Europe is so colorful and diverse! And you can easily explore different countries, cultures, and cuisine by going on just one holiday. Imagine how much more you can see on an entire road trip across the different regions…
If you are ready to immerse yourself in this adventure, check our top tips for planning a road trip in Europe:
1. Research and plan your route through Europe
The first and most important tip for planning a road trip is, of course, to research and plan your route. Unless you’re spending 5-6 months on the road, you need to be prepared that you cannot explore all of Europe. That is the reason why choosing a particular region is of paramount importance!
You can start by deciding on the main country you would like to explore and then add the neighboring countries to your travel itinerary. For instance, if you can spare a month on the road, you can easily drive through Northern Italy, Switzerland, Slovenia, Croatia, and even Austria. Keep in mind that when driving, you might need additional time to cross borders. So, do not overdo your itinerary and leave enough time to enjoy each area 🙂
2. Get offline Google Maps?!
Navigating your way in a foreign country can sometimes be quite challenging… When planning a road trip in Europe, there is a high chance that you would be driving through the countryside and areas without signal or data service. Hence, preparing in advance to be able to find the correct road is vital! Google Maps now have the functionality of downloading a map of a particular area, that you can then access even when offline. Another good idea is getting country maps, as they could be a serious lifesaver if your phone runs low on battery.
And if the idea of loosing connectivity terrifies you, read about “The Benefits of eSIM Cards for International Travel”
3. Prepare for highway tolls or vignettes
The next extremely crucial tip for planning a road trip in Europe is preparing for the highway tolls or vignettes. While most countries would have tolls that you can pay as you are driving along the motorway, there are a number of European countries that use vignettes instead. This is a small sticker that serves as a pass and you need to add on the inside at the bottom corner of the windshield next to the driver’s side. The passes vary based on the length of your trip. You can get one just for the weekend, for 2 weeks, an entire month of even for a year. For example, in Croatia and Italy, you can expect to pay the highway tolls, whereas Slovenia and Bulgaria are countries that require a vignette.
4. Check driving regulations and get an International Driving Permit
Before you hit the road, make sure to check the driving regulations of the countries you will be visiting. Despite the fact that most European countries drive on the right side, the UK, Ireland, Cyprus, and Malta drive on the left instead. It is also important to know what are the main rules of the road, such as the highway speed limits. Additionally, if you already possess a European driving license, you will be able to drive in most countries without any additional documents. For example, American citizens, however, need to obtain an international driving permit as well, which they will need to present together with their official valid driving license if requested.
YOU CAN EASILY REQUEST A PERMIT on the official site of the International Driving Association
5. Book Flights and Rental Car
Last but not least, you might need to book flight tickets and rent a car. While you can use cheapOair.com, Trip.com or Kiwi.com for researching flight options, AutoEurope.com is a great source of finding the best car rental deals. If you prefer using your own car, you would need to prepare all the necessary vehicle documents, which will probably be requested as you are crossing the different countries’ borders.
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Did you find these top 5 tips for planning a road trip in Europe useful? And are you ready to hit the road and start your next holiday?