10 best road trips in Europe
Updated 23 July 2026.
Plan your trip to Cologne: flight, hotel and total price in one go
Hire a car and go. These 10 routes give you the most scenery per kilometer driven, with reasonable distances per day.
Updated on 2 August 2026
Atlantic Road, Norway
8 km, 8 bridges over rocky islets. Best at sunset. Combine with the Geiranger fjord.
Amalfi Coast, Italy
60 km between Sorrento and Salerno. Hairpin bends along cliffs. Drive early (8:00) to avoid traffic.
North Coast 500, Scotland
830 km loop around Scottish Highlands. 5-7 days. Whisky distilleries, single-track roads, castles.
Iceland Ring Road
1322 km full circle. 7-10 days. Waterfalls, glaciers, geothermal springs.
Romantic Road, Germany
350 km from Würzburg to Füssen. Half-timbered villages, Bavarian castles ending at Neuschwanstein.
Costa Brava, Spain
Begur to Cap de Creus. Cala-hopping by car. Cheap and underrated.
Loire Valley, France
Castles, vineyards, slow river. Stay in chateaux, eat 2 Michelin stars for €60.
Transfagarasan, Romania
150 km mountain pass through the Carpathians. Top Gear's 'best road in the world'. Closed November-June (snow).
Faroe Islands
Drive between islands via undersea tunnels and ferries. 4-5 days. Dramatic green cliffs, sheep everywhere.
Slovenia: Soča valley
200 km from Bled to Kobarid. Emerald-green river through gorges. Best with picnic stops.
Practical tips for a European road trip
Check your car insurance to see if it covers all countries on your route. In countries outside the Schengen Area (Albania, Bosnia, Montenegro) you generally need a green card (international certificate of motor insurance).
Also check vignette requirements: Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia require a motorway vignette. A European vignette overview is available from AA or RAC.
Fuel prices vary considerably: in Bulgaria and Hungary you pay 30-40% less than in Western Europe. Fill up at petrol stations just over the border. A two-week road trip through Central Europe (Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, return via Czech Republic) covers roughly 3,500 km and uses about 250 litres of fuel.
Costs of a European road trip
A two-week road trip through Central Europe costs two people typically 1,200-1,800 euros all-in: fuel around 250-350 euros, vignettes around 60 euros total, accommodation 40-80 euros per night (mix of campsites, B&Bs and guesthouses), and food 30-50 euros per day per person. The cheapest countries to drive through are Bulgaria, Romania and the Western Balkans.
Best road trip routes from the Netherlands
The Black Forest loop (7 days, 2,000 km) is ideal for a first European road trip: Cologne, Heidelberg, Freiburg, Lake Constance, back via Stuttgart. The Balkans route (3 weeks, 5,000+ km) covers Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro and Albania and is one of the most rewarding drives in Europe. The Atlantic coast route (2 weeks) runs from Brittany through the Basque Country to Lisbon.
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need a green card for a European road trip?
In EU countries and most European countries your standard insurance certificate is sufficient. For countries outside the EU such as Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro you need an international certificate of motor insurance (green card). Request it free of charge from your insurer.
Which countries require a motorway vignette?
Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia require a motorway vignette. Hungary has an e-vignette you buy online. Italy and Spain charge tolls on specific roads. Always check current requirements via the AA, RAC or ADAC.
How do I plan a road trip through Europe?
Plan your route with Google Maps but give the tool multiple stops so you see not just the fastest but also the most interesting route. Plan a maximum of 400-500 km per day for a relaxed road trip. Build in at least one rest day per week.
How much is a return flight from the Netherlands?
Varies by destination and season. European city breaks typically €60-€200, long-haul €400-€900. Check the live price by filling in your dates.
Want to know what your trip would cost? CheapTrips builds a complete proposal in seconds, with a flight from the Netherlands, a hotel and the total price per person.
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