![]() Common in Germanic countries, these clocks (Parkscheibe) come with rental cars or can be bought cheaply at gas stations, newsstands, and tobacco shops. Parking clocks: Dashboard "parking clocks" are used in some areas instead of parking meters. Don't assume that an absence of meters means you can leave your car there: You may need to get a timed ticket from a nearby pay-and-display machine, or display a parking-clock disc that allows you to use free, time-limited spots. Learn what the pavement markings mean (different curb colors can mean free parking - or no parking), look for signs indicating where and when you can't park, and double-check with a local that your car's parked legally. ![]() Park carefully - Europe's narrow streets are responsible for more than their fair share of insurance claims. The best advice for avoiding parking hassles in Europe: Use common sense, and if you're unclear on the rules, ask locals. Giant suburban supermarkets often offer the cheapest gas. Be aware that in some countries there's no size or color difference between the nozzles for diesel and gasoline, so make sure you're not putting the wrong fuel in your car.įreeway gas stations are more expensive than those in towns, but sometimes (e.g., during the lunchtime siesta) only freeway stations are open. Pay extra attention in Spain, where gasoline is gasolina and diesel is sometimes called gasóleo. In Europe, regular gas is marked "95" while super or premium gasoline is usually designated "97" or "98." Unleaded gas is called essence, petrol, or benzine, while diesel is known as gasoil, gasol, gaz-oil, gasolio, gasóleo, dieselolie, mazot, motorina, nafta, or just plain diesel (ask about the proper local term when you rent your car). As in the US, most cars take unleaded, but diesel is widely in use. It's best to fill up ahead of time.įuel prices are listed by the liter (about a quart, four to a gallon). Note that gas stations can be unattended: For instance, if you're traveling on rural highways, automated gas stations - which don't take cash - may be the only ones open on Sundays, holidays, and late at night. If your card doesn't work, pay the cashier (with cash in some cases they might be able to swipe your card). But most of these machines (especially those in the UK, France, the Low Countries, and Scandinavia) won't accept magnetic-stripe credit cards, and even if your US credit card has a chip, it might not work at the offline terminals common at gas pumps (be sure you know your card's PIN in case you need to enter it). Other stations are like the ones in the US, where you pay at the pump. At others, you pay at a central kiosk and then select your pump number. At some stations, you pump the gas first and then pay the cashier (your pump may be "frozen" until the previous customer pays his or her bill). Paying, however, may be more complicated - observe other customers and follow suit. Pumping gas in Europe is easy the English word "self-service" is universal. ![]() ![]() You'll be impressed by how few miles you need to travel to enjoy Europe's diversity. Distances are short, petite cars get great mileage, and, when compared to costly train tickets (for the price of a two-hour train ride, you can fill your tank), expensive gas is less of a factor. The cost of fuel in Europe (about $7 a gallon) sounds worse than it is. Getting gas and finding parking aren't likely to be the highlights of your European trip (I certainly hope not), but with the following tips in mind, you should be able to get right back on the road, or into town, with a minimum of hassle and cost.
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