So, you decided to go on an independent trip on your car. If earlier for you all the documentation for the trip issued a travel agency, now you will have to do it yourself. And immediately appears a lot of questions: what documents will you need, where to start, is it worth doing at all how to prepare a car to such a long trip, how to get a visa where to look for accommodation and do international rights need? From such a large number of questions, the head is coming around. However, in fact, everything is much easier than it seems at first glance. About this further in the article.

Travel by car in Europe, in which the pros and more than cons

Of course, a trip to European countries on their own car has a lot of advantages, namely:

• First, full freedom. This means that if you will see something unusual or interesting on your way, you can easily stay a little or deviate from the course.
• Secondly, a relatively low cost of travel. If there are so many passengers in the car, how much seats in it, you will accurately save, as tickets for the train or the plane are much more expensive.
  
• Third, mobility. You can come to the pharmacy at any time to the store or to another place and buy everything you need. In travel by train, this opportunity is unlikely to introduce.
• Fourth, you can take the actually unlimited amount of baggage (limit it only the capacity of the luggage compartment).
• In addition, traveling by car is fun and interesting. You will not interfere with other people's people, so you can relax and lead an interesting and lively communication.
• Another relative advantage is time savings. Sometimes the journey by car is less long than, for example, travel by train.

And now about the disadvantages:

• It is not very convenient and sometimes tiring. Especially difficult to have a shovethright that the clock is spent behind the wheel and is forced to follow the road all the time, and it is very difficult. Yes, and passengers are not too comfortable, because if the car is a common passenger and not very spacious, they will have a long period to be in one position. In addition, it is not always possible to visit the toilet (for example, when driving on the highway).
• The car is a very complex mechanism with a lot of details, which is capable of failure at any time. And if this happens on an unexpensive track, it will be nowhere to wait for help. As a result, you can lose a lot of time and effort.
  
• Trips by car are always associated with some risk. First, you can get into an accident (and not necessarily by its negligence). Secondly, criminals and scammers and fraudsters are not rare on the roads, for which auto-travelers is relatively easy prey. Well, thirdly, not the most pleasant meetings with the traffic inspections.
• In addition, you will have to look for a safe and guarded place for your car. Tourists grab most often, so it is better to drive a car to the guarded parking lot. However, if it is far from the place where you live, it will not be very convenient. In addition, parking can cost quite expensive.

Travel into one country or in several countries, what is the difference

Apply for a Schengen visa must be to the visa center or the consulate of the country which in fact is the main purpose of the trip. If you plan to visit only one Schengen country, such as Germany, it is necessary to apply to its consulate. If, however, a few countries (eg, Czech Republic and Poland), the need to obtain a visa in the State in which travelers plan to spend the most time. If you plan to spend equal time everywhere, get a visa of the country through which you will enter the Schengen area.

What documents are required for visa

To obtain a visa, you will need to collect a number of documents:

• A valid passport.
• Documentation proving the purpose of the trip (trip itinerary, hotel booking confirmation, a contract of renting an apartment or house).
• Completed visa application form.
• Financial guarantee: traveler's checks, bank statements, certificate from the place where you work.
• A copy of pages of internal passport.
• Current photo.
• Green Card for the car.
• Insurance.
• copy of driver's license.
• A copy of a power of attorney for the car (if need).
• A copy of the car registration.

Some countries sometimes require additional documentation - specify all the details on the website of the visa centers and consulates.

How to get a visa, where to go

With a complete set of documents refer to the consulate or visa application center, photograph, pay toll and turn in fingerprints. After that you need to wait for some time now, some countries, such as France and Greece, to issue a visa for two days, while others are able to simmer with the issuance of 7 days or more.

How to prepare the car for a trip that should take into account

To prepare the car for the journey required in advance. If knocks exhaust pipe or left headlight not working, it is better to fix everything before the trip, rather than angry at the border. In the presence of toning will have to part with it. You also need to purchase a reflective vest, which is required if the car gets into an accident. Without such vests in Europe forbidden to go on the road after a breakdown or accident.

International law, whether they are necessary and how to get them

On the territory of Russia there are two types of driving license: international and national. For rights of international standard, refer to the traffic and pay toll. Average national driver's license is also considered international, but the traffic police of Europe could find fault with it.

What is needed in the way navigation

The trip will need a navigator. It is better if it is not a smartphone with a weak battery, but a serious device with fresh cards. With the navigator, it is advisable to get acquainted before the trip, and not having a high speed on the highway. Also better grab the atlas and detailed maps.

Accommodation, how to book a place and is it possible to use tents

Traveling on a car in Europe, you can live in roadside hotels, motels, campsites, stay at the participants of Couchsurfing or spending the night in the car. Think in advance about it and - depending on its choice - rent an apartment or house, book hotels, agree with the trashserpes. If you have decided to travel with a tent, remember that for the most part wild camping is prohibited (although, for example, in Finland, do not confuse a tent in the woods in Finland). It is better to get up with a tent in a guarded camping - most often it is cheaper than hostels.

Bank card or cash

Most European cities take bank cards, but there are places where you can pay only in cash. It is better to leave home large bills of type € 500 or € 100, and take tens, twenty and fifty dollars. It is advisable to divide money into several parts and distribute them in several places.

Paid roads and paid parking, how to use them

In the way there are paid roads, so these spending must be in advance in the budget. Bender points are several types: for locals, for foreigners with cards or cash. There are roads where the travel ticket is issued at the beginning, and at the end it must be presented to pay.

Many European countries need to pay for parking. To pay parking, find the parking lot, and leave the check under the windshield.

What rules of the road in European countries

Traveling in Europe by car, keep the Middle Light on: In some countries, it is not necessary in some countries, but it is better to be restrained. For those included without reason, fog lights threatens a fine for unusted seat belts, too - they must be fastened both the driver and passengers.

In the cities there is a yellow markup, which runs along the sidewalk - this is noted by places where parking is prohibited. Also such places can be determined using understandable road signs.

Radar detector why it is better not to take on a trip to Europe

The radar detector is desirable to leave at home, as in some countries the prison faces for him.

High-speed limitations

On the motorways of many European countries, it is allowed to accelerate to 120-130 km / h, but there are exceptions: in Poland and Bulgaria, the maximum speed is 140 km, and in Estonia - 110 km.

Tips of an experienced autocessor

Traveling by car is primarily complex organizational work. You should estimate how many kilometers from your home to the end point of the trip. Note that on average in Russia in the day it is possible to overcome one thousand kilometers, in Europe a little more - about 1,300 kilometers. At night, not a lot to drive.

Turn on roaming and replenish your phone account. Prepare all memory cards, external batteries, chargers, gadgets, camcorders, cameras - that is, everything that can come in handy on the trip and make it memorable.