What are your toughts on driving as a solo traveler?

I've rented cars in the US when traveling solo, but I have yet to get up the nerve to do it in Europe. I love European public transportation, and I, too, hate driving in a foreign country without a navigator. In addition, I find the train or bus relaxing with no stress. I find many people are just poor drivers, they have no clue that they are, and that worries me even more in a foreign country. That being said, I will be returning to Sweden in a northern area where I will have to rent a car for at least a few days. I'm working my nerve up for this. I don't find anything at all relaxing about driving with different rules, signs, languages and roads on my own in a foreign country, so I don't do it. Having worked in the US insurance industry for many years, I'm overly cautious of the ins and outs in a foreign country, and the financial exposure.

There are women on this forum who have no concerns renting a car on their own, and I admire them, but I'm not there yet.

Is it possible to plan your trip so that the parts that would be better with a car can be scheduled together and then take train/bus for the rest? I have done this the past, though not in the area you will be, and find it much more affordable and restful overall than having a rental car the entire time.

I’ve driven solo in Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal and Turkey. The only time I had difficulty was in Turkey because it was not only pre-smartphone but no GPS had maps available for travel there. To me, even when I have a traveling companion in the car, I still don’t consider her or him my navigator. 🏎

I rented a car for 3 weeks of driving through France as a solo. I drive alone most of the time at home in the US and I found France just as easy to drive in as a solo. I mapped out my routes pretty carefully before staring out each day to keep from getting lost too often. But, of course, I did get lost a few times and did some backtracking to get back on the right roads. I know driving solo in a strange area is scary for some, and it is for me too at first but I force myself to just do it.

I also drove solo on the left in New Zealand and found that a bit harder. When driving on the opposite side for the first time it would have helped to have someone remind me often to stay on the correct side of the road, but I got used to it after a time.

The most nerve wracking thing about driving solo in a strange area is the thought of breaking down or getting in an accident and not having any emotional support from another person.

I also have to say that when I did it I didn't have GPS or a cell phone, just a paper map and my wits, which today most people would cringe at. It's much easier now with the tech aids we have now.

I drive solo about half the time in Europe. Google Maps gave as good directions in Slovenia as at home. I put the destinations in advance and scout parking ahead of time.

Driving in Slovenia is relatively easy. Smooth roads, well marked. Courteous and sane drivers. I didn't hit much traffic anywhere - in September. It's a whole lot less stressful than driving in the traffic of the Bay Area!

The only tricky part I remember was in Ljubljana where there was a pedestrian zone that wasn't immediately apparent to me. Make sure you know (and watch for) those signs.

If rented in Slovenia, your rental car should come with the Vignette for highways. (Edit: I rented in Croatia, so the car didn't come with one. I bought it near the border the first time I entered Slovenia.)

One other comment on not having a navigator. On my most recent rental in Germany, I felt a little exposed in case anything were to go wrong with the car. I was glad to have a phone (and car charger) with a European SIM. I also bought a paper map at a bookstore in the town where I rented the car.

I have Michelin Map #736 of Slovenia, Croatia and several other countries. I can't find a year, but I drove in Slovenia in 2017 so it can't be too hold. Drop by our East Bay travel group meeting on Nov 9th and I'd be glad to give it to you!

Edit: I found the date. I actually bought the map when I drove in Croatia in 2008, so the map is from 2007. You're still welcome to it.

My concern would be driving in Scotland solo. It is too easy to make a turn and reflexively end up on the wrong side of the road without a copilot,

A smart phone with a GPS is almost as good as a human navigator - except for emotional support - and will not argue with you.

Try it out at home before you leave and download the maps so you don't need data access. I use Google maps, but there are others. Use what you feel comfortable with.

One advice: get a phone holder, so the phone stays in one place while you use it for navigation.

I rent cars for many of my business trips which are all domestic.

Overseas I never do — not because I am a lady but because of the expensive cost of rental fees & gasoline, the narrow streets, parking challenges, tolls, etc.

I did a solo 3.5-week trip through Slovenia in August/September and drove about half the time I was there. I found it pretty easy, and I'm a fairly anxious fellow. I did Kranj - Logarska dolina - Ljubljana - Piran - Soča Valley - Lake Bohinj. I picked up a car at the end of my Kranj stay and dropped it off at the beginning of my Ljubljana stay and then picked up a car at the end of my Piran stay and dropped it at the airport on departure.

Google Maps was not perfect but pretty good and better than the electronic navigator in my first car (none in my second car), which apparently had not been updated recently.

Summer of 2018, I drove all over county Kerry Ireland (did the ROK) as a solo driver with my 2 kids in the back. I did have GPS. Not a problem at all! Just give yourself extra time, in case you get lost. My mantra in my head while driving “stay left, stay left, stay left”. It’s amazing how quickly you adapt. When I returned home, I found myself heading to the driver’s side on the right!

I like long road trips, and usually end up going alone. I'm also old enough to have learned how to navigate without GPS and onboard navigation systems actually irritate me. There's no place in Europe I don't feel comfortable driving alone. Third world countries are different, but it's not because I want a navigator.

What I like best is the flexibility. For example a few years back I was out on the Autobahn in a nice Audi S5 and, it being a Sunday morning, moving pretty fast. I had no destination in mind, and when I saw a sign for Regensburg I figured it had been a few years since I was there last, and so I headed there. It was the first day of a fest, so I stayed and had some fun. I'd never have had that experience if I was following a rigid schedule.

That being said, I will be returning to Sweden in a northern area
where I will have to rent a car for at least a few days.

Are you sure you need to rent a car? There is public transport available in the north as well.

The only tricky part I remember was in Ljubljana where there was a
pedestrian zone that wasn't immediately apparent to me. Make sure you
know (and watch for) those signs.

Not only those signs, but make sure you know every sign and traffic rule. Ignoring traffic rules is one of the best ways of making tourists hated by the locals. I've seen far too many examples of tourists driving in pedestrian zones, the wrong way on one way street, in bus lanes etc. Make sure you're not one of them! And no, "the satnav told us to turn left" is not an excuse.

My concern would be driving in Scotland solo. It is too easy to make a
turn and reflexively end up on the wrong side of the road without a
copilot,

Apparently it is very easy, but taking responsibility for the actions seems to be harder..

The in-car GPS worked great for me in France in 2016 as a solo traveler. Not an issue.

Even if I was not a female traveling solo I l couldn't imagine a car rental. I love using the public transportation available in Europe with train travel especially a wonderful relaxing experience. Watching the scenery instead of having to be focused is my pleasure. If I were driving, the time wasted looking for parking, traffic violations and dealing with a car in general is the opposite of how I want to spend my time.
On the rare occasion when I wanted to go somewhere not served by train,bus, ferry, tram or metro I simply got a taxi. Even a taxi ride of an hour or so worked out to be about the same as a car rental for the day with none of the bother. For example when I was walking in southern Portugal I would walk the 20km or so and call a taxi to return. I've done similar things in Italy and Spain. Of course I always have a phone with the Sim card of whatever country I am in and saved the taxi drivers number in my phone.

I am a woman solo driver, but limited Europe driving. Italy with a friend pre GPS days. She was a lifesaver as navigator, but I would have tackled it on my own. Left side driving was Cayman Islands solo. As a bird watcher, I would rent a car in Europe to get where I wanted to be. I was planning Italy and Czech republic. Slovenia is supposed to be reasonable to do. Just give yourself time.
I should say that I don't consider it if I am not doing rural driving. Those ZTL areas are too much for me.

I've driven solo in Slovenia, kind of all over like Dave above, and found it fine.

I have found when traveling by myself and driving it takes more time looking at maps ahead of time before ever setting out — but I enjoy that. It may seem like a dull task to someone else.

Thanks to everyone for your helpful responses.

I've done a lot of solo driving. These days a GPS app on your smart phone is all the navigator you need. I got around fine without a GPS until my first trip to Italy. I've used either a dedicated GPS or a phone app since then.

The decision to rent a car, or not, should be based more on whether you need a car to get where you want to go. If your trip is city to city, a solo traveler can do better by train. My last trips (around Ireland, SW France, SE France, NE France, NW France) all included parts of the trip that couldn't be covered well by train - so I rented a car for that part of the trip.

I'll map out my trip and set an itinerary that puts the rental in the middle. I pick it up leaving a city then drop it off when getting to the last city so I don't have a car when I don't need it. As an example, In NW France, I visited Paris, trained to Rouen, then rented a car and drove around Normandy and Brittany. I dropped the car in Chinon and rented a bicycle for the Loire Valley, then trained back into Paris for a few nights before flying home.

I've driven on the left occasionally. IMO it's something you get used to fairly quickly. You need to take extra care for about 1/2 day then it seems nearly natural. Transitioning back didn't seem hard, more like an hour feeling a bit awkward, before getting back into the flow. I always rent a manual transmission. It might be easier if you didn't have to manage the stick in the left, rather than right, hand (the foot pedals are the same).

I rented car for 2 weeks in Slovenia in September 2018 as a solo traveler.
I very much missed the pleasure of train travel, but given the places I went, a car was only option. I drive manual in U.S. so that wasn’t a problem. The roads (especially in/near mountains) are very narrow. Driving the Vrsic Pass was particularly unpleasant — there are very few pullouts and the curvy road is super narrow, so I wasn’t able to enjoy scenery at all.

My biggest tip: Do not rent from Sixt at Ljubljana train station >> they ripped me off in 2 ways (DM me if you want details) - once when I picked up and then when I dropped off. I felt helpless/unable to walk away at start of trip, since my only option would have been to go out to airport and try to get car there, at who knows what price. (Sixt is only rental agency at station)

Rent a car only when you need one. Just plan ahead better since you don't have a helper, navigator or someone to give you coins on a toll road. Instead, find out what the tolls are at each booth and put the appropriate coins in a plastic baggie on the seat. Instead of trying to find places on a map while you're driving, make a detailed sequential list of your route and follow it. Never be afraid to pull over and ask for help. Done it many time and people the love to help you. I've learned that when you travel solo all decisions are unanimous, and that certainly applies to having a car. Lots of great back door opportunities if you look for them, and no need to miss them just because you're traveling alone.

Jim

I love driving in Germany, Czech and Austria, but not thru any of the major cities so I will fly into Munich, spend a few days and pick up the car. Then drive to places where a car is easier than public transportation, like the Romantic Road, or quick overnight places like Pilsen, Salzburg or Bamberg. Then drop it off at the Munich airport. Or drop the car off in Prague, Frankfurt or Berlin staying a few days and taking public transportation to their airport. A car gives freedom but is a pain in any major city.

I've been renting and driving solo in Europe for 40 years. It's not a problem and easier now with navigation. The key is to learn the signs and follow the laws. If you get off track, pull over and figure things out before making it worse.
There are some large cities that are a nightmare to drive in...park and use public transportation or turn in the rental and get another when you move on. The possibilities are endless.

If possible, we prefer public transportation in Europe because it's relaxed and low stress. That said, you can't always get where you want to go by train or bus, or at least not in reasonable time. So sometime we drive.

I have driven a week solo and a week with my husband as passenger in Spain. I prepped by reading up on traffic laws and watching a few videos. With GPS, it was easy.

I was a passenger for three days in North Wales. I really could not make the jump to driving on the left. My husband did just fine with that. So I personally wouldn't drive solo or otherwise on the left. However, others seem to do just fine. I'd have a plan B for Scotland in case driving on the left turns out to be a step too far.