lovebread

hi,

our trip starts in vienna and ends in paris over 16 days. I'm thinking about renting a car; which costs around $500 for a compact car. anyway, i know that trains are a popular option. I'm not too certain whether a car is a GOOD option! HELP

my first trip to europe.

ali

wombat7

Not really enough information to comment - where are you going between Vienna and Paris - that is critical to the car vs train question

Jean

And does the car rental you're considering allow for a drop-off in a different country?

jules4je7

Keep in mind that the $500 is probably just for the car, not the gas, which costs a LOT more than it does here in the US. And how many people you have to split it with is also a big factor, so I'd try to include more information for us to give you more useful advice..

I'm a fan of taking the trains for a variety of reasons, only one of which is not having the hassles of traffic and gas, and parking a car.

I also enjoyed the fact that we met lots of people while riding the train, and had time to study our next language we were headed towards, and just plain relax.

Have a nice trip, whatever you decide.

Jules

RufusTFirefly

It really depends on your total itinerary, your personality, and your travel style.

Sometimes a car is better; sometimes a train; sometimes a combination.

Are you only going to big cities?

Do you like small places that might not have direct train service (or any train service)?

What is your itinerary?

Once you've decided where you want to go, is it set in concrete?

Do you like to stop in places or turn down a road on a whim?

Are you good with maps and directions?

How many are in your party?

What time of the year will you be traveling?

suze

I have never rented a car because often I travel solo. But even with a companion I much prefer trains because both people can enjoy the ride, read a book, look out the window, have a picnic, drink some wine... rather than one having to drive and one having to navigate in a place you don't speak the language or know the everyday rules of the road. Especially for a 1st trip I would use the trains. They are incredibly easy.

It would help if we knew where you wanted to go to comment further.

RufusTFirefly

I would still say, it depends on a lot of factors. There is no right or wrong or best or worst way for all people in all circumstances.

lovebread

thanks for everybody's help,

i would like to visit both large and small cities/towns. if i were to travel by train, is it still possible to visit smaller sized villages off the beaten track by some other means. Our trip so far involves visiting Prague, Vienna following the rivers Danube and Rhine up Germany and possible Amsterdam, and then as much of France as possible. I like the idea of traveling with maps and going places depending on my mood. i don't like a set itinerary and i know that 16 days isn't enough to see everything but would still like to see as much as possible. Initially, i considered using the train/busses but then I noticed the price for two is over $1,000 for 15 days. A rental car then seemed to make a bit more sense. Then again, I don’t want to miss out on the experience of using the trains.

Some questions I have:
1) If I were to chose using the eurorail, should I buy rail passes as needed, or ahead of time
2) Should I even consider bringing my lap-top.
3) Any interesting places or events that anyone recommends would be much appreciated.

Thank you all for your help,

Big love, ali

kismetchimera

I like to travel by train and dont worry about fighting the traffic,getting lost, the possibility of an accident, finding a parking place,all these things could be very stressfull and may put a damp on my vacation.
By taking the train I may not be able to visit and explore too many charming villages is true but to be able to relax and enjoy the sceneries is more important to me.

susanteach

I think you should get a first class Eurrail Pass where you can get unlimited travel within a 15-day period. I always get mine on the internet and they arrive in the mail within a few days. The pkg. includes a map with a detailed train schedule for planning purposes and an instruction book on how to use them. With fuel costs and big city traffic/parking issues, I just don't see how driving works out financially. Maybe you could just do the car for the Germany portion, on the Romantic Road drive?

I've taken two car trips while in Europe mostly because someone else was set to be the driver. One was a trip with my girl friends from Vienna to Prague. I am a scenery freak, and I don't recall anything to write home about except for the abbey at Melk because I had just read Umberto Echo's The Name of the Rose, which is set there. Anyway, that was an easy trip by car, but could have been just as easily done via train.

nytraveler

It depends on your itinerary, your personal preferences and your comfort in driving in europe.

We almost always do road trips - use train only if in involves a single point -to-point. With a car you have the freedom to stop where you want, spend the day as you please, explore all sorts of small out of the way places - rather than seeing something out of the train window and thinking "I really want to see that" as it passes behind you.

Assuming you want that type of exploration - staying in a couple of different towns between Vienna and Paris - and exploring others on the way - driving is the way to go.

And finally, you need to enjoy driving - since driving in europe is fairly different from the US (higher speed limits - none in some places in Germany and an expectation of some degree of competence and taking the rules seriously. You DO NOT drive in the left lane of a highway - or someone will pull up behind you at 100 or maybe 150 and flash and honk until you move.) But - if you enjpoy driving - this is half the fun (no danger of speeding tickets!).

Train is better if 1)you don;t reallylike to drive, 2) you will have a very set itinerary, and 3) you will visit only a couple of major towns between Vienna and Paris.

RufusTFirefly

If they flash their lights or honk their horns (or make hand gestures) these days, they could get a big fine. It's now considered aggressive driving and is a big no-no in Germany.

But still you shouldn't dawdle in the left lane--it's not fun to glance in the mirror and see a big SUV or Mercedes sedan bearing down on you in the left lane at 200+ kph.