Navigating a European road trip

By John Pedler
Published: Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Driving overseas is an incredibly rewarding experience, but be prepared for some brain recalibration.

Having recently completed a road trip through France, Italy, Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, I’ve jotted down a few overseas driving tips that might help when planning your next continental adventure.

Road rule variations

European motoring holidays are a lot of fun and I’m always contemplating the next one. Although horror stories abound about crazy drivers in this country or that, I’ve never experienced any behaviour I haven’t seen here in Oz.

Road rules are similar in most European countries, but there are some variations. For example, in the Czech Republic, headlights must remain on during the day, and motorists need to carry an approved first-aid kit (Autolékárnička).

A lot of road signs are uniquely European and, in some cases, unique to particular countries. Their messages can be confusing, so I recommend researching online before your trip.

The Adige Valley, Italy

Speed limits

Speed limits in Europe can be puzzling. Sometimes an open country road will be lumped with a 60km/h limit, while a tortuous mountain pass will display 90km/h signposts, and no speed advisory signs at hairpin bends.

It’s not always clear where speed limits start and end. In France, 50km/h limits apply from signs with red borders, bearing town names, to ‘end’ signs, sporting diagonal lines. While these end-of-town signs indicate what the speed limit isn’t, it would be handy if they displayed what it actually is.

Toll collection on an Italian motorway.

Toll roads

Touring the back roads is the best way to immerse yourself in local culture, but now and then you might need to hit the motorway to cover some ground. In Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, there are no motorway tolls for normal passenger vehicles (apart from a few tunnel fees), though Germany will be introducing tolls in October 2020.

Countries with toll roads handle payment in different ways. France and Italy use automated booths: a ticket is collected from a booth when entering the motorway and then inserted in a machine upon exiting. A digital display shows the amount due, based on how far you’ve travelled. Payment can be made on debit/credit card, but it’s a good idea to have plenty of cash on hand just in case.

Austria and the Czech Republic use the vignette system. This is a sticker that attaches to your car’s windscreen and acts as a permit to drive on tollways. These stickers can be bought at a number of outlets, including service stations near borders.

It’s also possible to set up accounts, like Telepass in Italy and Télépéage in France, but you’ll need a local credit card or bank account to do this.

You can book an undercover car park in Venice for around 32 euros a day.

Fuel

Yes, fuel is expensive in Europe. Expect to pay more than AU $2.20 a litre in Western Europe, and a little less as you head east. Fuel is particularly expensive at motorway service stations, so it pays to fill up before you hit the freeway. The good news is that diesel is often cheaper, or around the same price as unleaded, and you’ll get much better range out of a diesel-powered car. Choose a manual rather than an automatic and you can save even more.

When using your debit card at an unstaffed, automated fuel station (we found plenty of these), your account may initially be charged the maximum amount the fuel outlet will accept. So, if the servo has a spend limit of 150 euros and you buy 30 euros of fuel, the greater amount will be shown on your statement as pending.

I later realised this sorts itself out over the next few days – or weeks – but the first time it happens you might find yourself stomping around town trying to find out who’s responsible. To avoid this, find a machine that takes cash or only fill up at staffed stations.

Prague, Czech Republic

With your own set of wheels, you’ll be able to see far more of Europe, from achingly pretty villages to winding alpine roads. Driving yourself also opens the door to cheaper accommodation away from the main tourist hotspots, and accessibility to remote lodgings among the mountains, lakes and forests.

Hitting the road?

Apply for your International Driving Permit with RAA.

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