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A couple of years ago we took a road trip through Spain and Portugal for a month with our daughter and it was so much fun. If you’re planning to complete a road trip across Europe though, there are lots of things to consider as the way the roads work in other countries can be different to what we’ve become familiar with here in the UK and you don’t want to run into any issues when you’re away! With this in mind, you need to know how to be prepared when you get behind the wheel.
Photo by Jack Anstey on Unsplash
To give you some of its top tips on travelling by car in Europe, we’ve teamed up with Motability dealers; Lookers.
You’ll already know that across the world there are different traffic laws – so it’s important you become knowledgeable about what you should and shouldn’t do on the roads. If you plan to travel through different cities when you’re away, traffic laws could again differ. Drivers should prepare themselves by learning the rules of the road.
Universal rules will usually include the use of a seatbelt, speed limits and blood alcohol levels — which is something all drivers should be aware of anyway. In continental Europe, all drivers drive on the right-hand side of the road, but in some local areas, people may drive down the centre of the road.
As you’ll likely be driving in places that are unfamiliar to you, it is important that you plan all of your routes to avoid any lost time and to ensure that you see as much of Europe as you can on your vacation. Invest in a map of Europe or use an internet route planner – this will also help you locate any service stations and other facilities you may need, such as restaurants and hotels, which can be incredibly useful when you’re driving around.
With tourists being charged crazy rent prices for vehicles when they’re away, it’s always cheaper to rent by the week rather than by the day. If you were to book your vehicle in advance, this can also help reduce further costs, as rental companies will usually decide on this when their inventory is high. If you’re looking for a bargain, it’s always advised to look around to find the best competitive price.
With any contract that you sign, it’s important to read over the terms and conditions properly so that you know what you’re actually paying for — whether this is highlighting the type of vehicle, times available and the end date. Not only that, you can avoid any unnecessary charges that could present themselves and ask any questions that you might have.
One thing that you must do is check the vehicle for any damage before you drive off so you don’t get blamed for something that wasn’t you.
Remember to take your national driving licence with you, as every country in the European Union you visit will require it. Depending on where you’re going, you might have to take with you an International Driving Permit in order to actually rent a car when you’re abroad and to ultimately drive on the public highway.
You might also want to carry proof of insurance with you, especially when it comes to crossing different borders around Europe. You’ll always be able to ask for further information from your car rental agency and they’ll likely be more than happy to explain what you need when travelling.
I hope this guide on how to survive driving across Europe helped you – where are you going next?
This is a collaborative post.
Welcome to Birds and Lilies! I'm Lou: mother, blogger and freelance writer. This is my lifestyle blog, where I talk about motherhood, infertility and IVF, beauty, my love for food and wine, as well as my thoughts about stuff, and our real-life and travel adventures.
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