Calculate a route around Europe by car. Choosing your own car. What to take with you on the road

Around Europe with your own or rented car? Why not? In recent years, more and more people are choosing to go on independent trips. Road travelers do not depend on tour operators, airlines and other circumstances that can significantly overshadow their vacation. If you want everything to go as you planned, organize the trip yourself.

Of course, traveling to Europe by car for the first time is somewhat risky, and for some, even scary. However, fear passes at the very beginning of the journey, and then only pleasant impressions and a sea of positive emotions begin. In order for the trip to go perfectly, it is important to provide for all the nuances and details.

Be sure to think over the route, find out all the necessary information about the list of documents that should be prepared and taken with you. Information about the peculiarities of the rules will also be useful. traffic, parking lots, highways and so on.

Most of the useful and up-to-date information for 2017 we have outlined below.

Independent trip to Europe by car: rules, traffic features, road quality - 2017

Even the most experienced driver should know that the driving conditions in each country are individual. Therefore, you should definitely familiarize yourself with them. There are also general rules, which are important to know for motorists going on an independent trip to Europe:

Your car must be no more than five (in some countries eight) years old. Europeans carefully monitor environmental safety. Therefore, residents of states who have old cars pay a high tax for it. Well, a foreigner who pollutes the environment may simply not be allowed to cross the border or be subject to duties. So if you have an old “trough” from your grandfather, leave it until better times and rent a “swallow” in Russia or Europe. Fortunately, renting a car costs pennies (for example, in Berlin you can rent a Ford Focus for 1,500 per day) and you can return it in another city, the service allows you to do this. Well, you can buy a plane ticket.
For the reason described above, it is best to go to Europe in a car that belongs to the environmental class.
The following advice can be taken as a recommendation:
stock up on a high-quality navigator and download maps of the country you plan to visit. By the way, despite the fact that using such a technical device is very convenient, it can suddenly fail. And no one is immune from this. Therefore, just in case, you should take simple paper maps.
Most car enthusiasts use software from iGO (the latest and highest quality maps) for navigation in Europe.
Other software (descending by popularity):
a) maps.me
b) Google
c) Sygic

To ensure that your trip in Europe is not overshadowed by problems, familiarize yourself with the features of the roads, traffic rules and other nuances that you will encounter.

Features of traveling to Germany by car

Picturesque lakes, Alpine mountains and perfectly smooth roads are not all the charms of Germany. There is definitely something to see in this country, which means you should definitely visit it. Tourists are crazy about amusement parks thermal resorts, museums and ancient architecture of German cities and provinces. A relatively small country can be studied in not a very long period of time. Therefore, traveling to Germany by car is the ideal solution.

Autobahns are rightfully recognized as one of the best roads in the world. There is nothing surprising in this, since pedantic Germans carefully monitor traffic safety. It is worth noting that a special advantage of the German Autobahn is that they are free. The exception is the panoramic road and two tunnels (Warnow and Herren).

It is almost impossible to get lost on the autobahns. Each convention is numbered and signed. The names of settlements are written on blue road signs - those located in the immediate vicinity are indicated at the bottom of the board.

There is another extremely interesting and even pleasant feature of road traffic in Germany for Russian motorists. Most autobahns have no speed limit. The people of this country also love to drive. As for traffic jams and traffic jams, they, of course, happen here, but mainly due to repair work on highways and autobahns, since the Germans are extremely pedantic and carefully monitor the condition and safety of the roadway.

Let’s also say something about local parking. There is no shortage of them in Germany. However, you can’t freely park your car everywhere. As a rule, there are no signs prohibiting free parking of a car on the side of the road only on the outskirts. In the centers major cities Parking lots are located in specially designated areas. Some of them are free. However, you will have to pay for the main ones, however, it will cost you a ridiculous amount. Some parking lots accept euro coins for payment, while others will require you to purchase a card. Please note that on weekends and holidays In many of them you can park your car for free for a couple of hours.

Signs permitting parking in Germany are extremely simple. The round signs indicate with arrows whether the car can be parked or not. The photo shows a sign behind which it is prohibited to park cars. Vehicles parked in front of the sign are parked on the side of the road according to the rules.

There are no problems with gas stations in Germany(it’s amazing to imagine the opposite...). There are many of them here, moreover, they are equipped with car enthusiasts in mind. Gas stations located along the highways are not limited to the presence of small shops and cash registers. These are entire shopping and hotel complexes where you can not only refuel, but also buy everything you need: from hygiene products and food to clothes and souvenirs. You can also relax or take a shower there. There are toilets at every gas station, but they are paid. You can visit a place for reflection for free at rest areas, which are also often found along the highways.

About traffic rules in Germany

In general, they are not much different from the order established on the roads in all European countries. Here are the main points of German traffic rules:

Find yourself behind a tram that has stopped? Stand and wait until all passengers have crossed the road.
Don't forget that the pedestrian has the main right of way in any case. Even if the traffic light is red, you must let the person pass.
A bicycle that moves along a special path has an undeniable advantage over a motorist. Therefore, be extremely careful when turning right. And there are a lot of cyclists here!
You cannot stop on autobahns at your own whim. If your swallow malfunctions, you should park on the right side of the curb, turn on the emergency lights and place a special sign a hundred meters behind the car.
Noticed an accident while driving on the autobahn? Turn on the hazard signal, not the camera on your smartphone. In this way, the Germans warn each other about emergency situations on the road and the need to slow down.
Overtaking others Vehicle, as well as coercion for this kind of maneuver in Germany is strictly prohibited. Nothing to add here: no comments :)
It is prohibited to turn on your turn signals before entering a section of a circular road. When leaving, you must use this signal.
Some intersections are marked with a green arrow. This sign allows you to turn right when the traffic light is red. However, such a maneuver can only be carried out if it does not interfere with the main movement.
If you stop in a populated area, be sure to turn off the engine.
On sections of the road with circular traffic, vehicles located on the circle have priority.

What else should you know about traffic in Germany? Be sure to fasten your seat belts, turn on your low beams, never rush the vehicle ahead using light and sound signals (not in Russia, e-mail culture), and also be sure to drive sober.

The permissible blood alcohol limit is 0.3 ppm. By the way, fines in Germany are paid on the spot. This can be done by credit card or cash. If you refuse or fail to pay, your vehicle may be confiscated.

Italy and traffic features

The sea coast, ideal climate, good roads and interesting sights are not all that awaits you in Italy. Traveling independently to the country of your dreams in your own or rented car is not as difficult as it seems.

In principle, motorists should know only two necessary things about Italy: road signs here can sometimes mislead even the Italians themselves, and local drivers have a very hot temperament and are sometimes overly emotional. Everything is like in Russia, isn’t it?

What else do you need to know about Italian roads? Autobahns here are toll roads. Their cost varies from 6 to 50 euros. It all depends on the length and type of road. The sides of highways are dotted with video cameras and modern speed control systems. Therefore, exceeding it while in this country is strictly not recommended. Stopping on the side of the road is strictly prohibited. It can only be done on the roadside, with an SOS sign installed.

Most gas stations are not open all day. 24-hour services are a real shortage. You can freely refuel in Italy from 7.30 to 12.30 and from 15.30 to 22.30. These are typical operating hours for local gas stations. True, recently gas stations have appeared for car owners that operate without such a long break or even around the clock.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the roundabout traffic. Vehicles driving in a circle have priority. However, this, like many other rules, Italians do not always follow.

Parking in Italy may initially mislead an unfamiliar person. But in general there will be no problems with them. The main thing is to carefully read the markings and signs. Paid parking spaces are indicated in blue, free spaces are indicated in white. In both cases, you will need a parking disc: it should be placed under the windshield. However, on free sites it is necessary to indicate the time since which the car has been parked in this place. Majority free parking limited in time. It is better not to encroach on areas with yellow or yellow-black markings. The former are intended for disabled people and officials, while the latter mean a complete ban on leaving the car. For incorrect parking, they can not only issue a fine, but also have the car towed at the owner’s expense, of course.

There is no shortage of gas stations in the country; they operate around the clock. All gas stations accept credit cards, which is convenient, of course. However, for those wishing to visit toilets that are paid, it is advisable to have some change in kroons with you.

There are also no problems with parking. Most of them are paid, but are expensive by European standards. For a few hours you will have to pay from 1.5 to 5 euros. Tourists need to be extremely careful and look at the color of the markings and signs. For example, blue parking is allowed only for residents of the Czech Republic. White ones are equipped with parking meters, while orange and green ones often allow you to park your car for free all night.

Experienced tourists recommend parking at shopping centers and hotels. Find free place in the center it is unlikely to succeed. True, the most acceptable option is to use a parking lot marked P + R. There you can leave your car for a day for just 100 CZK and travel around the city on convenient public transport. Such parking spaces are available at almost every stop, which is very convenient.

Wrong parking in the Czech Republic is fraught with fines from 40 to 400 euros. Before payment, the car is most often shackled in a shoe, but sometimes it is taken to a parking lot.

Traffic rules in the Czech Republic similar to those established in other European countries. Alcohol while driving is strictly prohibited here, even in residual form. The permitted speed in populated areas is 50 km/h, outside them - 90 km/h, on highways - 130 km/h.

The low beams here must be on both day and night, seat belts must be fastened, and children under 150 cm in height are transported only in the rear seats in special devices appropriate for their age.

All fines can be paid on the spot, including credit cards. Please note that if the total amount of fines is more than CZK 5,000, the police officer will confiscate the driver's license, which will be kept at the station until the trial.

In Latvia by car

Latvia is a small but incredibly beautiful country with old architecture and a lot of attractions. It is better to travel by car, especially if you plan to visit as many Latvian towns and small settlements as possible, each of which is remarkable and beautiful in its own way.

There are no autobahns or highways in Latvia. Most local roads have only two lanes in both directions. Traffic jams and congestion are extremely rare here.

There are no problems with parking either. But in old Riga they are expensive. Therefore, in the capital, it is better to park on the outskirts and move around the city using comfortable public transport.

Gas stations They are found not only within populated areas, but also along country roads. At most of them you can not only buy gasoline, but also have a snack and buy everything you need.

Traffic rules in Latvia are no different from the rules in most European countries. Alcohol is prohibited for drivers here. And pedestrians have an undeniable advantage over drivers.

Lithuania

Vilnius, Palanga, Kaunas are not all beautiful cities small country, which you should definitely visit. In order to fully enjoy the beauty of nature and attractions of Lithuania, it is better to travel by car.

It is immediately worth noting that maximum permissible speed in populated areas in Lithuania it is 50 km/h, outside them - 90, and on highways - 130 in summer and 110 in winter. Alcohol is completely prohibited and low beams are required at all times.

Gasoline is expensive in Lithuania, the quality of roads is assessed by most tourists as good; small problem areas can only be found between small settlements.

Problems with parking spaces can only arise in the centers of large cities. Most parking lots are paid. The time spent on them is counted from the moment it is marked on the parking disc. You won't have to look for a gas station for long either.

Driving in Spain

A country with a wonderful maritime climate, clean beaches and a host of attractions, Spain is ideal for both singles and family vacation. The best way to immerse yourself in the bright, indescribable atmosphere of local color is to choose an independent trip by car.

The quality of local roads delights Russian tourists. By the way, most motorways and autobahns are toll roads. Roads for which you will have to pay to travel are marked with a sign PEAJE. You will also have to part with a small amount of money for entering most of the local tunnels.

Parking in the center of most cities in Spain there are a limited number of places. Experienced tourists recommend leaving their cars in underground parking lots, of which there are plenty. Most of these parking lots are equipped with parking meters, so your change will definitely come in handy. Violating the rules or leaving disabled parking spaces is punishable by a fine, which averages 100 euros. In this case, the car will be towed to the parking lot at the owner’s expense.

There are no problems with gas stations in Spain. Most of them are equipped with motels, shops and cafes. You have to pay for most toilets at gas stations.

On the roads of Spain, behave according to the rules established in all European countries.
note that a cigarette butt thrown out of a window can cost you a 300 euro fine, and overtaking on the right can cost you 900 euros.

Traveling around France

The country of lavender fields, amazing provinces and incredibly rich history is supportive and hospitable to tourists. You should visit France by car at least in order to have time to visit everywhere you want. You can even see Paris and...move on. What do you need to know about such a trip?

It is immediately worth noting that French roads are recognized as the best in the world after Singapore's(to be honest, this surprised me. Ok, Singapore - it’s clear here!). Their coverage is impeccable, repair work is most often carried out at night, and the local drivers themselves are extremely careful and polite. Not a journey, but a dream. There is no need to overpay for roads here. Some bridges, tunnels and highways require tolls. However, payment is made only for the section you drove through.

Traffic jams occur mainly in Paris on weekdays. Gasoline is paid for after refueling. There are many rest areas on the roadsides with free toilets and stunning views.

Free parking in most cities in France you can use it from seven in the evening to nine in the morning. For several days, the car can be left in a special parking lot on the outskirts of the city, and for several hours - in the underground parking lots of shopping centers.

At roundabouts in front of which there are signs: Vous n'avez pas la priorité (you have no priority), cars moving in a circle have priority. If these signs are not there, then cars that are just entering the intersection have priority.

Seat belts and low beams are mandatory here, as are child seats and safety corners.

The permitted speed in a populated area is 50 km/h, outside a populated area - 90 km/h, on a highway - 130 km/h.

The permissible alcohol limit is 0.5 ppm. Please note that since 2013, the mandatory presence of a breathalyzer in cars has been introduced. It must be disposable and French. For its absence, traffic police may issue a fine.

Gasoline prices in Europe

When traveling to Europe with your own car, you should definitely study information about how much gasoline costs in the countries you plan to visit. After all, before traveling, it is important to take into account all possible expenses. And this applies not only to food, accommodation and purchasing souvenirs and other memorabilia. Very often, tourists who start driving independently in other countries forget about the need to take into account the cost of gasoline. A common mistake often leads to unexpected savings. And this, in turn, can significantly ruin your vacation experience.

Check out the most current prices for gasoline in Europe: http://www.benzin-cena.ru/benzin/23-evropa-ceni-v-evro

What documents are needed to travel to Europe by car?

What to take with you on vacation? Money and passport. Everything else can be bought on the spot! Of course, this is a joke, but there is some truth in every joke. After all, correctly collected documents are truly the key to a successful trip. Here is a list of documents that you must take with you:

1. International passport. All participants over the age of fourteen must have an international identification document.

2. Driver's license Russian-style (new) should be carried by those traveling through the territory of European countries that have signed the Vienna Convention. In Andora, Turkey, Iceland, Albania, Vatican City, Malta, Cyprus and Ireland, an international driving license is required. These countries signed the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic.

3. Green card- international vehicle insurance. It is only necessary if you are traveling in your own car. You should buy a green card for a car for a trip to Europe a month before its expiration date (take care of the documents in advance!), because all visa centers require it to obtain a Shegen visa. If you prefer to travel to Europe in a rented car, you will not have to worry about obtaining a green card.

Buy green card You can use the service profitably and quickly.

4. Power of attorney for a vehicle will be needed if you are not its owner. It must be general and contain the following phrase: “with the right to export abroad.”

5. Tourist medical insurance - an optional but necessary document that can save you from a lot of problems. ?

6. Child’s birth certificate, under the age of 14, is also mandatory. Please note that if children travel abroad with at least one parent or official representative, then permission from the second is not required.

It is important to note that owners of CASCO policies can additionally purchase a service such as insurance against theft and damage abroad.

7. Let’s also say separately about obtaining a visa for a trip to Europe.
If you want to save time on preparing documents for a visa and definitely get a Schengen visa, then you can overpay a little, submit an application for registration through a convenient (the service charges about 1500-2000 rubles for its services, which is generally inexpensive, the rest of the cost is consular fees)

Which car is better to drive to Europe?
Own car vs rent

Traveling to Europe in your own car is undoubtedly convenient. But before you plan a trip, be sure to think and weigh everything. This concerns such important points as the condition of the car and its release date. Please note that you can freely enter most European countries only in eco-class cars. After all, the authorities carefully monitor the safety of the environment. A trip to Europe in a car that was produced more than 5-8 years ago can also cost you a considerable amount of money. Therefore, in this case, the only right decision would be to travel by rented car.

Pros of the trip
Own car	VS	Car rental in Europe
1. Savings on travel costs to Europe, provided that at least 3 people go on the trip;		1. Freedom of movement and the ability to independently control your route;
2. There is no dependence on the availability of air tickets and their cost to the destination;		2. The opportunity to rent a car that you like and have never driven before;
3. Possibility to take an unlimited number of things and liquids on a trip;		3. Europe has a very developed network of rental points: it is possible to rent/drop off a car at the airport, or rent it at the airport and drop it off in another place or even a city (sometimes a country);
4. There is no need to get used to someone else's car; all the nuances of driving are familiar;
5. For those who are afraid of feathering, this is a good option;

Minuses
1. Time frame: to get to your destination you need to plan a route and spend some time on the trip itself;	VS	1. International rights are needed;
2. Depreciation: acceleration of maintenance;		2. Rent price;
3. You can't drink;		3. Sometimes a deposit is required (refunded);
4. Fatigue, which can lead to an accident;		4. In Europe there are few cars with an automatic transmission - this increases the cost of rent;
5. In the event of an accident, the driver bears the following costs: for the return journey, insurance, to settle an accident
6. Difficult to predict arrival time

If you are not sure that your iron horse can easily withstand the test of a long journey, give up the desire to visit Europe on it. This way you can save time and nerves, and also a considerable amount of money. After all, repairing a car abroad is not a cheap pleasure.

Traveling around countries comfortably is quite possible even if you don’t have own car, but there are rights. The same as in the case of an inappropriate class environmental safety and the age of the car. After all, a good car can be rented at an affordable price. Problems with leaving Russia and crossing borders different states in this case you will not have any problem. Because the employees who will provide you with a luxurious and comfortable iron horse will carefully prepare all the necessary documents.

Before providing the car to the future happy tourist, it will be checked for breakdowns and malfunctions. It is important to note that most vehicle rental companies will reimburse tourists if the vehicle breaks down during travel. That is why traveling in a rented car to Europe is profitable and convenient.

Where can I rent a car for a trip to Europe?

If you have already come to the obvious conclusion, weighed the pros and cons and decided to go to Europe with a rented car, then the next question that will confront you will, of course, be where to get good car rent and at the same time stay in the black so as not to save on anything on vacation? Proven and reliable service which allows you to choose quality cars for traveling abroad and not only. With its help you can easily carry out old dream about traveling to Europe by car and will not depend on tour operators, public transport and a host of other irritating factors, and most importantly - agonizing expectations.

You can order a car using a service with a simple and convenient interface both on the website and by phone. By the way, managing your reservation has become easier. You don't need to visit the office for this. You can make all changes to travel dates and times online.

Generally acceptable prices, the opportunity to choose a car according to class and personal preferences (down to color), which undoubtedly pleases.

The convenience and practicality of the service have already been appreciated by several million customers. This means that Rentalcars is trusted. Moreover, not only trips designed for recreation, but also movements necessary for business.

Scroll necessary documents, as well as all aspects of registration, movement and return of a car that interest you, you can see on the website. There you will also find a list of frequently asked questions.

Choosing a route around Europe by car

Traveling by car to Europe from Moscow is not difficult. The main thing is to carefully consider the route. To do this, you should not only look up the roads, their length and starting points on the Internet, but also download current maps for the navigator, of course, acquire this device itself, and also provide for the possibility of its breakdown and buy paper maps. The last option requires the most up-to-date information, so it’s worth choosing cards last year edition, you won’t get far using the maps of the 90s... It is necessary to plan a route around Europe by car competently and thoughtfully. Initially, it is important to decide which specific countries you want to visit.

The coolest sites that will help you plan your route:

https://www.viamichelin.com/ - site in English, you can pave the roads recommended by this service according to the most picturesque places Europe (MICHELIN recommended), choose the shortest route from point A to point B and other useful options a la: select the type of car and calculate the cost of the trip depending on the cost of gasoline per liter.

Alternatively, another service:

http://ati.su/Trace/ is a Russian-language site, originally intended for truckers, but you can perfectly create a route there (select options in the left column and set your settings).

Compare and plan routes

Let's give a few examples. Let's say you want to travel from Moscow to Germany. The task is clear, all that remains is to decide which route will be the most convenient in this particular case. From the capital it is most convenient to reach German lands through Belarus and Poland. There will be no problems crossing the first country, since there is power between neighboring states. visa-free regime. As for Poland, it is important to draw the attention of a novice tourist to the fact that there are queues at the Belarusian-Polish border. Therefore, it is important to prepare in advance for the agonizing wait, which can last for several hours.

You can make your first stop in Warsaw, and at the same time spend some time getting acquainted with the sights of the beautiful old city. In this case, a trip to Germany by car will take you on average two to two and a half days. To Berlin you will have to travel only 1800 km. Getting to it from Warsaw is extremely convenient. If you decide to go not to Berlin, but to Bavaria, then the ideal solution would be to lay out a route through the Czech Republic and Austria. This way you will save time and visit two beautiful countries with unrivaled local flavor.

By the way, a trip to the Czech Republic by car, described above, will require the purchase of a vignette upon entry. And this, fortunately, is the only problem that awaits you at the border with this hospitable country.

Traveling to France from Moscow will take a little longer. In total, you will spend four to four and a half days on the road, spending 31 hours on the road itself and covering 2,900 km. There are three stops along the way. The first can be done in Warsaw, crossing the Belarusian-Polish border, the second in Potsdam or Berlin, and the third in Cologne. There will be no problems with queues at the border with this route, because there are no queues as such, Schengen. With the exception of moving to Poland through Belarus...

A trip to Finland by car (car) from Moscow is a relatively short journey, which can be covered in just 12 hours and 1110 km. You should go through St. Petersburg, from where it is only 440 km to Helsinki. You won't have to spend a lot of time at the border. To enter Finland you will need the above list of documents. Don't forget about the green card if you decide to drive your own car rather than a rented one.

Traveling by car in Europe on your own is an excellent opportunity to make your dreams and ideas come true, without following the instructions of guides and without visiting places of interest strictly on time. In this case, you yourself will plan your vacation and change the route if visiting a particular city or even country seems interesting to you.

Information was collected very carefully from experience and current sources.
If we made an inaccuracy somewhere, don’t be angry, point it out in the comments.
Share your opinion and impressions!
Have fun on your trip! Peace 😉

The European continent always attracts many tourists. Some people want to admire amazing artistic masterpieces, some are interested in unique culinary delights, others just want to see famous cities with their own eyes. Many reasons motivate people to visit France, Italy, Germany, the Czech Republic and other countries. But there are only two alternatives in how to organize this trip: pay a travel agency and go along the “beaten path” of ready-made tours, or start an exciting adventure in the form of an independent trip. Both options have their pros and cons. Organized tour does not require any advance planning efforts from you, but it seriously limits your freedom of movement and action. Traveling on your own means planning your route and daily activities without looking at other people, getting to know and discover the real, non-tourist Europe. But this is also responsible preparation, without which it is difficult to get only joy and pleasure from the trip. Read this article on how to organize your own trip!

Route planning

Planning your route before independent trip to Europe - in itself very exciting process. At first, you should put your rationalism aside and allow yourself to dream. Which European countries attract you most? What cities and attractions give you a thrill when thinking about them? Open the map, go through it with your eyes and write down the places you would like to visit.

Then fantasy should be relegated to the background and rational thinking should be included. When traveling on their own, most tourists are limited by time and resources. You can, of course, schedule a visit, for example, to all European capitals, but is it really possible to do this in two weeks without flying on private jets or using fantastic transporters? Choose the most attractive ones from all the places on your list and think about how they can be combined into one route.

Choice of transport

One of the most economical ways to travel around Europe is to use low cost aircraft. Their ticket prices are really low and the level of comfort is excellent for short flights. But such air operators have two features that must be taken into account. Budget planes visit many, but not all cities. The number of tickets for them is limited, and they are in demand. Here are a few names of European low-cost airlines: Wizzair, EasyJet, Ryanair, Air Berlin, Vueling. Each of these companies has its own website with convenient maps of directions. Match actual flights with your list. Choose the most convenient port of departure for your trip, possible flights within the European continent, final destination, from where you will return back.

By traveling to Europe on your own, you don’t have to limit yourself to visiting just one country. If you wish, you can quickly move even to the opposite part of the continent if you select the appropriate flight and thoughtfully fit this flight into your route.

When planning travel on your own, tickets should be purchased in advance. Especially if you want to save money. If you are not tied to specific dates on your trip, this will allow you to save on tickets. Indeed, on “hot” days (weekends, holidays, vacations, tourist season) flight prices are increasing significantly. And when passenger traffic weakens, companies significantly reduce their prices. More tips, to Europe.

Already planning a trip? Check out the flight options available right now:

Don't limit yourself to just flying. It is convenient to move within a certain country by train. As a rule, the distances between cities are not very large. And traveling around Europe by train is an interesting adventure in itself, which will allow you to feel like a local, watch people, get acquainted with the peculiarities of the country and gain a whole bag of impressions that you will enthusiastically tell your friends about. Of course, for this kind of movement it would be good to know at least English language(or be fluent in sign language!) Given the relatively close proximity of European capitals, you can also travel between countries by train. To plan train trips between European countries The website Interrail.eu will be useful. In addition, it is quite easy to find information on local bus and train services within the country of your choice on the Internet.

If you feel confident behind the wheel and crave maximum freedom of movement, take it. This travel option will allow you not to depend on the schedule and have maximum freedom in planning your route.

Choosing a hotel and obtaining visas

Perhaps in every more or less large European city there is a sufficient number of good hotels. You should choose a hotel and book in advance. In addition, this is required to apply for a Schengen visa yourself.

First of all, you need to decide on the type of trip and your needs. If you plan to spend a lot of time in one city, then you need to be especially careful when choosing a hotel. What area is it located in? Where do the windows go? Which Additional services are provided in it? Pay attention to reviews from real people.

Accommodation options in the suburbs or on the outskirts, as a rule, allow you to significantly save on accommodation. But check in advance how you will get to the city center and the objects of interest to you. Perhaps the inconvenience and costs associated with transport will force you to change your choice.

If saving is more important to you than comfort, then you should pay attention to mini-hotels or hostels. This a budget option accommodation, and it is especially suitable for those tourists who plan to move a lot between cities and spend little time at the hotel.

Renting apartments and rooms is becoming increasingly in demand and popular. This option allows you not only to save money, but also to get to know the life of the locals better. Check out what airbnb has to offer and compare with hotel options to make the best choice.

When going on a trip to Europe, you can use the opportunity to visit several countries at once with one visa. It is not difficult to obtain a Schengen visa on your own if you strictly follow the official rules presented on the websites of embassies and consulates. Get to know them and prepare necessary documents and apply for a visa without any worries. It is easier to obtain a visa for some countries - this largely applies to the Eastern European members of the Schengen agreement. Remember that you will have to enter Europe through the country that issued the visa. If you want to simplify the process of obtaining a visa as much as possible, you can use a special one.

Check which accommodation options are currently available for booking:

Travel without haste

When planning a trip, it is important to remember that independent travel to Europe is not a competition in terms of the number of attractions viewed. The main thing about them is the journey itself and the joy it brings. When organizing a trip yourself, you have the opportunity to create a route " self made", directly for yourself. Travel at your own pace, follow your interests, and not just the recommendations of guidebooks. There is no need to rush between all the attractions in the city. Choose the routes that suit you and enjoy the trip! And they will help you with this.

Peaceful walks through the historical center or leisure, nice gatherings in a cafe or exploring museums, carefully examining great architectural masterpieces or observing local residents - spend enough time on what you love!

Think over your cultural program and don’t be afraid of the unexpected

If you are traveling on a package tour, then the issue of organizing leisure time is largely decided by the tour operator. This is not always convenient - everyone is offered the same program, regardless of the preferences of individual people. When traveling on your own, you can plan your days as you please. Visiting museums and attractions, dinners in certain restaurants, shopping trips, excursions out of town...

Don't be afraid to veer off the beaten path hiking trails— learn about lesser-known, but no less interesting places. Be a pioneer, feel the spirit of the city, get to know it from a new side unknown to tourists. Study information about your chosen destinations, tips and tricks in advance experienced travelers. Mark what you like the most. Remember to coordinate your plans with all travel partners. Try to choose different types of activities so that you know exactly what to do with yourself. But still, you shouldn’t follow your plans too rigidly. Be prepared for the unexpected and change your mind easily!

Chat with locals

Europe is not a distant planet inhabited by a form of life unfamiliar to us. They live there ordinary people who will be happy to communicate with interesting personalities. And the fact that you are a carrier of another culture and go on a trip on your own makes you interesting. Feel free to get acquainted with local residents, ask them questions about their city and country, just have fun with them! And if you manage to show off your knowledge of at least a few phrases in the local language, you will almost certainly win over your new acquaintances.

It is very convenient to arrange meetings with “natives” in advance, via the Internet. There are special websites for travelers where people offer to take a walk together, show interesting places, help to “merge” into local life. For example, this is couchsurfing.com - the site is also aimed at finding free accommodation in different cities, but its users are much more willing to make contact when they are not asked for an overnight stay, but simply offered to meet and chat. It's unlikely you'll find out European cities It’s just as good if you wander around them entirely on your own. Naturally, for this you will need knowledge of at least English.

Don't take a lot of luggage

The lightness of luggage is a significant factor in have a nice trip. Think in advance about what you need to take with you on your trip and make a list. Reduce the list to the essentials, eliminating from it everything that you can do without. Do you really need a thick book on the road? Maybe three pairs of jeans is too much? Each tourist has his own individual needs, so it’s better not to look for a universal list of things. The less luggage you have, the more mobile you are. Ideally, everyone should have one medium backpack on their back or a small bag and free hands. And instead of heavy guidebooks - conveniently on your smartphone and headphones!

Careful planning and a reasonable amount of adventurism

Experience independent travel truly amazing. It reveals the boundaries of your worldview and allows you to look at the world in a new way. When going on such trips, you need to follow a simple but important rule - enjoy everything that happens! Careful planning will save you from unnecessary worries. Internal readiness for the unexpected will allow you to see in unforeseen situations an opportunity to learn something new and a unique chance to experience an exciting adventure. Tourists who have tried to go somewhere without a tour operator are often so imbued with this fascinating experience that on their next trips they do not even consider the option of participating in a “mass” tour. The main thing is to decide on the first one!

How to plan a travel route around Europe by car

We have been traveling abroad by car for five years now. In the fall we set off on a long journey again. The question “where” arose in the spring. We prefer “slow travel” and try not to rush across the EU with our eyes wide open. Usually one country with some transit additions is chosen for the trip. In 2011 she became , in 2012 - , in 2013 - , in 2014 - . We don’t yet know how to approach Norway - the country is expensive, and after the next bout of “prosperity” it has become even more expensive for us. God willing, we will go to Italy in the future. But there are so many interesting things there - rich history, ancient culture, classical art - how not to “burst” :)

Selecting a consulate for obtaining visas, and, accordingly, the main country of residence.

Our visas ran out earlier, so the route had to be linked to the country whose consulate we were going to apply for next. Many travelers like to obtain Spanish and Italian visas. For us, the most “convenient” visas are French or Czech. But the French have an element of a lottery: they can give you a “two piece” (c), or even a “five point”, or maybe a multivisa... depending on the duration of the trip.

Features of obtaining a Czech visa

With the Czech consulate everything is clear and precise: there are two “Schengen” cards used for their intended purpose (i.e. with stamps from border guards of EU countries) - you will get a year, there is an annual Czech visa - you will get two, but... only if you are going to Czech Republic. Making reservations through Booking.com and then canceling them is not an option. Czech officials directly indicate that if your travel route changes, you must notify the consulate. Owners of Czech hotels must provide the police with information about guests on a “were there or weren’t there” principle. If, “hoping for chance,” you don’t go to the Czech Republic, then there is a chance to end up at a checkpoint with... a canceled visa. Of course, you can travel to the Czech Republic endlessly, but not all the time :)

French visa

As a result, we chose a French visa for our future trip and, accordingly, most of the route had to pass through France. There is no such strict imperative as in Czech Republic. The French usually don’t check whether you canceled your reservation or not, whether you went to France or not, but... conscience is also a good thing. If you are shown hospitality, return the favor to the hosts. Go to them, spend your money there, and then you can go to the ends of the earth, to Finland, or to Slovenia.

So, the first choice has been made: we are going to France again! Of course, it was made according to our wishes. If we decided to go, say, to Italy, we would go to the Italians.

Choosing the duration of the route and transit overnight accommodation in Germany.

I want to visit everywhere at once, but financial resources are limited. Time is also not rubbery, and, besides, somewhere in the third week of the journey, the eyes begin to “blur.” Based on the experience of previous trips, “for everything,” we allocate 20 days (another 1 day in reserve). Of these, 4 days are for transit through and there and back. I repeat, please don’t talk about fly&drive! (c). In this case, the time that we have is money, which we don’t have much of. Moreover, We start relaxing as soon as we leave.

Looking at an honest policeman who is not susceptible to corruption, you already feel relaxed.

Travel time

For route planning I use Google maps. Some people prefer Viamichelin or Autoroute. All of these planners reflect travel times fairly accurately. Let me emphasize once again that we don’t like to travel 1000 km a day, although we have done more. The first one turns out to be even longer, but it is a necessary evil. The second one is also not close: from to a certain German town where we will have to spend the night.

On our trips through Germany we stopped at, and. Usually, using Google maps, I figure out where I can get to without tearing up “everything in the world for the British flag” and start looking for a hotel in the surrounding area according to the “better and cheaper” principle. So the town of Bad Grund in the Harz was chosen for the French trip. Well, who can resist a “house in the mountains” with breakfast for only 40E?

Pension Harz-Waldwinkel is our overnight stop on the way to France.

Choosing a route in France

It's only travel agencies that offer Paris, yes. For especially wealthy fellow citizens, Courchevel pops up in winter, and in summer - Cote d'Azur. In fact, France is much more interesting. There is something to see in every village. You can use ready-made routes our traveler predecessors, but they compiled them for themselves and for themselves. Therefore, we arm ourselves with an atlas with landmarks marked on them, guidebooks, an Internet planner and, last of all, the Internet itself.

Road atlases. They cannot be replaced by any navigator or internet planner. It’s also impossible without guidebooks. We use them to create a travel itinerary.

There is almost no information on the unexplored corners of France on the RuNet, so you have to surf French sites, choosing what the guidebooks are silent about. In addition, it is advisable not to repeat yourself. For example, it’s beautiful, but we’ve already been there.

First two French provinces fit into the travel route naturally. This is Alsace - how else can you enter France from Germany?

On the highway leading from the German border to Strasbourg.

Besides, we really like it there. We decided to stay two nights, not one, as originally planned. After long and careful study of hotels , settled on the familiar and proven

not far from .

The second province was Burgundy. In 2013, we crossed it in transit, licking our lips at the tempting signs with attractions, but then they were waiting for us.

Avtorut A 36. The city of Bon is a historical and cultural landmark. UNESCO historical heritage in Burgundy - Fontenay Abbey.

So Beaune, Dijon, the abbeys of Fontenay and Vézelay organically fit into the route. A quick acquaintance with Burgundy requires at least 3 days: one day in Beaune, possibly with the vineyards of the Côte d'Or, another day in Dijon and another day for the rest. Accordingly, we needed a hotel for two nights.

The choice of the “Burgundian base” turned out to be no less difficult. At first I planned to stay in Beaune, but estimating from the map that we would have to go back on the second night, I decided to switch to Dijon. A thorough analysis of booking offers for Dijon brought disappointing results: either in the center, but expensive, or cheap, but with bad reviews and a shower in the hallway. Moreover, in “the light of the latest decisions of the party and government,” I really wanted to keep it to 50 E/night. All that remained was to expand the search. Instead of “Dijon,” I type “Côte d’Or” into booking and, filtering through numerous hotels in Beaune, I finally find Datcha Bourguignonne. Does the first word remind you of anything? That's right - “dacha”. It is located in the village of Makonge, which I had never heard of before. The room is on the 2nd floor - read, the attic of a converted farm. But we have a shower, a toilet, a bed, and we don’t need anything else. But the price is 40 E per night. The location couldn't be better - equidistant from Beaune, Dijon and Semur en Auxois.

And then where? This is where I had to do the most main choice trips: Brittany or Périgord? I really wanted to get to Perigueux, Sarlat, Cahors (Kagore in Russian) and the Millau Viaduct. I thought this way and that, wrote down several sheets of paper with supposed day-by-day travel plans, trying to grasp the incomprehensible and embrace the immensity. I almost memorized the atlas sheets with Périgord, Quiercy and Gascony, but in the end... abandoned it in favor of Brittany. The desire to see Cape Ra and walk along the seashore overpowered me.

But you still have to get from Burgundy to Brittany. But I don’t want to - we looked at it in detail two years ago. Go down to Poitou? It’s a long way from Vezelay, which means you’ll have to spend the night in Poitiers. Then we will go to Vannes and the Quiberon Peninsula. However, analysis of the available information leads to disappointing conclusions: from Poitiers to Vannes is not close, but the city is interesting and half a day is not enough for us to see it. Stay another day? What about South Brittany? “With a creaking heart I cross Poitou off the list” (c).

Then I remember that while we were in , we never got to the Losches castle. Where is he? Oppa! Ideally fits on the route from Bourges to Vannes. All that remains is to decide on an overnight stay. In the atlas, about halfway along the route, I see the city of Cholet. By the way, it was smooth on the paper monitor, but they forgot about the ravines... (c). We spent too much time on Burj, although we didn’t regret it. I had to go not through Loches, but through Saumur. Familiar names flashed by: Blois, Chenonceau, Amboise, Azay-le-Rideau. But we still made it to Cholet.

The city is not marked in yellow on the map (an interesting tourist place), so much the better. So in the morning we’ll rush to Vannes straight away! And then an Ibis budget for 45E turned up. It’s okay that it’s “budget” - you can spend one night, but not far from the cathedral and parking is free!

Ibis Budget in Cholet. In the background are the cathedral towers.

Plan first third route.
Day 1: Moscow –
Day 2: – Bad Grund
Day 3: Bad Grund –
Day 4: –
Day 5: – Bon – Makonge
Day 6: Makonge – Dijon – Makonge
Day 7: Maconge – Fontenay – Vézelay – La Charité-sur-Loire
Day 8: La Charite – Bourges – Loches – Cholet

Let's start the Breton part of the trip. Brittany is a very special place, there are even two languages - French and Breton. It is washed on three sides Atlantic Ocean and this is where it’s worth staying longer. I want to see everything at once: capes and beaches, Pont-Aven and Roscoff, parish areas and the Pink Granite Coast!
Choosing places to stay overnight in Brittany was especially difficult. I wanted to stay longer in one place, and on the seashore, and inexpensively, and without prepayment. As they say “fast, cheap and high quality - choose any two positions.” Inexpensive and without prepayment - these are chain hotels on the outskirts of cities 🙁 Inexpensive and beautiful - private B&B (not a chain, but international terminology - bed and breakfast, that is, bed and breakfast) far from the sea, but with prepayment. All that remained was to strangle the toad and book what you liked. We're out of budget, but after all, we're going on vacation! Here's what we ended up booking:

Quiberon Peninsula in Brittany. Hotel “Port Aligen”. Hotel du Rocher (circled) in Pllumana'k Bay on the shores of Pink Granite.

Plan of the Breton part of the route started to look like this:
Day 9: Cholet – Vannes – Carnac(?) – Quiberon. By the way, the question mark can be removed - we were in Karnak and were simply stunned by menhirs, dolmens and other prehistoric stones.

Day 10: Quiberon – Pont-Aven – Concarneau – Cape Ra – Trefentec

Day 11: Trefentek – Crozon Peninsula – Sizen – Trefentek

Day 12: Trefentec – Playben – Locronan – Quimper – Trefentec. In fact, the order of visiting the above-mentioned places turned out to be slightly different, but we saw a lot of very beautiful things.

Day 13: Trefentec – parish areas (Gimillo, Lampol-Gimillo, Saint-Tégonnec) – Perrot-Guirec.

Day 14: Perrot-Guirec – Pink Granite Coast – Cape Freel – Saint-Malo

We wanted to get to Saint-Malo two years ago, but we didn’t have time. On this journey, it became the place from which we set off on our way back. Initially it was planned to go through Chartres and Charleville-Meziers to the Belgian Bouillon and, further, to Dinan. But while I was thinking, everything more or less suitable had already been booked in Chartres, the price tags in Belgium were also not encouraging and this part of the route disappeared by itself. Amiens arose instead of Chartres. However, I didn’t want to go there directly from Saint-Malo. The path is not short, and you will crumple Saint-Malo, and you won’t really see Amiens. This is how another intermediate point arose in. It is located almost halfway between Saint-Malo and Amiens.

We've already been there, so what? We walked in the nasty pouring rain and missed the Eugene Boudin Museum. In addition, you need to buy the forbidden Normandy Camembert and Livaro somewhere! And at the same time, fruity and profitable Calvados moonshine.

“Country” road near Honfleur.

In the Amiens suburb of Glizy, I came across an inexpensive chain hotel called Quick Palace. Shower in the room, free parking and only 35E with a discount. I'm booking! True, I didn’t take into account that some networks are very fond of blocking funds on the card, and they (the funds) were there - the cat cried. Well, okay, the blocking fell off after a month. Our excursion program was supposed to end in Amiens. All that was left was to return home. There is no way you can get from Picardy to Poland in one day if you are not an “uncle racer” and are not ready to sleep in the car. I need to find accommodation for the night about 5 hours from Amiens in Germany. The beloved one in the Moselle Valley looks very seductive. But it's quite a detour to the south.

Instead of Rhineland-Palatinate, they looked for overnight accommodation in North Rhine-Westphalia. Cologne came to mind first. But there are a lot of interesting things there - the cathedral, Art Gallery, 12(!) Romanesque churches. Going there only for an overnight stay is once again poisoning the soul. Cologne remained for the future.

Continued the search using booking. Dusseldorf, Wuppertal, Leverkusen, Solingen... Hmm, a little expensive. The calculation is clearly for businessmen, and not for car travelers on limited means. Finally (this is why I love booking!) I come across the town of Engelskirchen. From Amiens 436 km or 4.5 hours journey. It contains an offer from guest house with a beer garden on the ground floor. Standart room 49E, parking is free, but breakfast costs extra. No problem, let’s have breakfast with the leftover French baguette with cheese :) That's it, the travel itinerary has been drawn up!

Route plan for the return from Brittany.
Day 15: Saint-Malo – Honfleur
Day 16: Honfleur – Amiens – Glizy
Day 17: Gliesy – Amiens – Engelskirchen
Day 18: Engelskirchen – Poland (where we will get there)
Day 19:
Day 20: – Moscow

It took about 3 hours to write this article, and the process of planning the route, searching and booking hotels took about a month. Looking through the same hotels for the fifth time was very tiring. But how nice it is when everything comes together, fits together and all that remains is to carry out our plans!

I wrote this article several months before the trip, but did not open it for reasons of... superstition. Now that everything worked out as well as possible and the only minor nuisance was a burnt-out light bulb, I decided to correct the text a little and finally open it for reading. Hope this turns out to be helpful.
Detailed report on the implementation independent travel published in France in 2015. Link to the first part:

Milan-Paris route from 15 €.

2 . The next European city to travel to is Paris. How to get there from Milan to Paris?

What do they offer us for independent travel on the service? Train for 49 € (7 hours 30 minutes travel), plane for 41 € and bus for 29 €. Let's double-check the price for the Milan (Bergamo)-Paris (Beauvais) plane. Let's find out what's possible direct flight fly for 15 €. We estimate what costs (monetary and time) will be added to
and from . In this situation, you also need to decide for what purpose you are going to Paris, and where you plan to stay - in the center or on the outskirts.

We prefer to travel around Europe by rented car. By the way, check how much it will cost if you take it and return it at the airport. But, if your goal is to live in the center, then park in tourist places it will be hard …

That is, for the Milan-Paris route, choosing a means of transportation is a very individual matter. A lot depends on your goals here. Decide for yourself.

Route Paris-London from 18 €.

3 . Route Paris-London We are considering with transfer to/from the airport - 4 hours 30 minutes, 30 € per flight plus 12 € to get to/from the airport. The journey by bus takes a little longer, but costs less. And the plane takes off at an inconvenient time...

We choose a bus. If you want to save time, then, of course, we choose the train.

Route London-Amsterdam from 18 €.

4 . On the route London-Amsterdam a plane ticket costs the minimum price for flights of low-cost airlines (without luggage) 35 €. If you fly from LTN-Luton airport, then to get there you also need to buy a train ticket for 18 €. The train + plane journey will take almost 5 hours.

In our opinion, for the London-Amsterdam route, an airplane is not the best travel option.

Amsterdam-Berlin route from 29 €.

5 . The cheapest plane tickets Amsterdam-Berlin fly between Rotterdam and Schonefeld airports and cost 29 €. The road from Amsterdam to Rotterdam will cost 15 € and one and a half hours. Getting to Amsterdam Schiphol from Amsterdam is cheaper and faster. AMS-SXF flights start from 44 € (better look for them).

We see that the train costs 39 €, and the bus costs 30 €, but it takes much longer. The fastest direct bus flight from Amsterdam to Berlin () lasts 8 hours and costs 29 €.

What is the best way to travel from Amsterdam to Berlin? ... A matter of taste and mood.

Route Berlin-Vienna from 22 €.

6 . How will we get there on the route? Berlin-Vienna?
Getting to Tegel and Schönefeld airports, where low-cost airlines are based, from Berlin is not difficult or expensive. Vienna Airport Vie-Schwechat is also only 18 kilometers away from the city. That is, if we find cheap air ticket Berlin-Vienna, then to save time it is better to take a plane. We focus on the cost of an air ticket Berlin-Vienna 31 €.

And the most unreasonable thing, in our opinion, is to choose a train as a means of transportation from Berlin to Vienna. Expensive and long.

This is where we will finish considering travel routes around Europe in terms of solving the question “what type of transport to choose for independent travel in European countries.” We conclude that there is no single “recipe” - for different routes there are best options- somewhere it’s cheaper, more profitable, more interesting to travel by bus, somewhere by train, and somewhere it’s better to board a plane and “think about the pilot, so that he can take off well...”.

To travel within a specific country, remember to check the price if you feel confident behind the wheel and have the freedom to travel in comfort - travel around Europe by car yourself. In some European countries, we can safely call the cost of car rental “ridiculous.” Do not forget that for a rented car it is advantageous to register on one's own. And, of course, don't forget.

Now you have information about how much bus tickets in Europe cost on different routes and you can decide whether it is profitable to buy the vouchers that we wrote about.

Lifehack. Think about it in advance. This will save your money and time.

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