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For families from the Gulf, a car with a driver is often the single thing that makes a European trip relaxing. But the way it works in Europe is a little different from home, and knowing the rules avoids surprises.
Hours and distance
A “day” with a driver is usually 8 to 10 hours from pick-up, with a limit on kilometres. European rules limit how long a professional driver can drive, so a 14-hour day may need a second driver. Extra hours are possible but are agreed in advance and paid by the hour.
What is included
Normally the car, the driver, fuel, tolls and motorway costs are included. Parking in the city, entrance tickets, a guide and the driver’s lunch on long days may or may not be – always ask. A good quote lists these lines clearly.
Driver or guide?
The driver drives and helps with practical things; in many countries he is not allowed to guide inside monuments. For the Alhambra, the Vatican or the Acropolis you need a licensed guide, who meets you at the entrance.
Old towns: in Rome, Florence, Lisbon’s Alfama or Granada’s Albaicín the car often cannot enter. The driver drops you as close as possible and waits outside the zone. Comfortable shoes are still needed.
Which vehicle?
Count people and suitcases, not just people. A Mercedes E-Class takes three passengers and two or three big cases; a V-Class van takes up to seven people with luggage. For more, a minibus is cheaper than two cars.
Is it worth it?
- Yes for airport arrivals with luggage, day trips with several stops (Sintra and Cascais, Toledo, Lake Como), and families with grandparents or small children.
- Not always inside a single city with good metro and taxis – there, a driver for half a day is often enough.
- Better by train for long city-to-city journeys like Madrid-Barcelona or Rome-Milan, with a driver at each end.
Tell us the plan for each day and we suggest where a driver makes sense and where it does not.
