Do I need a rental car for Ireland and Scotland?

[Anonymous]

We usually stick to urban areas when we travel to Europe but I feel like a rental car is needed to adequately see these destinations. At least a few days each, right? The plan was to train from London to Edinburgh/Glasgow for 6 days, fly to Dublin for 4 or 5 and fly home from there. So I was thinking after we see the cities we would need a car (even just a day rental) to go out and see castles or hike.
Also, what places will require booking a month in advance? I remember having to get tickers for the Anne Frank house a month in advance right when they were made available....

[Anonymous]

Yes, I think you should rent a car.
I am too nervous to drive on the opposite side of the road so I hired a private driver to take us to the Isle of Sky (too far if you plan to stay in Glasgow/Edinburgh, but a do-able day trip from Inverness.)

[Anonymous]

Absolutely you need a car, or a car and driver.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Is Glasgow really more of a day trip if we wanted to not move from Edinburgh?

[Anonymous]

Sorry Op here again. What would be another place worth staying as a base for 2 days besides Glasgow? Inverness?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry Op here again. What would be another place worth staying as a base for 2 days besides Glasgow? Inverness?

I'm the pp that hired a private driver. I would do Edinburgh and Inverness. Culloden is another good (but somber) day trip from Inverness. We were easily able to take the public bus to/from the battlefield.

[Anonymous]

Is there something specific you want to see in Glasgow? Sure it's an interesting, important, and pleasant city but Edinburgh is far more beautiful.

Think about just doing Edinburgh and the countryside.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there something specific you want to see in Glasgow? Sure it's an interesting, important, and pleasant city but Edinburgh is far more beautiful.

Think about just doing Edinburgh and the countryside.

Yes. That's my feeling. Honestly I don't know much about Scotland and I'm a little overwhelmed with what to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there something specific you want to see in Glasgow? Sure it's an interesting, important, and pleasant city but Edinburgh is far more beautiful.

Think about just doing Edinburgh and the countryside.

Yes. That's my feeling. Honestly I don't know much about Scotland and I'm a little overwhelmed with what to do.

Agreed. I'd skip Glasgow and do Inverness or Scottish Highlands. You definitely will want a car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I think you should rent a car.
I am too nervous to drive on the opposite side of the road so I hired a private driver to take us to the Isle of Sky (too far if you plan to stay in Glasgow/Edinburgh, but a do-able day trip from Inverness.)

I was nervous about driving on opposite side of road in Scotland and it wasn’t too bad. Hardest thing was continually going to the passenger door when entering the car.

[Anonymous]

For Ireland we hired car/driver. Edinburgh we’ve had great day trips on the train.

[Anonymous]

For Ireland we went for 9 days and had a car. It’s a small country and very drivable and we stayed in cool castles which you would need a car to get to.

Once you get used to driving on the other side, it’s not bad. Signage, etc,. is easy. The Ring of Kerry drive is spectacular.

[Anonymous]

Can’t speak to Scotland since I’ve never been, but fwiw, OP, I’m also generally a city person but after many trips, think the countryside is the best part of Ireland. It’s really gorgeous. So I’d try to rent a car or hire a driver.

[Anonymous]

Following

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can’t speak to Scotland since I’ve never been, but fwiw, OP, I’m also generally a city person but after many trips, think the countryside is the best part of Ireland. It’s really gorgeous. So I’d try to rent a car or hire a driver.

This.

Nice vibe in Dublin. Nothing to look at though.

The countryside is incredible.