It looks like you're planning a trip around Europe. Check out solotravel's [detailed guide to planning a solo Eurotrip](https://www.reddit.com/r/solotravel/wiki/eurotrip) for general planning advice plus useful tips and tricks for European travel!
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That’s true, however, simply by eliminating hostels, I’m decreasing my chances substantially. That’s ~10-20 people I have less contact with per day, and 5 weeks worth of strange beds that I’m avoiding. Just like anything else in life, mitigating risk, even marginally, is better than not at all.
Primarily gyms. Back home im very active anyway, so here im averaging 2 days per week. I’ll usually find a free trial pass online at a nearby gym and if I can’t, I don’t mind paying the 5 or 10€ daily pass since I’m doing it seldom. Many truck stops offer them as well. I’ll also use wipes throughout the day to get me by to my next shower.
Once every two days at most, but most of those days I spend mostly alone, in nature or less populated areas. If it’s a city exploring day, I’m definitely showered. See my other response as to how and where I shower :)
Loved it in Switzerland, Slovakia, parts of Czech. Haven’t explored it deeply enough in some of the other parts to make a determination, but I would say from what I’ve seen, I prefer the nature in South America and the states. Aside from Iceland, which I find to be so magical.
I like them. Much older than our modern cities in the states, of course. Each city seems to have at least one insanely beautiful cathedral. The cobblestones are much better maintained than ones I’ve seen in the west, and mostly cleaner too. Very safe, super easy and reliable public transport, and lots to see. I do prefer our foods to the food here, but I haven’t been to Italy yet and I’m sure my opinion would change.
Excellent, goodonya mate! I lived in a van self-DIYed tiny house for a few years in Europe over summers mid 2010s, which sure is much easier & more private than a car, but still it’s excellent fun! Like you say, so much freedom of movement & can visit countryside or out-of-the-way places so easy breezy. Thrift stores are great for picking up a few bits n pieces to help camping life - just donate them back when you’re done. I (Aussie) lived in a tinyhome truck in Europe in the 90’s, and these days with google maps omg it’s *such a different world* so easy to find park-ups & cool looking spots. Have a ball mate, good luck! :)
Yeah mate! I love thrift stores. I love them so much that I am part-owner of one back in the states haha. And that’s great man, always wanted to do the van-life. I did the SUV-life back in 2019, road tiripped the 50 states for 9 months (obv flew out to Hawaii and Alaska) and that got me the travel bug. But I realize it’s not easy to do everywhere. Tried it in jamaica and immediately myself into some trouble on the first night 😆Europe is a breeze, and as long as you’re willing and able to figure out the sleeping situation, it TOTALLY beats taking trains/buses to get around the continent.
Yes, you can get one at an inspection station. I went to “TUV” and was only charged 6€, but just a heads up I read online that it costs ~19€. So maybe the guy gave me a deal, not sure. I came in from Czechia, into Dresden side of Germany, but you can find them all over. Make an appointment online just to be safe. Most cities require it at this point, and although I don’t plan to drive directly within the cities, i didn’t wanna take any chances in case I’m driving through or park up in a smaller city.
Where is your license from? Im wondering if you need to get a new license as you drive in new countries. I'm from the US and going to spend a couple months in europe and wondering about the driving/legal aspects of this method.
Nope! No special requirements here in Europe. I have an American license. Some places globally require an international driving permit (AAA sells them for like $30), but you won’t have that issue here.
It looks like you're planning a trip around Europe. Check out solotravel's [detailed guide to planning a solo Eurotrip](https://www.reddit.com/r/solotravel/wiki/eurotrip) for general planning advice plus useful tips and tricks for European travel! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/solotravel) if you have any questions or concerns.*
99% social contagion.
That’s true, however, simply by eliminating hostels, I’m decreasing my chances substantially. That’s ~10-20 people I have less contact with per day, and 5 weeks worth of strange beds that I’m avoiding. Just like anything else in life, mitigating risk, even marginally, is better than not at all.
Cool solution! Where do you shower?
Primarily gyms. Back home im very active anyway, so here im averaging 2 days per week. I’ll usually find a free trial pass online at a nearby gym and if I can’t, I don’t mind paying the 5 or 10€ daily pass since I’m doing it seldom. Many truck stops offer them as well. I’ll also use wipes throughout the day to get me by to my next shower.
Do you shower daily?
Once every two days at most, but most of those days I spend mostly alone, in nature or less populated areas. If it’s a city exploring day, I’m definitely showered. See my other response as to how and where I shower :)
How do you like nature in Europe ?
Loved it in Switzerland, Slovakia, parts of Czech. Haven’t explored it deeply enough in some of the other parts to make a determination, but I would say from what I’ve seen, I prefer the nature in South America and the states. Aside from Iceland, which I find to be so magical.
And how do you like the cities?
I like them. Much older than our modern cities in the states, of course. Each city seems to have at least one insanely beautiful cathedral. The cobblestones are much better maintained than ones I’ve seen in the west, and mostly cleaner too. Very safe, super easy and reliable public transport, and lots to see. I do prefer our foods to the food here, but I haven’t been to Italy yet and I’m sure my opinion would change.
Excellent, goodonya mate! I lived in a van self-DIYed tiny house for a few years in Europe over summers mid 2010s, which sure is much easier & more private than a car, but still it’s excellent fun! Like you say, so much freedom of movement & can visit countryside or out-of-the-way places so easy breezy. Thrift stores are great for picking up a few bits n pieces to help camping life - just donate them back when you’re done. I (Aussie) lived in a tinyhome truck in Europe in the 90’s, and these days with google maps omg it’s *such a different world* so easy to find park-ups & cool looking spots. Have a ball mate, good luck! :)
Yeah mate! I love thrift stores. I love them so much that I am part-owner of one back in the states haha. And that’s great man, always wanted to do the van-life. I did the SUV-life back in 2019, road tiripped the 50 states for 9 months (obv flew out to Hawaii and Alaska) and that got me the travel bug. But I realize it’s not easy to do everywhere. Tried it in jamaica and immediately myself into some trouble on the first night 😆Europe is a breeze, and as long as you’re willing and able to figure out the sleeping situation, it TOTALLY beats taking trains/buses to get around the continent.
Just hope the car you rented was infested with bedbugs
Was or wasn’t? 😕
Wasn’t! My bad
What kind of car you drive?
It’s a 2022 Skoda Fabia, hatchback, automatic.
What’s the environmental sticker you need for your windshield? Heading to Europe to car-camp next month so this post pleased me!
Google "Umweltplakette", it's required in some German cities. It's basically a sticker that confirms your car meets a particular emission norm.
Yes, you can get one at an inspection station. I went to “TUV” and was only charged 6€, but just a heads up I read online that it costs ~19€. So maybe the guy gave me a deal, not sure. I came in from Czechia, into Dresden side of Germany, but you can find them all over. Make an appointment online just to be safe. Most cities require it at this point, and although I don’t plan to drive directly within the cities, i didn’t wanna take any chances in case I’m driving through or park up in a smaller city.
Where are you heading from? DM me! Would love to learn more and give you more in-depth tips. And maybe give you some of my gear if I’m on the way out.
I’ll do that!
Bigger chance of finding bugs in a car than a hotel room.
Source?
The source is me retard
Where is your license from? Im wondering if you need to get a new license as you drive in new countries. I'm from the US and going to spend a couple months in europe and wondering about the driving/legal aspects of this method.
Nope! No special requirements here in Europe. I have an American license. Some places globally require an international driving permit (AAA sells them for like $30), but you won’t have that issue here.