Horror stories about driving in Europe abound. They鈥檙e fun to tell, but driving is really only a problem for those who make it one. If you know what to expect, your drive can be a highlight rather than harrowing.
Here are a few tips for being ready to roll when you get behind the wheel.
Research your rental. Most European rental cars use stick shift (standard transmission), so be sure to ask for an automatic if you鈥檙e not used to changing gears, especially if you鈥檒l be driving on narrow, winding roads. Be aware, though, that you鈥檒l pay about 50 per cent more for an automatic transmission.
It鈥檚 usually cheaper to arrange rentals before you leave home. Shop around and always check the fine print for add-on charges. Remember that it might make sense to pick up and return your car in different cities so you don鈥檛 have to backtrack.
Get to know your car. Once you pick up your car, test the wipers, headlights and gearshift, and make sure you know what type of fuel the car takes (diesel vs. unleaded), and how to release the gas cap.
Be pump savvy. Learn the local term for your fuel: diesel or unleaded. At gas stations, prices are by the litre; regular gas is marked 鈥�95,鈥� while super or premium gasoline is usually designated 鈥�97鈥� or 鈥�98.鈥� In some countries there鈥檚 no difference between the nozzles for diesel and gasoline 鈥� check signs before you fill 鈥檈r up.
Learn the rules of the road. Ask your rental company, or check the U.S. State Department website (search for your country in the 鈥淟earn about your destination鈥� box, then click 鈥淭ravel and Transportation鈥�). Once on the road, watch the speed-limit signs carefully: In many places, speed is monitored by cameras that click photos and send speeders tickets by mail 鈥� one last, pricey souvenir from your trip.
Plot your route. Study roads and major interchanges and decide whether to take the expressway or a slower scenic route. If you鈥檙e headed for a small or midsize town, know which big city is nearby (and most likely to be signposted) to keep you headed in the right direction. Even if you鈥檒l be using GPS or a mapping app, keep a paper map handy and pay attention to road signs.
Prepare for tolls. It鈥檚 free to drive on some expressways, such as Germany鈥檚 famous autobahn. But many countries charge tolls for their highways. In places that use automatic, cashless toll systems (such as Portugal), there is often a toll-booth option to pay with cash or a credit card.
Other countries鈥� toll roads require a permit sticker (called a 鈥渧ignette鈥�) displayed on windshields. Your rental car may already have one; if not, you can buy one at border crossings, gas stations, and post offices. If you don鈥檛 have a sticker, you鈥檒l soon meet your first local 鈥� in uniform. Fines start at around $150.
Plan for parking. If you鈥檙e staying at a hotel, ask about parking when you book. In many big cities, it鈥檚 best to park your car on the outskirts and use public transportation or taxis. Some cities even have free shuttles from parking areas into the city centre.
Even better, return your rental car on arrival in a major metropolis, as cities across Europe have taken measures to discourage urban driving.
For example, to drive anywhere in downtown London or Stockholm, you鈥檒l pay not only very high parking rates, but a 鈥渃ongestion charge鈥� just to drive into the city.
If you do drive into town, learn what the pavement markings mean (different curb colours can mean free parking 鈥� or no parking). Look for signs or ask a local.
Don鈥檛 assume that an absence of meters means you can leave your car there: You may need to get a timed ticket from a nearby pay-and-display machine, or display a parking-clock disc that allows you to use free, time-limited spots.
Go with the flow. Driving in Europe tends to be more aggressive than in North America, but each country has its quirks. For example, in Germany if you drive at less than 193 km/h in the fast lane, you鈥檝e got people climbing up your tailpipe. But the same Germans 鈥� notoriously good at obeying rules 鈥� are also likely to go from 193 km/h to 95 km/h the instant they spot a speed-limit sign, so keep your distance.
Rural areas have plenty of other hazards, such as high hedges blocking the view on narrow lanes, and the occasional sheep crossing that forces you to wait and enjoy the scenery. Think of it as enjoying the local culture.
You may curse the confusing signs, narrow roads and macho habits, but it鈥檚 all part of the experience. Driving at home is mundane; driving in Europe is memorable.
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Rick Steves (ricksteves.com) writes European travel guidebooks and hosts travel shows on public television and public radio. Email him at [email protected] and follow his blog on Facebook.