Cars offer speed, freedom, access to the countryside, and an escape from the town-to-town mentality of trains. Although a single traveler won’t save by renting a car, four usually will. If you can’t decide between train and car travel, you may benefit from a combination of the two; RailEurope and other rail pass vendors offer rail-and-drive packages. Fly-and-drive packages are also often available from travel agents or airline/rental agency partnerships. Before setting off, know the laws of the countries in which you’ll be driving (e.g., both seat belts and headlights must be on at all times in Scandinavia , and remember to drive on the left in Ireland and the UK ). For an informal primer on European road signs and conventions, check out www.travlang.com/signs. The Association for Safe International Road Travel (ASIRT) can provide more specific information about road conditions (☎301-983-5252; www.asirt.org). ASIRT considers road travel (by car or bus) to be relatively safe in Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK, and relatively unsafe in Turkey and many parts of Eastern Europe. Western Europeans use unleaded gas almost exclusively, but it’s not available in many gas stations in Eastern Europe.
Cars can be rented from a US-based firm (Alamo, Avis, Budget, or Hertz) with European offices, from a European-based company with local representatives (Europcar), or from a tour operator (Auto Europe, Europe By Car, or Kemwel Holiday Autos) that will arrange a rental for you from a European company. Multinationals offer greater flexibility, but tour operators often strike better deals. Ask airlines about special fly-and-drive packages; you may get up to a week of free or discounted rental. See Costs and Insurance , for more info. Minimum age requirements vary but tend to fall in the range of 21-25, with some as low as 18. There may be an additional insurance fee for drivers under 25. At most agencies, to rent a car, you’ll need a driver’s license from home with proof that you’ve had it for a year or an International Driving Permit . Car rental in Europe is available through the following agencies:
Expect to pay US$200-600 per week, plus tax (5-25%), for a tiny car with a manual transmission; automatics can double or triple the price. Larger vehicles and 4WD will also raise prices. Reserve and pay in advance if at all possible. It is less expensive to reserve a car from the US than from Europe. Rates are generally lowest in Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK, higher in Ireland and Italy, and highest in Scandinavia and Eastern Europe. National chains often allow one-way rentals, with pick-up in one city and drop-off in another. There is usually a minimum hire period and sometimes an extra drop-off charge of several hundred dollars.
Many rental packages offer unlimited kilometers, while others offer a fixed distance per day with a per-kilometer surcharge after that. Be sure to ask whether the price includes insurance against theft and collision. Remember that if you are driving a conventional vehicle on an unpaved road in a rental car, you are almost never covered by insurance. Always check if prices quoted include tax and collision insurance; some credit cards provide insurance, allowing their customers to decline the collision damage waiver. Ask about discounts and check the terms of insurance, particularly the size of the deductible. Beware that cars rented on an American Express or Visa/MasterCard Gold or Platinum credit cards in Europe might not carry the automatic insurance that they would in some other countries. Check with your credit card company. Insurance plans almost always come with an excess (or deductible) for conventional vehicles; excess is usually higher for younger drivers and for 4WD. This provision means you pay for all damages up to the specified sum, unless they are the fault of another vehicle. The excess you will be quoted applies to collisions with other vehicles; other collisions (“single-vehicle collisions”) will cost you even more. The excess can often be reduced or waived for an additional charge. Remember to return the car with a full tank of gas to avoid high fuel charges. Gas prices are generally highest in Scandinavia. Throughout Europe, fuel tends to be cheaper in cities than in outlying areas.
Leasing can be cheaper than renting, especially for more than 17 days. It is often the only option for those aged 18 to 21. The cheapest leases are agreements to buy the car and then sell it back to the manufacturer. Leases generally include insurance coverage and are not taxed. The most affordable ones usually originate in Belgium, France, or Germany. Expect to pay US$1000-2000 for 60 days. Renault Eurodrive leases new cars in a tax-free package to qualifying non-EU citizens (Australia ☎9299 33 44, Canada ☎450-461-1149, New Zealand ☎0800 807 778, US ☎212-730-0676; www.renault-eurodrive.com).
If you’re brave and know what you’re doing, buying a used car or van in Europe and selling it just before you leave can provide the cheapest wheels for long trips. Check with consulates for import-export laws concerning used vehicles, registration, and safety and emission standards.
Road conditions and regional hazards are variable throughout Europe. Steep, curvy mountain roads may be closed in winter. Road conditions in Eastern Europe are often poor as a result of maintenance issues and inadequately enforced traffic laws. Western European roads are generally excellent, but each area has its own dangers. In Scandinavia, for example, drivers should be on the lookout for moose and elk; on the Autobahn, the threat may come from cars speeding by at 150kph. In this book, region-specific hazards are listed in country introductions. Carry emergency equipment with you (see Driving Precautions , below) and know what to do in case of a breakdown. Car rental companies will often have phone numbers for emergency services.
International Driving Permit (Idp). To drive a car in Europe , you must be over 18 and have an International Driving Permit (IDP) , though certain countries (such as the UK) allow travelers to drive with a valid American or Canadian license for a limited number of months. It may be a good idea to get an IDP anyway, in case you’re in a situation (e.g., you get in an accident or become stranded in a small town) where the police do not know English; information on the IDP is printed in 11 languages, including French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Swedish . Your IDP must be issued in your home country before you depart. An application for an IDP usually requires a photo, a current license, an additional form of identification, and a fee of around US$20. To apply, contact your country’s automobile association (i.e., the AAA in the US or the CAA in Canada). Be wary of buying IDPs from unauthorized online vendors.
Car Insurance. If you rent, lease, or borrow a car, you will need an International Insurance Certificate, or Green Card, to certify that you have liability insurance and that it applies abroad. Green Cards can be obtained at car rental agencies, car dealerships (for those leasing cars), some travel agents, and some border crossings. Rental agencies may require you to purchase theft insurance in countries they consider to have a high risk of auto theft.
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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
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