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In Europe with your own or rented car? Why not? In recent years, more and more people are choosing to go on independent travel. Road travelers do not depend on tour operators, airlines and other circumstances that can significantly overshadow the 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 already at the very beginning of the path, and then only pleasant impressions and a sea of ​​​​positive emotions begin. In order for the trip to go perfectly, it is important to foresee all the nuances and little things.

Be sure to think over the route, find out all the necessary information about the list of documents that you should prepare and take with you. Information about the features of traffic rules, parking lots, autobahns and so on will not be superfluous.

Most of the useful and up-to-date information for 2017 is presented below.

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

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

• Your car must be no more than five (eight in some countries) years old. Europeans carefully monitor environmental safety. Therefore, residents of states with old cars pay a large tax for this. 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 a penny (for example, in Berlin you can rent a Ford Focus for 1500 per day) and you can rent it in another city, the service allows you to do this. Well, you can buy a ticket.
• For the reason described above, it is best to travel to Europe by car that belongs to the ecological 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 it is very convenient to use such a technical device, it can suddenly fail. And no one is immune from this. Therefore, just in case, you should also take simple paper cards.

  Most car enthusiasts use iGO software (the latest and highest quality maps) to navigate Europe.
  Other software (decreasing 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 have to face.

Features of traveling to Germany by car

Picturesque lakes, Alpine mountains and perfectly smooth roads are far from all the delights of Germany. There is definitely something to see in this country, which means that you should definitely visit it. Tourists are crazy about amusement parks, thermal spas, museums and ancient architecture of German cities and provinces. A relatively small country can be explored in a not very long period of time. Therefore, a trip 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 the pedantic Germans carefully monitor traffic safety. It is worth noting that a special advantage of the German autobahns is that they are free. The exception is the panoramic road and two tunnels (Varnov and Herren).

Getting lost on the autobahns is almost impossible. Each congress 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 shield.

There is another extremely interesting and even pleasant feature of traffic in Germany for Russian motorists. Most autobahns have no speed limit. The inhabitants of this country also love to drive. As for traffic jams and traffic jams, they certainly 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.

Separately, let's say about local parking. There is no shortage of them in Germany. However, you can not park your car freely everywhere. As a rule, there are no signs prohibiting the free parking of a car on the side of the road, only on the outskirts. In the centers of large 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, others require a card. Please note that on weekends and holidays, many of them allow you to leave your car free of charge for a couple of hours.

Parking Permit Signs in Germany are extremely simple. On the round signs it is indicated by arrows whether it is possible to park a car or not. The photo shows a sign behind which it is forbidden to park cars. Vehicles parked in front of the sign stand on the side of the road according to the rules.

There are no problems with gas stations in Germany(surprising to imagine otherwise...). There are many of them here, moreover, they are equipped with care for motorists. Gas stations located along the highways are not limited to the presence of small shops and cash desks. 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 the place for reflection for free at the recreation sites, which are also often found along the slopes.

About the rules of the road in Germany

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

1. Were you behind a tram that made a stop? Stand and wait for all passengers to cross the road.
2. Do not forget that the pedestrian has the main advantage in any case. Even if the traffic light is red, you must let the person pass.
3. 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!
4. You can’t stop on the autobahns on your own whim. If your swallow has failed, you should park to the right side of the curb, turn on the emergency gang and put up a special sign a hundred meters behind the car.
5. Did you notice an accident while driving on the autobahn? Turn on the alarm, not the camera on your smartphone. Thus, the Germans warn each other about emergency situations on the road and the need to slow down.
6. Overtaking other vehicles, as well as forcing such a maneuver in Germany, is strictly prohibited. Nothing to add here: no comments 🙂
7. Turning on turn signals before entering a section of the road with a roundabout is prohibited. This signal must be used when leaving.
8. Some intersections are marked with a green arrow. This sign allows you to turn right at a red traffic light. However, such a maneuver can only be carried out if it does not interfere with the main movement.
9. If you are stopping in a built-up area, be sure to turn off the engine.
10. On sections of the road with roundabouts, 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 the dipped beam, in no case do not rush the vehicle moving in front with the help of light and sound signals (not in Russia, e-mae culture), and also be sure to drive sober.

The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.3 ppm. By the way, fines in Germany are paid on the spot. You can do this with a credit card or cash. If you refuse or fail to pay, your car may be confiscated.

Italy and traffic features

Sea coast, ideal climate, good roads and interesting sights - not all that awaits you in Italy. Traveling independently to the land 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 are paid here. Their cost varies from 6 to 50 euros. It all depends on the length and type of road. The roadsides of freeways are littered with video cameras and modern speed control systems. Therefore, it is strictly not recommended to exceed it while in this country. Stopping on the side of the road is strictly prohibited. It can only be made on roadsides with an SOS sign.

Most gas stations are not open all day. Round the clock - a real shortage. You can refuel freely in Italy from 7.30 to 12.30 and from 15.30 to 22.30. This is a typical schedule for local gas stations. True, in recent years, gas stations have appeared for car owners that work without such a long break or even around the clock.

Separately, it should be said about the ring traffic. Motor vehicles moving in a circle have an advantage. However, this, like many other rules, the Italians do not always comply with.

Car parks in Italy initially can mislead an unusual person. But in general, there will be no problems with them. The main thing is to carefully read the markings and signs. Paid places for cars are marked in blue, free - in white. In both cases, a parking disc is required: it should be placed under the windshield. True, on free sites it is necessary to indicate the time from which the car has been standing in this place. Most free parking lots are time limited. It is better not to encroach on areas with yellow or yellow-black markings. The former are intended for the disabled and officials, while the latter mean a complete ban on leaving the car. For improper parking, they can not only issue a fine, but also evacuate the car at the expense of the owner, of course.

There is no shortage of gas stations in the country, they work around the clock. All gas stations accept credit cards for payment, which is convenient, no doubt. However, those wishing to visit the toilets, which are paid, it is advisable to have a change in crowns with you.

No problem with parking either.. 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. So, for example, blue parking is allowed only for residents of the Czech Republic. Whites are equipped with parking meters, while orange and green ones often allow you to leave your car for free all night.

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

Incorrect parking in the Czech Republic is fraught with fines from 40 to 400 euros. Before payment, cars are most often shackled in a shoe, but sometimes they are taken to a fine parking lot.

Traffic rules in the Czech Republic similar to those in other European countries. Alcohol while driving is strictly prohibited here, even in the residual version. The speed limit is 50 km/h in built-up areas, 90 km/h outside of them, and 130 km/h on highways.

The dipped beam must be on here day and night, seat belts must be fastened without fail, and children who have not reached a height of 150 cm are transported only in the rear seats in special age-appropriate devices.

All fines can be paid on the spot, including credit cards. Please note that if the total amount of fines is more than 5,000 kroons, then the law enforcement officer confiscates the driver's license, which is kept at the station until the court.

In Latvia by car

Latvia is a small but incredibly beautiful country with old architecture and lots of sights. 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 and highways in Latvia. Most local roads have only two lanes in both directions. Traffic jams and congestion here are extremely rare.

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 on comfortable public transport.

gas stations are found not only within settlements, but also along country roads. On most of them you can not only buy gasoline, but also have a snack, buy everything you need.

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

Lithuania

Vilnius, Palanga, Kaunas are far from all the beautiful cities of a small country that you should definitely visit. In order to fully enjoy the beauty of nature and sights of Lithuania, it is better to travel by car.

It should immediately be noted that speed limit in built-up areas in Lithuania is 50 km/h, outside of them - 90, and on motorways - 130 in summer and 110 in winter. Alcohol is completely prohibited, dipped beam is required at all times.

Petrol is expensive in Lithuania, most tourists assess the quality of roads well, small problem areas can only be found between small settlements.

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

Driving in Spain

A country with a wonderful maritime climate, clean beaches and a lot of attractions, Spain is ideal for both singles and families. It is best to immerse yourself in the bright indescribable atmosphere of local color by choosing an independent trip by car.

The quality of local roads delights Russian tourists. By the way, most motorways and autobahns are tolled. Roads on which you 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 contain a limited number of places. Experienced tourists recommend leaving cars in underground parking lots, of which there are plenty. Most of these parking lots are equipped with parking meters, so a change will definitely come in handy. Violation of the rules or leaving in parking spaces for the disabled is punishable by a fine, which averages 100 euros. In this case, the car will be towed to the parking lot at the expense of the owner.

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

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

Traveling in 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 go wherever you want. You can even see Paris and ... go further. What do you need to know about this trip?

It should immediately be noted that French roads are recognized as the best in the world after Singapore(to be honest, it surprised me. Ok, Singapore - it's clear here!). The coverage on them is impeccable, repairs are most often carried out at night, and the local drivers themselves are extremely accurate and polite. Not a trip, but a dream. You don't have to pay tolls here. Some bridges, tunnels and autobahns are paid. However, payment is made only for the section on which you drove.

Traffic jams happen mostly in Paris on weekdays. Gasoline is paid after refueling. There are plenty of rest areas along the roadsides with free toilets and stunning views.

Free parking in most cities in France you can use it from seven in the evening until nine in the morning. You can leave your car for a few days at a special parking lot on the outskirts of the city, and for a few 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 there are no these signs, then cars that only enter the intersection have priority.

Seat belts and dipped beam are mandatory here, as are child seats and safety corners.

The speed limit in built-up areas is 50 km/h, outside built-up areas 90 km/h, and on motorways 130 km/h.

The allowed alcohol limit is 0.5 ppm. Please note that since 2013, the mandatory presence of a breathalyzer in a car has been introduced into the rule. It must be disposable and French. For his absence, law enforcement officers on the roads can issue a fine.

The cost of gasoline in Europe

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

Check out the latest gasoline prices 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 locally! Of course, this is a joke, but in every joke there is some truth. After all, properly collected documents are truly the key to a successful trip. Here is a list of documents that you need to bring with you:

1. Passport. An international identity document must be available for all participants who have reached the age of fourteen.

2. Driving license Russian sample (new) should be for those who travel through the territory of European countries that have signed the Vienna Convention. On the territory of Andora, Turkey, Iceland, Albania, the Vatican, Malta, Cyprus and Ireland, an international driver's license is required. These countries have signed the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic.

3. Green card (green card)- international vehicle insurance. It is only required 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 the start of its validity period (take care of the documents in advance!), because in all visa centers it is required to apply for a Shegen visa. If you prefer to travel to Europe in a rented car, you won’t have to worry about getting a green card.

Buy a green card profitable and fast possible on the service.

4. Power of attorney for the vehicle required if you are not the owner. It must be general and contain the following phrase: "with the right to export abroad."

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

6. Child's birth certificate under the age of 14 is also required. 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 the owners of CASCO policies can additionally arrange such a service as insurance against theft and damage abroad.

7. Separately, let's talk about obtaining a visa for a trip to Europe.
If you want to save time on preparing documents for a visa and get Schengen for sure, then you can overpay a little, apply for registration through a convenient (the service takes about 1500-2000 rubles for its services, which is generally inexpensive, the rest of the cost is consular fees)

What is the best car to travel to Europe?
Own car vs rent

A trip to Europe on your own car is undoubtedly convenient. But before you plan a trip, be sure to think it over and weigh everything. This concerns such important points as the condition of the car and its release date. Please note that most European countries can only be entered freely by eco-class cars. After all, the authorities carefully monitor the safety of the environment. A trip to Europe in a car manufactured 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.

If you are not sure that your iron horse will easily stand the test of a long journey, give up the desire to visit Europe on it. Thus, 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 with comfort is quite possible even if you do not have your own car, but you have a license. As well as in the case of a car that is not suitable for the class of environmental safety and age. After all, a good car can be rented at an affordable price. In this case, you will not have problems with leaving Russia and crossing the borders of different states. Since the employees who will provide you with a luxurious and comfortable iron horse will carefully prepare all the necessary documents.

Before you provide a car to a future happy tourist, it will be checked for breakdowns and malfunctions. It is important to note that most car rental companies will reimburse tourists if the car breaks down on the road. 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 all the pros and cons and decided to go to Europe in a rented car, then the next question that will arise in front of you will, of course, be where to rent a good car and still stay in the black, so as not to save on anything on vacation? Proven and reliable service, which allows you to choose high-quality cars for trips abroad and not only is. With its help, you can easily fulfill your old dream of traveling to Europe by car and will not depend on tour operators, public transport and a host of other annoying 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, booking management has become easier. You don't need to visit the office for this. You can make all changes to the dates and times of the trip online.

In general, reasonable prices, the ability to choose a car by class and personal preferences (up 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.

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

Choosing a route in Europe by car

Traveling by car to Europe from Moscow is easy. The main thing is to carefully consider the route. To do this, you should not only look at the roads, their length and starting points on the Internet, but also download up-to-date maps for the navigator, naturally, acquire this device itself, as well as provide for a possible variant of its breakdown and buy paper maps. The latter option requires the most up-to-date information, so it’s worth choosing maps of the last year of issue, you won’t go far with the maps of the 90s ... It is necessary to draw up a route across 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/ - a site in English, you can lay roads recommended by this service in the most picturesque places in Europe (MICHELIN recommended), choose the shortest route from point A to point B and other useful options a la: choose 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/ - a Russian-language site, originally intended for truckers, but you can perfectly make a route there (choose options in the left column and set your settings).

Compare and plan routes

Let's give some examples. Let's say you want to travel from Moscow to Germany. The task is clear, it remains to decide which of the routes will be the most convenient in this particular case. From the capital, it is most convenient to get to the German lands through Belarus and Poland. There will be no problems with the first country when crossing, since a visa-free regime prevails between neighboring states. As for Poland, it is important to focus the attention of a novice tourist on the fact that there are queues on 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 to get acquainted with the sights of the beautiful old town. A trip to Germany by car in this case will take you an average of two to two and a half days. Berlin is only 1800 km away. Getting to it from Warsaw is extremely convenient. If you decide to go not to Berlin, but to Bavaria, then laying a route through the Czech Republic and Austria will be an ideal solution. So you save time and visit two beautiful countries with unsurpassed 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 on 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 directly on the road itself and overcoming 2900 km at the same time. There are three stops along the way. The first can be done in Warsaw, having overcome 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 such a route, because there are none 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 way, which can be overcome 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 much time at the border. To enter Finland, you will need the above list of documents. Do not forget about the green card (green card) if you decide to drive your own rather than a rented car.

Traveling by car in Europe on your own is a great opportunity to make your dreams and ideas come true, without following the instructions of guides and not visiting places with attractions strictly on time. In this case, you yourself will plan your vacation and change the route if visiting a particular city or even a country seems interesting to you.

The information was collected according to experience and relevant sources very diligently.
If we made an inaccuracy somewhere, do not be angry, point out in the comments.
Share your opinion and impressions!
Good luck on your trip! Peace 😉

We offer you ready budget travel itinerary for european cities. Visit 4 countries and 6 cities in Europe, spending 9900 rubles (or even less) on all transport costs!

Hurry up and pack your bags! We have put together an interesting itinerary for travel in Europe this summer. You can safely take it and use it as a program for your summer vacation. If desired, you can make any adjustments and additions to it.

Prices shown are current at the time of publication.

UPD (2019): If you look at the dates, then this route of travel through European cities can be considered irrelevant. However, specific dates are of secondary importance. The main thing is the idea! Look at this route as a sample. Firstly, it can be exactly repeated now - there will be differences in price (after all, the exchange rate has changed), but everyone has already come to terms with post-crisis prices. Secondly, you can only borrow its logic and principle of construction and, on its basis, build your own individual travel route around Europe. Improvise!

First stage of the route: Budapest, Hungary

(by Andreas Lehner 2014 / flickr.com)

We will start our journey from Moscow, and the first city on our trip will be. One of the key European low-cost airlines, Wizz Air, flies from the capital of Russia to the capital of Hungary, which often offers excellent prices for tickets on this route. For example, at the end of July you can fly to Budapest for only 30 euros! And if you are the owner of an airline club card, then you will need to pay even less for the flight - only 20 euros. pay attention to a very convenient departure time: usually a Moscow-Budapest flight at 11 am costs significantly more, but this time is a pleasant exception.

Second leg of the itinerary: Rome, Italy

(by josemanuelerre/flickr.com)

You can fly almost anywhere from Budapest, many people fly to this city, so the choice of destinations at good prices is very large. We will do the following: we will spend 4 days and 3 nights in beautiful Budapest (be sure to visit at the same time) and fly to the Eternal City! Departure on the evening of July 31 for only 25 euros. This time we will fly aboard Ryanair.

Third stage of the route: Milan and Bergamo, Italy

We will stay in Rome for 2 nights, after which we will take a night bus to Milan for only 1€! We save both time and money. The ticket can be bought on the website.

In Milan, we propose to spend 4 days - this time is just right to see the city. Another day is worth devoting to the small but very beautiful town of Bergamo, located just an hour's drive from Milan. You can get to Bergamo by suburban train for 5 €. Bergamo Airport is considered one of the, and from here, again, you can easily and cheaply fly to anywhere in Europe on low-cost airlines. Of all the possible options, this time we will choose, a ticket to which will cost 23 euros (departure on the evening of August 6 on Ryanair).

Fourth leg of the itinerary: Paris, France

(photo by safran83 / flickr.com)

Fifth stage of the route: Riga, Latvia

From Paris we will fly to the last point of our trip across Europe - to Riga. The ticket will cost 30€ (or 20€ for Wizz Air members).

You can spend 2-3 days in the capital of Latvia and take the Ecolines or LuxExpress bus at (2500 rubles) or at (1100 rubles), whichever is more convenient for you.

Results

In addition to the amounts listed above, the traveler will also need to spend money on a transfer from the city and back. Let's add the costs of these movements to the budget of our trip:

• 6€ (transfer from Budapest airport to the city and back),
• 4€ (transfer from to the city),
• 32€ (transfer from and back),
• 1€ (from Riga airport to the city center).

In total, the transfer costs will be 43 €, which is about 2000 rubles.

The trip budget was as follows: 9,900 rubles for all transportation costs with a return to Moscow, or 8,500 rubles for a return to St. Petersburg. For Wizz Discount Club members, the trip will be another 20€ (almost 1000 rubles) cheaper!

Here is such a budget itinerary, but very eventful travel around Europe!

Accommodation. Of course, we did not include accommodation, meals, etc. in the budget, it was only about tickets. You can save on accommodation by using couchsurfing. For those who prefer not to live away on vacation, but to book their own accommodation, we advise you to pay special attention to the Airbnb.ru service - for any European city you can find thousands of options for interesting and even unique housing for rent (from rooms and apartments to houses , residential boats and even castles). This approach to living can greatly enrich your trip with impressions!

Intro image source: © orion_Katerina / flickr.com.

Of course, you can travel in a huge variety of different ways: tourists can use planes, trains, and a host of other types of scheduled transport. Many, however, choose to travel by car in Europe. Sometimes as a way to get to the destination of the trip, sometimes as transport already in place.

This approach has many advantages, although it also contains a number of difficulties. Before you go, or make a decision, you should pay attention to a number of important issues - otherwise the trip may be spoiled in order, or completely disrupted.

In this article, we will talk in detail about traveling by car in Europe, about the key points that you should pay attention to. Consider a lot of "pitfalls", and give useful advice.

So let's get started! The first part of the article will be devoted to the preparation stage, and the very beginning of the journey. About what awaits you already in the process - in the second part.

Depending on the first question that you have to solve, the preparation process will change a lot. The only thing you need to make sure in any case is that you have it. The usual ones used on the territory of Russia are formally not enough.

"Formally" - because often the police in Europe do not know anything about this, and do not pay any attention to the lack of an international driver's license. However, it is better not to risk it, and get a special document for driving abroad. It is not difficult.

Personal or rented car?

This is perhaps the first significant question that will inevitably arise before you. If you live in the European part of Russia, then Europe is close enough for you to have something to seriously think about here.

On the one side, Personal car, familiar and well known to you - this is a plus. However, you will have to take care in advance that the technical condition of the vehicle meets the requirements of the country you are going to enter, and all other conditions are also met. But we will talk about this in more detail a little later.

WITH rental car everything is simpler: by renting it on the spot, you save yourself from the worries mentioned above. In addition, it is not necessary to return it to the starting point - you can easily make a one-way road trip and return on another vehicle. It's comfortable.

And now - more about the very nuances of preparing and starting a trip, in the case of a personal and rented car.

Traveling by private car: preparation and start

First of all, you must make sure that your car is technically suitable for traveling in Europe. And it's not about whether the car is working: when entering Europe, depending on the specific country through which this happens, there are different requirements.ok

We will not list them exactly for the reason that the requirements may change, and the options for entering Europe are very different. But we note the main areas that you should pay attention to.

• First, if you have an old car, make sure that it does not violate accepted environmental standards. However, it is unlikely that you are going on a long journey in such an old car, so I will not focus on this.
• Secondly, rubber, and this is important. For example, in Finland (one of the most popular countries for road trips among Russians), there are strict requirements: from a certain date, you must have winter or summer tires, and no other. Otherwise, you simply will not be allowed through the border. Studded tires, harmful to the road surface, can also become an obstacle.
• Thirdly, toning. Check the rules regarding it in the countries you are going to visit in advance: it can also become an insurmountable obstacle to crossing the border.

We figured out the technical issues, now let's move on to the "paper" formalities. There are two main points here: customs and insurance. Both will not directly relate to the "car" component of the trip if you rent a car already "on the other side", so we will discuss now.

Insurance and customs clearance

It is difficult to forget about the need to purchase a “green card”, compulsory insurance for a car traveler: it is persistently offered on the way to the border, and the closer the “cordon”, the more points of insurance with bright signs.

But it’s better to buy insurance not at the last moment, but in advance: naturally, the closer to the border, the more expensive it will cost you. A without a green card it is impossible to enter Europe. You can also purchase from an insurance company, Russian or foreign,; protect yourself from damage in the event of an accident, theft, and so on.

customs inspection at automobile checkpoints it is not very common, because they are usually too busy: usually everything is limited to just checking documents.

However, just in case, still make sure that you do not violate the rules for importing or exporting anything by studying the latest information on the websites of the customs authorities of Russia and the countries of destination.

Note:

Requirements on different sides of the border may vary, and significantly! Therefore, it is necessary to read the information from both sources, and nothing else.

First of all, pay attention to the norms for transporting alcohol, tobacco, and also fuel (you probably have a canister with you when you go on a long journey?).

Car rental in Europe

By renting a car on the spot, you save yourself from all the issues of crossing the border: the car is already here, it is registered in Europe, and meets all local requirements. There are two main questions: the requirements for the driver himself, and how it is generally better to rent a car.

To rent a car in Europe, you don't need anything other than an international driver's license and a Visa or Mastercard bank card (yes, cash is not very common in Europe). Insurance, with all the options of your choice, will be issued right in the process. But keep in mind that the younger your age and driving experience, the more expensive the rental will be.

Be sure to pay attention to which countries you can enter in a rented car, according to the contract! There may be restrictions here, especially in the Balkans.

Strictly follow the rules!

It is no secret that in the post-Soviet space the severity of laws is compensated by the non-obligation of their implementation - and this, among other things, applies to traffic rules. Of course, in developing countries the problem is also not too acute, but remember: non-compliance with traffic rules is the best way to ruin a car trip in Europe!

Many violations “familiar” to a Russian motorist will surprise you very unpleasantly with substantial amounts of fines for their commission. And you need to pay them, otherwise in the future you will have big problems with a visa. But more on that later, for now - another question.

What are Russians most often fined for in Europe? There are three main types of violations: speeding, parking violations, and non-payment of toll roads. If everything is clear with the speed limit - just look at the signs (the only caveat is that sometimes a lower speed limit can be set on the autobahn), then two other issues require separate consideration.

Parking in Europe

With parking in European cities, everything is not easy. Firstly, it is practically never free: just leaving the car on the street will cost several euros per hour. Or a few hundred euros if you choose not to pay and get fined. The exceptions are weekends, as well as night time - but this must, of course, be clarified in advance.

Helpful information:

You can prepare for your trip in advance and find parking lots in 52 countries around the world on this site. The Parkopedia website is by far the largest resource with a selection of parking lots. Please note that this site also has mobile applications!

Secondly, very often parking is generally prohibited in the city center (this most often applies to small ancient cities). And absolutely always in the center it is much more expensive, so it may make sense for a car traveler to settle and leave the car closer to the outskirts.

How to proceed?

The easiest way is not to park your car on the street at all, but to use only underground parking lots, where it is extremely easy to figure out the payment rules. On the streets, pay attention to explanatory signs, but be prepared: payment is not always automated. You may not meet a parking meter, as in Moscow. You may need to buy coupons or cards in advance - and in Finland, for example, you need special "parking hours" that measure a short period of free parking. Also in this country in winter, the rules are very complicated due to snow removal.

So treat the issue carefully, or use only large parking lots, where the staff is always ready to help, and it is impossible to do anything wrong. Let it cost a little more.

European toll roads

Traveling by car in Europe is very comfortable, which is achieved precisely due to the wide network of toll roads that permeate the entire continent - you can drive very quickly and without thinking about anything at all, like a capsule in a pneumomail.

But there is one thing you need to think about: payment. Keep in mind that it is almost impossible not to encounter toll roads in Europe: at a minimum, you will definitely meet toll sections when moving from city to city.

Unfortunately, the entrance to the toll road does not always look like a barrier with a cashier or a machine gun - in this case, everything is quite clear. The central part of Europe (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic) especially sins with unexpectedly starting toll highways and sections of tracks. Therefore, advice: carefully study your route in advance.

It's not that hard: the same Google Maps system, not to mention more advanced navigators, warns you about toll sections and highways. Payment, alas, is not always made simply upon entry: sometimes it needs to be done in advance, by purchasing something like a subscription. Sometimes the payment depends on the mileage.

In a word, each country and region has its own nuances that need to be studied. All the necessary information is available both on the Internet and in navigation programs.

fines

They can also be calculated in four-digit amounts in euros, and even three-digit ones are generally in the order of things. Given the current exchange rate of the European currency, this is a strong motivator not to break the rules. Europe is friendly to attentive, accurate and law-abiding people.

We answer a frequently asked question: yes, you have to pay. Otherwise, you simply risk not getting a Schengen visa anymore. It is best to do this right on the spot, through a local bank - often in European countries the fine is less if it was paid very quickly. Keep this in mind.

But it is not always possible to do this, especially since the fine can come to you by mail in the form of a “letter of happiness”, or wait for you at the Schengen border. This happens if the violation was recorded by the camera. But it's not a problem.

Fines can be paid both through Russian banks (with a commission), and by bank card on special government websites of some countries (there will no longer be a commission from you). We advise you to contact the local police by phone or e-mail: firstly, to clarify the situation (why they didn’t pay right away), and secondly, to clarify the possibilities of remote payment.

Take an interest in local nuances

It is not always possible to give universal advice, because each country in Europe is unique, and in each there are some local subtleties.

Let's take for example refueling question. Are you sure you know the name of the required fuel in the country you plan to visit by car? Unfamiliar languages ​​are in this aspect very insidious. For example, in Italy and Spain, the words gasolio and gasoleo do not mean gasoline at all, as it is logical to assume (from English gasoline), but one of the types of diesel fuel. You should also focus on the word petrol or the exact form of gasoline. We believe that it is not necessary to explain the consequences of the error?

Lastly: be careful. There are many quiet corners in Europe, but many and no less criminal than our hometowns. Theft or theft from a car can be encountered not only in Eastern Europe, but also in almost any country in its western part. So don't get too relaxed, especially in major tourist centers and (sorry if this sounds a bit intolerant) places where there are a lot of non-native Europeans. They are, unfortunately, notorious for getting into trouble.

Traveling by car in Europe is a must!

In conclusion, we will repeat the thesis again: do not think that all this is difficult. Traveling around Europe by car is actually very easy and comfortable! We only share our experience with you and point out the “pitfalls” so that readers do not have to learn something from their own mistakes.

Auto tour of European cities includes 3 main advantages:

• Comfort. The tourist is provided with a detailed planned route with pre-agreed movements along the way and booked stopping places. You can go on a trip in your car or order a suitable car reservation from us, driving which you will go to admire Europe. You will be provided with route maps and a trip plan, in which everything is scheduled by day.
• The price of a car trip allows you to combine the contemplation of local nature, acquaintance with famous sights and various types of recreation for a relatively small budget.
• The cost of traveling in Europe includes visiting several different countries at once. Every day you will immerse yourself in the culture of a new people.

A road trip across Europe will give you a lot of positive emotions, because this part of the world is famous for its comfort, high culture and decent service.

What will you see along the way?

The price of traveling around Europe by car is largely determined by what will be included in the program. It may include visits to many countries, including the following:

• . This is a special country where traditions differ in many ways from those we are used to. Here, every visitor feels like in a science fiction movie, seeing green hills, black beaches, geysers and icebergs around.
• I. Monasteries, old quarters with multi-colored facades of houses and the most delicious port wine in the world - that's what awaits travelers here. You will see beautiful temples decorated in baroque style and romantic castles resembling palaces.
• . By ordering tours by car from Moscow, you can get to know the islands that many have not even heard of. Geographically, they are located in Denmark, but they are an autonomous region. Here you can admire the "hanging lake", the "Giant and the Witch" and make many amazing discoveries.

How to order a road trip?

To arrange a trip by car from Moscow or ask questions that interest you, fill out the form on the website or call us at the contact numbers.

The first month of summer is coming to an end and you still haven't decided how to spend your vacation? Want to go to Europe, but plane ticket prices are increasingly like the cost of traveling on a space shuttle? Does the thought of visiting several countries terrify you at all? Do not despair! There are ways now to organize a rich and interesting holiday in Europe, combining an excursion program and the beach, without spending a fortune on it.

Let's start with the most necessary - air tickets. Let's plan a vacation for the second half of July and see how much a combined independent tour for two weeks for two with a departure from Moscow will cost us. And also - how and on what we can save, while almost without denying ourselves anything.

HOW TO BOOK AND SEARCH FOR CHEAP TICKETS

Since we do not start booking air tickets at all in advance, all popular beach and tourist routes are already hitting the pocket. For example, only a flight on our dates on the route Moscow-Tivat-Moscow will cost at least 42,000 rubles for two, and you can fly to the Croatian Pula for almost 60,000 rubles.

GETTING READY FOR VACATION

What to do? Everything is simple! Get rid of the idea that the direct route is the easiest, and transfers are just a waste of time and effort. Of the majority of transplants, it is not only possible, but also necessary to make an interesting and pleasant vacation.

1. We are looking for tickets from Moscow in search engines that allow you to leave the “where” field blank or mark “everywhere”.
2. We choose direct flights to European destinations with the cheapest tickets.
3. Of these, we choose a direction with a large city or a large aviation hub, as a rule, there are many very inexpensive flights from such cities.
4. Now we set the city where we found convenient tickets from Moscow as the point of departure, and again select the point "everywhere" as the purpose of arrival.
5. Evaluate the results. If there are inexpensive and interesting flight directions for you, then the city for the first stop was chosen correctly.

BOOKING OF AIR TICKETS. EXAMPLE.

1. Moscow - "everywhere". There, Saturday, July 16th. Return Sunday, July 31st.
2. From European countries, the most profitable tickets for these dates are Lithuania, Latvia, Hungary and Estonia. Their cost is from 8 to 12 thousand rubles.
3. For our first stop, we chose Budapest (Hungary), the cost of one ticket Moscow-Budapest-Moscow is 11,000 rubles.

Why Budapest?

Of all the proposed destinations, Riga and Budapest are suitable for the role of a transshipment hub. We chose Budapest. It really doesn't take long to check routes and fares from several European cities, and the list of low-cost flights from the Russian capital is usually limited.

Budapest is an insanely beautiful and interesting city with a rich imperial history, luxurious cuisine and very reasonable prices for hotels and food.

WARNING: If you have no idea about the price level in the country or city that you want to choose as your "European departure point", be sure to spend a few minutes searching for a hotel before booking a plane ticket.

So, often Munich or Vienna turn out to be very profitable destinations for a flight, but you need to spend a lot of time searching for an inexpensive hotel here. Public transport and food will also cost a pretty penny. These are beautiful cities, but savings will not work with them.

Budapest. What's next?

We planned three days for Budapest: July 16, 17 and 18, and on July 19 we would like to go further.

We arrive in the capital of Hungary in the morning, so we can safely assume that we have three full days to explore the city. For a European capital, hotels in Budapest are inexpensive. In the city center for our dates you can book apartments from 80 euros for the entire stay. But still, most quality offers start from 120 euros. The lowest price we found for a separate apartment near the center is 55 euros. By ordering an apartment, we can save on food in restaurants and get a large living area, usually from 30 to 60 square meters. meters. We will calculate that we will give 120 euros for housing in Budapest.

If for some reason apartments scare you, then by paying 30 euros for the whole time, you can easily find a hotel in the central part of the city. We will lay another 150 euros for food, 50 for transport and excursions, 40 for the famous Hungarian baths. This should be enough for one dinner in a restaurant with wine, and the rest of the time we eat at home and in small cafes.

The cost of visiting the Gellert bathhouse for two is 38 euros, and the Rudas bathhouse (where the scenes of the film “Red Heat” were filmed) is about 20 euros.

Budapest. What to see.

Budapest is located on two sides of the Danube, on the east - Buda, on the west - Pest. Both banks are connected by many bridges, which offer views of the Danube and the city.

1. Royal Palace and Fortress Hill. The first official royal residence appeared here in the middle of the 13th century. The Hungarian National Gallery, the Budapest Historical Museum and the State Library. Széchenyi.
2. The building of the Hungarian Parliament. It was built after the unification of the cities of Buda and Pest at the end of the 19th century. It stands right on the banks of the Danube.
3. Fisherman's Bastion. Located on the Buda Hill. From here you have fantastic views of the city. Despite the fact that the fisherman's bastion was built at the beginning of the 20th century, it has something of the Cinderella's castle, but with a Hungarian flavor.
4. Walks along the Danube.
5. Mount Gellert is named after the Catholic saint Gerard of Hungary. At the foot of the mountain you can observe a waterfall, and at the top is the Citadel, built in the middle of the 19th century.
6. Baths of Budapest: Gellert, Rudash, Chasar, Kiraly, Rats and others. In total, there are 27 baths in Budapest, 13 of them are therapeutic. Most of the baths are quite old with marble finishes and tiles.

Price

So, we consider:

2. Transfers, accommodation, meals ≈ 22,000 rubles
3. Excursions and entertainment ≈ 5000 rubles

TOTAL: ≈ 49,000 rubles

Minimum cost:

1. Flight. 11000x2 = 22000 rubles
2. Transfers, accommodation, meals ≈ 9,000 rubles
3. Excursions and entertainment ≈ 2000 rubles

TOTAL: ≈ 34,000 rubles

Budapest - Milan: moving on

Milan turned out to be the most profitable destination for a flight from Budapest to the south of Europe. The city is not cheap, but interesting. In addition, there are many flights from there to southern, southeastern and southwestern Europe. Italy also has a well-developed rail network. And shopping in Milan has not been canceled.

Milan. What to see.

1. The Duomo Cathedral is beautiful both during the day and at night.
2. Observation platform on the roof of the Duomo.
3. The Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie and the fresco "Last Vespers" by Leonardo da Vinci. It is better to buy a ticket here in advance. For the summer months for a few days or weeks online.
4. Pinacoteca Ambrosian, where you can see the masterpieces of Caravaggio, Raphael and Titian.

When booking the following flight legs, you should remember:

1. Time and dates of departures.

1. The departure time from Budapest to Moscow is morning, and therefore it is better not to risk it and fly to Budapest the day before, that is, on July 30th.

2. Airports of departure and arrival. Relevant for cities with multiple airports, such as Milan or Moscow.

A flight on the route Budapest-Milan-Budapest costs us 7600 rubles for two. Departure there - July 19 morning. Back - July 30 in the afternoon. Although the morning flight is a little cheaper, we will try to connect our transfers so that on the way back we can do without spending the night in Milan.

1. Transfer: Airport-Milan-Airport - 20-40 euros (depending on the airport), that is, an average of 2000 rubles for two.

Transfer from Bergamo is cheaper, so if you do not plan flights from Malpensa on the same day, choose Bergamo Airport.

1. Flight ≈ 100 euros (7600 rubles)
2. Accommodation in Milan, two nights ≈ 90 euros.
3. Transfer ≈ 30 euros.
4. Meals and transport in the city: ≈ 70 euros.
5. Excursions ≈ 70 euros.

Total: ≈ 26,000 rubles.

Minimum cost: ≈ 22,000 rubles.

You can save about 60 euros on accommodation and meals, that is, a little more than 4,000 rubles, and refuse excursions.

IMPORTANT: Taxis are very expensive in Milan, so it is better to book morning or afternoon flights to use public transport.

Routes from Milan

Milan is a large aviation and railway hub, so you can plan many routes from here, differing in price, duration and complexity of organization. We will consider a few, the most simple and inexpensive.

Milan is the sea. The easiest route.

The most inexpensive and easiest to organize is the Milan-Pescara-Milan flight. For two, a flight along this route will cost 4,500 rubles. We will not need additional transfers from / to the airport, since we will arrive from Pescara and fly to Budapest on the same day - Bergamo Airport.

Pescara airport is only three kilometers from the city, and a bus transfer does not take much time and money. In 15 minutes and 6 euros from the airport you can get to the city.

Apartments in Pescara, not far from the coast, but not on the first line, will cost us 650 - 800 euros for 9 days. Having a kitchen will help you save a lot on food. But anyway, let's put in our budget the possibility of a snack outside the house and plan our budget for food 550 euros. In total - a beach holiday costs us 1,300 euros - about 95,000 rubles.

Beach holidays - cost

1. Flight Milan - Pescara - Milan ≈ 4500 rubles.
2. Accommodation in apartments ≈ 50,000 rubles.
3. Food and transfers ≈ 41,000 rubles.

Total for a beach holiday ≈ 95,000 rubles.

The minimum cost of a self-catering accommodation on the coast for our dates, which we found, is 360 euros ≈ 26,000 rubles. If you almost completely refuse to eat out, then 300 euros or 22,000 rubles will be enough for food and transfers.

Thus, the minimum budget for our beach holiday is ≈ 52,000 rubles.

Pescara. What to do besides the sea

Pescara has not only beaches, there is the Cathedral of San Setteo, the house of the writer Gabriel D'Annunzio, the churches of the Holy Spirit and the Apostle Andrew, as well as the government palace. There are museums. Just in mid-July, the Pescara Jazz international music festival takes place in the city.

Pescara and Rome

Pescara is located just 155 kilometers from Rome. The fastest way (except for taxis) is by bus. Travel time one way is 2 hours 25 minutes. The cost of a round trip for two is ≈ 50 euros (3,700 rubles).

Rome is an eternal city, so we will calculate that one day here will cost us 150 euros. On excursions, trips around the city and food. One day is certainly not enough to explore Rome. You can stay overnight near the center for 50 euros, and we will lay an additional 50 euros for transport and food. Now you can make it to the Vatican. Going to the museum and admiring the murals of the Sistine Chapel made by hands: Botticelli, Pinturicchio and Michelangelo, as well as many other works of art, of course, is priceless, but it will cost 56 euros for two, that is, about 4,000 rubles.

It is impossible to thoughtfully walk around the Vatican Museums in half a day, but it is quite possible to get an idea and see the main masterpieces. Total: the second day in Rome will cost us 7,200 rubles (100 euros) without visiting the Vatican Museums and 11,200 rubles or 160 euros if you visit the Vatican Museums.

Trip to Rome. Price

1. Bus Pescara - Rome - Pescara ≈ 50 euros (3700 rubles)
2. Excursions, food, transport in Rome ≈ 150 euros (10,800 rubles)

Total trip to Rome for 1 day ≈ 200 euros (14,500 rubles)

Savings are possible on food and excursions if you visit most of the sights on your own, and for lunch and dinner, choose a restaurant in the center in advance, but not in the popular tourist area. Then a day in Rome will cost us about 75 euros or 5,400 rubles. The economy version of the trip will cost a little more than 9,000 rubles.

2 day trip to Rome

The second day in Rome will add between 50 and 150 euros to the existing options.

1. Rome - one night in a hotel near the center - 50 euros (3700 rubles)
2. A visit to the Vatican Museums ≈ 56 euros.
3. Transport, food, souvenirs, tickets for excursions for two days 150 euros (10,800 rubles)

In total, a trip to Rome for 2 days will cost ≈ 250 to 310 euros for the entire trip (18,200 - 22,200 rubles).

What to see in Rome in one or two days

1. Peter's Cathedral and Square (Vatican)
2. Optional Vatican Museums
3. Navona Square
4. Pantheon and Rotunda
5. Trevi Fountain
6. Coliseum
7. Arch of Constantine in Rome
8. Baths of Caracalla

Way home

Since we bought all the round-trip tickets, most of the expenses for the return trip have already been calculated for us. We fly from Pescara to Bergamo, from where we have a flight to Budapest in four hours. Therefore, we will lay down 40 euros for a snack at the airport and 20 euros for transfers from Budapest airport to the hotel and back. In order to make the trip easier, we chose a hotel on the way back two kilometers from Budapest Airport.

We take accommodation without breakfast, as we have an early flight. Double room ≈ 35 euros. Dinner at the restaurant will also be estimated at 40 euros and another 12 euros for breakfast at the airport. To calculate the minimum budget, you can replace dinner with a snack and spend 15 euros on it, but you should not refuse a sandwich and coffee at the airport. The airline we fly with offers meals on board only for an additional fee, that is, approximately the same 12 euros for two.

Road home cost

1. Light lunch at Bergamo airport (pizza and drinks) ≈ 20 euros.
2. Dinner in Budapest ≈ 40 euros.
3. Hotel accommodation ≈ 35 euros.
4. Breakfast at the airport or on board the plane ≈ 12 euros.
5. Transfer airport-hotel-airport ≈ 20 euros.

Total on the way back about 130 euros (9000 rubles).

As we have already written above, you can only save on food here. Tightening your belts, well, or switching to hot dogs, the road home will cost us 7000 rubles.

SUMMARY BY ROUTE

1. Two or three countries: Hungary, Italy (Vatican). Three cities: Budapest - three days, Milan - two days, Pescara - 9 days. Six flights. Optional trip to Rome for one or two days.
2. The minimum budget for all flights, accommodation, meals and transfers is ≈ 115,000 rubles for two or 57,500 rubles for one traveler.
3. An economical, but still not ascetic budget is ≈ 179,000 rubles for two or 89,500 rubles for one traveler. With a trip to Rome - from 188,000 rubles.

Prices in comparison

We called one of the major Russian travel agencies and asked us to calculate the minimum cost of a package tour for two on the coast of Italy from July 16 to 31.

Accommodation in a 3 * hotel with breakfast relatively close to the sea will cost from 97,000 rubles for two with a flight and transfer. Even if we eat only pizza and drink only water, in 14 days we will eat at least 500 euros. Thus, a package tour, without excursions and a diet hazardous to health, will cost us at least 130,000 rubles.

A package tour, without excursions and a diet hazardous to health, will cost us at least 130,000 rubles.

ROUTE TWO - SPANISH

We will not describe the second route in detail. Let's describe it schematically, minimalistically and by dates.

1. From July 21st to 30th we travel from Milan to Barcelona.
2. Flight Milan-Barcelona - Milan will cost us 200 euros 14,400 rubles.
3. Accommodation on the coast of Barcelona for the entire period (9 nights) from 600 euros or 43,200 rubles.
4. Meals (we cook ourselves) - 300 euros or 22,000 rubles.
5. Transfers, excursions, souvenirs - 150 euros or 10,800 rubles.

Total beach holiday in Spain from 90,000 rubles.

POSSIBLE DESTINATIONS FROM MILAN

We will briefly describe a few more likely trips from Milan to the beaches of Europe. At the moment, their cost is comparable to those options that we have already described. In the case of traveling towards southeastern Europe, Croatia and Montenegro, slight savings on food and hotels are possible.

1. Atlantic coast of Spain Santander and Bilbao.
a. Flight from Milan and back 220 euros.
2. Croatia and Montenegro: flight to Dubrovnik and back - 180 euros. 7-9 days in Dubrovnik and surroundings from 700 euros. In the neighboring (distance about 50 km.) Herceg Novi (Montenegro) from 450 euros.
3. North of Italy and Croatia: we get to Trieste by train - the way there and back will cost us about 100 euros.

Buses in Croatia are comfortable, equipped with air conditioning and often toilets.

1. Hotels or apartments on the coast of Croatia are not cheap. For 9 days, the best offer is an apartment for 450 euros, but now the next most expensive accommodation option asks for 950 euros.
2. You can stay for one night in Rijeka (about 100 euros) and go to the Plitvice Lakes by bus. You can rent quite good apartments there for 400 euros for the entire stay.

Attention! Prices are current at the time of writing, and therefore may differ from the current ones. To determine prices, we used one airline ticket aggregator, two of the most popular hotel and apartment booking services, Italian bus and rail transport sites, and Croatian bus transport sites.

In this text, we are looking at inexpensive options for staying in private rooms or apartments with a private bathroom. Accordingly, the cost of living in a hostel or in a hotel room with a shared bathroom can be 10-50% lower. Also, the total cost can be reduced by completely abandoning restaurants. We also provide an example of a minimum route budget based on current market offerings. All prices in the text are for two adults