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Original poster

How hard is driving on the continent- really??

45 replies

jerrywesterby · 21/04/2023 09:31

I am a fairly confident driver, no problems motorway driving, or driving around unknown cities etc, but the thought of driving on the wrong side brings me out in a cold sweat!

I've booked a holiday in the Netherlands in the summer, we could fly, then get the train/airport transfer etc, but I'm wondering how terrifying would it be to actually get the ferry and drive?

I'd be getting off the ferry at Rotterdam and driving about an hour? It's to Duinrell if anyone knows the route.... would I arrive with the kids in tears and me with heart failure?? 😀

Can anyone offer me some words of wisdom?

OP posts:

MargotBamborough · 21/04/2023 10:11

It's not that hard.

Put the sat nav on and follow what the other cars are doing. Pay attention at roundabouts.

If you are on a dual carriageway then literally the only difference is that the slow lane is on the right and the overtaking lane is on the left. I always find it helpful to use my rear view mirror a lot when preparing to change lanes so you know exactly what is behind you, as well as checking your blind spot obviously.

In terms of driving on single carriageway roads, having the steering wheel on the wrong side doesn't make that much difference as you are less than a metre from where you would normally be in relation to the middle of the road. The only thing to bear in mind is that if there is an obstruction, for example a bus or a bin lorry parked up which you need to move round, you should stop further away so that you can see round it.

MargotBamborough · 21/04/2023 10:13

PuttingDownRoots · 21/04/2023 10:05

I'm not sure if its the same in the Netherlands, but in Germany it was possible for a car to have a green light to turn into a side road, and for pedestrians and cyclists to ave a green light to cross the same side road at the same time... it was your responsibility to check the road was clear.

This is the same in France, it drives me nuts. As well as people turning out of side roads from the right sometimes having priority over people on the main road.

ShakeYourFeathers · 21/04/2023 10:23

I drove in my own car in France last year for the first time.

It was as bad as I expected it was just like driving in the uk. Just had to think more at roundabouts and T- junctions when there weren't that many cars around.

ReallyShouldBeDoingSomethingElse · 21/04/2023 10:26

It's fine. It's worth reading up on the road rules / signs in the country you're going to. Then you just have to maintain an awareness of the the need to drive on the other side of the road.

Original poster

jerrywesterby · 21/04/2023 10:28

Thanks for the replies everyone - I think I really want to give it a try! Looks to be less than an hours driving from the port so an hour of stress is manageable - I'm just costing up both options however and flying is coming in quite a bit cheaper

OP posts:

ifthe · 21/04/2023 10:31

I prefer hiring a car, but each to their own. I find it much easier to compute road layouts if I am in the familair centre road position.

theDudesmummy · 21/04/2023 10:32

We drive from Ireland to Croatia and back every single summer. It's really not hard. (The toll booths can be annoying if you are alone in the car though!) Motorways are a doddle. Paris is a pain to drive in though, the roundabouts are insane, read up on the rules if you are going to be driving in French cities of any size.

RocketIceLollie · 21/04/2023 10:33

In rural areas it's fine but it's in cities where it's difficult especially junctions. I mean I don't like driving in cities I'm not familiar with in the UK let alone driving in cities getting used to traffic having priority from the other direction.

theDudesmummy · 21/04/2023 10:33

I would also be one to agree that being in your own car is generally easier despite being on the other side. I do also drive in Europe in hired cars, and it's not hard, but I like being in my own car!

thesugarbumfairy · 21/04/2023 10:39

Depends where on the continent to be honest.
However the Netherlands is easy - the roads and signage are very clear. I was really impressed. I have driven to Duinrell (from Hook of Holland) and around the area. Taking your own car = easy to transport all your own stuff.

I agree when you do have to be vigilant for cyclists but you quickly learn to keep an eye out.

We filled up before we left England and didn't need any more fuel whilst there as we just did little day trips from Duinrell.

SinnerBoy · 21/04/2023 10:44

I've driven quite a lot in a number of European countries, always in hired vehicles. The first time, I sat in it for a few minutes, to familiarise myself with the gear shift and other controls, then drove away slowly. I didn't find it to be a problem at all.

Tarantella6 · 21/04/2023 10:49

It is absolutely fine. Much easier if someone is in the passenger seat to look for you when you're joining a motorway, it is hard to see properly from the wrong side of the car. And yy concentrate at roundabouts!

I find the French priorité à droite a bit alarming and I'm very wary of cyclists. But generally it is fine.

NoraLuka · 21/04/2023 10:52

I agree with everyone saying it’s fine in a hire car, you can’t really get it wrong if you follow the other cars. The only time you might forget is on country roads where there’s only you there.

Disclaimer: I haven’t really driven much in the UK, only in Europe so I’m coming at this the other way round. But did drive from Heathrow to Nottingham once without any issues!

AthenaPoster · 21/04/2023 11:03

I've not been driving that long and have done several long drives from the Eurotunnel to Germany. It's basically fine. I will admit that I don't like driving in quiet towns as much because remembering which lane to turn into freaks me out a bit. But I was slightly cured of that thanks to a diversion I had to take last time and a lot of chanting at junctions to get there.

Motorways are fine, you don't have traffic in the opposite direction to contend with. What I would recommend is watch cars coming up behind you to check your left wing mirror is in the right place and work out if you have a blind spot where it is. You use that mirror far more and differently so it's not the same position as I'd have it in the UK.

Joining can be a bit scary. I noticed that sliproads are quite different in other countries. They can be shorter and sometimes they are quite steeply curved.

Orangebadger · 21/04/2023 11:05

jerrywesterby · 21/04/2023 10:28

The roads in NL are great with good signage so should be fine and the driving is generally good. The only country I would not drive in in Europe is Italy. Never again! I am a confident driver but, the driving there scared the shit out of me!

Shade17 · 21/04/2023 11:19

It’s very easy. Helps to have a competent observer as a passenger to assist in overtaking when pressing on.

Rainpuddle · 21/04/2023 11:22

We hired an automatic car in Iceland. Was so easy with it all being on the opposite side and being automatic (we drive manual in UK). Not many people there though, so roads were quiet and forgiving.

lovemelongtime · 21/04/2023 13:04

We were driving down the road in france one time, wondered why the car coming towards us was flashing lights and horning loudly. Only after they passed us by swerving did we realise we were on the wrong side of road. So scary but so easy to do on quiet roads.

PuttingDownRoots · 21/04/2023 13:08

Watch out for one way roads as well... specifically leaving them!

Apparently more accidents happen on your return to driving on your usual side as you hyperaware while abroad then relax on your return

ChiefWiggumsBoy · 21/04/2023 16:39

Oh how funny - I came on to tell you the only place I've driven on the continent is the Netherlands and that's where you're going!

Personally I wouldn't ferry and drive as your car won't be set up for 'wrong side of the road' driving. Fly and hire a car, an automatic if you like (that's what I did, one less thing to think about!). It was so easy. The roads are very well maintained and well signed and the Dutch are very courteous drivers.

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