Why are so many people scared of driving while abroad?

[Anonymous]

Op, don't you understand that different people want to do things differently than you.

You might want to look into your need to control everything.

[Anonymous]

The #1 way to die abroad in some countries is car accidents. My friend was one of those statistics. She wasn't driving either. They hired a professional driver.

Just because it doesn't happen to you, it doesn't change the stats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What percentage of Americans do rent cars in Europe?

I’m an American and whether or not I rent a car overseas depends on the trip. For Italy and Switzerland, the trains were excellent. No need for us to rent. For Ireland, we rented a car as we wanted to see countryside on our pace. While I drive a stick here at home, I opted for automatic car there. It was a little bit of a learning curve but otherwise ok. Drove in some cities but not Dublin except to get to and from airport.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We've driven on multiple continents and numerous countries over the years with car rentals. Yes, we've even had breakdowns before which requires having to navigate a car mechanic with locals, no big deal, we survived. But overall, we've seen soooooooo much more of the countries that we've been too by being able to stop in smaller towns, smaller sites, and random local spots where trains and busses simply never would go to or would take horrendous amounts of time that makes mass transport less viable in harder to get to areas. If you speak to many travelers, they have some kind irrational fear of driving while abroad, why is this? Who gives a crap about language barriers? Modern GPS works basically everywhere. Left side, right side, it doesn't matter, you get used to it in about 5 minutes. We have basically never, ever had a problem and would recommend international driving to everyone in order to see much more of countries you're traveling to besides big cities.

Let me guess, you call yourself a traveler and not a tourist.

Why would you want to see podunk towns in other countries? More to the point, why do you think that’s a flex?

NP. Oh boy. “Flex”? Are you in middle school? Let me guess. You’re only in it for the Instagram pics. Tell me where you’ve been. I can guarantee it’s only the most ridiculous, overhyped, overtouristed places.

Bless your heart. I don’t travel to see the suburbs and ghettos of other cities. I go to see the sites. Like normal people.

You sound like the worst sort of snob. “Oh, I visited Paris and instead of the overhyped, overtouristed Eiffel Tower and Louvre, I spent the day exploring Sarcelles. I am soooooo sophistimacated and shit.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've driven abroad in Ireland and it can be a bit wild. But in big cities with public transportation there's just no need to drive.

Sure. But who wants to limit themselves to the big cities only? That’s the worst of Europe these days.

I mean Europe has enough rail most cities are on the trains. You have to get pretty far out there.

And calling cities "the worst of Europe" is a choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We've driven on multiple continents and numerous countries over the years with car rentals. Yes, we've even had breakdowns before which requires having to navigate a car mechanic with locals, no big deal, we survived. But overall, we've seen soooooooo much more of the countries that we've been too by being able to stop in smaller towns, smaller sites, and random local spots where trains and busses simply never would go to or would take horrendous amounts of time that makes mass transport less viable in harder to get to areas. If you speak to many travelers, they have some kind irrational fear of driving while abroad, why is this? Who gives a crap about language barriers? Modern GPS works basically everywhere. Left side, right side, it doesn't matter, you get used to it in about 5 minutes. We have basically never, ever had a problem and would recommend international driving to everyone in order to see much more of countries you're traveling to besides big cities.

Let me guess, you call yourself a traveler and not a tourist.

Why would you want to see podunk towns in other countries? More to the point, why do you think that’s a flex?

NP. Oh boy. “Flex”? Are you in middle school? Let me guess. You’re only in it for the Instagram pics. Tell me where you’ve been. I can guarantee it’s only the most ridiculous, overhyped, overtouristed places.

Bless your heart. I don’t travel to see the suburbs and ghettos of other cities. I go to see the sites. Like normal people.

You sound like the worst sort of snob. “Oh, I visited Paris and instead of the overhyped, overtouristed Eiffel Tower and Louvre, I spent the day exploring Sarcelles. I am soooooo sophistimacated and shit.”

Oh yes, the European countryside is nothing but “suburbs and ghettos”. Wow, you’re too stupid to know what you’ve missed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've driven abroad in Ireland and it can be a bit wild. But in big cities with public transportation there's just no need to drive.

Sure. But who wants to limit themselves to the big cities only? That’s the worst of Europe these days.

I mean Europe has enough rail most cities are on the trains. You have to get pretty far out there.

And calling cities "the worst of Europe" is a choice.

No dear, the true French, Irish, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Scandinavian, Greek, Slovenian, English, Icelandic, etc. countryside is not accessible by train. Just wow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We've driven on multiple continents and numerous countries over the years with car rentals. Yes, we've even had breakdowns before which requires having to navigate a car mechanic with locals, no big deal, we survived. But overall, we've seen soooooooo much more of the countries that we've been too by being able to stop in smaller towns, smaller sites, and random local spots where trains and busses simply never would go to or would take horrendous amounts of time that makes mass transport less viable in harder to get to areas. If you speak to many travelers, they have some kind irrational fear of driving while abroad, why is this? Who gives a crap about language barriers? Modern GPS works basically everywhere. Left side, right side, it doesn't matter, you get used to it in about 5 minutes. We have basically never, ever had a problem and would recommend international driving to everyone in order to see much more of countries you're traveling to besides big cities.

Let me guess, you call yourself a traveler and not a tourist.

Why would you want to see podunk towns in other countries? More to the point, why do you think that’s a flex?

NP. Oh boy. “Flex”? Are you in middle school? Let me guess. You’re only in it for the Instagram pics. Tell me where you’ve been. I can guarantee it’s only the most ridiculous, overhyped, overtouristed places.

Bless your heart. I don’t travel to see the suburbs and ghettos of other cities. I go to see the sites. Like normal people.

You sound like the worst sort of snob. “Oh, I visited Paris and instead of the overhyped, overtouristed Eiffel Tower and Louvre, I spent the day exploring Sarcelles. I am soooooo sophistimacated and shit.”

Oh yes, the European countryside is nothing but “suburbs and ghettos”. Wow, you’re too stupid to know what you’ve missed.

Actually, I am a published travel writer. I write features for The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Conde Naste titles, in-flight magazines, AARP, etc. I have written Lonely Planet books (long time ago). I specialize in New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, South Africa and Namibia. I have been to all seven continents, every US state except Montana, and more than 85 countries.

Your kind just annoys the hell out of me. You’re exactly what Alex Garland was satirizing in his novel “The Beach.” Try to be less insufferable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op, don't you understand that different people want to do things differently than you.

You might want to look into your need to control everything.

The OP wrote this in July 2024.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We've driven on multiple continents and numerous countries over the years with car rentals. Yes, we've even had breakdowns before which requires having to navigate a car mechanic with locals, no big deal, we survived. But overall, we've seen soooooooo much more of the countries that we've been too by being able to stop in smaller towns, smaller sites, and random local spots where trains and busses simply never would go to or would take horrendous amounts of time that makes mass transport less viable in harder to get to areas. If you speak to many travelers, they have some kind irrational fear of driving while abroad, why is this? Who gives a crap about language barriers? Modern GPS works basically everywhere. Left side, right side, it doesn't matter, you get used to it in about 5 minutes. We have basically never, ever had a problem and would recommend international driving to everyone in order to see much more of countries you're traveling to besides big cities.

Let me guess, you call yourself a traveler and not a tourist.

Why would you want to see podunk towns in other countries? More to the point, why do you think that’s a flex?

NP. Oh boy. “Flex”? Are you in middle school? Let me guess. You’re only in it for the Instagram pics. Tell me where you’ve been. I can guarantee it’s only the most ridiculous, overhyped, overtouristed places.

Bless your heart. I don’t travel to see the suburbs and ghettos of other cities. I go to see the sites. Like normal people.

You sound like the worst sort of snob. “Oh, I visited Paris and instead of the overhyped, overtouristed Eiffel Tower and Louvre, I spent the day exploring Sarcelles. I am soooooo sophistimacated and shit.”

Oh yes, the European countryside is nothing but “suburbs and ghettos”. Wow, you’re too stupid to know what you’ve missed.

Actually, I am a published travel writer. I write features for The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Conde Naste titles, in-flight magazines, AARP, etc. I have written Lonely Planet books (long time ago). I specialize in New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, South Africa and Namibia. I have been to all seven continents, every US state except Montana, and more than 85 countries.

Your kind just annoys the hell out of me. You’re exactly what Alex Garland was satirizing in his novel “The Beach.” Try to be less insufferable.

Does anyone read travel articles anymore? The ones I see these days are all AI, and I think Lonely Planet was sold. And it’s pretty rich for you to throw around the word “insufferable” with a post like that. Oh yeah, and I’ve been to 120 countries and every US state, including Montana, not that it matters. If you need any advice, just let me know .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've driven abroad in Ireland and it can be a bit wild. But in big cities with public transportation there's just no need to drive.

Sure. But who wants to limit themselves to the big cities only? That’s the worst of Europe these days.

I mean Europe has enough rail most cities are on the trains. You have to get pretty far out there.

And calling cities "the worst of Europe" is a choice.

No dear, the true French, Irish, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Scandinavian, Greek, Slovenian, English, Icelandic, etc. countryside is not accessible by train. Just wow.

My Dad's from Ireland, my aunt lives In Dublin and doesn't own a car and I find this just hilarious. Do you think people who live in Dublin aren't really Irish?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've driven abroad in Ireland and it can be a bit wild. But in big cities with public transportation there's just no need to drive.

Sure. But who wants to limit themselves to the big cities only? That’s the worst of Europe these days.

I mean Europe has enough rail most cities are on the trains. You have to get pretty far out there.

And calling cities "the worst of Europe" is a choice.

No dear, the true French, Irish, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Scandinavian, Greek, Slovenian, English, Icelandic, etc. countryside is not accessible by train. Just wow.

My Dad's from Ireland, my aunt lives In Dublin and doesn't own a car and I find this just hilarious. Do you think people who live in Dublin aren't really Irish?

Of course they are. But these days they happen to live in the ugliest part of Ireland.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've driven abroad in Ireland and it can be a bit wild. But in big cities with public transportation there's just no need to drive.

Sure. But who wants to limit themselves to the big cities only? That’s the worst of Europe these days.

I mean Europe has enough rail most cities are on the trains. You have to get pretty far out there.

And calling cities "the worst of Europe" is a choice.

No dear, the true French, Irish, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Scandinavian, Greek, Slovenian, English, Icelandic, etc. countryside is not accessible by train. Just wow.

My Dad's from Ireland, my aunt lives In Dublin and doesn't own a car and I find this just hilarious. Do you think people who live in Dublin aren't really Irish?

Of course they are. But these days they happen to live in the ugliest part of Ireland.

"This country would be great if it wasn't for all the people."

Sigh....

[Anonymous]

Different road signs, engineering.
Language issues in communication with police, getting help or directions.
Concerned about liability, insurance, fender benders, hassles.

[Anonymous]

I am feeling like quite the sophisticate for working out the bus networks in foreign countries