Driving around Europe

nollaig

Hi,

I'm think of driving around Europe for a few months, a major road trip, if you like. But I was wondering, from a logisitcal point of view, would it be possible, like would you have hassle crossing the borders of different countries etc. Would it be safe? Is fuel dear across Europe? Has anybody ever done anything like this???

breadmonkey

I've never done it and can't really tell you much except that it is definitely possible and fuel costs are a pain in the ass. (I met some Aussie lad a while ago who had done it.)

killbillvol2

nollaig wrote:

Hi,

I'm think of driving around Europe for a few months, a major road trip, if you like. But I was wondering, from a logisitcal point of view, would it be possible, like would you have hassle crossing the borders of different countries etc. Would it be safe? Is fuel dear across Europe? Has anybody ever done anything like this???

Did it in 2001: France, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland and Italy if memory serves.

It was great but it was seriously expensive! Fuel is one cost but don't forget tolls. You might have every intention of avoiding toll roads but sometimes it's more hassle than it's worth.

Border crossings weren't a major issue and should be even less so now.

A major hassle was driving a RHD car on smaller country roads. You take your life in your hands when you come to overtake a Czech farmer in his clapped out tractor and trailer!

On balance, I'd go for it but it won't be cheap.

Tom Dunne

nollaig wrote:

Hi,

I'm think of driving around Europe for a few months, a major road trip, if you like. But I was wondering, from a logisitcal point of view, would it be possible, like would you have hassle crossing the borders of different countries etc. Would it be safe? Is fuel dear across Europe? Has anybody ever done anything like this???

I did it three years ago. We flew into Germany, drove through Germany, on into Luxembourg, France, Belgium and back to Germany. I've driven all over the US, so I was used to driving on the "wrong" side of the road. Crossing borders is a non-event, nothing to it. Petrol was a bit cheaper back then, but one thing that struck me was the ease with which you could find parking in the major cities and how cheap it was too. Sign-posting was also excellent. I remember finding my hotel in Cologne within 5 minutes of getting off the autobahn. Of course it took me 40 minutes to get into it because of all the one-way systems , but it was easy to find.

One thing, if you are hiring a car, they may not let you take the car into the former Eastern-block countries (Poland, Chzec Republic, Slovakia, etc.).

elivsvonchiaing

nollaig wrote:

Hi,

I'm think of driving around Europe for a few months, a major road trip, if you like. But I was wondering, from a logisitcal point of view, would it be possible, like would you have hassle crossing the borders of different countries etc. Would it be safe? Is fuel dear across Europe? Has anybody ever done anything like this???

I'll just say this; if you haven't done corkscrew mountains; stick to motor-ways!

Border crossing are a doddle - its about when you are on roads that you can't fall asleep or go too fast on/ don't feel comfortable about driving on... Add to this two truckers (one trying to pass out another - both advancing toward you (portugal)).

Just be prepared for bad drivers/determined not to be a victim of RTA.

Accept you will be a victim of higher fuel prices; and either accept it; or abandon it!

You will not see lower fuel prices in the former European Union; you might in the the new member states; no idea unfortunately.

Our man in Havana

Fuel is much dearer in the Western states of the EU no escaping that. Poland and the assesion states are on par with Irish prices. They have 91 octane fuel in Austria and eastern europe, becareful not to put into your Irish car use the 95 octane instead.

There are still border controls between the Schegan states and the eastern bloc states even thou they are in the EU now. They are nothing major. I have had to go into the border office on the poland-slovakia border, I think the border gaurds had not seen an Irishman driving a czech car between Poland and Slovakia before. They were friendly and pleasant about it all.
Beware that Austria and Hungary have a motorway tax which must be paid at the borders.

Other than the appalling driving from the eastern europeans, a mad czech in a BMW will think nothing of overtaking you on a blind bend with a truck bearing down on you.

Becareful out there.

Irish Salfordia

Switzerland also has a motorway tax that has to be paid by everyone crossing into switzerland. Border guards look intimidating but all they are looking for is the money.

Great experience, be very careful, tolls can add up big time, especially in France.

Gook Luck

gline

how hard is it to get used to driving on the "wrong" side of the road? Was looking to hire a car in spain.... but heard it wasnt worth it with hiring cost being expensive there and the danger of driving on the other side of the road

Tom Dunne

gline wrote:

how hard is it to get used to driving on the "wrong" side of the road?

I don't think it was that hard, then again, I started when I was 19, so it was a long time ago. :eek:

A good tip is to always have someone in the car with you, so when (not if) you forget, they can "remind" you (cue images of Mrs. Dunne screaming GET OVER THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD!).

gline wrote:

Was looking to hire a car in spain.... but heard it wasnt worth it with hiring cost being expensive there and the danger of driving on the other side of the road

Do some research online first. The last time I hired a car in Europe was 2003. We hired a Merc and if I remember correctly, it was about 300 Euro per week. I don't think that is too bad, there was cheaper available. Sign up for the rental car loyalty schemes and it will work out cheaper.

gline

thanks ofr the info.. what are the big rental companies in europe?

Tom Dunne

Hertz, Avis, Argos - there are many more. I've only used Hertz.

Sonnenblumen

nollaig wrote:

Hi,

I'm think of driving around Europe for a few months, a major road trip, if you like. But I was wondering, from a logisitcal point of view, would it be possible, like would you have hassle crossing the borders of different countries etc. Would it be safe? Is fuel dear across Europe? Has anybody ever done anything like this???

I've done 'Europe' a number of times and it is really a breathtaking experience. Met lots of really great folk of all types and ages. Never ventured too far East- absolutely no way I would venture too far east of beyond Poland or Czech/Hungary.

Great way to travel and do I miss Autobahns!!

breadmonkey

On renting cars,

I have a friend who works for Hertz and she told me that is is much much cheaper if you book the car on the internet rather than going into an outlet. Maybe that's just common sense, I don't know.

Our man in Havana

breadmonkey wrote:

On renting cars,

I have a friend who works for Hertz and she told me that is is much much cheaper if you book the car on the internet rather than going into an outlet. Maybe that's just common sense, I don't know.

It's much cheaper to pre-pay online than paying at an outlet.

smk135

hey,

Im going to Berlin in 2 days and am travelling around Europe from there.
Personally i weighed the for and against of driving/train/plane (to the best of my little knowledge) and i reckon it's actually cheaper to go from counrty to counrty by cheap plane tickets.
Obviously depending on where you're going the train might be best but I'd defo stay away from driving, would be more a pain in the arse than anything else.

BUt actually I'm travelling alone so maybe be more craic for you if you're with friends or whatever.

Best of luck anyway, there's so much to see in Europe I'm sure you'll have a ball!

nollaig

thanks for all the replies. yeah, i think it'd probably be better to go with trains & planes.

Lets say I follow this route:

Dublin - London - Amsterdam - Paris - Lyon - Turin - Milan - Zagreb - Bratislava-Prague-Warsaw, finish up somewhere in scandinavia & then back to Ireland, Over a period of 2-3 months, How much in travel & accommodation (stayiung in cheap rundown hoses, no frills for me) roughly do you think that might come to?

mikedragon32

I reckon inter rail might be the way to go. Take overnight trains to cut down on accommodation costs. Google for hostels in each town too.

I wouldn't dare venture on how much you'd need, but there is an inter rail thread in here somewhere. Have a browse and you should find it.