First Time Road Trip in Europe: Here’s What Happened

For part of our month-long honeymoon in Europe, my husband and I spent two weeks road-tripping across five countries: France, Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Austria. It was our first time renting a car and driving in Europe, and while the experience was unforgettable, it came with its share of lessons, challenges, and sweet moments. So here’s what happened on our first time road trip in Europe: the good, the bad, what we learned, what we recommend, and why we’d absolutely do it again!

The Adventure Begins in Strasbourg

For the second half of our honeymoon, we knew we’d need a car. We started in Strasbourg, France, where we picked up a brand-new 2024 Citroën rental car. Sleek and modern, it had only been driven once before, so we were feeling lucky. After thoroughly checking the car with the attendant and taking photos of anything we noticed, the first challenge came as soon as we left the parking lot—adapting to European roads and signage. Roundabouts, unfamiliar road markings, and narrow lanes immediately kept us on our toes. We missed quite a few turns as we drove to the parking garage I had researched ahead of time, but my husband quickly adjusted to the driving in the foreign country.

After we parked in the parking garage, an alert popped up on the dashboard: “Overheating, turn off the engine.” I must admit, I know very little about cars, so my first thought was that it must be my fault—maybe I’d left the car on too long in the warm weather. We shrugged it off, thinking it was just a quirk, and spent the rest of the day exploring Strasbourg’s charming streets and canals. But that issue was far from resolved.

Breaking Down in the Black Forest

The next morning, we crossed into Germany, heading toward the Black Forest for ziplining (which is a fantastic couples activity to add to your bucket list). Ziplining was so much fun, and made possible by having a car. Everything seemed fine at first, but as we left the forest and started the two-hour drive south to Freiburg im Breisgau, the overheating warning returned—this time accompanied by the engine slowing down mid-drive. Imagine trying to drive up and down mountain passes with a car that suddenly shudders to a stop. To make it more stressful, unlike in the United States, there isn’t really a shoulder to pull over onto, and each time the car engine shut off, there was a line of cars piling up behind us. It was nerve-wracking and terrifying as the passenger.

Somehow, we managed to limp the car into Freiburg im Breisgau, where we had to take it to the rental company. It turns out the radiator had a crack from the previous renter, and all the coolant had leaked out. The company replaced our rental car with an older model of an Opel Crossland, which thankfully got us through the rest of the trip without issue. This experience taught us an important lesson: even though you might thoroughly check a rental car before setting off, things can always go amiss! If you ever encounter rental car trouble, I suggest calling any numbers the rental agency provides you or taking the car directly into any car rental agency of the same brand and name.

Adjusting to European Driving

Driving in Europe was a fascinating mix of contrasts. Germany’s autobahn, with its sections of no speed limits, is entertaining. But in towns like Freiburg in Breisgau, the speed limit was just 30 km/h (19 mph), which felt excruciatingly slow to us Americans. The slower pace in cities and mountains makes sense, though, given how many pedestrians and cyclists share the roads. It was interesting though how in the span of two hours, you can cross so much land faster in the United States but the culture and landscape often don’t vary that much. Whereas, a two hour drive in Europe will not take you nearly as far yet you will be in an entirely different region, terrain, and country with different languages and culture.

Switzerland: The Land of Scenic Drives

When we reached Switzerland, the car became our greatest asset. From Zurich, we drove to Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen, where we hiked to the picturesque village of Gimmelwald. The flexibility of having a car allowed us to stop whenever and wherever we wanted to soak in the incredible alpine views. Winding through Switzerland’s mountains, we often pulled over to marvel at rolling green hills, dramatic cliffs, and snow-capped peaks. The freedom to stop on a whim made this part of the trip truly magical.

One of the highlights of road tripping through Europe was ticking off some harder to reach bucket list items. For me, it was visiting Liechtenstein, a tiny country not easily accessible by train. We got to stop and explore Vaduz, and get our passports stamped. For my husband, it was Breitachklamm, a stunning river gorge on the German-Austrian border. Hiking through Breitachklamm’s raised walkway over the river, surrounded by towering rock walls and rushing water, was an unforgettable experience. While it’s possible to visit these places using trains and buses, driving gave us the freedom to set our own schedule and make the most of each day.

Navigating Bavaria and the Autobahn

As we left Switzerland and headed into Bavaria, the mountains gradually gave way to farmland. This is where we truly experienced the autobahn, with its stretches of open road and drivers zipping by at incredible speeds. By this point, I had fully adjusted to the rhythm of road-tripping in Europe and stopped feeling anxious about every twist and turn.

From our base in Munich, we took day trips to some of the region’s most iconic spots: Neuschwanstein Castle, Salzburg in Austria, and Berchtesgaden in Germany. Each drive felt like an adventure in itself. We encountered torrential rain storms where the sky turned black and we’d only be able to see a few feet in front of the car. Driving created a cozy atmosphere in the car as we played music, talked, and admired the changing scenery and slight changes in architecture of the houses as we drove across the alps into each country.

Lessons Learned and Practical Tips

1. Budget for Parking and Emergencies

Parking in Europe isn’t cheap. Whether you’re in a city or a rural area, expect to pay for parking at nearly every stop. Additionally, build extra cushion into your budget for unexpected expenses and additional insurance since you are driving as a foreigner.

2. Understand Local Driving Laws

Some driving rules vary by country so look them up ahead of time. For example, in Germany, you cannot turn right on a red light, unlike in the U.S. Familiarize yourself with road signs, roundabout etiquette, and the abundance of cyclists and pedestrians who share the roads. Also be mindful of the speed limit to avoid tickets.

3. Enjoy the Road!

Despite the challenges, some of our favorite moments came from the freedom driving gave us. We could stop for photos whenever we wanted, adjust our plans on a whim, and experience places that would have been difficult or impossible to reach by train.

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Would We Do it Again?

Absolutely! Driving in Europe gave us the chance to explore remote destinations, connect with each other while viewing breathtaking landscapes, and create memories we’ll cherish forever. It also offered a level of privacy and intimacy that public transport can’t provide. My husband was the hero of this trip, navigating unfamiliar roads with calm and confidence, even when I was anxious about the tight turns and steep drops in the Alps. Our first time road trip in Europe was definitely worth it!

If you’re considering a road trip in Europe, go for it! Just be prepared for some cultural and logistical adjustments, and embrace the adventure. Whether you’re winding through Switzerland’s mountains, cruising along Germany’s autobahn, or exploring quaint towns in Bavaria, the European road trip experience is one-of-a-kind.

Have you ever road-tripped in Europe? Share your favorite destinations or travel tips in the comments—I’d love to hear about your experience!