GETTING AROUND EUROPE
Driving in Europe
Travelling around in Europe can cause a great deal of trepidation in many travellers. Whilst Europe is renowned for its fast and reliable trains, we chose to drive ourselves. Eurail passes are very popular amongst travellers to Europe, but when we did the figures and calculated the cost of four passes, we realised it was going to be cheaper to have our own car. Having a car also gave us more flexibility which is very important when travelling with children. Another advantage of having your own car is that you don't need to carry your luggage everywhere.
Our car was booked using the Peugeot Leasing scheme. This is a scheme where you actually purchase a brand new vehicle (Renault and Citroen have the same deals) and Peugeot guarantee to buy it back from you at the end of your trip.
This is a special arrangement that allows the French to get their vehicles into other European countries tax free, therefore saving some money.
Another added bonus is that full comprehensive insurance and a full factory warranty are included, as are unlimited kilometres. The daily rental rate reduces the longer you lease the car, and our Peugeot 407 diesel station wagon cost around $70 per day for 44 days. We chose a diesel model for the better fuel efficiency. Fuel is even dearer in Europe than in Australia, and whilst we paid more at the pump for diesel, the improved fuel efficiency made it worthwhile. The tax-free leasing scheme is only valid for rentals of 17 days or more, so if you require a car for less than 17 days, hiring is the way to go.
General driving tips
Whilst it may take a little while to get used to driving on the 'wrong' side of the road, we found the driving relatively easy. European drivers are quite courteous and we didn't witness any 'road rage' incidents, however they do drive fast!! In Germany, the autobahns (freeways) don't have a speed limit, so it is not unusual for cars to speed past you at 200 kph!! We decided not to try and outdo the locals, so we tended to stay in the 'slow' lane, doing 160 kph! Don't feel you have to keep up - most autobahns/autostrades are three or four lanes in each direction, so stick to the far right and let the speedsters use the other two lanes.
Allow plenty of time on your trip for delays such as roadworks. When three lanes suddenly becomes one lane, it certainly slows down the traffic.
"Autogrille" restaurants which are situated along the autobahns/autostrades offer an excellent choice of food. Unlike our service centre restaurants in Australia, "Autogrille" offers a wide range of foods, often in a buffet-type set up, with a full menu, not just the usual fried take aways.
European road signs
Driving in smaller towns can sometimes provide for an interesting experience, too! Many 'old towns' still retain their cobblestones and are pedestrian-only zones, whilst some of Italy's towns have streets so narrow you wonder how a car could ever drive down it! Public car parks are always sign-posted and are generally only a few hundred metres from the town centre, so take advantage of them.
In cities, use public transport or walk to save the hassle and cost of inner-city parking. Public transport in most European cities is clean, convenient, efficient and cheap.
Music
It's a good idea to take a couple of CDs or an iPod, especially a couple of the kids' favourites if you are travelling with children. On long trips, having some familiar music can keep them happily entertained. Whilst most radio stations play plenty of English-language songs, of course the announcers speak the local language.
Child Restraints
In many countries in Europe, the use of a restraint system is mandatory for children up to 10 years old. Kids up to seven must use an approved child restraint seat, whilst those from 7 - 10 require a booster seat. Check in advance with your car hire/lease company to make sure these are available for hire (an additional fee will apply).
Security
Never leave your valuables on display in your car even if you are only going to be away from it for a short time. Always carry your passport, money, credit cards, airline tickets, etc in a money belt on your person, and remember, thieves love cameras and laptops, so lock them in the boot out of sight.
Maps
Have a really good map of your destination town/city and know exactly where your accommodation is located. There is nothing more frustrating than driving around a city trying to locate your hotel if you have absolutely no idea where you are! This is guaranteed to cause tempers to fray and get your stay in your new location off to a bad start! Find out in advance if your hotel/apartment has parking available, and print off a map and directions to your destination using Google maps, Mappy.com, The AA route planner, or Via Michelin.
Stick to the golden rule that, when driving in Europe, four eyes are better than two! Whenever we approach an intersection or roundabout, both driver and passenger check both ways for traffic to be doubly sure that it is clear to proceed.
Tolls/vignettes
Many autobahns/autostrades have toll booths so always carry some coins to pay for these. Tolls are determined by the distance you travel on the autobahn/autostrade. Some toll booths accept credit cards, but not all, so be prepared.
Switzerland and Austria also require motorists to purchase a Vignette. These can be purchased at Swiss and Austrian border crossings or nearby petrol stations. The Swiss vignette is valid for one year and costs (approximately) 40 Swiss francs, whilst the Austrian vignette can be purchased for periods of 10 days, 3 months or 1 year (cost approximately 7.70 Euros for 10 days).
Road signs
Road signs in Europe are generally very similar to those in Australia. Many signs showing distances to towns, cities, or popular tourist attractions, are in the local language as well as English.
International Driving Permit
If you are planning on driving whist in Europe, you will need to obtain an International Driving Permit prior to your departure from Australia. An IDP is an internationally recognised form of identification, and in many cases is a pre-requisite for hiring a car. IDPs can be purchased from your local motoring organisation (RACV, NRMA, etc) by presenting your current drivers licence and a passport-sized photo. The International Driving Permit is valid for 12 months, and at the time of writing cost around $30.
Happy travels!
Carolyn Schonafinger is the founder of online European travel directory http://www.HolidaysToEurope.com.au. Carolyn has travelled extensively in Europe and has used the tax-free leasing program on a number of occasions. Carolyn is happy to answer your travel questions about European holidays.
