The Visitors Guide to Driving in Europe

A European vacation is a once-in-a-lifetime, dream come true for many. Taking in the sights, sounds and the history and making sure no stone is left unturned, however, can be a difficult task for those who are on a limited time schedule. Americans often find the best way to see it all involves renting a car and doing the touring themselves. While this can pan out as true, some find that car travel in a foreign country isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.  

So, what do Americans need to know to navigate the roads of Europe safely without losing out on a single sight along the way? There are some tips that right side of the road drivers might want to take into account before plunking down cash to rent a vehicle. They include:  

• Selecting the right time to travel – There are certain times of the year that are simply better for foreign drivers to find themselves on the roads of Europe. For Northern and Central Europe, the best times to go with driving on the mind include the spring and fall. Southern Europe is great winter is great, but it is smart to avoid holiday travel that will hinge on driving to locations. If you must go in the summer, plan on early June to beat Europe’s own summer rush.
  
  


• Selecting the right destinations – Some European countries are just better for American drivers than others. Places like Denmark, Sweden and Norway, for example, have cities that are fairly easy to navigate. Larger continental European cities like Paris and London, however, can be nightmares for motorists who are unfamiliar with the rules of the road, the lay of the land and the customs behind the wheel.
  
  


• Using rental cars judiciously – Even if a rental car will factor into a European vacation, it is important to remember that this continent and North America are very different when it comes to public transportation. It is often best to use public transportation to get around the bigger cities and even to connect without countryside destinations. Once in a place that is more motorist friendly then consider using a rental car to get around.
  
  


• Boning up on the rules of the road – Driving in Europe is not like driving in America. Take the time to understand the local laws and regulations. Also, it’s not a bad idea to brush up on any travel warnings for a particular area. There are some places where it’s just not recommended that visitors travel by car.
  
  


• Planning carefully – While it might sound romantic to be lost in Europe, reality can be very different. The fact is it can be scary to be in a strange land with a strange language spoken and not know where you are. To this end, map out travel very carefully in advance and don’t stray too much along the way.
  
  

Driving through Europe can be a great way to see the sights and take in the action. For those who are unfamiliar with the roads, however, it can be a nightmare. Take the time to study up on this possibility before committing to a rental car vacation.