Travel styles » road trips
Get Behind The Wheel in Europe
Explore Europe beyond its capitals and major cities by driving across the Continent’s scenic landscapes at your own pace.
If you’re venturing out of Europe’s main cities or in between your visits to some of the most fascinating among them, take your time discovering picturesque small towns, beautiful villages, and unique natural wonders by car.
Suggested Road Trip Itineraries in Europe
Here’s a sample of our bespoke Europe itineraries that focus on Road Trips.
* Starting price is per person, in US Dollars, based on double occupancy in 3 star accommodation, in the most affordable month an itinerary is offered. Airfare to Europe is not included.
Click on your choice of itinerary, select the number of travelers in your party, month of travel, and desired star level of accommodation to get an approximate price. Submit the enquiry form with any additional details and we can start planning your customized trip.
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for a honeymoon in Croatia
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Puglia, Italy
Palazzo Presta
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lake como, Italy
Le Quattro Dame
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Sorrento, Italy
Laqua Countryside
4-Star Hotel
Puglia, Italy
Palazzo Presta
4-Star Hotel
lake como, Italy
Le Quattro Dame
4-Star Hotel
Sorrento, Italy
Laqua Countryside
4-Star Hotel
See Europe on a Road Trip
Driving in Europe allows you to explore its charms at your own pace, stopping for as much or as little time as you want at each location. Traveling by car is also the best way to delve into the destinations you’re visiting and make the most of your time thanks to the absolute freedom driving offers you. That said, driving is only advisable outside Europe’s capitals and main cities. So, whether you’re dreaming of an entire adventure across the countryside or planning to visit a couple or more of the major cities and have some time to spare in between, consider road-tripping across Europe and you won’t regret it.
Explore Italy Beyond The Big Cities By Car
Italy is one of the best destinations for a road trip in Europe, as long as you keep its big cities out of your itinerary. One of the most celebrated Italian regions, Tuscany has no shortage of winding countryside roads that offer breathtaking views of rolling hills at every turn. Driving through this scenery feels almost unreal, and the ease of stopping at several fairytale-like villages and towns adds to the magical atmosphere of this spectacular Italian region. Similarly, in the rugged region of Puglia in Italy’s south, you’ll drive along sun-drenched roads, past centuries-old vineyards and olive groves, with the occasional whitewashed village or glorious estate springing out of nowhere to make your road trip all the more exciting. Further south, Sicily’s ever-changing scenery of beautiful countryside, dramatic mountains, and stunning coastline is best explored by car.
Discover The Magic of The Peloponnese
One of the most authentic and diverse regions in Greece, the enchanting Peloponnese Peninsula is best explored on a road trip. Tiny villages tucked away in the shade of tall mountains alternate with seaside settlements that seem to have been lost in time while centuries-old olive groves and vineyards, impressive ancient ruins, and gorgeous beaches with crystal clear waters compete for your attention as you drive across this land of wonders in Southern Greece.
Traverse Through Mainland Croatia
In Croatia, a similar driving experience awaits. Starting in Zagreb, reach beautiful Istria by car. After spending a few days taking in its charms and sampling its delicious cuisine and exquisite wines, continue to Split where you part ways with your car to enjoy long strolls along its quaint port and embark on an island-hopping adventure to complement your driving journey.
Fill Your Eyes With Beauty in The French Countryside
One of the prettiest countries in Europe, France is yet another perfect destination for a driving vacation in Europe, with several routes to choose from. Among them, a chateau-hunting drive through the breathtaking Loire Valley or a quest to discover the most photogenic lavender fields in Provence stand out.
Stay Flexible
Instead of driving for the entire duration of your trip, stay flexible by renting a car only for the parts worth driving. If, for example, you’re planning to visit Rome and Venice in Italy, you can drive through Tuscany in between. When adding more than one country to your itinerary, it’s best to make separate rental car reservations at each destination to avoid cross-border fees.
Let JayWay Handle The Logistics
If the logistics sound daunting, it’s because they are. Yet, fear not. From picking the best car rental companies to making the reservations, JayWay Travel will take care of all the details so you can skip straight to the good part.
Frequently Asked Questions About Road-Tripping in Europe
In general having a rental car when based in cities, or traveling city-to-city with no countryside time in between isn’t advisable. You’ll spend time in traffic in conditions you’re not used to, and money on car parking and rental fees for days you’re not using the car. A rental is great for the in-between places, where public transport is sparse and you want the freedom to take self-guided day trips. Alternatives range from private transfers to public transport options such as trains or long distance buses.
Usually car ferry costs are quite steep, especially for visitors, in peak season. For this reason it’s usually better, if you really need to, to rent when you get there, and are comfortable on narrow curvy roads used mostly by locals who know them like the back of their hand and drive much faster than they should. Island driving isn’t for the faint of heart.
One-way fees, when dropping a car in a different country, that car needs to get back to its base. The agency needs to hire a driver to do that, and passes that cost, and more, on in a one-way fee that often more than triples the cost of the rental. For this reason we advise against such rentals and will instead suggest a more cost-effective alternative.