Deciding whether to take the train or rent a car is one of the most critical decisions you'll make when planning your European adventure. This choice dramatically impacts your flexibility, budget, and overall travel experience.
To help you decide, consider these key variables when determining whether your European journey will be better behind the wheel or on the rails:
- Geographical Range: Trains generally cover a broad area more easily and efficiently for long distances.
- Rail Coverage: Check the country's network intensity. Switzerland, for example, is crisscrossed by an extensive train network, whereas Ireland's trains are relatively sparse.
- Urban vs. Rural Focus: A car is a major hassle in big cities (parking, traffic), but it becomes invaluable for exploring the countryside, hidden villages, and rural stops.
- Number of Travelers: A car can be significantly cheaper when shared by two or more people or a family.
- Luggage Load: If you are not a light packer, a car eliminates the hassle of hauling bags through stations and onto platforms.
- Traveling with Kids: Car travel offers more flexibility for unscheduled stops, while trains provide room for kids to walk around and play.
Driving in Europe: Freedom and Logistics
In certain regions, driving is not only easy but highly recommended. The British Isles are excellent for driving, featuring reasonable rental costs, no language barrier, and fine roads—just remember to stick to the left! After one near head-on collision scares the bloody heck out of you, you'll have no trouble remembering which side of the road to drive on.
Other popular and rewarding driving areas include:
- Scandinavia: Enjoy the dramatic landscapes, like hugging the lip of a majestic fjord as you meander from village to village.
- Belgium and the Netherlands: Be mindful of local customs—yield to bikes; you're outnumbered.
- Spain and Portugal: Ideal for exploring out-of-the-way villages and picturesque hill towns inaccessible by train.
- Germany: Experience the joy of zipping along wonderfully engineered freeways, much loved by wannabe race-car drivers (always follow local speed limits!).
- Switzerland and Austria: Drive down sunny alpine valleys with yodeling on the stereo for auto ecstasy.
- Slovenia: Enjoy its many diverse, picturesque sights that are hard to reach by public transit.
The Case for Car Rental
While many European travel dreams come with a clickety-clack "rhythm of the rails" soundtrack—and most first trips are often best by train—you should absolutely consider the convenience of driving. Behind the wheel, you're totally free, going where you want, when you want. Start your engine!
- Driving is ideal for countryside-focused trips, reaching places typically have fewer tourists and more locals.
- If you glimpse a cute Italian hill town out the window, you can easily stop and linger. If you're exploring the lochs of Scotland, you're going to be glad you've got a car.
- The mobility of a car lets you find cheaper accommodations in small towns and away from the train lines.
- You can play it riskier, arriving in a town with no reservation—if the hotels are full, simply drive to the next town.
- Driving is a godsend for those who don't believe in packing light.
- For two or more people traveling together (especially families with small kids), renting a car can be easier and cost less than traveling by train.
European Rail Travel: Efficiency and Romance
The European train system effectively shrinks what is already a small continent, making the budget whirlwind or far-reaching tour a reasonable and exciting possibility for anyone. The system is generally slick, with well-signed stations, easily accessed schedules, and efficient connections between popular destinations. First-time train travelers get the hang of it faster than they expect.
The Case for Train Travel
For many travelers, the pleasure of journeying along Europe's rails really is as good as the destination. Train travel, though not as flexible as driving, can be less stressful. On the train, you can forget about parking hassles, confusing road signs, speed limits, bathroom stops, and aggressive Italian drivers. Instead, you can:
- Watch the scenery instead of fixing your eyes on the road.
- Enjoy a picnic and maybe even a glass of the local wine onboard.
- Benefit from spontaneity: If a town looks too cute to miss, hop out and catch the next train.
Speed, Comfort, and Convenience
Rail travel is highly time-efficient, especially with Europe's ever-growing network of super-fast trains. With night trains, you can eat dinner in Munich, sleep comfortably on the train, and awaken for breakfast in Venice. And, for the most part, you don't need to show up early. As long as you're on board when the train leaves, you're on time.
Compared to flying or driving long distances, trains offer superior comfort. As Americans, we're accustomed to being shoehorned into cramped airline seats or enduring long road trips by car. On the train, you can walk around, relax in comparatively wide seats, and enjoy a picnic onboard.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A: Driving in Italian cities can be challenging due to ZTLs (Limited Traffic Zones), which are restricted areas enforced by cameras. Entering a ZTL without a permit results in an automatic fine. However, driving through the Italian countryside (Tuscany, Puglia, etc.) is highly rewarding and generally manageable, allowing you to stop at small hill towns and vineyards easily. Stick to the trains for major cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice.
A: A Eurail Pass (or similar rail pass) is generally worth the cost if you plan on: 1) Traveling long distances between several different countries, and 2) Making frequent stops (i.e., multiple train journeys) within a short period. If you only plan to travel between two major cities (e.g., Paris to Rome), it's often cheaper to buy individual point-to-point tickets in advance.
A: European train stations are typically located right in the city center, unlike most airports. This means you save significant travel time and cost going to and from the station. Furthermore, the check-in and boarding process is much faster; you usually only need to be on the platform a few minutes before departure.