How to plan a road trip to Europe
Ah, the Old World, with its majestic castles, narrow streets, and great food. Travelling through Europe should be on everyone’s bucket list.
And there’s nothing better than exploring Europe by car! If you’re about to plan your ultimate Europe road trip, follow this guide to make the most of your European travels.
Ultimate European road trip guide: pre-trip planning essentials
Before you buckle up, decide what kind of holiday you want and pick the time of the year for your European road trip. Below, we’ll discuss each season in detail and give our recommendations on which one suits which traveller.
Best seasons for your European road trip
To start planning a trip to Europe, you must settle on the month(s) first. Keep in mind that the hottest months throughout Europe are July and August (particularly in the south), and the chilliest ones are usually from November to February.
December–February for Northern Lights seekers
If you’re after wintery landscapes and chilly temperatures, December to February is the best time to go on a European road trip.
These months are the peak viewing times for the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) and are worth adding to your winter travel itinerary.
However, it’s crucial to be an experienced driver and know how to drive on ice and in snowy conditions.
If you’d like to add a touch of culture to your road trip, keep in mind that many famous attractions, such as the Vatican Museums in Rome and the Louvre in Paris, might be closed during the Christmas period.
March–May for budget-conscious travellers
With unstable weather and the possibility of snow in Northern, Eastern, and Central Europe, early and mid-spring aren’t optimal for a road trip around Europe. Temperatures may range from 7°C to 12°C (45°F to 54°F), so there’s little to no hope of catching some sun. Sigh!
Southern Europe and Mediterranean countries, however, are lucky to enjoy warmer weather, with temperatures often reaching 15°C to 20°C (59°F to 68°F).
March to May is also considered the low season, where the costs of accommodation, car rental, and tourist attractions are significantly lower compared to the peak summer season.
So, if you’d like to travel through Europe without breaking the bank, March to May are just the right months to do so.
June–August for beachgoers and families
Spending summer in Europe is an experience in itself — beach weather, long days, and sunshine will be your constant companions.
Summer is also great for family travels, as kids have longer holidays. However, be mindful of the challenges you might face during summer travels, such as larger crowds, higher prices, and potentially extremely hot weather.
September–November for culture lovers
With the summer crowds dispersed, autumn provides a more serene atmosphere to explore historical sites, museums, and local festivals.
And these autumn events — from the Baltic Herring Market in Finland to the Pumpkin Festival in Germany — will help you make the most of your Europe road trip.
Additionally, check out our guide on the best places in Europe to travel to in October. You won’t be disappointed!
Now that you’ve decided on a season and potential activities for your trip, book your plane/train tickets before proceeding to the next step.
Europe by car: route planning basics
Hopefully, you have your tickets booked and can start planning your best route to travel to Europe. So, here are some of the main things to consider:
- Start with reliable digital apps for route planning. We also suggest downloading offline maps before your journey to avoid connectivity issues in remote areas. Here are some highly recommended apps:
- Create a realistic schedule by allocating 5–6 hours of maximum driving time between major stops and adding buffer time for unexpected delays, scenic detours, and rest breaks.
- When mapping your route, choose major cities as anchor points and identify interesting smaller towns along the way. Small towns are also great for overnight stays with affordable accommodation options that bigger cities might lack.
- Research parking availability as parking in European centres can be limited and quite expensive. We suggest leaving your car at your hotel and exploring the city by public transport or foot to truly appreciate the ‘European walking culture’.
- Plan overnight stays in locations that make sense for your daily driving limits.
Additionally, out of seasonal considerations, you might want to adapt your European road trip route based on weather patterns in different regions.
To give you some examples, here are 2 possible itineraries you can use as a base for your road trip in Europe:
We hope the examples above gave you an idea of what your ultimate European road trip could be.
Once you’ve settled on your route and outlined the anchor cities, it’s time to choose a car. For those arriving from abroad, getting a rental car is inevitable.
Travellers starting their journey from Europe might face a dilemma: whether to take their own car or rent one. Further down, we’ve outlined the advantages and disadvantages of both.
What’s the best way to travel around Europe: rental vs. personal vehicle
If you’re thinking about going on a road trip through Europe in a rental car, it’s a good idea to check whether the rental company permits cross-border travel.
Also, if you’re planning a one-way trip (starting in one country and ending in another), you might have to pay extra fees.
All in all, renting a car offers the convenience a personal car may lack.
It allows you to choose a vehicle suitable for your needs and opt for a make and model different from your own car. You’ll also avoid the hassle of figuring out the toll payments and other local nuances.
Private cars — your car offers a sense of ownership and freedom that renting often lacks. With your own vehicle, you have the ability to customise it to your preferences and ensure it meets your specific travel requirements.
You also have the flexibility to travel whenever you want without worrying about rental policies or availability.
One of the downsides of going ona Europe road trip in a personal car is the potential for unexpected costs. Fuel prices can vary significantly from country to country, and you might find yourself spending more than anticipated on fuel.
Moreover, you’ll need to consider how to handle breakdowns or mechanical issues during your trip. If you’re in a remote area, this can be stressful without access to immediate support.
Ultimately, the choice depends on your personal preferences, budget, and whether you’re travelling from overseas for a European road trip or you’re already based in Europe.
Once you’ve chosen your mode of transport, the next decision is where to stay. If you travel in an RV, you can skip the next part; otherwise, read on!
Accommodation strategy: where to stay on your European road trip
Finding an overnight stay for the whole duration of your road trip through Europe might not be as straightforward as it seems. And hitting the right balance between advance bookings and spontaneous stays is crucial. Below, we’ll discuss the pros of both:
Advance booking benefits:
- Guaranteed availability in popular destinations
- Better rates, especially during peak seasons
- Peace of mind for key destinations
- Ideal for major cities and tourist hotspots
Flexible booking advantages:
- Freedom to modify your itinerary
- Opportunity to discover unexpected locations
- Ability to extend stays in favourite places
- Option to search using flexible dates
As you can see, both options have their advantages and disadvantages. Thus, consider a hybrid approach: book accommodation in major cities while keeping smaller town stays flexible.
Also, whenever possible, choose the free cancellation option for your bookings so you can adapt your travel plans in case something unexpected happens.
And talking about unexpected situations, it’s always a good idea to be prepared for emergencies.
Emergency preparedness on your road trip across Europe
Get your documents sorted
Carry digital and physical copies of important documents on yourself at all times.
If you’re an EU national, you can enter any EU member country as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland visa-free. Be sure to pack a valid passport or an ID card.
If you’re coming from a non-EU country, you definitely need a valid travel document. However, visa requirements vary by country. So you must check all the information on official sources before booking tickets.
Medical preparedness and health considerations
According to the Global Peace Index, Europe remains one of the most peaceful regions in the world. But should something happen during your European road trip, it’s better to be prepared than sorry.
If you’re an EU citizen, we recommend you get the free European Health Insurance Card. This card gives you access to healthcare during a temporary stay in any of the 27 EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
If you’re not, buy travel insurance with medical coverage for the duration of the whole trip before you arrive in Europe. Don’t forget to take all your prescription medications with documentation. And always keep this emergency number in mind:
Choose Bolt as your Europe road trip companion
We hope you’re now ready to embark on your ultimate European adventure!
So, it’s time for our last piece of advice. When visiting big and small European cities and towns, give your car a break: take a Bolt scooter for a spin, jump into the passenger seat of a Bolt ride, or choose from a large fleet of Bolt Drive car-sharing cars, from convertibles to vans.
Download the Bolt app for convenient rides in Europe and worldwide for every occasion!
