Key Tips for Driving in Europe
Hands down, one of the best places in the world for road trips is the continent of Europe. With so many countries within arm’s reach of each other, one can easily experience a number of astounding destinations in just one trip. Driving in Europe allows travellers to discover the continent’s best kept secrets yet stay connected from one major city to another. Hitting the road is not only the most flexible way to explore Europe but can also be affordable if done right.
Still, we understand new things can be a bit scary. For first timers who have never driven in Europe, the thought of a road trip may be daunting. But honestly, there is very little to no reason to be nervous about driving in Europe! With these tips and essential information, anyone can gain the the confidence to successfully drive in Europe.
Now, let’s get to the basics so you can get on with planning an incredible European road trip.
Reserving a Rental Car in Europe
The first step to driving in Europe as a tourist starts with the right car. Fortunately, renting a car in Europe is just as easy as actually driving in Europe. However, to keep your budget and expectations in check, there are a few things to keep top of mind when preparing to rent a car in Europe.
For comparing prices and vehicle options in Europe, there’s simply no better resource than Discover Cars.
Are you equipped to drive a manual transmission?
Most European rental car companies will keep a very small amount of automatic transmission vehicles in stock. This is simply because manual transmission are more common in Europe and therefore, supply and demand for automatic cars is low. If you’re an American citizen, knowing how to drive a manual transmission isn’t necessarily expected so this is one thing you should not let you take by surprise.
Do you know what type of fuel (gas or diesel) it takes?
Before driving off the rental car company’s lot, be completely certain about what type of fuel your car takes. Furthermore, be sure of how to fuel up in the country(s) you’re driving in.
What size car do you actually need?
One of the most underrated things to look out for is the size of your rental. If you plan on visiting a lot of major cities, do not rent a big car. Cities and towns in Europe can be historic and weren’t built with large vehicles in mind. Manoeuvring a big car will just make your life unnecessarily more difficult.
Do you need AWD/4WD?
Keep the weather in mind when making this decision. If you’re traveling in the winter, it’s worth renting a car with AWD/4WD to feel confident about making it anywhere. For getting around during the summer, it’s needless to spend the extra money on an off-road capable car.
Included Tolls & Crossing Borders
If your European road trip itinerary includes multiple countries, let the rental car company know. They will likely ask if you plan on crossing borders and it’s best to be upfront to avoid unexpected fees. Due to traffic cameras and possible trackers, the company will always know where their car is going. Letting them know beforehand will ensure you’re not breaking any of their guidelines or regulations.
Most rental car agencies will include the cost of tolls or a vignette in the rental cost. If not, ask the company about these details. Will you pay for tolls at the time of the booking/pickup or do you need to pay for tolls as you go?
Essential Information on Driving in Europe
To be truly prepared for driving in Europe, you’ll need to check the specific road rules for the country(s) you’re driving in. Remember, Europe is a continent and not one country with unified rules. This means every EU state has their own regulations, laws and guidelines you should follow as a visitor. The easiest place to reference laws of the road is on the state government’s website of the country(s) you’re travelling to. Luckily, there are many similarities about driving in Europe regardless of which country you are in. Below are the general rules which widely apply on any European road routes.
Left Lane
Particularly for Americans driving in Europe, this is one of the most important European rules of the road to be aware of. The left lane is the passing lane and you should refrain from passing a vehicle when in the right lane. Additionally, you should avoid “sitting” in the left lane, especially on major motorways. By cruising in the left lane, you may be subject to a ticket and will make a lot of drivers around you unhappy. Unlike in the United States, large freeways with multiple lanes tend to have zero structure and each lane is a free for all. This is not the case in any European country and you must be mindful of when you enter and exit the left lane.
Motorways & Tolled Roads
Most EU countries will have paid or tolled motorways. Each country has their own toll system and there is not a united toll organisation for the entire continent. Still, there are only a few ways which tolls are managed. You will either pay for a vignette sticker at a gas station, purchase an electronic vignette applicable only to your license plate or pay at individual toll stations along the motorway.
To identify if a motorway is tolled or if you need to pay, simply look at the road signs. You should look out for the word “vignette” which is a rather universal term in Europe. If you do see a sign, it’s advised you pull over at the nearest gas station to purchase the vignette electronically or to obtain the physical sticker. Toll booths are more apparent as you’ll have no other option but to pay the toll at the station while driving through. These stations are a mix of self serve and physically monitored booths who will accept cash or credit card.
If you’re driving through multiple countries, you’ll typically see any warning signs regarding a vignette as soon as you cross the border. Do not drive too far without purchasing a vignette if one is required. It’s possible that a traffic camera will pinpoint exactly how long you were driving without a vignette and you can still receive a ticket.
Speed Cameras
Speed cameras are common in Europe and the easiest way to receive a traffic ticket. However, it mainly depends on which country you’re driving in to determine if they should be something of a concern to you. For example, driving in France means you’re always being monitored. Whether you’re on the motorway or a remote village, chances are that there are traffic cameras. If you are caught speeding on a camera and are driving a rental car, you will eventually be mailed a ticket to your home country. As a good rule of thumb, follow the speed limit or maintain the same speed of the locals.
Understand Roundabouts
A critical skill and important driving requirement in Europe is the ability to use a roundabout. This is noteworthy for any Americans looking to drive in the EU because roundabouts aren’t popular in the United States. After about one minute on the road in Europe, you’ll notice that roundabouts are everywhere. To avoid a potential incident, ensure that you fully understand how to enter and exit a roundabout in addition to proper roundabout etiquette. It’s also worth noting that roundabouts in Europe come in all sizes and even shapes (oddly, they’re not always round) so it’s best to study up and practice if needed.
City Center Accessibility
If you’re planning on visiting popular destinations while driving in Europe, you’ll likely have a few major cities on your itinerary. Aside from the increased pedestrian and car traffic or likelihood of tiny side streets, you’ll need to be aware of zones which are off limits to certain drivers. Again, this varies from country to country but most EU states have their own version of the same concept to properly manage road congestion in city centres. These zones are primarily created to manage tourist traffic only and still allow residents or public transportation to enter.
For example, these restrictions in Italy are called ZTL (or Zona a traffic limitato in Italian). The ZTL prevents non locals from driving within town centres (usually historic areas) during certain times. The goal of the ZTL is to reduce overall traffic and maintain a pleasant experience for pedestrians and people who actually live there. Once entering a European city or town, be mindful of any signs which may suggest possible city centre restrictions for visitors. These tickets tend to be the expensive ones!
Border Crossings
One of the best things about driving in Europe is free movement among EU states. A majority of the EU states are part of the Schengen zone which essentially means there is no border control. The Schengen zone applies to both flying and land travel. To fully familiarise yourself with Schengen requirements before driving on the continent, head to the official site for information. Although there are no official borders throughout the EU, it’s not completely uncommon to encounter random checkpoints monitored by the police. To avoid any issues, always have your passport and associated travel or driving documents on hand.
In general, if you are driving in Europe as a tourist, you can do so for 90 days without a visa. Staying longer than 90 days will require a short stay visa issued by any EU state which is then valid throughout the EU and Schengen zone. For travellers visiting Europe as part of a larger trip, there is a trick to get around a short term visa. By simply travelling outside of the EU (and Schengen zone) before the initial 90 day mark and then returning after a short period, your “tourist clock” restarts.
Fueling Up
Taking a car trip through Europe means you’ll eventually have to fuel up. The ultimate task of getting fuel into your car isn’t different than it is anywhere else in the world. However, there are still notable tips for first timers to be aware of throughout the fueling process.
For starters, be sure of the type of gas you are putting into your own car of rental car. In general, fuel types have similar names across the continent with the exception of France. In France, gasoline can go by the names of benzin/benzina or sans plomb. Additionally, diesel can go by the name of gazole. A little confusing, right? When in doubt, always thoroughly ask the attendant if you’re not sure. More universally across Europe, gasoline is called benzine and diesel is called diesel.
Secondly, be mindful of serviced gas stations versus self serve. This is exactly as it sounds with serviced gas stations being operated by an attendant. Self service gas station in Europe allow you to pump your own gas. Besides receiving service, the biggest difference is the price as serviced gas stations or specific pumps will be more expensive.
Proven Tips to a Successful Road Trip in Europe
Take the Train to City Centers
There’s no denying that driving is the best way to explore the diverse and vast continent of Europe. However, road tripping has its limits and those are usually set in big cities and historical towns. This by no means should restrict you from visiting spectacular places like Paris, Barcelona or medieval villages in Italy. It just means, do not drive directly to them or throughout them if you can avoid it.
For anyone that’s driving in Europe for the first time, this is the easiest and most useful tip to follow. If you’re interested in visiting a big city, leave your car at a train station just outside of the city center and take the train in for sightseeing. At most big train stations, you can leave a car unattended for multiple days for free. Public transportation is after all, always encouraged.
Choose A Suitable Destination(s)
Difficult Roads
With various landscapes, cultures and attractions to see, choosing where to drive in Europe is half the battle. Experiencing the dramatic peaks of the Alps may be on your bucket list but if you don’t necessarily consider yourself a confident driver, it’s likely not the best choice for a road trip. Driving in the Alps requires sharing narrow roads with truck drivers, curvy mountain passes and the occasional sheep herd traffic jam. Contrarily, one of the best countries to easily drive in is the Netherlands. The country is comprised of flat lands, modern infrastructure and well connected motorways. Ultimately, this all depends on your own assessment of your driving skills but listen to your gut!
Language
An overlooked trick to choosing a suitable driving destination is the country’s language and alphabet. Although Google Maps provides you with plenty of guidance, it’s not the silver bullet. The ability to read and understand the road signs in front of you is very helpful when navigating. So is the option of speaking with someone to ask for help or directions. Although language barriers have kept things interesting for us during our travels, it also adds a level of complexity. Knowing what to expect in terms of the English speaking population of a country is useful to keep in mind.
As a note, this tip doesn’t apply to all non English alphabet using countries. For example, we drove through North Macedonia where they primarily use an adaptation of the Cyrillic alphabet. However, the road signs included English in addition to the native language.
Visiting Multiple Countries
Half the fun and purpose of driving on the continent is the ability to swiftly visit multiple countries. If you are interested in venturing from one country to another, it’s recommended to stick to EU states within the Schengen zone. The lack of official borders permits you to save time, utilise major motorways and doesn’t require any additional paperwork.
Copy Others Around You
Remembering several new road rules can be unrealistic as most of us don’t have all the time in the world. Personally, there’s now way that we can recite the driving rules of every country we’ve driven in. Our secret? Whenever in doubt, just mimic what other drivers are doing around you. If you notice that nobody is turning right at a red light, this probably means it’s illegal. If you notice everybody speeding by supposed cameras, it probably means the cameras are not a real threat. This is the quickest way to know the rules!
Story time: We once took a ferry from France into England and it didn’t dawn on us until we were about to disembark that we will have to drive on the other side of the road once we land. In an attempt to not panic, we started to copy exactly what the car in front of us was doing at all times. This little trick got us through our short journey and back to the EU in one piece.
Prioritise Using a Credit Card
Travelling with a credit card that’s meant for frequent travel makes a world of a difference. One of the best reasons to prioritise paying with a credit card during your road trip in Europe is forgiveness. Naturally, there will always be the chance of something going wrong but with a good credit card, you’ll still be able to file for chargebacks or refunds in most instances. Additionally, earning travel points also doesn’t stop just because you’re abroad! Take advantage of all your travel expenses and effortlessly earn the rewards.
Another major advantage to using your credit card while driving in Europe is insurance. Again, this depends on your credit card’s level of quality but in most cases, credit card companies include insurance on bookings such as car rentals, flights and hotels. Before buying additional travel insurance, it’s definitely worth asking your credit card company what is already included.
Download Your Maps
Long gone are the days of using a physical map but utilizing a map nonetheless is still very crucial when driving some place new. One important step we complete before hitting the road is to download a selected area in Google Maps on our phones. This way, Google Maps is accessible while offline. This is incredibly easy and quick to do by anyone. We promise, it will save you in times of anxiety when you suddenly have zero cell service and no clue where you’re going. Always download a larger selected area than you think you need because you never know where the road will take you.
Another common misconception about Google Maps is that turn by turn directions are not available when driving in a foreign country. This is incorrect! We can only recollect a small handful of times where Google Maps failed us miserably in a foreign country. For the most part and with a touch of common sense, using navigation with detailed directions is quite reliable, especially in Europe.
Enlist a Trusty Co-pilot (If Possible)
Driving across Europe can certainly be done solo but in our opinion, is wholeheartedly more fun and less difficult with a co-pilot (or few!). The secret key to a successful European road trip is to have a handy and skilled co-pilot by your side. Having someone there to assist with directions, parking, alerts on what attractions is coming up or what to look out for is a prominent factor to a stress free road trip. Using a cell phone while driving is clearly discouraged when you should be focusing on navigating a foreign land. You’d think the secret is in the driver but nope! Trust us, you’ll want a co-pilot’s help when you’re fighting your way out of a roundabout in a sea of tiny Fiats.
Insurance & Documentation for Driving in Europe
The reality of driving in Europe means you should come prepared with the boring stuff like paperwork. Having the correct documentation and insurance in case anything does happen is just plain smart. This is the least fun part of prepping for your road trip abroad but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Below are three things to keep top of mind:
International Driving Permit
Also known as an IDP, this is merely a document that translates your license into different languages. It is not a free pass to drive wherever you want. You’ll still need to carry your domestic driver’s license with you. You can double check the embassy website of the country you will be driving in to ensure your driver’s license is valid there. Not all rental car companies will ask for your IDP but it’s best to be ready just in case. An international driving permit can normally be obtained at places like AAA or similar insurance companies in the United States, before you arrive in Europe.
In terms of driving requirements in Europe for tourists, you’ll essentially just need an IDP and your valid domestic driver’s license. If you are driving your own vehicle, you’ll additionally need your effective car insurance and car registration documents.
Rental Car Insurance
The rental agency will surely ask if you’d like to purchase additional insurance and the choice is up to you but it should be considered nonetheless. It can’t be said enough but anything can happen. If an additional €40 charge covers you fully from accidents, theft and damages then it’s very much worth it.
Accident Insurance
Typically included in a travel insurance package, you’ll want to keep in mind insurance for injuries to yourself or others and liability insurance. For example, if you do get into an accident and have to go to the hospital plus claim responsibility to the other party in the accident, are you covered? These types of questions are important to ask your home country’s insurance provider as they’re usually the ones who can provide options for your travels. If not, then purchasing additional travel insurance which encompasses everything is the perfect solution.
Driving in Europe Travel Resources
TRAVEL INSURANCE: EKTA or VisitorsCoverage
CAR RENTALS: Rentalcars.com or Discover Cars
ACCOMMODATION: Booking.com or Trivago
ESIM / CELL PHONE DATA: Airalo
TOURS & ACTIVITIES: GetYourGuide or Viator
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