Transport

I would like to recommend leasing a car as the option of choice for travelling through Europe. Note that I use the word "LEASING" and not renting. Renting virtually anywhere is one of the more expensive options.

Imagine if you can obtaining a brand new vehicle at the airport with fully comprehensive insurance across most if not all of Europe, and no mileage costs. All for around A$20-30 per day. Prices do of course vary per vehicle, and will certainly change, upward from year to year.

My partner and I have tried Peugeot and Citroen mainly because we like the look of the vehicles and their specifications. Renault also provides a wonderful leasing service.

With all of the French firms you have a wonderful range of models from really small, nippy and economical vehicles that are obviously the cheapest to lease through to larger station waggons and people movers if there are more than two of you.

I have not as yet found a better deal than I have been able to locate through these French firms. We have driven the old Peugeot 106 and the Citroen Xsara vehicles, both in their diesel modes. Unlike Australia, Diesel is cheaper in Europe than petrol. With prices well above the $1.00 per litre the more economical the vehicle the less it will cost you in the longer term.

See http://www.drivetravel.com/carlease/index.shtml as just ONE site where you can find information

Leasing generally starts off for the first 17 days as (relatively) quite expensive followed by additional days at a much lower rate. So if you are going to Europe for less than a month some other form of transport may be better for you. However if you travel like I do for in excess of three months at a time then having your own car at a rate you can afford is the way to go.

I am not knocking train travel. In Europe in particular it is still relatively economical to obtain one of the Eurail deals. However I can guarantee that there are no trains visiting the hilltop towns of Tuscany and if you want to visit the smaller towns and villages that are not on a train line this is not a really viable option.

With a car, you also have the advantage of not having to lug your gear around on your back. The car does all the work. In addition even if you are camping, the car can carry a fold up table and some fold up chairs, cooking and eating utensils, sleeping gear and tent, food that you can prepare and above all else that most weighty of items BOOKS!