overseas trip

Carson,
I've harboured the same dream for years but also including a caravan and including eastern Europe etc.
My reality check was in 2/05 when we went skiing in Italy and I considered every road we drove on (buses admittedly) from a Cruiser & Van perspective. While my heart said to still do the trip with LC & Van my head said otherwise - mind you that was in the Dolomite mountains in winter.
In 4/05 we hired a car and drove from Paris to Geneva then down Route Napoleon to Nice and then to the start of the Canal du Midi. After the Canal trip another car from Toulouse to Barcelona via San Sebastian.
Tried to find back roads whenever possible but was disappointed that every road suitable for a dumb tourist seemed to be kerbed and guttered. Pulling up at the side of the road for a photo etc was nigh impossible, even in Spain.
Parking was a nightmare. I hate to think what it would be like with a Cruiser - our thoughts are to STILL do the trip but in a less bulky car like a Prado or RAV4 (and without the van). The Renault Megane we hired after the Canal was a great car and very suitable.
A "carnet" would be required for the eastern Europe countries (Czech, Slovakia, Hungary etc) and I can't remember re western Europe; if the car was a w/o my understanding is their Public Service would require you to ship the wreck out else they'd cash in the carnet. I don't recall NRMA saying the car would be uninsured (but I don't recall a lot of things these days :).
Nevertheless our plans are that we'll still to do the trip one day.
Have you read "African Adventure" by Hazel Barker (ISBN 0646270885) for she and her husband also drove their Cruiser from Vladivostok to London. Read Australian Geographic #55 (Jul-Sep 99) about a couple of 70/80 yo who took their Cruiser from Cape Town to Shanghai.
Go for it !
DB

Hi Carson,

i am from Germany and my wife and i also spent a long time in Europe in 2002 and i am also working in the transport business and can advise you that it would not be a problem to take the car. LC might not be fast enough for the German Autobahn but that means you stay in the right hand lane. Nobody will do you any harm. Many Mercedes and Toyota 4x4 in Europe. The carnet is the only way to do it and insurance you cover locally in europe.

I have shipped many Vehicles from and to Europe so don't be too frightend.

If you are interested later on , let me know and i can give you some cost ideas.

Do the trip , it is worthwile and 12 month would be fantastic and even in italy the roads are ok just be careful in the snow.

all the best

Try this website.....http://www.geocities.com/gkingsmill/

I have corresponded with these intrepid adventurers and they have done what so many of us could only dream of. All in an old Troopy bought at the auctions in Alice Springs

Carson

Sounds like a great trip, but you may be better off buying a vehicle over there and then selling it when you have finished your trip.

Taking a right hand drive vehicle to continental Europe for 12 months is a bit crazy and very dangerous when overtaking. Due to the size of the vehicle, it will be a PITA to drive in some of the larger cities, and in some places you will not find parking spaces large enough to fit a landcruiser in.

Lastly, unless you really want to seek out 4WD tracks, of which there are not many, there's no reason that you would need a 4WD at all to get around, and the price of petrol is a lot more then here so don't take the gas guzzler.

One more thing. If you're going to go to eastern europe your vehicle WILL be broken into (a number of times), especially since you'll have foreign number plates, so don't leave ANYTHING in it. Not even a cheap car radio.

In my opinion buy a common european car that's not too big, it will have cheap servicing and plenty of spare parts available and you will love it. 12 months around europe should be a fantastic trip.

All the best.

We have just spent 3 months in Europe and leased a car from Peugot. We did miss the Troopy but bought some camping gear and used that instead.

In our experience in Europe, the camp grounds are expensive when compared with here but it is possible to find cheaper hotels everywhere although at times you share a bathroom.

We did all the tourist trap countries as well as Eastern Europe - Poland, Slovakia, Slovinia, Czeh Republic, Croatia plus a side trip for me to Latvia and Lithuania.

Fuel is a horrendous cost over there so a smaller vehicle makes sense make sure it is diesel.

We lived on approx $A100 per day for fuel, accomadation and food with not too many problems in Eastern Europe although it was harder to stay on budget in France, Italy, Germany, etc. We pre-paid the car lease before we left but it works out to be around $A25 per day after the first 3 weeks (full insurance included). Some car companies provide a buyback program on cars that they have sold which is probably more economical than leasing for 12 months.

We planned to do most of our cooking but found if you ate local, you spend not much more than the basic ingredients so why bother.

Having a French registered car got us out of a speeding ticket in Poland and we have not paid our parking ticket from Croatia. Do not go offroading in Croatia, they have a small problem with mine fields. Got the photos of the signs.

Stevesub

A colleague of mine purchased a cheap car in the UK, drove with his family around Europe and gave the car to the baggage handler at the airport in Paris. Cheaper than hiring, but he didn't need 4wd.

Many years ago, we pre-arranged purchase of a new camper van in London, drove around UK and Europe (the only thing they needed to see as we crossed into each country in Europe was our third party insurance). It was only 2wd, but we took it over a snowy mountain pass into Italy without snow chains, camped in snow in the mountains of Norway and many other exiting places. We brought it back with us by ship, but we could have sent it back to England and sold it. Had a wonderful time. Happy travelling whichever vehicle you choose.

We have lived in the UK for last 3 years, and taken our car to the Continent several times -- no hassles with RH drive there once you get used to it.

Not sure about bringing a car from Oz. Cars are so cheap here, but petrol is now approaching £1 per litre.

In the EU area borders hardly exist, so no problems there. Not sure about the new countries in EU, haven't tried them yet. As stated above, theft can be a real problem, as can police 'fines'

Allow budget for parking -- everywhere chages for it.