Driving Abroad - is it easy?!

TraceyB_2

We are going on holiday in May and although we have got a package deal - it doesnt include transfers.

To get a taxi to and from the airport will almost cost as much as a weeks car hire but I have never driven abroad before.

I am a confident driver here but have never driven on hoidays before.

Without sounding daft - does it just all become obvious once you set off - the thought of coming to a roundabout or major junction fills me with dread!

I guess everyone has to do it for the first time but I just wondered what other peoples experiences were!

My DH only passed his test in June last year so I dont think he can hire a car within the first 12 months otherwise I think he would drive!

Sorry for muttering!

Baz_2

Where are you going Tracy?

trets77

very easy. i was scared when i first drove in Italy but got it very quickly. have now done a big trip in Canada and have a 15 day fly drive in USA coming up. also Automatics if you have never driven one are so easy it's untrue

simple rule to remember is as the driver you should always be in the middle of the road and passenger on the kerb side ( unless of course you are in a wrong handed drive car relative to the country you are driving in).

roundabouts are british thing for the most part( never seen one in North America) but you will be fine just look the opposite way to normal.

richardw

Yes, it is easy, be careful when doing left turns not to drift over to the left and to stay on the right.

BillScarab

I drove to Holland last week and the only bit I didn't like was the roundabouts. Very strange going around them the "wrong" way. I think it is much easier to drive a Left Hand Drive car abroad than a Right Hand Drive one. You'll soon get used to it anyway.

fudgem

The only thing I found difficult was changing gear with my wrong hand. As far as the driving goes, you will in general be following other cars on the road most of the time, so yes, it's easy.

fudgem

duplicate post

the_optimist

When I hired a car abroad for the first time, I spent some time driving on the car park where it was parked, before venturing on to the roads. Then I drove fairly slow for the next 10 mins and then I was fine.
As for he roundabouts which are popping up more and more, just remember: who's on the roundabout has priority!

peterg1965

As someone else has said, get an automatic car that is one thing less to worry about. If you are going to the USA driving there is an absolute doddle.

TraceyB_2

Sorry didnt think to mention where I was going - am going to Spain.

Didnt think of getting an automatic - might try that option - as well as staying in the car park for a while:T

Thanks for your quick responses!

lisyloo

I think it depends a great deal on where you are going.

I would say that if you think you will use the car at other times then get one. If you aren't going to use it much (in a city?) then consider public transport options rather than just a private taxi transfer.
Most airports have shuttles, trains and buses that are much cheaper than a private taxi.

There are always going to be hassles with using a private car
e.g. parking, accidents, regulations, filling it up etc.