10 top tips for planning a European road trip

Maybe it’s the Hollywood movies or the Jack Kerouac classic novel ‘On the Road’ that make the words ‘road trip’ conjure up romantic images of throwing a six-pack into the convertible on a scorching hot day or firing up the RV and escaping the rat race for some hard-earned vacation. But is it as simple as it looks in the movies? With many of today’s travelers opting for bespoke packages to make the most of their precious vacation time, we take a tongue-in-cheek look at some of the pitfalls involved in planning a European road trip.

1. Choosing the right vehicle

In Iceland, you can drive for miles without seeing another car. Perfect for soaking in the scenery, but don’t gas stations can be few and far between! by Maksim Tarasov

In Europe, manual cars known as “stick shift” or “gears” outside the US are still the norm. Automatic rentals can be as rare as hens’ teeth. While automatic cars are slowly becoming more common, they’re usually more expensive to rent, especially in high-demand tourist areas. And car hire in general? You get what you pay for. Smaller, basic models might be more affordable, but expect to stretch your dollars once you factor in fuel, insurance, and add-ons like GPS or toll passes. That’s not even counting the stress of navigating unfamiliar roads. So why not skip the hassle altogether and book a private car transfer with Daytrip? With a local, English-speaking driver, door-to-door comfort, and no hidden costs, it’s the worry-free way to travel.

2. Why bigger isn’t always better on Europe’s streets

Many European streets were built long before cars existed, some date back to Roman times, when chariots, not SUVs, ruled the roads. curated by Babak Habibi

A road is a road, right? Well, not necessarily. That 96-inch-wide RV might seem fine chugging down the highway, but you may want to think twice about whether the vehicle you’ve shelled out your hard-earned bucks on can navigate the narrow cobbled medieval streets of the towns of Central Europe. These roads weren’t built with modern vehicles in mind. They were built for horses, carts and maybe the occasional goat. You’ll find yourself squeezing past ancient stone walls. Dodging locals in tiny hatchbacks who seem to bend the laws of physics and holding your breath every time you approach a blind corner. Parking? Don’t even get started. Half the spaces feel like they were designed for toy cars. Parallel parking on a slope with a stick shift is a rite of passage you didn’t sign up for. So before you spring for that spacious SUV or campervan, ask yourself: can it actually fit where you’re going? Because in Europe, bigger isn’t always better.

3. Rolling with the right luggage? why suitcase size matters

Wheeled suitcases were invented in 1970 before that, travelers lugged everything by hand. Which makes today’s cobbled streets feel a bit more forgiving. photo snapped by Vidar Nordli-Mathisen

When planning your European road trip, the right luggage can significantly affect your journey's convenience and comfort. For example, you can consider small suitcases like Eminent or backpacks for such travels. Compared to large ones, they are lightweight, manoeuvrable, and spacious, ensuring you have everything you need without being weighed down. Choosing a reliable suitcase can alleviate some of the stress that comes with navigating foreign roads and accommodations.

4. Mind your language

Europe is home to over 200 languages but even learning a few polite phrases in the local tongue can win you serious points with locals. Photo currated by Kate Bezzubets

In Central Europe alone, there are eight different countries that speak seven different languages, so get ready to have your linguistics tested. Bear in mind that online translators can often be both friend and enemy. Your app may have partially mastered translating various phrases, but most likely hasn’t learned how to pronounce them correctly yet. Not only will this confuse the locals as you shove your Smartphone in their direction and look pleadingly into their eyes, but you and your traveling companions may find yourselves seriously lost if your Sat nav decides to unintelligibly pronounce the streets and towns it’s directing you towards.

5. Choosing the perfect destinations

Rothenburg Germany through the lens of Roman Kraft

A vast array of hot visitor spots lie at your very fingertips with the Internet. Google Maps offer endless viewing options while travel review sites provide tips and recommendations. All very useful, but bear in mind that some of the street view images can be up to four years old and a lot can happen in four years, such as a world war, for example. Likewise, read those online reviews carefully. Do you really want to take tips from people who describe concentration camps as “Not scary enough”?

6. Plan your journey time to avoid summer traffic

Some European highways (like France’s A7 and Italy’s A1) are infamous for “black weekends,” when summer holiday traffic causes massive delays. Locals plan around them for a reason.

There’s nothing like a few hours spent behind the wheel gridlocked on the highway on a glorious summer day with the radio blaring out 80s Euro pop. It’s times like this you wished you had a bit of local knowledge in finding an alternative route as you bicker with one another while the kids simultaneously overheat in the European sun. Maybe you should have shelled out the extra for the air conditioning...

7. Money…it’s not always time

With so many different currencies, it’s easy to lose track of its value and for some people, their money can stretch a lot farther in say, Central Europe, than it can back at home. For example, a bespoke guide service complete with driver and vehicle for a family of four costs around four times cheaper than say, a New York cab fare over the same distance. Food for thought?  Well, no one likes to feel they’ve missed out on a bargain…

8. Cash, cards, and confusion

Not all EU countries use the Euro. Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Poland still use their own currencies, which can trip up even seasoned travelers.

It’s Europe, so it’s the Euro, right? Not necessarily so. As you crisscross the borders, you might need to check that cash you kept back to top up the gas and load up on snacks for the kids. Trying to explain to a grumpy cashier in a small gas station in an out-of-the-way Czech village that they took Euros in Slovakia yesterday won’t go down well. A small detail, that just like the Euro itself, has the capacity to cause endless arguments.

9. “Not another museum…”? Make it matter with a little context

The world’s oldest museum Rome’s Capitoline Museums opened in 1471, and it’s still running today.

Attempting to cram two thousand years of European history into a two-week vacation would cause apoplexy in even the most ardent historian. Museums can be fun but four in a day would stretch anyone’s patience. Picking preferences carefully and being open minded will result in less aggravation rather than sticking a pin in a map or giving in to the kids because they’re determined to see a real life dinosaur.

10. Think again before you book

If you’ve managed to get this far and are still determined to do that DIY road trip once you’ve set foot in Europe, then why not think again and let the professionals take the strain? At a fraction of the price of a DIY road trip, a good bespoke road trip company will help you plan your itinerary while a knowledgeable guide will drive, explain the history, answer your questions, and help out with any language issues — leaving you to relax and enjoy your vacation while experiencing the incredible sights on offer. For more details, references, and how you can arrange a 21st-century stress-free bespoke road trip that caters to your every need, why not try Daytrip today!