Know Before You Go
International Driving Permits Explained
When an IDP is required, when it's merely recommended, and how it works alongside your licence.
5 min read
Transport
Getting Around
How you move shapes the rhythm of a trip. Choose transport to fit the landscape: rail between cities, a car for countryside and mountains, ferries for islands.
Trains
Best for city-to-city travel in Europe. Book high-speed routes ahead; regional trains are usually flexible.
Rental cars
Essential in Iceland, the Rockies and rural regions. Check licence and permit rules before you go.
Ferries
Greek islands and British Columbia run on ferries. Timetables change seasonally — confirm close to travel.
Transfers, taxis and rideshare
Use official ranks or pre-arranged transfers on arrival. Rideshare availability varies by city and airport.
By destination
Italy
- High-speed trains between Rome, Florence, Bologna, Milan and Venice
- Regional trains for smaller towns — slower, inexpensive, frequent
- Walking is the main way to see historic centres
Greece
- Ferries between islands — book ahead in high season
- Short domestic flights for longer hops such as Athens to Crete
- Rental cars on larger islands; scooters and ATVs are common but require care
France
- High-speed TGV trains between Paris and the regions
- Regional trains for smaller towns
- Rental cars for Provence, the Loire and Normandy
Iceland
- Rental car — the practical way to see the country
- 4x4 recommended in winter and required for highland F-roads
- Guided day tours from Reykjavík if you prefer not to drive
Alberta, Canada
- Rental car — the most practical option for park travel
- Banff town is walkable, with a local transit system
- Park-and-shuttle systems serve Lake Louise and Moraine Lake in peak season
British Columbia, Canada
- Rental car for the Sea-to-Sky Highway and island touring
- Vancouver's SkyTrain, buses and SeaBus cover the city well without a car
- BC Ferries between the mainland and Vancouver Island — reserve in summer
Aruba
- Taxis with fixed zone fares — simple for airport and dinner trips
- Rental car for Arikok National Park and the windward coast
- Public buses along the main west-coast route
African Safari
- Light-aircraft bush flights between camps — strict soft-bag luggage limits
- Guided game-drive vehicles within the parks
- Long road transfers between some parks, arranged by your operator
Related guides
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Itinerary
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