What’s best for traveling in Europe – rental car or train?

The type of traveler and where you plan to go determines your choice of rental car or train.

I spent most of my youth living as a soldier in Europe. One of the big deals at that time was Eurailpass. I traveled around Europe for months. I never thought about rental cars or trains. Then my journey changed.

In those days, few deals were as dramatic or romantic as the EurailPass. It was once the cheapest mode of transportation other than tying laces in your hiking shoes or sticking out your toe. Car rentals were scarce and very expensive. However, today, the EurailPass costs much more and has a lot of restrictions. For many travelers (especially those traveling to far-flung locations in a group), the best deal may be a rental car.

The truth is that there is no “best way” to travel in Europe. Traveling by rental car or train is a difficult decision. Sometimes it’s better to rent a car, and sometimes it’s better to hop on the train. It becomes a question of what type of traveler you are and what the cost is.

Here are 10 European travel situations with advice on which way to go when deciding whether to choose a rental car or train.

Five reasons to take the train

• Traveling alone. Rail is almost always a better deal for solo travelers, especially if you can use a discounted train pass. In most cases, the cost of a rental car, tolls, and gasoline will be about double the cost of the train.

• Visiting only a few major cities. Train travel between major cities in Europe is generally fast and easy, whereas getting in and out of cities by car can be a chore. In the city, stay connected to local transportation. Carefully compare the cost of rail passes and regular rail tickets; Train passes aren’t always the best deal if you only visit a few cities.

• Visiting only one major city. Never rent a car if you intend to stay in the same city. Parking is impossible or expensive in almost every European capital, and driving through old city centers is often tortuous and confusing. Furthermore, Europe’s urban mass transit systems are excellent.

• Travel through Switzerland. The decisive factor here is the difficulty of driving on mountain roads, which requires concentration and sometimes real skill. Trains allow visitors to see spectacular mountain views. In addition, the Swiss train system connects to the postal bus system, reaching every corner of the country.

• Traveling on the day of arrival. Many people think they can blare all day after an overnight flight to Europe, but I can’t recommend it. (I have more than 20 stitches on my head, a harsh reminder of the time I fell asleep while driving in Switzerland.) Take a train from the airport to the first stop on your itinerary; You are more likely to arrive safe and comfortable. If you want, you can rent a car after a few days.

Five reasons to rent a car

• Exploring small towns and rural areas. Car is the only way to reach many small towns, inns and palaces, historical sites, natural attractions, roadside temples and other exciting places where there is no timely train transport. And, except in Switzerland, car is the only effective way to make your way in the mountains of Europe.

• Traveling with family. Whenever four or more people travel together, the car becomes the most economical way to travel around Europe. After arriving in a city, park the car and take public transportation. If the kids are determined to ride the train, take them on a short excursion.

• Delirium. schedule! What if you don’t want to leave Rome at 6:40 pm? Or arrive in Paris at 9:10 in the morning after a sleepless night on the train? What if you are going to visit? Travelers who want to travel as they wish need a car, as do travelers who like to decide their destination at the last minute.

• Offbeat food and drink. Many of Europe’s top restaurants and vineyards are within easy reach of rail lines; In fact, the Michelin Red Guides list hundreds of eateries and lodges that cannot be reached by train. Vineyards and wineries are even more isolated, and many have no public transportation.

• Avoiding other tourists. Travelers with cars can avoid crowded tourist centers and thus have the opportunity to discover parts of Europe that American tourists rarely visit.

Train or car? It depends. The real choices are costs, where you’re going, and how you prefer to travel.

After traveling in Europe, shopping for bargains, and renting cars for nearly two decades, I recommend AutoEurope. They are a rental car consolidator based in the United States (Portland, Maine). They guarantee the lowest rental car prices. AutoEurope provides renters with a toll-free European number in case of any problems. They stand by their customers in case of conflict with rental car companies in Europe. Contact them by telephone at 1-800-223-5555 or on the web at www.autoEurope.com. (AutoEurope also supports almost every available train pass and city card.)

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