![]() On our first day in France, I headed onto the motorway – the autoroute – and moved into the left lane, there to sit happily on our Kombi’s preferred speed of about 80km/h. It’s implanted in my brain as a searing memory from my first trip, in 1981, when my then girlfriend and I spent 10 months and 30,000km doing a lap of “The Continent” in an old VW Kombi that we bought from the famous (and now, sadly, long gone) London van market. I still do it, even after many years of driving in Europe. Okay, please repeat after me, and again loudly to yourself every time you get behind the wheel on your European roadtrip: Keep Right, Keep Right, Keep Right. He said: The one rule you're bound to break We bought a set of chains for $100, which in most places (except Germany) are a legally permitted alternative.ĭriving around Europe offers many scenic opportunities. Winter tyres are mandatory in Germany, and some regions of France and Italy, between November and April and are usually standard on a hire car at that time of year, but not on our leased Peugeot. The European leg of our roadtrip stretched from December through to March. ![]() We didn’t quite clock up that many kilometres, so we saved several hundred euros. Depending on how far you drive, you may have to schedule and fork out for the first service – our contract said we had to get one at 10,000km but when we took our Peugeot 3008 hybrid to a dealer, it wasn’t actually due until 20,000km. You do the deal before you leave Australia so you pay in Aussie dollars, and if you plan ahead, you may even score an early-bird discount. ![]() It’s a scheme available only to foreigners because the dealer “sells” the car tax-free to you, and then, after you’ve returned it, onsells it to a local as a slightly used car – which translates as a good result for all concerned. Road tripping along Lake Garda, Lombardy, Italy. See also: This Italian road trip is every pasta lover’s dream See also: 10 rules you need to know for road tripping in Europe You get a brand-new car that you effectively own for the duration, so it includes unlimited kilometres, comprehensive insurance with no excess, no rules about under-25 drivers or gravel roads, free roadside assistance and you can drive it anywhere within the EU. French car makers – Peugeot, Renault and Citroën – have a leasing program that is a great alternative to traditional car hire, especially if you are planning on being on the road for a month or more. ![]() I’ll be honest, it cost a bit – four months on the road anywhere always does – but not as much as you might think.Ĭar hire these days, thanks to Covid-induced supply issues, is a lot more expensive than it used to be, but because our plans included France, we leased a car rather than rented. ![]() We’ve just come back from four months road-tripping around the UK and Europe, and the first thing people want to know is not where we went or even if we had a good time, but how much it cost. She said: The hack that saves on car hire “With tyres being the only contact with the road when driving, checking tyres should be at the top of everyone’s checklist.”Ĥ.These road-trippers have got the lowdown on how to drive around Europe without breaking the bank - and what not to do. It’s worth having a read about how it works before you set off to ensure you’re prepared in the event you need to use it. “If you haven’t got a spare, then make sure you have a sealant kit and that it is still in date. Peter Robb, from Continental, which commissioned the research to highlight its ContiSeal tyres, added: “It’s vital motorists check their tyres every two to four weeks and before long journeys – but it is also important to check you have a spare wheel or a space saver in the boot and that the tyre in a roadworthy condition as well. ![]()
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