Road Trip & Self-Drive Tours & Trips in Western Europe
Ever wanted to road trip Western Europe at your own pace? Self-drive means renting a car and moving between countries—could be France, Switzerland, Italy, or Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, or Spain and Portugal. You're stopping in villages tour buses skip, and adjusting plans for weather or interest.
Excellent
- Choose from 400+ Western Europe tours
- 250+ verified reviews from TourRadar travelers
- 24/7 customer support
- J
Jeff • traveled in December
We really loved this trip. Hotels are well-located, close to main attractions and beaches. Transfers were easy. Communication with company was awesome. Everything about the travel was handled with great care. We just missed one point about the rental car: We recommend you to upgrade automatic transmission. We also want to thank you our guide Maria in Athens. She was adorable.
Athens - Mykonos - Santorini - Crete - D
Don • traveled in September
Our 17 day drive around Iceland was very well organized. Every day was filled with the beauty and wonders of the island nation. The daily notes, maps and suggestions provided the background we needed to enjoy our trip to the fullest. The most unexpected facet of driving we’re what we dubbed as the “adventure roads”, wide enough for one car but if you thought thin enough a second car could pass you. Now we have to go back and do some of the things we missed. Thank you 😊
17 Days Self-drive | Complete Iceland Tour - S
Sharon • traveled in October, 2025
We totally enjoyed the tour and the pace was not too rushed. Because we were driving I requested hotels with parking and locations that allowed us to park the car and leave it until our departure because we could walk or take public transit. Each of our hotels were perfectly situated to allow that. Our only issue was the description in the tour said "24 hour road assistance" and as discussed in our previous inquiry to you that we had to purchase daily coverage or would have incurred large costs had we needed help. As a Canadian who has "24 hours road assistance" from CAA which is more extensive perhaps there should be better clarification in the description of the tour of the limitations.
Heart of Andalusia 11 Days, Self-drive
Our traveler's Moments
- Best of Catalonia, Self-drive
- Grand Alps loop motorcycle tour (Guided)
- Swiss Alps Mountain Passes Driving Tour & Stelvio (Italy): Pre-set sat-nav guided
- Tenerife North & South, Self-drive
- 17 Days Self-drive | Complete Iceland Tour
- Pyrénées motorcycle Guided Tour
- Geysers, Glaciers and Waterfalls - 6-Day Self-Drive
- South-Oriental Sicily Beauty, Self-Drive
- Sicily Essence: 5 Days from Palermo to Catania, Self-Drive
10 best Road Trip & Self-Drive Western Europe tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaWestern Europe travel expert at TourRadar
- 2nd RALLY EUROPE 2026
- 1st RALLY EUROPE 2026
- 5-Country Grand Alpine Summer Tour in a Porsche: Pre-set sat-nav guided
- Complete Iceland Circle with Snæfellsnes - 9-Day Self-Drive
- Discovering Crete, Self-drive
- Ultimate Iceland Road Trip - 10-Day Self-Drive
- Portugal Meets Spain, Self-drive (Multi country)
- Athens - Mykonos - Santorini - Crete
- 17 Days Self-drive | Complete Iceland Tour
- 7 Days Self-drive | Golden Circle, South Coast, Snæfellsnes and Reykjavik (Summer)
Duration 21 days Destinations Spain, Portugal, France, Switzerland Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator EUROLATINO Tour Operators From
- US$3,411
Duration 20 days Destinations France, England, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Italy Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator EUROLATINO Tour Operators From
- US$3,146
High-performance driving awaits on Western Europe's most challenging routes in your Porsche, from German autobahns to Swiss Alpine passes. Your pre-programmed GPS guides you through Hohe Tauern National Park and along the Glacier Express Route, with luxury stays at The Chedi Andermatt and Grandhotel Kronenhof.
Duration 10 days Destinations Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein Age Range Ages 25+ Operator EPIKdrives From
- US$11,437
Complete Iceland Circle with Snæfellsnes - 9-Day Self-Drive
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The itinerary covered every major aspect of Iceland in terms of sites, culture, adventure, topography and history.”
Shirley, traveled in June
A Toyota Aygo takes you around Iceland's Ring Road through volcanic landscapes. The route includes Reynisfjara's black basalt columns and Dettifoss, Europe's most powerful waterfall. Guesthouse stays in Vík and Höfn come with breakfast. You'll see UNESCO-listed Þingvellir National Park where tectonic plates meet, and Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon where icebergs float before washing up on Diamond Beach.
Duration 9 days Destinations Keflavik, Reykjavik, Seljaland, Skogafoss, Reynisfjara, Vik, Vatnajokull National Park, Skaftafell, Svartifoss, JokulsarlonSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Italian, French, Spanish Operator Snaeland Travel From
- US$1,631
Discovering Crete, Self-drive
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The car was ideal to suit our needs, and the hotels were lovely. There is excellent value for money, and I would use this operator again.”
Renee, traveled in April
Crete's ancient treasures await, from the Palace of Knossos to Toplou Monastery. Your Nissan Pixo takes you through scenic mountain passes and coastal roads, with comfortable stays at Hotel Olympic and Hotel Apollon.
Duration 8 days Destinations Heraklion, Knossos, Chania, Elafonisi, Rethymnon, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, Spinalonga, Sitia Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Destination Services Greece From $609
10% Off- US$548You save $61
Duration 10 days Destinations Keflavik, Reykjavik, Seljaland, Skogafoss, Reynisfjara, Vik, Vatnajokull National Park, Skaftafell, Svartifoss, JokulsarlonSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Italian, French, Spanish Operator Snaeland Travel From
10% Off- US$1,836
Portugal Meets Spain, Self-drive (Multi country)
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The hotels picked for us were so great. The location of the hotels put us in the middle of the best areas.”
Wayne, traveled in May
The VW Polo carries you from Porto to Lisbon, past UNESCO sites and medieval towns. Premium stays at Hotel Axis Porto complement your journey through wine regions and coastal gems across 1,255km of scenic routes.
Duration 12 days Destinations Porto, Guimaraes, Braga, Viana do Castelo, Vigo, Pontevedra, Santiago de Compostela, Ourense, Vila Real, MateusSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Destination Services Portugal From $1,975
10% Off- US$1,778You save $198
What our customers ask about Road Trip & Self-Drive Tours & Trips in Western Europe
When is the best time to go on a Self Drive tour in Western Europe?
Western Europe's Self Drive tours offer different prime seasons depending on the region. Summer (June to August) works well for Iceland's Ring Road with its extended daylight and clear roads. Spring and fall (April to May September to October) are excellent for northern Spain's routes with mild temperatures. Portugal's roads welcome drivers from March through October. A TourRadar traveler confirms "The weather was perfect for exploring coastal routes like the Portuguese Riviera." Hotels like the Silken Puerta in Madrid or Hotel Hamar in Iceland's countryside align well with these seasonal patterns.
What vehicle options are available for Self Drive tours in Western Europe?
The range of vehicles matches different group sizes and road conditions across Western Europe. Iceland provides compact cars like the Volkswagen Polo for couples or small groups plus Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans that fit 6-9 travelers. Spain and Portugal feature standard options such as the Seat Ibiza with upgrade choices available. A previous traveler notes "The car was ideal to suit our needs and the hotels were lovely. If you are over 69-year-old they will not let you be the driver."
How are accommodations arranged during Western Europe Self Drive tours?
Each route includes stays at selected 3-4 star hotels. In Iceland travelers often stay at properties like the Fosshotel Baron in Reykjavik or Hotel Hofn in rural areas. Spanish itineraries feature places such as the Silken Indauchu in Bilbao. A TourRadar review states: "The hotels were of high quality with excellent breakfast buffets. There is excellent value for money and I would use this operator again."
What driving requirements are needed for Western Europe Self Drive tours?
Drivers need a valid license held for at least 12 months with age limits varying by country (69 in Iceland 75 in Spain). The minimum age is 21 and non-EU residents must have an international driving permit. A TourRadar traveler notes: "Drivers age from 26 to 75 years old must have had their driver's license for a minimum of one year for Spain tours."
What kind of support is available during a Self Drive tour in Western Europe?
Tours come with round-the-clock roadside assistance emergency contact numbers and detailed road books with GPS coordinates. Sicily's local representatives help with route planning while the Renaissance Tower Hotel in Zurich serves Swiss tours with local expertise. According to one traveler: "We had good communication with the organizers especially when we wished to extend our car rental."
What are the must-see highlights of a Self Drive tour in Western Europe?
The routes cover essential cities coastal areas and historic landmarks. Spain's highlights include Granada's Alhambra Palace Seville's Royal Alcazar and the mountain town of Ronda. A TourRadar participant shares: "Granada and Seville are truly amazing places to visit and the drive through Ronda offered spectacular mountain views." Notable stays include the Gran Luna Hotel in Granada and the Silken Al-Andalus in Seville.
More about Western Europe
Road Trip & Self-DriveFamily Trip to Europe Itineraries (From 1 to 3 Weeks)