All you need to know for the road trip through Europe

There are many advantages to taking the ferry when you travel to Germany or through Europe. First, you avoid the risk of being stuck in traffic on Funen, and second, the ferry crossing gives you a wonderful break from driving.

It's important to get off to a good start when driving south, so we help you plan the best route. Enter your destination in the GPS and see which ferry route you should take to get there the fastest.

Remember to plan breaks along the way when you're driving long distances, especially if you have children with you. The ferry provides a natural break from driving without ultimately costing you travel time. At the same time, you can shop in our onboard shop, enjoy a good lunch in one of the ferry's restaurants, and let the children burn off some energy before they have to sit still in the backseat of the car again.

It's always more fun to be well-prepared so you can sit back and relax when the holiday starts. Therefore, we've put together a checklist in three steps that ensures you have everything you need before your road trip holiday, so you can just enjoy the journey together.

1. Start by getting the car ready and check on:

• Cooling system and coolant
• Engine oil and filter
• Brake fluid
• Tires
• Consider having your car serviced before you start your journey. It minimizes the risk of breakdowns and mechanical damage.

1. Once the car is ready, it's important that you remember:

• Passport (check the expiration date)
• Spare tire
• Driving license (international driving permit if you are traveling outside the EU*)
• The car's original registration certificate
• The yellow health card if you are traveling outside the EU
• The blue health card which covers all EU countries as well as Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland
• DK sign (unless the car has EU license plates and the trip is to EU countries**)
• The Green Card, which proves that your car is insured (not mandatory in the EU***)
• The Red Card, if the car is fully insured. Can be ordered from SOS International
• Roadside assistance subscription if the car is not fully insured. Can be ordered from SOS Danish Auto Help.
• Travel insurance (the yellow or blue health cards do not cover repatriation)
• Highway vignettes depending on which countries you will drive through. Learn more on the FDM website
• Environmental badge for Germany
• Maps or GPS, so you can find your way

1. Make the drive more fun for the kids (and yourselves) with:

• Games you can play in the car. E.g., 20 questions for the professor, compose a shared story, guess an animal, etc.
• Sunshades for the windows
• Well-prepared food and beverages
• Pillows and blankets so the children can sleep
• Small surprises for the children, e.g., packs with coloring books, audiobooks, movies, etc. It can quickly create joy in the backseat.
• An overview map of the entire route, so you can continuously illustrate how far you have driven
• Trash bags and napkins
• A car seat that the child sits comfortably in

*as well as Liechtenstein, Iceland, and Norway

**as well as Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland

***as well as the EEA countries Norway, Croatia, Switzerland, Iceland, and Andorra

When you go on a road trip, it's good to know the rules that apply in different countries. Therefore, we have compiled an overview of the major European countries you may encounter on your way, so you can be sure that your vacation will be a success no matter where you go.

Here's what you should be aware of:

Germany

• Environmental badges and zones. 
• It is not allowed to drive in loose footwear such as sandals.
• Danish parking discs are not valid.
• Winter tires produced from January 1, 2018, must be marked with a mountain and snowflake symbol to be recognized as winter tires in Germany.

France

• It is forbidden to talk on a mobile phone at gas stations.
• Carry a breathalyzer in the car.
• Toll for driving on highways: payment per section at the exit.
• Toll for passing through tunnels.
• Avoid direct payment on highways with a Liber-T box, which is similar to a BroBizz and automatically registers your payment. Use lanes marked "Télépéage".
• Safety vests must be used in case of accidents outside urban areas.

Switzerland

• Highway and motor traffic road fee in the form of a highway vignette called a vignette: bought at the border and placed in the windshield.
• Toll for passing through major tunnels.
• Some tunnels have auto trains, where the car is transported through on a train while you sit in the car.

Italy

• Many major cities have introduced bans or restrictions in the historic city center often between 8 AM and 6 PM. If you drive in the area, your license plate is photographed, and you will receive a fine by mail.
• Pollution fee in Milan: buy an Ecopass at a local kiosk.
• Toll for driving on highways: ticket and payment per section at toll stations. Payment in Euros, with international credit cards, or the prepaid credit card VIACARD.

Czech Republic

• A vignette is required to drive on motor and motor traffic roads. The vignette can be purchased at the border, post offices, and gas stations and should be placed in the lower right corner of the windshield.

Austria

• Road toll for driving on motor and motor traffic roads in the form of a highway vignette. The vignette is placed in the windshield. Remember to buy the vignette before the border, as it cannot be purchased at the border crossing.
• Toll for some roads and tunnels.
• When queuing on highways, make sure to create an emergency corridor: if you are driving in the left lane, keep as far left as possible, if you are driving in the right lane, keep as far right as possible.
• The use of horns is forbidden in Vienna.
• Children under 14 years and under 150 cm must sit in a car seat or harness adapted to the child's size.
• Bring a first aid kit.
• Safety vests must be used in case of accidents outside urban areas. The vest must be red, yellow, or orange and have the control mark EN 471.

Croatia

• Road tolls on certain highways with payment at toll booths. Options for prepaid cards and tickets, which are purchased at payment facilities.
• Children under 12 years may not sit in the front seat.
• Safety vests must be used in case of accidents outside urban areas.