Traveling by car gives you the freedom to travel and the opportunity to see the most remote corners of countries. It’s one of the best ways to view a continent the way you want to. But often beginner travelers have 1001 questions about how to organize a trip, take into account all the nuances and not to get into trouble, earning a fine of several hundred euros.
Tip 1. Make an Itinerary for Your Trip
A well-planned trip is 80% of success. You can find more information here.
Tip 2. Do Not Think Everything Through
Leave room for spontaneity during your trip. The advantage of traveling by car is that you can stop wherever you want and for as long as you want, and you can change your route when new ideas arise.
Don’t worry if any of the cities you’ve chosen don’t leave the right impression, just get in the car and keep driving. The freedom to move around and the ability to adjust your itinerary during your trip is the best thing that can happen on a trip of this nature.
Tip 3. Plan Your Budget
We understand that planning the amount you will spend on a road trip is difficult, but necessary. The website numbeo.com, which has the average cost for gas, food, and other expenses not only for the country, but also for a specific city, can help you with this. There are also hotel and apartment locators that can give you an idea of the approximate cost of accommodation, or you can book the one you like for your dates.
Do not forget to get acquainted with the map of toll roads in Europe, and include them in your travel budget. On Czech, Slovak, Swiss, and Austrian highways you need to pay the toll and get a special sticker (vignette) on your car.
You can also look for special programs on the Internet, which calculate the approximate cost of gasoline, based on the distances you set. For example, type “fuel calculator” into the Google search box, or download the “Fuel Calculator” app to your smartphone (only for Android).
Tip 4. Take Out Insurance
Note that if you’re traveling by car from your home country, you need not only health travel insurance for travel, but also insurance for your car – “Green Card”.
Tip 5. Be Sure To Check Your Car before You Travel
Repair of a car abroad may cost you a pretty penny. Do not be lazy to stop by the service station before the trip to make a complete diagnosis of the car and to make sure that your car is ready for a long trip.
Be sure to have a spare tire, a jack, brake fluid, and engine oil. Also, useful are starter cords in case the battery dies, and a minimum set of tools. If your car has light alloy rims, and you have a pressed tire, you’ll need mounting bolts or special nuts for the spare tire.
Keep in mind that your car should not have cracked windows, mechanical bodywork and tinted windows, and it is also forbidden to have studded tires in Europe.
Tip 6. Read the Rules Of The Road
You can be a great driver in your country and know all the rules of the road by heart, but another country has different rules. Read the rules of the road in the country you are going to travel in. This will make your trip safer and save you a lot of money.
Tip 7. Take All the Necessary Equipment in the Car
Before you travel, decide on all the countries you want to visit. Next, check each country’s requirements for stuffing your car. In general, you should have a reflective vest, warning triangle, first-aid kit, fire extinguisher, extra bulbs for headlights, Breathalyzer (in France), tow-rope and a special sticker with the letters of your country in the trunk. Since you’ll be spending most of your time in the car, you’ll need a car stereo, read more here: car stereos cheap.
Tip 8. Find Out If You Require an International Driver’s License
In most European countries a driving license issued in your own country is enough, but there are countries that require an international license. Clarify this point before traveling
Tip 9. Take Care of Communication In Advance
Ask about the cost of local SIM cards if you are planning a long trip around the same country, and also find out what roaming options your mobile operator has. If you are going to book hotels or apartments you can also ask about the availability of Wi-Fi.
Tip 10. Take a Backpack or Purse
There you can put things you require for a one-night stay at the hotel/camping and not carry a suitcase.
We know that many people reading this article are traveling by car for the first time. Don’t worry, you will do just fine. Just take into account all our tips and recommendations, form a route, prepare thoroughly, be sure to take a good mood with you and go on your way.
