Travelling around Europe can be a truly enriching experience with there being so many diverse countries and cultures to explore. One of travellers biggest worries when journeying through different countries is parking, as laws and regulations will be different in each country. Many people will hire a vehicle to make travelling around the continent much easier and more efficient, so it’s important to understand all of the different parking options to ensure a budget-friendly experience.
There will always be information available no matter where you are travelling, so you must stay vigilant for any parking information for the smoothest experience. Asking locals can also be a huge benefit when in a country you are less familiar with. This is made easier with an array of translation tools now readily available online.
Continue reading this guide for all the relevant information on budget-friendly parking tips for European travel. We will highlight the benefits of parking on-street, in car parks and more.
Types of Parking
Street Parking
Street parking can be free depending on where you are parking with some countries offering relatively cheap on-street parking throughout towns and cities. Pavement markings need to be understood and followed to ensure that you don’t break any rules, as there will be different marking colours used with a variety of line numbers.
You should research on-street pay and display options as different parts of a country will have varying prices throughout, for example using a Bond Street car park space in London, England, could be more expensive than using on-street parking in Huddersfield based in West Yorkshire.
Car Parks
There are car park complexes dotted throughout Europe with Britain alone having approximately 18,000 car parks. You will not be limited in options when selecting the most cost-effective car park, as there should never be one out of reach for you. City centre car parks will be far more expensive than car parks located in smaller towns or the outskirts of cities, so you should conduct some research to see which one will benefit you the most.
Garages
If you are staying in a city or town for a long period in Europe, you should explore the option of hiring out a garage to store your vehicle during your stay. For example, garages in Costa del Sol in Spain are available to rent for around €53 per month, which would be perfect for a longer stay and will work out cheaper than paying for on-street parking or car park stays every day.
Overnight Parking
When travelling around unknown countries, you need to ensure that you stay in a safe, well-travelled and well-lit area to lessen the risk of any potential crime. If you are staying in a hotel, you can ask the staff about the best parking options for safe vehicle stays in the area. Some hotels will offer a free parking spot or a permit to make parking in the city or town much more friendly. Alternatively, you can ask a local for the safest place to park your car.
