Photo by Tetyana Kovyrina
One of the most challenging decisions when traveling is how you are going to get around the destination. This is highly dependent on where you are traveling to as different places have different transportation available not to mention different qualities of transportation available. Today, we are focusing on transportation in Europe and if you should book a rental car or not for your next European vacation!
RENTAL CAR
PROS:
A rental car can give you more freedom while traveling in the country you are in. You can pull off on a whim and sight see, make spontaneous stops and adding more adventure to your trip. This also allows you to go at your own pace. Sometimes, travelers want to stay longer at a location than the tour companies or train schedules will allow them. This is when a rental car gives you the freedom to explore what you want for however long you want to explore (within reason because many attractions are not open 24/7).
You can also save money by renting a car. A private driver starting cost is about $100 per day and usually much higher. Yes, hiring a private driver can give you all the same benefits of a rental car however you are paying for a luxury service that comes with a luxury price tag. Having a private driver is an incredible experience if you can budget for it.
Another pro of renting a car is that you don’t have to wait on other people, it’s just your party! It’s more private and you can plug in your aux, jamming out to your own music!
Types of vacations to book a rental car: more secluded areas where public transportation is not available or very limited, very specific locations on the itinerary that tour companies cannot accommodate, packed itineraries, FIT/custom trips
Types of travelers to book a rental car: independent travelers, confident drivers, responsible drivers, can go with the flow
Photo by Viktor Lundberg
CONS:
There are a lot of hidden fees or expenses that can add up when renting a car in Europe. You are almost guaranteed to get at least one ticket, whether that be a parking ticket, a speeding ticket or a ticket for going down a restricted road (thank you Apple Maps). I personally almost always book a rental car when I travel because I like to jam pack my itinerary and see things a little off the beaten trail. However navigating this can be tricky. There is also the added fees of parking fees and gas. Not to mention, if you get in an accident or scrap the side of the car in a parking garage causing damage.
Some countries even require an international permit to drive a rental car. Many countries require extra travel insurance (no, your credit card insurance and car insurance in the US will not cover all of the coverage needed in Europe). There are different driving laws, the United Kingdom countries drive on the left side of the road and the steering wheel is on the right side of the car.
Parking spaces are limited and to avoid going down restricted roads, I advise my clients to park just outside the city and take either public transportation into the city centre or to walk. These restricted roads do not have good signage warning you that you are driving down a restricted road. A lot of the city centers in Europe do not allow cars without special permission to drive through them like the United States. If they do, the streets are very limited. The parking apps can also have glitches causing unexpected parking challenges. The parking ramps are limited if you have a bigger vehicle like a 9 passenger van.
Your car can stick out to locals and they can identify you as a tourist. This can lead to a higher chance of theft.
It’s also stressful. You are in a new country, new driving laws, new street signs, new language and a lot of factors that changed at the same time. If you don’t have a good passenger princess/co pilot, it can be even more difficult. If you want to split the responsibility with someone, you have to pay a per person per day extra fee. It can be draining to the main driver if you don’t share responsibility and they can’t look around at all of the scenery.
Types of vacations to NOT book a rental car: staying in major cities, not moving around a lot, pre planned itineraries, tight budgets (due to hidden fees or possible extra expenses)
Types of travelers to NOT book a rental car: not confident drivers, stressed travelers, major disabilities
Photo by Vlad Fonsark
NO RENTAL CAR OPTIONS:
If you choose to not rent a car during your European vacation, there are still many options for you to get around.
Private or shared transfers are a common transportation option that I set up for my clients. Most transfers in Europe are private. This entails that a driver in a car picks you up at point A and drops you off at point B. This is very convenient when you are traveling with luggage – luggage on cobblestones is not fun and some cities are banning wheeled luggage on cobblestones due to noise pollution.
Hiring a driver is a very convenient, calm experience. You can just sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery. This can be on the pricier side however there is a lot of value in hiring a driver. You can customize where you stop, if you want to stop, and have a lot of freedom while doing this option. You can hire a driver for every day, one day or a different number of days. It is very flexible.
Another option is to take the train. The train system in Europe is impressive and quite easy to use. If it is a major train ticket that is needed, for example if you are traveling from Rome to Paris, I usually book those in advance for my clients. Availability can sell out so we like to stay ahead of it and book in advance. If it is a day trip that is desired, for example if you are traveling from Florence to Pisa, you can usually get away with booking that the day of at the train station however I still recommend booking as much as you can in advance in the off chance that it does sell out. If you want to stay flexible with your itinerary then waiting until the day of is most likely best.
Most pre planned tours have transportation included in the cost. The transportation method is usually a charter bus, van and/or trains or all of the above depending on the tour. This is on a strict set schedule however it is a great and affordable way to see the main attractions in a destination! I’ve met so many people that meet their travel buddies for life on these trips and book them year after year.
A lot of excursions have hotel pick up/drop off or have meeting points that can help with transportation issues. There are day trips available with excursions that can take you to multiple attractions or excursions that take you to one attraction or a combination. There are many options and I help find what is best for you.
Photo by Jeffrey Czum
PROS:
By not renting a car, everyone can experience the road trip. It’s usually calmer for all in the party and there’s less logistics for you to keep track of. In the grand scheme of things, it can also save you time as it is more direct than if you have to park your car and walk.
You can even meet new people and more locals by not renting a car. This is very common on tours, shared excursions and taking public transportation.
You can still have a customized itinerary, see off the beaten path attractions and have a great vacation!
Photo courtesy of Cassidy Robinson Travel
CONS:
Depending on the location, it can be more expensive initially, remember there are more expenses that come with a rental car other than the initial cost.
There is less freedom, unless you hire a private driver, and you may have to leave out some attractions that you wanted to see.
If you have an AIRBNB, transportation companies will not drop off to your location due to liability reasons. We do not book AIRBNBs and similar website houses due to liability as well, the addresses are not vetted as closely as hotels are. If you book a home rental through one of my vetted suppliers, we can drop you off at your rental.
Sometimes it’s not just your party and you have to travel with strangers. This is not always guaranteed to be a good experience because everyone is different and handle situations differently. You might not like the strangers in your group or you could become best friends.
With all of this new information, will you rent a car on your next vacation or choose an alternate option? Message me to start planning your next European vacation!
