
Europe offers an endless array of sights for every taste, whether you’re into nature, the hustle and bustle of big cities, charming small villages, mountains, beaches, or all of the above.
Traveling by car provides flexibility, allowing you to explore at your own pace. You can visit exactly the places you want or simply drive without a fixed destination and see where the road takes you.
Good preparation helps make the trip smoother, and knowing what to consider along the way can save time and reduce hassle.
In this post, I’ve gathered tips from our first long road trip through Europe with our own car, including what we considered before and during the journey.
Please note that the text is written from a Finnish perspective, and some instructions, such as those regarding car documentation, may differ from this.
What to Take Care of Before the Road Trip?
Car Maintenance
Naturally, it’s important to service your car before embarking on a long road trip. This minimizes the chances of needing repairs along the way. There’s nothing worse than your car breaking down at dusk on a rural road far from any services.
At the very least, you should change the oil and filters, check the levels of coolant and brake fluid, inspect the condition of the brakes, including both discs and pads, and ensure your tires are in good shape. If the car is heavily loaded, you may also want to increase the tire pressure.
Important Documents
When traveling by car, there are a few key documents you’ll need. In addition to having paper copies, it’s a good idea to store these documents digitally (like in your email), so you can access them anytime in case the originals are lost.
Green Card – Proof of Car Insurance
The Green Card is proof of your car’s liability insurance and shows where your insurance is valid. While it’s not mandatory within the EU, having one can make things easier in case of an accident. It may also be required by border authorities. You can check the up-to-date list of countries where a Green Card is recommended or required on the Finnish Traffic Insurance Center’s website.
Authorization for Cross-border Travel
If you don’t own the car you’re driving, you’ll need a letter of authorization from the owner. For leased or financed cars, you’ll need permission from the financing company, which usually costs around 50€, though prices vary by company.
Registration Document and Country Sticker
When traveling abroad, you must have a paper copy of the car’s registration (the technical section). In the EU, your license plate should have the EU flag or a country sticker. Outside the EU, a country sticker is mandatory regardless of the license plate.


What to Pack?
Required Equipment
The required equipment in cars varies by country. In many Central European countries, items like a first aid kit, reflective vests, and a fire extinguisher are mandatory. Check the specific requirements for the countries on your route to avoid fines for missing equipment.
If traveling in winter, snow chains may be mandatory, especially in mountainous areas. It’s also worth noting that many countries don’t allow studded tires, so check this as well if you’re traveling in winter. In general, studless winter tires are a good option for winter road trips in Europe.
Additional Equipment
Tools: A basic toolkit can be handy if you feel comfortable making small repairs yourself. A quick fix might save your trip and get you to the nearest garage without needing to wait for a tow truck.
Jumper Cables: If your battery dies, having jumper cables can make it much easier to get help. Alternatively, portable battery packs are available that don’t require another vehicle to jump-start your car.
Caravan Adapter: If you plan on staying at campgrounds, a caravan adapter allows you to plug into the campground’s electrical outlets, which often don’t have standard plugs.


European Tolls & Environmental Stickers
Toll roads and payment systems vary by country in Europe. Some countries have no tolls, while others require you to purchase a time-based toll sticker (called a vignette), and in others, you pay at toll booths on the highway.
For instance, Austria, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic require a vignette, which can be purchased at gas stations and is available for different durations. A 1-month vignette for Austria or Slovenia costs around €30 (as of 2022).
Environmental stickers are also required in some countries, such as Germany, France, and Austria. Certain cities have environmental zones, and you’ll need a sticker on your windshield to enter. It’s worth checking if your destination requires one. Fines can be issued for driving in these zones without the proper sticker.


Packing the Car
When packing your car, prioritize safety and practicality. If you have more than just a few suitcases, packing efficiently will make life on the road much easier and safer.
Heavy items should be packed as low as possible and close to the backseat, especially if they’re not needed frequently. This prevents the need for constantly moving them around.
Route Planning
One of the best parts of trip preparation is planning your route—adding points of interest to your map and figuring out the best path to take.
There’s no single “correct” way to plan a road trip. Some prefer a detailed schedule, while others like to go with the flow. We recommend not planning too tightly, so there’s flexibility to stay longer at places you discover along the way.
In general, we prefer taking smaller roads, which offer more scenic views compared to speeding along the highway. Of course, highways are much faster, and sometimes it’s nice to switch it up.
The amount of time you have will naturally determine how much you can see, but be sure not to overload your itinerary. Leave enough time to enjoy the places you visit rather than just sitting in the car the whole time.


Driving in Europe
Driving in Europe doesn’t have to be intimidating. While traffic cultures vary from country to country, driving isn’t drastically different anywhere. You’ll just need to be mindful of local quirks, such as not blocking the fast lanes on Germany’s autobahns and taking it slow on mountain roads in the Alps.
Of course, drive safely and follow the rules wherever you go. And remember, fines will find their way back to your home country.


An Alternative to Your Own Car – Renting a Car in Europe
You don’t necessarily need to use your own car to enjoy a road trip—renting a car is a great option, especially for shorter vacations. Car rentals in southern and eastern Europe are generally affordable, making them a viable option.
When renting a car, check with the rental company to ensure you can cross borders with it, as additional fees may apply for international travel.
Always inspect and photograph the car when picking it up to avoid disputes upon return. Some rental companies may try to charge you for pre-existing damage, but you can minimize this risk by renting from reputable companies and reading reviews from other customers.
You can easily compare and make rental car reservations on websites like rentalcars.com.
Read our travel stories from our 2-month road trip across Europe here
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