|
|
| *Travel Tips>>>General - Europe (Continental) Travel Tips |
Hi, Can any one give me ideas and info on driving Europe.? |
Travel Info I havent ever traveled so was woundering if any one could help. The best places to visit, what you should take, cheap ways to travel, all of the do's and donet's really. Travel Tips Driving is not the least expensive way to travel around Europe; but it does give you the advantage of being able to see anyplace you want. Trains aren't exactly dirt-cheap either, but depending on the amount of traveling you want to do, and where, they might be a better choice--as are cheap European air carriers, such as RyanAir, EasyJet, SkyEurope, etc. If you drive, expect manual transmissions--automatics are available, but they're far more rare since most Europeans consider them only necessary if you're disabled or in some other way incapable of driving a standard transmission (most of them find it puzzling that most Americans seem to like automatics, actually). Also, everywhere in Europe drives on the right side of the road, on the left side of the car--just like in the U.S.--except for the UK and Ireland, which are mirror-opposite. If you want the most value for a rental, I would highly suggest you get the smallest car necessary, such as a Smart car, Ford Ka, Ford Fiesta, or what have you--and, if possible, get a diesel version. Gas is really, REALLY expensive in Europe, far more so than it is in the states (regardless of how much Americans complain about their gas, believe me, we have it better)... but diesel's a bargain compared to regular gas, not to mention diesel cars are usually more economic to boot--especially the smaller ones. Depending on where you're going, familiarize yourself with the rules and laws regarding driving, and be sure to get an international driver's license. Some European countries will actually accept American driver's licenses, but some don't--an international driver's license covers your butt either way. Also, depending on where you're planning on going, familiarize yourself with the route/routes you want to take, if you drive; if you plan it right, you can figure out the most expeditious routes, or the most scenic, or both--not to mention take routes that allow you to visit certain cities you want to see along the way. In Germany and in most western European countries (and increasingly in Eastern countries) they have gas stations right off the freeway (they're called "tankstelle" in Germany), not to mention far more frequent rest stops available than you'll find in the U.S. I found more rest stops on the side of the highway in Slovakia than I've seen here in the U.S.... go figure. Also, while gas is far, far more expensive in Europe than it is in the U.S., remember that it does get slightly cheaper, progressively, the farther east you go; meaning that the most expensive gas you'll find is typically in the UK or Ireland, compared to maybe a third of that in places like Slovenia, Poland, Hungary, etc. It all boils down to planning ahead, knowing what you want to see and where, and planning on how you want to get there. Trains and planes *may* be cheaper or faster but you don't always get to stop and see things along the way. It all really comes down to what you want to see, how you want to see it, and how much money you're willing to shell out to do it. Source(s): Lived in Germany for more than three years, traveled all over Europe (totalling seventeen countries), did most of my traveling by car, with a handful of cheap flights and train rides thrown in here and there :) Other Travel Tips don't drive grab a euro pass for the train as soon as you arrive here .Don't know where you arrive but amsterdam and paris you can buy europass in the airport have a great summer its cheap and usually on time especially holland and germany Europe is huge my boy with plenty of islands, seas, lakes and mountains. Answers will depend upon where you really want to go... Get used to manual drive if you really want to rent a car. comment to below....there are automatics and i would suggest youget one. I live in denmark and talked my danish husband into an automatic....he loooooves now and won't buy a car without one , and now our friends want one too. So i don't see where that comment came from. But if i were traveling i would look for an automatic, unless u are very good at a standard. also throughout the summer the traffic is horrific especially in germany on the freeway. that is when everyone in europe takes vacation so be prepared to wait in line, so have plenty of gas. i would prefer to travel by car then train. First more room and u can relax, and u can see more and stop off more. Also there are less access roads and no back roads in most places. I suggest a GPS. |
| Tags |
| Netherlands Poland Portugal Russia Turkey General - Europe (Continental) Cruise Travel Aruba Bahamas Barbados Bermuda |
Travel Info Categories--Copyright/IP Policy--Contact Webmaster |