Start your summer holiday stress-free
5 mistakes to avoid when travelling by car this summer
The summer holidays are just around the corner, and for many people the journey does not start at the airport, but right outside their own front door: in the car. Travelling through Europe by car gives you plenty of freedom, flexibility and space for luggage. At the same time, a few things can quickly cause stress along the way, such as toll charges, vignette requirements, traffic jams, breakdowns or incorrect vehicle details when buying digital toll products.
To make sure your holiday journey gets off to a relaxed start, good preparation is well worth it. We show you five common mistakes people make when travelling by car in summer and explain how you can easily avoid them.
1. Leaving tolls and vignettes until you are already on the road
One of the most common mistakes when travelling by car is leaving tolls and vignettes until you are already on the road. Especially during the busy summer travel season, this can quickly lead to waiting times, uncertainty and unnecessary stress, for example at service stations, borders or toll booths.
As toll systems vary from country to country across Europe, it is worth checking your route before you set off and booking any required toll products online in good time. With vintrica, you can easily buy digital vignettes before your journey and prepare for your holiday in a more relaxed way.
This leaves you with more time for breaks, rest and a stress-free onward journey.
2. Not planning enough breaks
Many people want to reach their holiday destination as quickly as possible. However, long car journeys, heat, traffic jams and busy roads can be exhausting. If you do not plan enough breaks, it becomes harder to stay focused and you often arrive feeling more stressed.
Especially during the busy summer travel season, it makes sense to plan your journey realistically. This includes allowing enough time for breaks, keeping arrival times flexible and considering alternative routes. Toll stations, border crossings and popular holiday routes can also make the journey longer.
Good travel planning is about more than just the route itself. Driving times, places to stop and possible delays should also be taken into account in advance. By planning longer journeys realistically and allowing enough extra time, you can avoid rushing on the road and arrive at your holiday destination feeling more relaxed.
3. Underestimating border crossings and changing countries
Many summer journeys do not take you straight to your destination, but through several countries, for example on the way to Italy, Croatia or the Adriatic coast. Toll rules can vary depending on the route. In some countries you need a vignette, in others tolls are charged based on the distance travelled or your number plate has to be registered in advance.
If your route takes you through Italy, France, Spain, Portugal or Croatia, the vintrica Flow toll tag can make your journey much more convenient. The toll tag is fitted inside the vehicle and is automatically recognised at many toll stations. This allows you to use reserved lanes, avoid taking a ticket and have toll charges billed digitally.
Especially on longer holiday journeys, this saves you unnecessary waiting, searching for cash and extra effort along the way. The vintrica Flow toll tag is therefore particularly practical for anyone who wants to travel more freely and be better prepared.
4. Entering incorrect vehicle details for digital toll products
Digital toll products are convenient because they are often linked directly to your number plate. This makes it especially important to enter your vehicle details carefully. A typo in the number plate, the wrong registration country or an incorrect vehicle category can mean that your toll product cannot be assigned correctly.
Before buying, you should therefore check all details carefully. The most important details include:
- Number plate
- Country of registration
- Vehicle category
- Travel period
- Required toll product
Taking a careful look at these details helps you avoid unnecessary problems on the road. With vintrica, you can conveniently book your toll products online and check all information again before completing your order.
5. Not planning breakdown assistance for travelling abroad
Many travellers think about accommodation, the route and luggage when planning their holiday, but not about what happens if the car breaks down abroad. A breakdown or accident is already stressful at home. In another country, the situation can feel even more difficult: a different language, unfamiliar procedures and uncertainty when dealing with garages or towing services.
On long summer journeys, with high temperatures and a fully loaded car, your vehicle is under greater strain. That is why it makes sense to think about breakdown and accident assistance before you set off.
A membership in the vintrica Mobility Club can help you get support more quickly in an emergency and travel with greater peace of mind. This means you are not only better prepared for tolls and vignettes, but also for unexpected situations along the way.
How to prepare properly for your summer car journey
Good preparation can make a road trip through Europe much more enjoyable. Before setting off, you should check which countries you will be driving through, what toll rules apply there and which products you need for your route.
A short travel checklist can be especially helpful:
- plan your route and stopovers
- check toll and vignette requirements
- buy your digital vignette in good time
- get a toll tag for a more convenient journey
- plan breakdown assistance for travelling abroad
- check your vehicle details carefully
- take a warning vest, first-aid kit and important documents with you
- allow enough time for breaks
With the right preparation, you can start your holiday without unnecessary stress and avoid common mistakes that many travellers only notice once they are already on the road.
Conclusion: A more relaxed journey starts before you set off
A summer car journey gives you plenty of freedom, but without good preparation it can quickly become stressful. Tolls, vignettes, border crossings and breakdown assistance in particular should not be left until you are already on the road. By finding out what you need in advance and organising important products before you set off, you can save time, avoid stress and start your holiday more comfortably.
With vintrica, you can conveniently book the toll products you need online, prepare your journey more easily and use additional services such as the vintrica Flow toll tag or the vintrica Mobility Club. This means you are well prepared for your road trip through Europe, from the first motorway to your holiday destination.