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Original poster

Never driven in Europe before

25 replies

NightOwl10 · 29/10/2018 13:05

I was thinking of taking DD (aged 2) to Zurich for a week to surprise her dad while he's working away, but I can't find anyone to watch the dog and don't want to put him in kennels so I was thinking I'd drive.
What's it like driving in Europe and getting used to the "wrong" side of the road? I won't have anyone who'll be able to keep an eye on my blind spots so I was thinking of putting blind spot mirrors on the car, but does anyone have any other tips or advice?

OP posts:

SpoonBlender · 29/10/2018 13:13

It's much easier than you think it is!

The thing to watch out for is when you've stopped, you must keep "drive on the right!" in mind. Eg setting off in a car park, or waiting at the front of a queue at traffic lights. You have to keep thinking else your trained UK skills might have you aiming for the wrong side of the road and you'll need to make a mid-turn course correction.

Make sure you do the full 'look both ways twice' thing at every junction, and when you do keep identifying the correct lane too. Hope DD can cope with long car journeys, because you need to be able to keep your brain on the road.

Have a lovely trip!

Original poster

NightOwl10 · 29/10/2018 13:15

@SpoonBlender Thank you! She's pretty good in the car, though the longest she's been in is from St Andrews down to Isle of Wight so ridiculously far but still not as far as Zurich.
I've been looking up driving in Europe on google and some of the stories have been scaring me.

OP posts:

magimedi · 29/10/2018 13:21

If you wear a watch, put it on the other wrist to the one you normally wear it on, when you get across the Channel. It will feel very odd & will remind you to keep on the right side of the road.

Original poster

NightOwl10 · 29/10/2018 13:29

@magimedi Thank you! That's a good idea. I was going to buy those little arrows you can stick on your windscreen to hope it'll remind me but that's such a good option.

OP posts:

woollyheart · 29/10/2018 13:36

Will you be driving on motorways in Switzerland? If so, did you know you need a Swiss motorway vignette?

Original poster

NightOwl10 · 29/10/2018 13:43

@woollyheart I know now.... oh dear, I haven't thought this through. Need to do my research

OP posts:

woollyheart · 29/10/2018 13:44

I've driven in France a lot, and I really like having the motorway Tag so I can get through tolls easily. It works really well, and you don't have to worry if you have the right change or if your cards work. It removed a lot of anxiety.

I've taken my dog and there are loads of places to stop for a walk along the motorways. You can have picnics if you have your own food or there is usually good food to buy.

As others have mentioned, you get used to driving on the wrong side, but need to be wary when starting out when you can easily forget.

treaclesoda · 29/10/2018 13:46

I've only driven in France but found it fine. It takes only a very short time to get used to it, and in general the roads are so much better than at home that it takes all the stress out of it.

Original poster

NightOwl10 · 29/10/2018 13:46

Thank you! such a lifesaver, hopefully after a few hours of driving I'll get used to it.

OP posts:

DeltaG · 29/10/2018 13:50

Hello OP,

It's easy! I live in Switzerland and got used to it pretty quickly (and I'm bloody useless with left and right). All you need to remember is, that as the driver, you should be in the centre of the road (and not next to the pavement). Then you'll never get confused as to what side you should be.

I use the reverse of this when I drive our Swiss car in the UK - I remember that I need to be by the pavement to be on the right side of the road.

Oh and you can buy a vignette directly at the border crossing. Just park up and go into the office. It costs 40 chf.

PanGalaticGargleBlaster · 29/10/2018 13:53

Unless you are on small b and c roads it’s actually quite hard to drive on the ‘wrong’ side of the road as the moment you get off the boat you will be funnelled onto the motorway.

Keep some euros to hand to pay for road tolls, they usually take cards but sometimes it’s cash only.

Don’t loiter in the overtaking lane as fast cars can be quite aggressive and tailgate you.

In France there are plenty of ‘aires’ (picnic areas) on the main roads where the dog can have a break.

You are supposed to have an emergency kit in your car with a high viz vest, spare bulbs and warning triangles. You are supposed to have headlight covers but most modern cars have inbuilt provisions for this. You need a GB sticker as well. Don’t get suckered into buying the overpriced travel packs at the ferry port. Get them before on amazon.

Heratnumber7 · 29/10/2018 13:54

I agree. Driving in Europe is easy. Particularly as you'll be on motorways for most of the journey. European motorways are much less busy than ours too, on the whole. Although there a few busy spots looking at you Lyons.

The road junctions are set up like ours - it's pretty difficult to go the wrong way on a road - I always wonder how some people manage it!

You'll be fine.

CherryPavlova · 29/10/2018 13:55

I drive to,near Strasbourg with our dog. It’s about seven hours but roads are good and service stations are dog friendly.

Kewqueue · 29/10/2018 15:21

I'm not a great driver but I have no problem swapping sides - it's quite easy to get used to. Just pay special attention after a stop/ break as ime that is when you are most likely to forget. (And if you drive in the UK you DO drive in Europe. )

ImperfectTents · 29/10/2018 15:26

Driving by yourself with a toddler and a dog will be hideous. Get the train

Twila1 · 29/10/2018 17:19

Pets are not allowed on Eurostar: help.eurostar.com/faq/uk-en/question/Can-I-take-my-pet-on-Eurostar

magimedi · 29/10/2018 17:29

If the OP is driving whe will be going (with her car) on the Euro Tunnel & pets are certainly allowed - as long as they have had their rabies shots.

Twila1 · 29/10/2018 17:42

I was referring to Imperfect Tents' suggestion.

Original poster

NightOwl10 · 29/10/2018 20:41

@ImperfectTents I wish I could lol! At least D(Dog) is a good boy in the car

OP posts:

ChilliMum · 29/10/2018 20:51

It will be fine, I live near the France Swiss border and you can do the whole route by motorway so no chance of driving on the wrong side

Motorways are much better than the UK and move nicely. Services are hit and miss so make sure you stop at the bigger ones.

You can buy a vignette at the border. You can just pull over pop in and buy it, you can pay by card at our stop although if you have cash (chf or Euro accepted) you don't even need to get out of the car.

Swiss border guards look scary but are lovely and speak perfect English. You need your headlamps on all the time in Switzerland.

SwedishEdith · 29/10/2018 20:52

If it's just you and a 2 year old, definitely get a motorway tag. Being on the "wrong" side of the road will make this a complete ballache as you need to be on the left side to reach the pay bit. Don't use your debit card, you'll rack up transaction charges.

Otherwise, roads are way better than the UK.

ChilliMum · 29/10/2018 20:52

Ps. We also have a dog and Switzerland is very pet friendly.

QuinionsRainbow · 29/10/2018 22:02

All you need to remember is, that as the driver, you should be in the centre of the road (and not next to the pavement). Then you'll never get confused as to what side you should be.

Not once you have crossed the channel, unless you have a LHD car, surely.

fuzzyduck1 · 01/11/2018 17:45

Drive through Germany as opposed to France to many toll roads will take a little longer. I normally just follow the flow of traffic can't go wrong then

5foot5 · 01/11/2018 23:01

It will be fine honestly. If you can drive on a motorway in UK then Europe will be easy.

The first time I did it was when we planned to drive from Cheshire to Tuscany and DH said he would need help. I was a bit nervous to say the least as I didn't really like motorway driving even in the UK. Anyway I got my big girl pants on and drove off the ferry at Calais and OMG I was the first off so everyone was following me. But it was fine. We drove through Switzerland, breaking our journey at Geneva. It was much easier than driving in UK.

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