adequate roads and ways to make it work.

Was it difficult to park?: Street parking that can fit a campervan or motorhome can be difficult to find in some of the more popular destinations.

My hack - hire bikes in Dublin.  I pre-ordered a bike rack for the camper and put the bikes on the back,  the bikes worked out to be about €15 a day and it made the to and from campground and local town so easy (some campgrounds hire out bikes). In small towns and at attractions you can park a little further away and walk or ride to your destination, whichever is a better option, and not just for folks in Campers! Having bikes adds to the fun. We saw so much more of the country this way.

Larger towns or cities have public parking areas available for taller vehicles, they use a pay and display system. You can use your card.

Parking in the campgrounds is extremely easy as vehicles are spaced out, other campers are generally friendly enough to give a hand backing in if required.

What where the campgrounds like in Ireland?: Campgrounds are usually family run and are high quality. Some campgrounds may charge extra for access to showers.

How much did the campgrounds cost?:  €30-40 per night (June '25)

How much was petrol/gas in Ireland?:  €1.70-1.80 per litre for Diesel (June'25)

Did you need help from the rental company during your travels?:  Yes, requested assistance via online live chat with a grey water waste question. Response was received within 5 minutes of sending message. Very helpful and was very happy with the quick response.

What was the best thing about taking a motorhome around Ireland?: Hotel costs in Ireland have skyrocketed in recent years, Hiring a car and staying even in the cheapest accommodation was still a lot more expensive than a camper and a campground.  With the added advantage that

1. I could have bikes with me
2. I unpacked once
3. I could save on breakfast and lunches by shopping at the supermarket, then I could afford a pub dinner at night.

The amount saved on accommodation alone is worth the motorhome rental.

What advice would you give to others thinking of a motorhome/campervan holiday in Ireland?:

1. Pre-plan your campgrounds and travel route if travelling in summer as campgrounds get busy.
2. Hire bikes and pre-order the bike rack for your vehicle.
3. You don't have to travel in peak time,  you can save more travelling in the shoulder period.
4. Get the appropriate sized vehicle for your needs.
5. Don't be scared to do it.  I'm going to do Scotland next!

It's a really beautiful country, so hospitable and the people are so fun, you may not have thought of Ireland as a campervan destination but it most certainly is.

Photo's courtesy of Jack Barker and all the advise is Jacks personal opinion. Jack is preparing another blog on the itinerary he followed and will be sharing soon.