Originally Posted by
TMOliver
Renting a car in Europe is easy as most of the posts convey.
Returning a car in another country (or even city) comes with a high premium.
Unmentioned surprisingly, is that many older European cities have "no fly" zones, large areas of the central city in which private cars may not be driven. In most cities there are only 3 parking places in any block and 4 cars driving aound that block searching for them.
Rural driving is pleasant and rewarding, although for the inexperienced high speed autoroutes can be daunting.
We've found both can be daunting. Merging onto a very high speed autoroute (where everyone is going over 80 mph) via a short entry ramp can really rest your depth perception. And driving on those skinny roads with high stone walls can test your tires (we found many people who arrived at hotels at the end of those roads had flat tires
).
And I agree with everyone who has spoken about trains. They are simply the best way to travel within and between urban areas.
One thing I forgot to mention about liability insurance. If you are a person who carries a lot of insurance at home to protect yourself - because you have assets - and aren't poor - you'll need it abroad too. If you are in an at-fault accident in Poland - you may be thinking - well that person isn't worth a lot in Polish courts. But the survivors can sue you where you live - maybe Los Angeles. And suddenly that person is worth a whole lot more. So if you think you need $1 million in liability insurance at home in Los Angeles - don't think that the minimum you get from the rental company - which could be $10,000 - will cut it. Robyn