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Driving in Spain



 
 
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  #1  
Old May 12th, 2004, 11:28 PM
external usenet poster
 
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Default Driving in Spain

Hi,

We're flying to Madrid the first week of July and will be driving a rented
car from Madrid to a town in Andalucia (between Granada and Galera).

Do any of you have any tips or things to watch out for when driving
in Spain?

I realize I'll need an international driving permit but any other
useful information/things to watch out for would be appreciated.

thanks,

barry


  #2  
Old May 12th, 2004, 11:50 PM
Eric Griswold
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Default Driving in Spain

writes:

Do any of you have any tips or things to watch out for when driving
in Spain?


Parking in towns can be difficult and/or expensive but other than
that I found it fairly easy.

Roadmaps with the scenic routes well-marked were a particular favorite
of mine.

I realize I'll need an international driving permit


I never needed one but it has been a couple of years since I last
drove there.

Eric
  #3  
Old May 13th, 2004, 09:06 AM
David
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Default Driving in Spain


"Eric Griswold" wrote in message
...
writes:

Do any of you have any tips or things to watch out for when driving
in Spain?


Parking in towns can be difficult and/or expensive but other than
that I found it fairly easy.

Roadmaps with the scenic routes well-marked were a particular favorite
of mine.

I realize I'll need an international driving permit


I never needed one but it has been a couple of years since I last
drove there.


Not found parking to be a problem and is usually free, I go to the coastal
holiday areas that UK people go to.
But if there is a time limit on the parking the police seem to appear
immediately to fine you and tow your car away.

They drive on the opposite side of the road to the Uk thus roundabouts seem
to be the main problem for UK people.

Uk people are OK with thier UK liecence if not of the older type. Some
people recommend the carrying of UK passport when driving in Europe.

--
Regards,
David

Please reply to News Group.



  #4  
Old May 13th, 2004, 11:25 AM
The Reids
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Default Driving in Spain

Following up to

to a town in Andalucia (between Granada and Galera).


In Andalucia blokes (often with uniforms) show you to a parking
space for a small fee, they are entirely unofficial and there may
also be an official parking fee for the space!
One once stood at a junction ahead of me and waved the traffic
round the corner to a halt so I could come out. Of course when I
came out there wasnt a car in sight.

Speeding fines are on the spot, no pay, no car!

Spainish drivers are relaxed, courteous and tailgate like mad.

IIRC the drink drive limit is lower than UK.

The roads in the white towns can be very narrow, so dont hire an
American sized car!
--
Mike Reid
"Art is the lie that reveals the truth" P.Picasso
Wasdale-Lake district-Thames path-London "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" -- you can email us@ this site
Eat-walk-Spain "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" -- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap
  #5  
Old May 13th, 2004, 11:26 AM
The Reids
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Default Driving in Spain

Following up to Eric Griswold

Roadmaps with the scenic routes well-marked were a particular favorite
of mine.


worht adding they are not always super accurate though.
--
Mike Reid
"Art is the lie that reveals the truth" P.Picasso
Wasdale-Lake district-Thames path-London "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" -- you can email us@ this site
Eat-walk-Spain "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" -- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap
  #6  
Old May 13th, 2004, 01:15 PM
B Vaughan
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Default Driving in Spain

On Wed, 12 May 2004 22:28:34 GMT, wrote:

Hi,

We're flying to Madrid the first week of July and will be driving a rented
car from Madrid to a town in Andalucia (between Granada and Galera).

Do any of you have any tips or things to watch out for when driving
in Spain?


The road system is excellent, but I found the intersections poorly
marked compared to Italy, where I live. We got lost at least once a
day.

I realize I'll need an international driving permit but any other
useful information/things to watch out for would be appreciated.

thanks,

barry


-----------
Barbara Vaughan
My email address is my first initial followed by my surname at libero dot it
I answer travel questions only in the newsgroup
  #7  
Old May 13th, 2004, 01:24 PM
Tim Challenger
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Default Driving in Spain

On Thu, 13 May 2004 14:15:09 +0200, B Vaughan wrote:

The road system is excellent, but I found the intersections poorly
marked compared to Italy, where I live. We got lost at least once a
day.


What? I found Italian road signs to be the worst I've ever come across,
even worse than rural Germany. I've never driven in Spain but it must be
bad !
--
Tim C.
  #8  
Old May 13th, 2004, 04:01 PM
Nige
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Default Driving in Spain


wrote in message
...
Hi,

We're flying to Madrid the first week of July and will be driving a rented
car from Madrid to a town in Andalucia (between Granada and Galera).

Do any of you have any tips or things to watch out for when driving
in Spain?

I realize I'll need an international driving permit but any other
useful information/things to watch out for would be appreciated.

thanks,

barry


Roads are good. Try to use the toll roads as they tend to be less busy ;-)
and they are not too expensive. Try to hire a diesel as cost of
motoring is very reasonable. Signage is pathetic but improving. Police
can fine on the spot so make sure you have Euros ! When going through
tunnels make sure you put on your dipped beams in case a police car is
waiting at the end ! Renting tends to be less expensive down in
Andalucia because of competition. I use www.viamichelin.com to plan a trip
as it has distances as well as other very useful tools. Just make up
your own itinerary and get the data.
Nige


  #9  
Old May 13th, 2004, 04:31 PM
B Vaughan
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Default Driving in Spain

On Thu, 13 May 2004 12:24:07 GMT, Tim Challenger
"timothy(dot)challenger(at)apk(dot)at" wrote:

On Thu, 13 May 2004 14:15:09 +0200, B Vaughan wrote:

The road system is excellent, but I found the intersections poorly
marked compared to Italy, where I live. We got lost at least once a
day.


What? I found Italian road signs to be the worst I've ever come across,
even worse than rural Germany. I've never driven in Spain but it must be
bad !


In Italy virtually every intersection has signs indicating the next,
or next few, towns in that direction. Even tiny rural lanes exiting
from the main road have a sign indicating the little hamlets they lead
to. When I first came to Italy, I used to take the car and follow my
nose, as a way of getting to know my area. I knew that it was almost
impossible to get lost.
-----------
Barbara Vaughan
My email address is my first initial followed by my surname at libero dot it
I answer travel questions only in the newsgroup
  #10  
Old May 13th, 2004, 05:06 PM
JD
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Default Driving in Spain

I've driven all over Spain and never had any problems. Nice folks. They
frown on speeding and fine you on the spot. National highway speed limit
is 120kph which is kind of slow. Last trip I saw the fuzz in VW Jetta's.
The center of the grille was a radar.

I find driving in the Costa de Sol tourist area more hectic than most.
Madrid is busy and Barcelona can be busy, but most of the nation is agrarian
and as such, quiet and easy.

Again, nice folks.


 




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