Car hire - Kerry Airport

Kerry Airport (KIR) is one of Ireland’s regional airports. It currently offers direct flights to Dublin, London-Stansted, London-Luton and Frankfurt-Hahn. During the summer months, it also provides flights to Alicante and Faro.

The airport is located in located in Killarney, County Kerry, in the stunning south-west of Ireland. This part of the country is steeped in a rich history, offering visitors the chance to explore many different heritage sites against a backdrop of spectacular scenery.

Hiring a car will mean that you can explore every part of Kerry, allowing you to make the most of your Irish adventure.

There are several car hire companies that operate out of Kerry Airport, meaning there’s plenty of choice when it comes to choosing your vehicle. By using our booking tool, you can get the best possible deal. You can select the dates of your trip and choose the type of car you want - whether that’s a mini, estate or SUV.

Booking through us also protects you against amendment and cancellation fees, as we feel that you shouldn’t be chastised when your plans change. We also provide you with customer service support 24/7, so no matter what time you need us, you can be sure we’re ready to take your call.

After you’ve collected your luggage, you need to exit the terminal and head to the Long Term Car Park, as this is where the car rental desks are located. Hiring your car before travelling makes it much easier to collect your vehicle and ensures the type you require is available. Simply head to your rental provider to collect your keys and you'll be good to go.

It won’t be as simple if you wait until you arrive at Kerry Airport to arrange your rental and it’s likely to be more expensive. Why not let us do the hard work for you?

You can tailor your trip to Kerry so it suits your interests, whether that’s history, nature, culture or just having fun.

The county can be split into four main areas: The Iveragh Peninsula and Killarney, the Dingle Peninsula, the Beara Peninsula, and Northern County Kerry. You’ll find something unique in each of these locations, whether that’s dramatic coastlines, majestic mountains, a rich past or historical monuments.

Why not visit the bustling narrow streets of Dingle and pick up something made by the locals, such as a beautiful painting or something delicious to eat? You could head to Tralee and see the Kerry County Museum or make your way to the heritage town of Listowel and visit the Tarbert Bridewell Jail and Courthouse.

There is a wealth of places to see and things to do in this spectacular part of Ireland, all you need to do is get in your car and hit the road.

After exiting the airport’s car park, if you drive on to the N22 you can be at Killarney Lakes and National Park in around 30 minutes. Here you can see rugged mountain landscapes, rolling green hills and Irish Red deer wandering freely. You can also visit the 19th-century Muckross House and Gardens, which is one of Ireland’s most famous stately homes.

If you want to stretch your sea legs, you could head straight to the coastline and find yourself a hidden inlet or cove to try your hand at beach or boat angling. The Banna Strand and Rossbeigh beaches are some of the most beautiful stretches of sand in Ireland, as well as in Kerry.

You could head to one of the quaint towns and villages dotted across Kerry if you want to sip a pint of Guinness while listening to some quality music. The town of Tralee is just a ten-minute drive from the airport at most. Here you’ll find a place that is proud of its past but has fully embraced modern life.

It would be remiss of us not to suggest experiencing the Ring of Kerry on your trip. This spectacular drive carries you through centuries of dramatic history, dense forests and past the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean. As you’re driving across the rugged terrain, you are rewarded with views of glorious landscapes, tumbling waterfalls, streams full of wild salmon and other natural wonders that make Ireland feel almost magical.

Overall, the circuit is 179 kilometres long, which could be done over a day or stretched into a week or two if you really wanted to experience Kerry, rather than just seeing it from a car window. You could stop in a town or two - such as Killorglin and Kenmare - for a bite to eat or get out of the car to take some stunning holiday photos between Waterville and Caherdaniel.

If you want a break from driving, you could park up and explore some of the route on foot. The grassy plains and mountains of the Ballaghisheen Pass are well-worth a closer look.