Discover essential travel advice and planning tips to have a road trip around Europe that is the vacation of a lifetime.
5 Tips to Have a Successful Road Trip around Europe
Every successful road trip starts with careful preparation. This will help avoid any catastrophes and make it a truly memorable experience. Before traveling, be prepared for border checks by complying with any health screening requirements. This will ensure a smooth entry into each country.
Some areas of Europe will have limited internet access, so keep all paperwork and documentation accessible and download any travel information in advance. Read these 5 travel tips before traveling to ensure a successful road trip around Europe.
1. Check travel documents are in order
To avoid any disappointment before the road trip has started, check that everyone traveling has a valid passport well in advance. Some countries may have different border requirements, so research the required documentation needed for each country. Be sure to apply early when sending off any application forms.
Driving is the best way to experience many European landmarks and hidden beauty spots. Be free to choose the route each day and travel each road at your own pace. However, when hiring a car, check whether your driving license will be accepted by the country being visited. Some European countries may require an International Driving Permit, and to prevent any delays, you should apply for this before leaving.
Travel insurance is essential for all trips but make sure it covers any unexpected health care costs no matter how long the road trip is. Health care services are widely accessible throughout Europe, but treatment can be expensive. Don’t let any health care costs ruin this trip of a lifetime.
2. Download maps & follow rules
For maximum enjoyment, plan the route. There might not be any internet signal in some areas, so accessing online maps might not be possible. Don’t become stranded in an unfamiliar country, instead, download maps in advance so exploring any hidden tracks can be done safely.
When traveling through different European countries, become familiar with their specific laws. This will help avoid any surprise fines. Become familiar with which side of the road to drive on and with any safety equipment that must be carried in vehicles. It is also essential to follow all drinking driving laws and be aware that these may vary from country to country.
When planning to stay in hotels or B&Bs, it is sensible to book these stays in advance to avoid being faced with a no vacancies sign. However, if comfort is not a top priority, then wild camping is an experience everyone should try. A cheap, spontaneous night stay is the perfect way to get close to nature. Be aware of the rules for wild camping though, as some countries will have restrictions in certain areas.
3. Save the emergency numbers
There is nothing more daunting than trying to look up contact details at the time of an emergency. Keep emergency numbers close to hand so they are easy to access if needed. Throughout most of Europe 112 is the emergency number that you should remember. Though some countries have additional numbers to use depending on the service required, so look these up before traveling.
4. Carry some cash
Be prepared for Europe’s toll roads by having plenty of change on hand. Make sure the change is in the correct currency for the country you are traveling through. This is most frequently the Euro, but don’t get caught out. If traveling through a specific area frequently it may be possible to pay for a toll pass in advance. This will enable you to bypass queues saving you valuable time.
It is also common to pay to park in certain areas of Europe, so any spare cash will be useful for parking, especially if there is no bank nearby. On that note, remember to notify your bank of your travel plans in advance, otherwise, they might reject any card payments made while traveling.
5. Use a translation tool
Though English is frequently spoken by many people throughout Europe, it is useful to be able to translate when needed. Google translate is a popular tool that can be used when having conversations with locals and is also a great way to learn new languages. Make sure this tool is ready to use before traveling in case there’s no internet signal.
Plan ahead for a successful road trip
The key to a successful road trip is planning. The more time spent preparing for the journey means there is less chance of something going wrong. And if you’re going on a dog road trip, this is even more important. This will make traveling more enjoyable and means not a single minute of the adventure is wasted.