If you’re planning a road trip with kids in Europe, then this A – Z Guide will help you get everything sorted.
(ok, ok – it’s an A – W guide, but it just doesn’t have the same ring, does it?!)
A road trip with kids requires thorough planning, especially if you’re doing it abroad in Europe.
Use this guide to spark your excitement and motivate your research.
And don’t forget to have fun!
A B C D E F G H I L M P R S T U V W
A
ANIMALS
Animals on the road are a hazard in any country. When planning your road trip, be sure to consider what animals are in the local area, when they might be active and avoid driving at the high risk times if possible (usually dusk and dawn).
If you’re not sure, just ask a local!
Sometimes language will be a barrier. In these cases, just check-in with another camper at your site.
AIR B&B
You’re road tripping and loving the van life.
Great! Keep it up.
But what about when the weather is rainy for four days straight? Or when you just really want a relaxing, warm shower in complete privacy?
Sometimes we just need our own space! Air B&B is often a good way to find an apartment for a night or two for you and your family.
During our longer road trips through the Balkans and Eastern Europe, we’ve almost exclusively used Air B&B’s and found them to be fantastic. I’ve found that in the high-season, sometimes they’ve even been a similar price to camping places anyway!
B
BLOOD ALCOHOL CONTENT
Abstaining from alcohol completely is the safest option when driving.
However, I understand that sometimes a wine with that glorious pasta lunch on the seaside is too good to refuse. So it’s best to be clear on the local rules.
The allowable Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) varies from country to country.
Check out this handy table from the European Transport Safety Council, that outlines the current allowable BAC in each country.
They also have loads of other handy information about all things transport in Europe.
BORDER CROSSINGS
There are two kinds of border crossings that you’ll encounter while road-tripping around Europe.
Nothing but a sign to indicate you’re in another country.
This is the type of border crossing you’ll encounter throughout the Schengen Zone, where there is freedom of movement. Here is more information about the Schengen Zone to help with your planning.
A roadblock at the border.
These are usually in two parts. The first to exit the country you’ve been visiting and the second to enter the next country. Here it is necessary to know (before you arrive!) exactly what you are required to present.
Having everything ready ahead of time will save you time and possibly money.
The key thing to be mindful of when considering border crossings is if you are allowed to take your rented vehicle into another country.
When researching your vehicle hire options, be very sure where you are and are not allowed to drive your vehicle. This is particularly important if you are required to move through a non-Schengen country because you will need to prove that you have the legal right to drive and possess the vehicle you have.
BUDGET
Your budget controls everything about your adventure.
Some of it can be minimised by you and your own planning, but a lot of things for your holiday have a fixed price.
The price of van hire, road tolls and fuels, just to name a few examples.
Give yourself time to work out your budget. Be realistic. Build in a contingency fund for the just in case moments.
Planning a road trip with kids can be challenging, but starting with a clear idea of what you can afford will make the entire adventure easier and less stressful.
Research the places you want to visit to understand the real cost of things on the ground. I usually use the cost of a loaf of bread in each country as my measure to understand the cost of living there.
And no matter how hard it is, know that it will be harder if you come home with a debt from your adventure.
Make your budget and stick with it.
C
CAMPING
Whether you want to camp in a tent or with your van, camping is a beautiful way to enjoy the local scenery and wildlife.
WILD CAMPING
Wild camping is when you decide where to set up and sleep for the night.
This is the ultimate dream of van life.
However, it’s not always as dreamy, or easy, as it seems.
Most countries have severely restricted wild camping in the last years due to its growing popularity and the negative impact it has had on the local environment. Also, in and around many cities there are restrictions on parking your van.
So, if you’re dreaming of a completely wild adventure, check out the most recent rules in your destination country here.
I’ve also found Park4Night to be a really useful app. This app offers information about places to wild camp, where to access facilities for your camper and the ability to book spots as desired. It’s a bit like an Air B&B for vans.
CAMPSITES
You might camp wild and free for the majority of your road trip, but I come in defence of the humble camp site.
Especially when you’re travelling with kids.
These sites are often a one-stop-shop for everything you need.
They typically have:
- a choice of powered and non-powered sites and accommodation if you need to get out of your van for a while,
- Showers, washers and dryers on-site
- Cooking facilities
- Playgrounds for kids (of varying quality)
- Some of the better sites will even offer a games room of sorts, where you can spend time indoors together.
I’ve found these sites to be a god-send after days in the car. Not only are there usually other children for mine to socialise with, but it offers respite when the weather’s turned nasty.
Being stuck inside the van in poor weather is not fun.
CAR SEATS
Each country has a different level of legislated safety requirements for how children should be restrained in cars.
Do what feels right for you and your family.
If you’re travelling with your own vehicle, this is easy.
When you’re hiring a car or van though, there is usually the option of hiring car seats for children of various ages. Be sure to check their websites and ask for them specifically when making bookings. In my experience, hiring firms have a very limited stock.
It’s also worth checking with your airline if you can bring a car seat with you. Some airlines will allow them to be used in the cabin for small children or allow their stowage free of charge.
D
DOCUMENTS
Paperwork is the bane of my adult existence and unfortunately it’s required for adventures too. But don’t worry! When you have it all in order, your adventure will be smooth sailing (and driving!)
Like planning anything with kids, planning a road trip with them requires an additional folder of papers.
Here’s a quick checklist of the documents it’s good to keep handy at all time:
- Passport
- Vehicle registration
- Vehicle ownership or rental contract
- Vehicle insurance
- Travel insurance
Keep a paper copy with you when driving. Keep a spare copy somewhere in your luggage. Have a digital backup of everything.
DIRECTIONS
Google Maps is a real asset on the road. But what if you don’t have access to data while travelling?
Before you set out, be sure to save all of your desired destinations to your google maps. Then save your maps for offline use.
If you’re planning to go really wild, go old-school and have a physical map with you.
DRIVERS LICENCE
I’ll assume that you already have a driver’s licence if you’re planning a road trip, but is it valid in other countries?
Across the Schengen Zone are a set of unified minimum standards for driving.
As an EU-national or permanent resident, your EU drivers’ licence is enough.
If you’re a non-EU national or permanent resident, you must meet the following requirements:
- Have the drivers licence from your home country with you at all times.
- Carry an International Driver’s Licence with you at all times.
Each country will have its own, individual requirements, so be sure to check these before travelling.
Some countries may require a translated copy of your licence in addition to an International Drivers License. Both of these documents can take significant time to receive, so be organised and prepare early.
For more information about driving requirements within the Schengen Zone, head here.
E
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
In the awful event that something happens, do you know how to get help?
Save this number.
112
This is the single number in the EU to dial if you require emergency assistance.
Each European country still has its own set of emergency numbers in operation, which are also handy to know, but this is a quick and easy option when disaster strikes.
ENTERTAINMENT IN THE CAR
If you’re covering long stretches of road every day, how will you keep your kids amused?
Planning a road trip with kids in Europe must include thoughts about how to keep everyone entertained along the way.
You might be travelling with older children who are happy to read, or put their headphones in and ignore their parents.
When you’re travelling with little kids, who need near-constant interaction to remain in good spirits, a road trip is a different story.
Either way, you need to seriously consider who you can keep your kids entertained on the journey.
Some suggestions include:
- Audiobooks or podcasts.
- Colouring in.
- Activity books, including join the dots, bingo cards and puzzles.
F
FOOD
Will you be eating out or cooking for yourselves?
This is an important discussion to have because it will drastically alter your budget.
Cooking for yourself
Food is the biggest cost on any holiday that you can actively alter.
Cooking for yourself is always the cheapest option, if you have the facilities and the willingness.
Supplies can be bought cheaply throughout Europe at it’s various Supermarkets. Fresh produce can be bought at both local markets and supermarkets.
Be mindful of what is in season and what is commonly eaten by locals. These are the foods that will be the cheapest!
The other bonus of self-catering? You can make something you know your fussiest little eater will devour!
Common Supermarkets throughout Europe that will help to keep you on budget are:
- Aldi
- Lidl
- Kaufland
- Spar
Picnics
I am a picnicker through and through.
But on a road trip, there is no better way to enjoy the local produce, the scenery and any pretty spot than by having a picnic together.
Picnics make for a very flexible and affordable dining alternative for any meal of the day.
And the added bonus with picnics? Your little people can stretch their legs and play for as long as your time allows.
Stock up on fresh produce, pickled goods, dips, breads and meats from the local markets or the supermarket.
Eating out
No matter where you travel, there will almost always be the opportunity to eat out.
The sky’s the limit for cuisine and cost when you choose to dine out.
Important questions to consider on your road trip are:
- Will this blow the budget?
- How much of this will my kids actually eat?
- Is the experience of eating out with my kids going to be worth the effort of eating out with my kids?
Every family is different but for me, eating out is usually limited to take away with the food being enjoyed as a picnic.
H
HEAT
Keep an eye on the weather forecasts.
If you’re travelling through Summer, be sure to carry enough water for the entire family.
AND for the car. You never know when disaster might strike!
Like always, be sensible. Ensure you and your family have sunscreen, hats and protective clothing if travelling through the warmer months to avoid sun burn or heat-stroke.
HOTELS
When you’re on the road for a long time, sometimes you just need a little bit of luxury. If your budget allows, why not mix up your accomodation options along the way?
A few reasons to consider using a hotel include:
- space for everyone to stretch their legs for a night or two.
- laundry services.
- included breakfasts.
- built in entertainment for the kids: hotels will often have televisions in their room as well as pools or other kids play areas.
I
INSURANCES
Planning a road trip with kids in Europe should be fun. But there are some less than fun bits that need to be planned for as well.
Insurances are my last favourite part of adventure planning but also probably the most important.
Car
Now that you’re in the country it’s time to drive! But it’s best to be ready for all situations.
If you’re driving your own vehicle, be sure to check the following:
- Does your usual policy offer you coverage in foreign countries? If so, which ones?
- Are there any limitations or exemptions to your insurance coverage in foreign countries?
In a rented vehicle, be sure that you understand the conditions of your insurance policy. Pay special attention to the following:
- Are you covered to drive in another country?
- Is there coverage to drive in particular conditions, for example on dirt roads or in the snow?
- Does the coverage include transporting the car on a ferry?
- Can more than one adult drive the vehicle?
And boring though it may be, know the procedure to follow if you’re involved in an accident of any sort.
Health
Are you covered to receive medical care and treatment in every country you plan to visit?
Do you require specific health insurance or travel insurance to receive this care?
Please research this and ensure adequate cover is purchased before you leave home. Especially when travelling with children. You just never know what might happen.
Include the cost of travel insurance in your budget, the same way you would include the cost of your rental vehicle or accommodation.
Travel
Like everything with insurance, read the fine print.
What do you need your travel insurance to cover?
Are you travelling with expensive electronics? Or maybe sports equipment?
Are you travelling somewhere known for its natural disasters that can severely inhibit your adventure? Iceland, for example, when its Volcano erupts and grounds all air travel across Europe.
Consider what you’re travelling with, why you’re travelling and what level of risk you’re willing to sit with.
Do the research.
Get to know the procedures to be followed if you need to claim at any time during or after your trip.
Think very carefully about any level of out-of-pocket expenses to make a claim.
I know it’s boring but when the unthinkable happens, you’ll have no further surprises.
INTERNET
Whether it’s to confirm your bookings, find your way or contact home – you can’t be on a road trip without the internet.
Be sure to research provider options while you’re on your journey.
Many providers offer uninterrupted phone and internet service throughout the EU. However, the cost of data can vary dramatically between countries outside of this group.
Don’t leave this up to chance assuming there’ll be free wifi everywhere. There won’t be.
ITINERARY
I’m the kind of traveller who wants to just jump in the car and go!
“We can figure it out on the way”, I always think.
But it’s always better to have at least a vague set of guidelines for your travel.
Consider the following when creating your final itinerary:
- The total distance of your road trip.
- How far you can realistically drive each day with kids.
- What distance must you cover each day to visit all of the places you want to see?
Your answers to these questions will guide your final itinerary.
In my experience, less is more when road-tripping with kids.
L
LUGGAGE
What kind of gear do you need while you’re on the road?
Are you a suitcase or a backpack family?
What will be most useful for you on the road?
Do you need to pack additional items, such as a pram, a child carrier, a car seat or sports equipment?
If you need to fly to your starting point, remember to check the airline’s rules regarding luggage and consider if you need to bring everything with you.
Is there the option to hire some items from the vehicle hire company? Or can you buy it in country?
Many places have an excellent second-hand marketplace where you can buy used items for a significant discount (this is particularly true for cold weather gear if you’re unlikely to need those snow coats again!).
M
MOTION SICKNESS
Does anyone in your family get motion sickness?
If so, know your enemy.
Is it only in cars? Or on boats? Is it only when they’re a bit hot or when the road is windy?
Are they just constantly unwell no matter what mode of transport you’re using?
Before embarking on your big journey, try a few shorter trips with your sickie and see what conditions suit best.
Test out medicinal solutions if that feels right for you and your family.
P
PLANNING
This is probably the most important part of your trip.
Its a word that pops up throughout this guide.
Planning a road trip with your kids can be exhausting and sometimes overwhelming, but stick with it.
Future you will thank current you for sticking with the process.
- How you’ll travel.
- For how long?
- Where you’ll travel.
- How far will you drive each day?
- Where will you stay? (This includes knowing your wild camping options)
- Know which language locals communicate in.
- What’s the local currency? How does it convert into your usual currency?
There’s a lot to consider, so give yourself plenty of time!
PRAM?
It’s a dilemma.
If you’re travelling with a little one, will you travel with a pram or a carrier or neither?
This decision will often depend on factors such as space, time and family preferences.
Either way, do what is right for your family
For my honest opinions about this questions, read my post here.
R
ROADS
Conditions
Be aware that not all roads will necessarily be of the same quality.
Depending where in Europe you decide to adventure, you may encounter unbelievably smooth surfaces or incredibly uneven surfaces.
Drive according to the conditions to ensure the safety of your family and the continued good driving of your car!
Be cautious at night and in the cooler months where there may be fog, snow or ice on the roads.
Rules
While the majority of countries I’ve driven in have had broadly the same road rules in place, be sure to check the specifics of the country or countries that you’ll be driving in.
For example, is there a blanket minimum speed in built-up areas? Are there particular procedures to follow when there’s a traffic jam on the freeway?
For your own safety and peace of mind, check out this handy resource from Your Europe. You can check the country specific laws for all countries within the EU.
S
SEAT BELTS
The wearing of seatbelts is mandatory throughout Europe.
And it’s just safer for you and your entire family.
Buckle up! Enjoy your trip.
SPARES
You will need a spare something along the way.
Tyres? Socks? Copies of important documents?
Have a spare of everything because you never know when you might need it.
And in the best case, you won’t need any of them.
SPEED
Throughout Europe, the speed limit is indicated by road sign.
Be sure to adhere to the signed speed to avoid receiving a penalty.
Be sure to research the allowable speeds in built-up areas in the different places you visit. Sometimes these won’t be signed as there may be a blanket rule for all built-up areas.
T
TOLLS
Planning a road trip with kids in Europe means considering Tolls.
Be aware that most major freeways connecting countries across the continent will require a toll payment.
There are two ways that these tolls can be administered:
In-person as you exit the freeway
These tolls are payable as you exit the freeway and are charged based upon how far you travelled on the road.
Normally these can be paid in cash or by card.
This kind of toll payment is used in Italy, Austria, Bosnia and Croatia.
Online
Some countries will allow a pass for the toll road to be purchased online, including Hungary, Slovenia and the Czech Republic.
Remember that even if the road connects multiple countries, you will be required to pay a toll in each country that you drive through.
TRAFFIC ACCIDENT
This isn’t just a question of insurance.
What do you need to do?!
For example, in Germany, the drivers of the cars involved in a traffic accident must wear high visibility vests when they exit their vehicle and lay out a high visibility triangle 25m on either side of the car. This is to alert other drivers to any potential hazards.
It might seem daunting but all fears can be dissipated by asking a few simple questions:
If I’m in an accident:
- do I need to call the police?
- how soon do I need to contact the insurance company/ vehicle hire company?
- what other procedures should I follow?
Remember, you’re a visitor, so it’s important to know what to do in the unlikely event of an accident or emergency!
V
VISAS
It might seem obvious, but be very clear about the requirements for you and each of your family members to enter each country.
This can be complicated if members of your family have different nationalities.
Do you need a visa to enter any of the countries you’d like to drive through?
What’s the process of obtaining the visa?
How long can you stay there?
While there’s freedom of movement throughout the Schengen Zone, this is not true for all European countries. For example, the Balkan country of Albania is not a part of this agreement, but Greece is.
Ensure that you understand the requirements to enter and remain in each country on your wish list. This information can be easily found by googling Visa for [your nationality] entering [country].
Nothing could ruin your European road trip faster than being stranded at a border crossing.
W
WEATHER
Weather can change everything for your trip!
Planning a road trip with kids in Europe means being ready for anything.
DRIVING CONDITIONS
Many European countries have regulations on the use of so-called Winter tyres, or snow tyres. Ensure your car (hired or owned) complies with these rules.
Additionally, if you are visiting any alpine location, even in Summer, be aware that conditions can change quickly, making it unsafe to drive through the snow with regular tyres.
Ask your vehicle hire company about this at the point of pickup and don’t be afraid to ask locals in the towns you visit.
CLOTHING
Pack something for every season in your van. Even if it’s high Summer when you set out, passing through any of the spectacular mountain ranges can have you shivering through the night.
Try to pack a combination of lightweight clothing made of natural fibres, waterproof jacket and pants and fleeces for additional layers of warmth if needed.
ENTERTAINMENT IN BAD WEATHER
Before you leave, think about what you might do with your family in a van if the weather turns against you for one or more days.
Will you all survive a day or two of sitting in the van together playing cards in the wild?
Or will you need to pack in the van life for a couple of days and hire an Air B&B so that everyone has a little bit more room?
It’s up to you and your family, but be sure to build some contingencies into your planning just in case of bad weather.
Have you done a road trip with your kids before? Tell me your experiences in the comments below!
