Thinking about a roadtrip around Europe.

Thorbar

Myself and my girlfriend are considering doing a road trip around Europe this summer. We're both experience drivers, she's had her licence for 5 years and I've been driving for 5 and had my licence for 2. Also I've got a car, its a camry '96 2.2 ltr and in good condition. Her brother lives in Amsterdam which we were considering as a first stop and just playing it by year after that. The major thing that I'm worried about is driving on the wrong side of the road and my driving seat being on the wrong side of the car.

I'm just wondering does anyone have any experience with switching from driving on the left hand side to driving on the right hand side? Also does anyone know if AA or the like offer an Europe wide service? Will driving a left hand car in a right hand system be a complete nightmare and am I better off looking into renting a car/camper van for a month or two?

Enygma

Hey,

I rented a left hand drive car in Fuerteventura last September for the first time. It was quite an experience. You'll get used to driving on the wrong side of the road very quickly. Just be extra careful on roundabouts (they were everywhere in Fuerte!) and extra extra careful when pulling out from a corner. I pulled out onto the wrong side of the road a few times out there! So remember, roundabouts and turning corners from a stationary position.

I'd say you might fare better in the right hand drive car because I had to get used to gear changes with my right hand too at the same time. I wouldn't be in too much of a hurry to overtake people though unless you're on the motorway and you can see plenty. Apart from that you should be fine.

I'm driving 4 years btw.

Gone West

yeah id highly reccommend this, but accomodation around europe can be hard to find sometimes. Im assuming you will bring a tent in your car? theres campsites everywhere in france/germany. I would highly reccommend this type of holiday! 10/10 we toured france last summer for 1 month and it was great.

oh dont worry about driving on the other side, you will get used to it very quickly. And when you are driving on motorways, it makes very little difference any ways.

mackerski

Other side driving needn't be a big deal, though it depends on your mindset. I drive a LHD here, but what you'll be doing is the only combo I've never tried. Driving a car with a wrong side wheel means that you'll find it easy to gauge distance to kerb but harder for the centre of the road, so practice that early on. Also, because you'll be at an overtaking disadvantage on normal roads, take the opportunity to look to the right of the cars in front when the bends allow that. That'll show you something of what you miss - but remember that you'll never have a full picture of the road ahead.

For emergency cover, you can (and should) go for something like the AA 5-star cover (other companies offer something similar, but I think 5-star may offer a discount to existing AA members). Aside: It costs me more for Ireland/UK-only AA membership here than it did for all-Europe cover from ADAC, the German equivalent.

Trying to get hold of a LHD car will probably be pricey for something reliable, though it does, IMHO, give you a more logical adjustment process (everything you do is mirrored). As long as you're right-handed, shifting gear with the right hand should be at least as easy as what you're used to. A further advantage is that you can fly straight to your first port of call, rather than driving through Britain or wherever.

Dermot

solice

Went on family holidays in France and Spain over the years. Brought the car over on the ferry. You get used to driving on the other side quiet quickly. After a few roundabouts and stuff it comes like second nature. Going from city to city its mainly motorway so you have very little to worry about.

You will need the co-operation of the person in the passenger seat. Passing out trucks and cars and stuff. They are the ones who can see more clearly in those situations. They also come in handy around city streets.

Although its quiet easy to get used to, it can become a two person job

breadmonkey

I never thought about the gear-changing part, I'd say that could be quite confusing!