Get your wheel ready: Tips for this summer road getaway

With travel restrictions easing and summer travel on the cards, we’re bringing a newfound love of road

trips with us. Last few summers, staycations may have felt like the only option - but today, we’ve

realized that those local adventures helped us appreciate the ease and flexibility of having our own

wheels when on vacation.

Last year, 48%* of Indian travelers rented a car as part of their vacation, giving them all the freedom of car

ownership - at a fraction of the cost, and pretty much anywhere in the world. This tells us that travelers

are planning to avoid public transport on their next journey because they know that nothing spells

freedom like a road trip - hitting the road and seeing where it takes them. It’s all about the freedom to

experience the world on their own terms, which fits with today’s trend towards more independent,

more personalized travel.

With a mission to make it easier for everyone to experience the world, Booking.com shares some top

tips for summer road trips. Short, long, pre-planned, spontaneous… there’s no single format for a good

road trip. Nevertheless, there are a few simple tenets that make sense in any scenario:

• The journey is the vacation

‘Making good time’ doesn’t mean going fast; it means making sure every minute is a joy. Motorways

might be convenient, but the real adventures are to be found on the backroads, where we’re free to

turn off and explore every interesting forest, building, turn off, or beach we happen to stumble across.

• The right car is vital.

Above all, the car needs to be right for the trip. A compact car can make sense if the itinerary includes

lots of busy city streets - but for a long trip with plenty of people and stacks of luggage, there’s nothing

like having some extra space to stretch out. Whether looking for an SUV for extra comfort and space or

something with a bit more horsepower, Booking.com offers travellers a broad range of rental cars with

easy-to-use search functions.

• Planning pays off.

Even the most spontaneous adventure is better with a bit of prep. Not just the physical stuff (from

snacks and drinks to sunscreen and appropriate footwear), but answers to a few important questions,

like “Who’s driving?” or “How many hours a day?”.

• There’s nothing like organized chaos.

It’s great to keep it flexible… within a few basic parameters. For example? A circular route avoids a long,

boring drive at the end of the trip. And even the most laid-back itineraries can benefit from including a

few ‘must-have’ experiences. A refundable accommodation booking allows for a change of last-minute

plan, and if you can’t actually make the trip for whatever reason, it’s worth bearing in mind that you can

always opt for car rentals which come with free cancellation 48 hours before pick up.

• Going off-grid?

Mobile data is a lot cheaper than it used to be, but that doesn’t mean the connection’s always reliable.

So downloading maps and music ahead of time can make the trip a lot smoother and more enjoyable.

• Take ten.

The experts say it’s healthy to factor in a 10-minute break every two hours or so. Stretching the legs is

only part of it: taking a break from driving relaxes the mind, which means it’s more alert when back at

the wheel!

It’s a brave new world

As we get back to enjoying the world around us, we’re doing it with more gusto. Travelers are feeling

brave, and many once-timid explorers have caught the ‘road-trip’ bug - and feel like taking control and

flying by the seat of their pants. Does this herald a new era of exploration and discovery? Time will tell.

*Research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a sample of 48,413 respondents

across 31 markets (2,000 from USA, 1,864 from Canada, 1,999 from Mexico, 2,003 from Colombia, 2,005 from

Brazil, 2,002 from Argentina, 1,020 from Chile, 1,777 from Australia, 818 from New Zealand, 1,999 from Spain,

2,002 from Italy, 1,998 from France, 1,990 from the UK, 2,005 from Germany, 2,003 from the Netherlands, 985 from

Denmark, 999 from Sweden, 910 from Croatia, 918 from Switzerland, 1,986 from Belgium, 998 from Russia, 953

from Israel, 1,999 from India, 1,990 from China, 901 from Hong Kong, 1,775 from Thailand, 1,001 from Singapore,

975 from Taiwan, 1,800 from Vietnam, 1,757 from South Korea, and 1,001 from Japan). In order to participate in this

the survey, respondents had to be 18 years of age or older, had to have traveled at least once for business or leisure in

the past 12 months, and planning to travel in 2022 and be either the primary decision maker or involved in the

decision making of their travel. The survey was taken online and took place in January 2022.