Many people prefer to travel by car, as it is more profitable than traveling by train or plane, especially when you are traveling with the whole family. But do not forget that traveling by car is a very dangerous event, for which you need to properly prepare. Because traveling by car is first and foremost an adventure. The car will allow you to see not only big tourist cities, but also small cozy villages, to join unknown places and natural attractions. Together with Chocotravel, a service for selling cheap air tickets, we have prepared a selection of useful tips for everyone who is going on a road trip.
Plan your route in advance
When it becomes known how many days and money you are ready to spend on the trip, determine the goal: to drive an interesting route or rather get to your destination, what places you want to see, and so on. Take a map and mark the control points where to go, and then connect them in a route, if possible, choosing roads of greater importance.
Perceive distances appropriately
After 800 kilometers of driving, you may want to go to bed rather than go for a walk. Do not set records, but rather put a couple of extra hours on the road. 500 kilometers will be the optimal distance for a day of travel, provided the road is satisfactory and early departure. If you have to, drive 800 kilometers, but then leave the next day to get to know your destination.
Trust the cards with care
When choosing between a paper map and a mobile service, the latter should be a priority when determining the route. But electronic cards can be wrong. Choosing between “Yandex.Maps”, Google Maps, Maps.me and others, stop at the service with the most relevant databases, or rather download two different applications and save the map of the area you are interested in so as not to depend on the quality of the connection. When driving through unfamiliar cities, especially in other countries, it is better to use a navigator than guessing where to turn from signs.
Get ready for force majeure
Keep your spare wheel, cable, fire extinguisher, jack, reflective vest and tool kit handy and service before driving. Even experienced and accurate drivers sometimes get into accidents.
Plan your overnight stay in advance
At each point on the route where you plan to stay for a day or more, find an acceptable accommodation option before starting your trip. On the way, there will still be an opportunity to change your mind. Search engines offer free reservations or cancellations. For a group of several people, it is better to look for a hostel or apartment than a hotel. One room for several people will cost less than two or three rooms for two. And yes, put your tent and camping bedding in the trunk. But you don’t need to settle down for the night right next to a busy road.
Different countries have different conditions
If you are planning your road trip abroad, please do not forget that even within the European Union the rules for driving on local roads are very different. Study the features of the traffic rules for each country of visit and do not forget about the possible fare. In Austria, Switzerland and the Czech Republic, vignettes are used for this, while in Poland and Italy there are toll roads with turnstiles and payment at the entrance.
Online translator
Be prepared for the fact that far from cities, in small villages and at gas stations, local residents do not know international languages. In this case, download online translators to your phone or tablet. Otherwise, at a gas station somewhere in a Catalan village, you will have to explain to an elderly employee what you want for a long time.
Travel light
The most obvious advice for the audience on any journey other than traveling by car. Take as much clothes as you would take with you on a plane or bus, food – a little more. The exception is camping accessories. Who knows in which wilderness you will have to stop?
Useful little things
A pillow on the neck, which we can see during air travel, a special blindfold, earplugs – these things will take up a minimum of space in your luggage, but they will greatly help you to recuperate during travel. Insect repellents and sunglasses are in the same category.