Do you dream of embarking on a European road trip, but don’t know where to start? I’ve always wanted to drive through the Swiss Alps, onto the Italian Lakes and the north of Italy, but enough about me! To help you plan your fantasy road trip, here are our top tips.
Photo by: wildman/Fotolia
European road trip – the route
We’re using an example of a road trip from Lisbon to Seville. Our route is 477km which should take approximately 4 hours and 40 minutes. When planning a scenic drive, think outside of Google Maps. Via Michelin is our favourite tool for the job. It can calculate fuel costs, avoid tolls/ vignettes and you can even select a ‘discovery’ route for added enjoyment.
Top tip!
If your trip involves crossing a border into another country, don’t forget to notify the car rental provider. There may also be a locally payable fee for this.
Hotels
When it comes to accommodation, there are two approaches you can take.
- Plan your route carefully with dedicated stopovers, allowing B&Bs or hotels to be booked in advance. Try Hotels.com or Airbnb.
- Wing it.
Number 1 would be my choice, as I’m super organised but pick the option that you’ll enjoy the most.
Photo by: rh2010/Fotolia
The car
You need to organise a hire car (with Economy Car Hire of course!) Check what to do in the event of a breakdown. Just ask the car hire company upon collection. Read up on the driving rules of each country too. We have plenty of handy guides, take a look at our guide to driving in Portugal as an example.
Be flexible
With a driving time of under 5 hours we could start early and be in Seville for lunch. But where’s the fun in that? Think about the sights you want to see along the way on your European road trip. On our example drive, we could take a detour to the Palaces of Sintra and Jerónimos Monastery near Lisbon.
(small map to side?)
No doubt you’ll come across come unknown sights along the way. Be flexible and don’t worry if you end up diverting from your planned route at times.
Toll roads
Scenic drives and toll roads don’t usually go hand in hand. If you have to drive on one, both Portugal and Spain operate them. In Portugal, you can usually rent a transponder. In Spain you’ll need a card or cash, simply take a ticket at one booth and pay at the next.
Border crossings
Border crossings between most European countries are pretty laid back. It’s unlikely you’ll be stopped, but have all paperwork including insurance details, passport, and driving licence to hand just in case.
Don’t forget …
- Your EHIC.
- A vignette if travelling to countries such as Switzerland. These can usually be bought at passport control/customs or in a petrol station.
- Watch out for variable speed limits.
- Be old fashioned and always have a road map in case your Satnav dies.
Over to you
Hopefully this has inspired you to start planning your own driving adventure. If you’re arranging a trip soon, why not get a car hire quote today?
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