There’s something irresistible about the lure of the open road — the promise of freedom, discovery, and adventure waiting just beyond the next turn
The freedom to choose your own pace, to veer off onto winding lanes, to stumble across a village you’d never find in the guidebook it’s no wonder so many of us are tempted by the idea of a road trip before 2025 slips away.
For Irish travellers, renting a car abroad has become second nature. In fact, recent research commissioned by CarHireExcess.ie found that more than half of us (57%) have hired a car overseas. The appeal is obvious: you land, you drive, and suddenly the whole country is within reach.
Of course, every road tripper knows the basics driving licence, kids’ car seats, first aid kit, breakdown gear. But what about the smaller items, the ones you don’t realise you’ll miss until you’re halfway across a mountain pass with no phone signal?
Drawing on years of experience helping tens of thousands of renters each year, the experts at CarHireExcess.ie have compiled a list of clever, often-overlooked essentials. These five little lifesavers could turn out to be the difference between a smooth ride and a minor disaster.
1. Spare chargers and a power bank
Your smartphone is the command centre of modern travel it’s your map, your translator, your entertainment hub, your restaurant scout. But all of that counts for nothing if your battery gives up. Pack more than one charger, make sure they fit the sockets in your vehicle, and throw in a decent power bank as backup. Bonus points for remembering a plug adapter that suits your destination.
2. Cash as well as cards
Contactless payments may feel like second nature, but not every toll booth, parking metre or roadside café has reliable card facilities especially if you’re somewhere remote. Carrying a little cash in the local currency can spare you the awkward scramble for loose coins or the frustration of a card machine that just won’t connect.
3. A paper map
Yes, really. That humble fold-out relic you thought had been consigned to history can be a lifesaver when your phone is out of battery or your signal vanishes. A map won’t just get you from A to B; it can also spark detours you’d never have spotted on a satnav.
4. Compostable or biodegradable bags
Surprisingly versatile, these can save the day in multiple ways. Kids’ muddy shoes? Sorted. Travel sickness emergency? Dealt with, hygienically. Car full of snack wrappers? Easy clean-up. They’re practical, planet-friendly, and take up almost no space in your glovebox.
5. A blanket (or two)
There’s a reason seasoned travellers always keep one handy. In colder months, a blanket could be essential in case of breakdown. On sunnier days, it doubles as a picnic rug. It can also provide comfort for napping passengers or act as an impromptu cover-up at the beach.
