Car-related travel questions. See also the "car-rental", "private-car", "driving", and "road-trip" tags.
22
votes
7answers
2k views
Car rental vs. buying a car for 1 month
I would like to visit a few places in the states sometime next year, and I was thinking of doing a road trip while I'm at it. I could start in either Los Angeles or Montreal, and then I would like to ...
5
votes
1answer
46 views
What's the best way to pay tolls on a cross-country road trip in the US?
I'm driving from Virginia to Washington state later this month. In Virginia, I use an EZ-Pass device that automatically pays my tolls. But I understand that these devices are regional. When driving ...
5
votes
0answers
61 views
How can roadside cafe quality be measured in Greece or Turkey
When traveling by car it is always a big question how to determine the quality of roadside cafe in front of you.
In Russia I've noticed some dependency between quality of food and wares, although ...
14
votes
7answers
868 views
What are the most effective rideshare sites in the US?
Recently, I have been traveling from upstate New York to NYC quite frequently and would like to find a site that is more effective than craigslist in attracting reliable rideshares for splitting gas ...
8
votes
4answers
364 views
Crashing a rental car abroad
What happens if I (a US citizen) rent a car in, say, the UK, and crash it because I was driving on the wrong side of the road?
Do I have to pay the damages out of pocket? What if I don't have the ...
-3
votes
1answer
76 views
Free parking in downtown San Jose, CA? [closed]
What's the situation with parking in downtown San Jose, CA?
Can I park for free anywhere for short times in the daytime?
Or for a long time in the evenings?
1
vote
1answer
114 views
Free parking in downtown Mountain View?
What's the situation with parking in Mountain View, CA, the US of A?
Is there free parking? Meters? Parking structures?
12
votes
4answers
3k views
Driving in Iceland: a good idea?
For this summer I am thinking about going to Iceland. I would like to fly to Reykjavik, spend some days there, then rent a car, travel around the island and then fly back home. Now I have a few ...
4
votes
1answer
49 views
Any free evening parking in downtown Denver?
I don't mind walking 15 to 20 minutes to where I need to be in downtown Denver, but it'll be useful to find some free street parking, during the evening time, 21:00/03:00 MT.
Any such thing in ...
3
votes
1answer
50 views
Petrol station in Folkestone before boarding the Eurotunnel
Where is the most convenient petrol station to fill up if we have some spare time before boarding the Eurotunnel train? Is it possible to fill-up after checking-in?
We will be driving from London.
0
votes
0answers
21 views
Why is it that Craigslist doesn't offer a national option for postings [migrated]
I've used craigslist multiple times for classified listings, for sale and for purchase. If i'm looking for a good or service and am willing to travel across multiple states for the right item, I ...
5
votes
2answers
110 views
What kind of bag can I use to travel with a baby car seat?
I need to carry a baby car seat on an international air trip. The car seat's dimensions are 28.5 x 17.5 x 30.9 inches and it looks like this:
I'm having trouble finding an appropriate bag for ...
11
votes
2answers
543 views
Foreign car insurance for Canada and/or the U.S
Still working on my plan to Ship my car from Europe to Canada or the U.S. We're planning on leaving early January.
Shipping turns out not to be the problem. However, the next hurdle is: car ...
9
votes
1answer
519 views
How does full-service gas work in Oregon?
I'm from a state in the US where all gas is self-service. When traveling to Oregon (where all gas stations are full-service), how does the process work? Do you just pull up to the pump and hand the ...
2
votes
0answers
112 views
How does rideship.com work? [closed]
My son is a junior at a state university in New York. He flew to miami for spring break. he returned home utilizing a ridesharing site called rideship.com. What are the experiences that people have ...
4
votes
2answers
588 views
How to find a multi-day park-and-ride for Paris?
We are planning to go by car to Paris for a few (2-4) days. As I'm a bit afraid of crashing my car or having trouble parking I was thinking of leaving it somewhere outside Paris and continue by ...
2
votes
0answers
250 views
How to import car from Canada (BC) into USA (Washington state)? [closed]
I have a car (2002 Ford Taurus) and moving to USA (Washington state).
How to import car from Canada (BC) into USA (Washington state)?
Which documents do I need to have? Approximate What amount of ...
9
votes
1answer
71 views
Is there a map that shows Austrian winter road closures?
Some highways in Austria close for the winter season. For example, the Grossglockner High Alpine Road is closed until sometime in May.
Where can I find a map that shows which roads are currently ...
8
votes
1answer
167 views
How to drive a car from Australia to Europe?
I want to drive to Europe from Australia by shipping it to Asia and to drive from there onwards.
Can someone tell me the cheapest way for shipping, which ports I should use for shipping and how much ...
4
votes
2answers
70 views
Where can you park a camper or car in Kleve, Goch, Weeze, Kevelaer (North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany)?
I am going to Germany (Kleve, Goch, Weeze, Kevelaer, in North Rhine-Westphalia) in April with my car or camper.
Does anyone have any suggestions on where to park/sleep in the area? Ideally I would ...
8
votes
1answer
164 views
Is it possible for a foreigner to drive through (mainland) China in a foreign-registered car?
Is it possible to drive through mainland China, for example for transit from Kazakhstan to Vietnam, as a non-Chinese citizen, in an own car/van/truck?
This is about an European Union citizen, trying ...
5
votes
1answer
203 views
Cheap/free parking near Frankfurt-Hahn Airport
The official low-cost parking near Frankfurt-Hahn airport is not really low cost with prices starting at 3.50 EUR/day. I will fly to Scotland for a week and now I'm looking for an alternative ...
5
votes
1answer
222 views
Are in-car camera systems legal in Germany?
On Youtube I have seen a lot of videos like this with car accidents in Russia recorded by in-car cameras. Is it legal to use such a device in Germany? If an accident happens, can I use the video as a ...
7
votes
5answers
441 views
Car damage caused by potholes in the EU, what to do?
I'm driving often with my own car abroad (EU) and even on highways there are potholes. What can I do if my car gets damaged?
Is there an EU-regulation or is it different in every country? What should ...
16
votes
2answers
492 views
How can I find which European countries require headlights on during daytime?
I know that the driving law in several countries in Europe require headlights on during daytime, some of them only in winter.
But where can I find which countries have such a requirement?
Just to ...
12
votes
5answers
294 views
What does it take to make my car fully compliant with all EU countries?
In Belgium every car is required to carry at least one fire extinguisher. In Germany you need to have an environment sticker to drive into a city. In France you might need alcohol testers. Coming from ...
31
votes
3answers
825 views
Is there a ZIP code I can enter when paying-at-the-pump in the USA with a foreign credit card?
In the USA, many pay-at-the-pump fuel dispensers that accept credit cards require a 5-digit numeric zip code that corresponds to the billing address of the credit card. In Canada, for instance, we ...
7
votes
2answers
203 views
Can go to Germany on all-year tires in winter?
I know that German law requires tires apt for snow in winter time. It's quite obvious that I cannot use summer tires, but can I go on universal all-year tires?
What are the exact requirements?
4
votes
1answer
154 views
Where to park a car in Luxembourg (city)?
I'm going to Luxembourg by car and I'm looking for a place where I can park for free. It should be also close to the city center - a maximum of 20 minutes walking distance from the old town.
5
votes
1answer
64 views
Secure long-term parking in Johannesburg
I will be taking a one-month trip departing from the airport in Johannesburg, South Africa and need a secure place to park my car. I see that the airport has long-term parking, but is it safe to leave ...
8
votes
1answer
136 views
Who provides Carnet de Passage for Indian vehicles?
Under which government department and which law the Carnet is issued in India ?
I have already visited Nepal and Bhutan on bike. Both the countries don't need any Carnet from Indians. Now, I want to ...
21
votes
7answers
328 views
How can I protect my vehicle when left at a trail head for an extended period?
Previously when I went backpacking, the vehicle I left behind at the trail head was, erm, not particularly worth stealing. I'm looking at new vehicles now, and somewhere in the back of my mind is "do ...
5
votes
2answers
87 views
Where can I find decent parking space to the east of London with a quick tube connection to the center?
We will be passing London soon by car. There might be some time available to have a day trip to London. I was advised not to drive all the way to the center of London for multiple reasons (congestion ...
11
votes
4answers
204 views
How can I get a reliable taxi/car service in LA?
I am fully aware LA is based around the car and has limited public transport. But I'm planning to be there a few days and will not be able to drive a car of any kind.
I already have the airport ...
7
votes
2answers
65 views
Passo Giau parking fee
I'm trying to estimate costs of my car trip, and I'm wondering how much does it cost to leave your car at Passo Giau in Dolomites. If you don't know exact fee, just give me an estimate.
8
votes
1answer
215 views
Can I leave my U.S. car in Mexico on an FM3 visa?
As a U.S. citizen in Mexico on an FM3 visa, can I leave my car in Mexico when I travel to other countries as long as my visa is still current, or must my car follow me when I leave the country?
If it ...
10
votes
1answer
192 views
Do any of the ferries between Korea and Japan charge per car and not per person in a car?
I've travelled on ferries between Korea and Japan probably more than anyone else using our site so far, but there's one thing I never thought about until now:
Do any of the ferries commonly take ...
6
votes
1answer
414 views
Is there a fuel calculator for RV travel in USA/Canada?
I'm thinking of taking an RV across Canada. However, having never used one before, I'm struggling to figure out how much fuel it might use.
I'm hoping there's a calculator for a Compact or Standard ...
20
votes
3answers
2k views
Shipping my car from Europe to Canada or the U.S
The plan is to drive my car (a small 4x4) from Prudhoe Bay1 (Deadhorse), Alaska to Cape Horn, Tierra del Fuego in Chile. I will be travelling for an undetermined duration, with a minimum of two years. ...
5
votes
1answer
88 views
Parking via SMS in Sofia, Bulgaria
In Sofia, Bulgaria there are two parking zones - blue and green, and for both of them is possible to pay via SMS. My problem is that I have no longer a Bulgarian SIM-card, and I wonder if it's ...
4
votes
3answers
154 views
Traveling to Sulina (Romania) by car
This year I'm travelling to Romania and I would like to visit Sulina city in Danube Delta. Google maps doesn't find any direction to travel there by a car. Is it possible to get there by car or the ...
19
votes
2answers
755 views
What's the name for the “blocking” stickers used on car headlights?
I'll be driving my car from Belgium to the UK, with plans to then drive around the country.
Like most cars in the European mainland, my car's headlights/headlamps are slightly adjusted to the right ...
6
votes
1answer
100 views
Are there international car ferries in the Caribbean?
Is it all possible to plan a road trip in the Caribbean? Trinidad & Tobago seems to have a ferry, but that is within one country.
I am looking for a ferry enabling me to do a road trip through ...
10
votes
1answer
317 views
Where can you park a camper in Munich?
I am going to Munich (Oktoberfest) tonight in my camper.
Does anyone have any suggestions on where to park/sleep in Munich? Ideally I would like to park for free. Obviously I will not be able to park ...
6
votes
2answers
176 views
Planning to stay for 3 months in Berlin, Germany. Should I bring a car with me?
I will be spending about 3 months (at least) in Berlin, Germany, primarly to look for some business oportunities or maybe a job. I am aware of the nearly perfect transportation services Berlin offers ...
5
votes
1answer
119 views
Can you do the annual required technical control in another EU country than your own when doing a road trip in Europe?
If you plan to do a an extensive road-trip through Europe, which will last multiple months, could you do the required annual technical control in another EU country than your country of residence?
...
5
votes
1answer
2k views
What is the difference between “Gazole” and “Diesel” in France
I am driving a car with a Diesel engine. I always thought that "Gazole" and "Diesel" were synonymous to each other, only to drive in a gas station which mentioned both terms, as in "Gazole" and ...
5
votes
2answers
40 views
Parking for 3 - 4 days in Vancouver, BC
I'm moving from Alaska to Portland and will be driving to make the move. Along the way I wanted to stop in Vancouver and check out the city for 3-4 days. I will have all my stuff in the car so i'm ...
10
votes
3answers
161 views
How are road charges collected in France?
This summer we'll go to France by car for the first time. I noticed that some motorways on our route require road charge to be paid (in case it matters - we're going from Freiburg to Perpignan).
How ...
4
votes
1answer
88 views
How effective is a valet key at a hotel parking garage?
I'm staying at an upscale hotel in the coming days and will park prior to checking in. I know a valet key should prevent an attendant from opening the glove box or trunk, but the switch to open trunk ...
