Car Rental in Knock

Why rent a car in Knock?

The west of Ireland, where Knock Airport is located, is a fascinating region. With a myriad of small towns and villages, vast nature reserves, and strong preservation of the local Irish culture and language, it is one of the most interesting areas of the country. Whether you choose to go to the hip university city of Galway, visit the world-famous Knock Catholic shrine, or explore the Irish coast, the west of Ireland is an underrated tourism gem.

Top ways to enter Knock

• Ireland West Airport: Also known as Knock Airport, it handles about 750,000 travelers every year, making it the fourth-busiest airport in the Republic of Ireland. Served by Aer Lingus, Flybe, AlbaStar, and Ryanair, the airport offers flights to and from the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Germany, and Portugal. The airport is 19km (11.8 miles) northeast of Knock and can be reached in about 20 minutes.
• Shannon Airport: Serving the Mid-West region of Ireland, Shannon Airport offers flights not only to and from European destinations, but also to New York City, Boston, Toronto, Philadelphia, and Providence in North America. The airport is 138km (86 miles) south of Knock and can be reached in about 90 minutes.
• Dublin Airport: Serving the nation’s capital, Dublin Airport is by far the busiest in the country. In 2022, it handled more than 28 million travelers. A hub for Aer Lingus, the airport is served by nearly 30 other airlines. The airport is 217km (135 miles) east of Knock and can be reached in about 2 hours and 45 minutes.
• Donegal Airport: Another small, but international Irish airport, Donegal is located in the far northwest of the country. As of March 2023, there are only two active flights connecting Donegal to Dublin and Glasgow. Donegal Airport is about 200km (125 miles) north of Knock and can be reached in 2 hours and 30 minutes.
• Belfast Airport: Serving the capital of Northern Ireland (which is part of the United Kingdom), Belfast Airport handled 4.8 million travelers in 2022. The airport is a large hub for three low-cost carriers, easyJet, Jet2.com, and Ryanair, and is also served by a number of other airlines. The airport is located 258km (161 miles) northeast of Knock and the distance between the two can be traveled in 3 hours and 30 minutes. To go from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland, you’ll have to cross an international border, so ask your rental car provider in advance if they permit it.
• Galway Airport: A former international airport on the Western Irish coast, Galway Airport was closed in 2015. Although, as of March 2023, there are no scheduled flights, plans are in place to open the airport again in the near future.

City facts

Similar to the rest of Ireland, Knock has an oceanic climate with mild summers, cool winters, and little temperature changes between the seasons. The average high temperature is 20°C  (67°F) in July, the warmest month, and 9°C  (48°F) in January. Precipitation is rather high all year long, but is increased from August all the way to January.

The village of Knock only has a population of 972, making it one of the smallest settlements in Europe with an international airport. The airport also serves County Mayo in which Knock is located, the larger Connacht Province, and, since the closure of Galway Airport, it is the primary international airport for the west of Ireland. 

Top sights and activities

• Knock Shrine. A Catholic pilgrimage site in the center of Knock, the shrine attracts thousands of believers and other visitors every year. According to legend, Christian figures like the Virgin Mary, Jesus Christ, and Saint Joseph have appeared here. Whether you believe it or not, the shrine, along with Knock Basilica and the Chapel of Reconciliation, is a beautiful place to visit.
• County Mayo Megalithic Monuments. Older even than Christianity itself, megalithic monuments can be found throughout Ireland. Created by the tribes of the Neolithic age, little is known about their makers or the tombs’ spiritual purpose, but the mystery only adds to the experience of visiting them. One of the most interesting places to visit, Céide Fields, is 75km (46 miles) north of Knock and can be reached in about 1 hour and 15 minutes. In addition to an archaeological complex, it also has a visitors center where you can learn more about the Irish megaliths. Other sites include Kilcommon, Ballyhaunis, and Moygownagh, and all can be easily reached with a rental car.
• Ballycroy National Park. A vast natural area on the Irish coast, Ballycroy is made up of a large peatland as well as the Nephin Mountains, rolling hills, marshlands, and hiking paths. More than anywhere else in the region, it looks like the Ireland we have seen in documentaries and on postcards. When visiting, try to spot one of the bird species that live in the area like the peregrine falcon, Greenland white-fronted goose, or whooper swan. Located 83km (51 miles) west of Knock, Ballycroy can be reached in 1 hour and 20 minutes. 

Traffic and parking

• Driving takes place on the left side of the road in the Republic of Ireland. 
• Unless specifically indicated otherwise, the speed limits are 120km/h (75 mph) for motorways, 100km/h (62 mph) for national roads without motorway status, 80km/h (50 mph) for local and regional roads, and 50km/h (31 mph) for urban zones and built-up areas. Unlike in neighboring Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom, the speed limits are indicated in kilometers per hour, not miles per hour.
• Most road signs are displayed in both English and Irish. However, in some Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) areas, the road signs are only in Irish. This is important to keep in mind because some Irish city names are different than their English names - for example, the Irish name of Knock is An Cnoc. 
• The legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for experienced  drivers and 0.02% for novice drivers. Exceeding the limit can lead to large fines, an EU-wide licence ban, or even imprisonment.
• The proof of insurance and car registration needs to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
• When driving, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
• The emergency number, like elsewhere in the EU, is 112.

Toll roads

There are 11 toll roads in the Republic of Ireland. There are also two toll tunnels and two toll bridges.

The payment for using any of the toll roads, bridges, or tunnels can be made with cash at the toll gates. The tolls on some roads are payable by credit card. For driving on the M50, you can pay online. Some rental cars are also equipped with an electronic toll tag that will make the toll payment automatically. Some car rental providers might charge an additional fee for this service. Ask your car rental provider about it in advance. 

For more information about the toll roads in the Republic of Ireland and for the toll road map, visit the Republic of Ireland’s official toll road website.

Ideas for day trips

• Galway. Only the sixth most-populous city  on the island , Galway punches way above its size when it comes to attractions. These include the medieval Lynch’s Castle, the Hall of the Red Earl, and the city’s beautiful Seaport Promenade along the Atlantic coast. Just 70km (43 miles) south of Knock, Galway can be reached in one hour by car.

• The Aran Islands. The small archipelago of the Aran Islands have a combined population of just around 1,300, but there’s plenty to see there. Some of the attractions are the ancient Dún Aonghasa fortress which is more than 3,000 years old and the Inis Óirr chapel. All three islands also have an impressive, rugged landscape made up of rocks, hills, and beaches. The islands are only accessible by boat and though you cannot take a car on it, it’s possible to park at the ferry ports. The nearest port from Knock is Rossaveel; located 97km (60 miles) southwest, it can be reached in about 90 minutes.

• Sligo. A proud and cozy Irish town, Sligo is home to some important landmarks like the Sligo Abbey and the Irish Famine Memorial. The town is on the Wild Atlantic Way, the most famous (and most beautiful) tourist route in Ireland. It has some of its most spectacular stretches near Sligo, so it’s an especially fun place to visit by car. Located 70km (43 miles) northeast of Knock, the town can be reached in about one hour.

• Achill Island. Connected to the mainland by a bridge, Ireland’s largest island is a special place to visit. Characterized by a sparse population and austere, wild coastal landscapes, it is home to prehistoric megalithic sites, the abandoned village of Slievemore, and the 15th-century  Carrickkildavnet Castle. Achill is near another island, Clare, where a former lighthouse has been turned into a guest house.

• Roscommon. Located in the rarely visited lowland county of the same name, the town of Roscommon is a lovely off-the-beaten-path destination. Best known for its 13th-century Norman Castle and the ruins of Roscommon Abbey, it is also home to the Railway Museum, the prehistoric complex of Rathcroghan, and Strokestown Park which is home to an imposing mansion as well as the National Famine Museum. The drive from Knock Airport to Roscommon will take just under one hour.

• Connemara National Park. Made up of hills, bogs, and wild beaches, Connemara is, for many visitors, one of the most scenic places in what is already a very scenic country. Made up of a coastal peninsula, as well as a larger inland section, Connemara is home not just to natural beauty, but also megalithic tombs that are estimated to be around 4,000 years old. From Knock, a car trip takes only about 90 minutes.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car types in Connacht are intermediate, standard, and economy. The most popular rental car is the Toyota Corolla, followed by the Toyota Avensis and the Skoda Citigo.

Further destinations

• Dublin. Ireland’s capital is by far the largest and the most visited city in the country. Many come for its fun nightlife and traditional Irish pubs, but there are other attractions to enjoy. Some of those are the Dublin Writers Museum that celebrates famous sons of the city like Joyce, Swift, and Yeats; the National Gallery of Ireland; and, naturally, the Irish Whiskey Museum (contrary to rumors, it is not mandatory to sample the drink at the end of the tour). Located 210km (130 miles) east of Knock, Dublin can be reached in about 2 hours and 30 minutes; by driving this route, you’ll cross nearly all of Ireland, from coast to coast.
• County Donegal. Even more remote than the area around Knock, this northwestern corner of the country is a paradise for lovers of nature and privacy. With long, empty beaches (especially around Fanad Peninsula), Slieve League sea cliffs, little archipelagoes, and cozy villages in the middle of nowhere, it’s the perfect region to explore at a relaxed pace. Lifford, the county town, is 180km (112 miles) north of Knock and can be reached in 2 hours and 30 minutes.
• Belfast. Although the city’s reputation suffered greatly during the Troubles, the capital of Northern Ireland has been bouncing back as one of the up-and-coming travel destinations of Europe. With a buzzing culture, impressive murals, and famous areas like the Cathedral Quarter, it truly is a place like no other. Located 260km (161 miles) northeast of Knock, the city can be reached in about 3 hours and 20 minutes. You’ll have to cross the international border between the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom (of which Northern Ireland is a part of), so ask your rental car provider in advance if they permit it.

Car rental prices in Knock

• Station wagons - from $81 per day
• Small cars - from $37 per day
• Medium cars - from $55 per day
• Large cars - from $145 per day
• SUVs - from $82 per day
• Vans - from $235 per day
• Premium cars - from $251 per day

Money-saving and other tips

Follow these tips and land a great rental car in Connacht Region:

• Compare the rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Knock is the cheapest in April when renting a car is a whole 75% cheaper than the yearly average. Come visit Ireland in spring time!