Car Hire Luxembourg

Driving

Luxembourg, the EU's second-smallest member state, boasts a mix of Latin and Germanic cultures, and is the planet's only Grand Duchy. Despite its small size, it offers vast natural beauty, idyllic towns and historical points of interest relevant to past battles from both World Wars.

Driving Tips for Luxembourg

The road infrastructure in Luxembourg is well developed. Destinations close to the country's toll-free major motorways are easily accessible by roads such as the A4. Signage is abundant and in line with signage in other western European countries.

Driving licences: UK drivers are able to drive here with their UK licence but paper licences must be accompanied by a passport.

Which side does Luxembourg drive on: the right.

Speed limits:
Motorways: 80mph (130kph)
Rural areas: 55mph (90kph)
Built-up areas: 31mph (50kph)

Alcohol limits: 0.05 per cent compared to the British limit of 0.08 per cent; alcohol levels that exceed this limit may result in severe penalties.

Driving age: 18 years.

Seatbelts: compulsory for all passengers in both the front and rear of the vehicle. Suitable child seats or restraints are necessary for children under the age of three.

Mobile phones and GPS: using a mobile phone while driving, as in most European countries, is outlawed unless the device is connected to a hands-free kit. Use of GPS is legal but not often required as navigating the small country is easy.

Cost of fuel in Luxembourg: petrol is slightly cheaper here than in Britain.

Car hire and fuel payment: credit card payment is widely accepted by petrol stations. Car hire suppliers will require you to have a credit card when you collect the car.

Insurance: third-party insurance is included with car hire but travellers can arrange excess cover for peace of mind.

Traffic and parking: finding parking in the centre of Luxembourg towns and cities at the weekend can be difficult as garages often close early. For this reason, visitors are advised to leave their vehicles at train station car parks.

Transport

Trains
Trains run directly to and from most Countries in Europe. Rail travel around the country is provided by Chemins de Fer Luxembourgeois (CFL) and all-day tickets, which can be purchased from newsagents, are cheap in comparison to the UK. While efficient, the country's rail network has limited coverage in the north, which has only one main line.

Taxis
Hailing taxis on the street in Luxembourg can be difficult but there are usually ranks at train stations. Rates are cheap compared to the UK, with a meter starting rate followed by a charge every kilometre of around £0.63. In the evening and until 22:00, there is a 10% surcharge. On Sundays or public holidays, the surcharge increases to £0.25. Some of the main taxi companies include Alo, Tugga, Aal Zentral and Taxis Lorscheid Sarl.

Buses
Bus transport into the country is possible from German commuter towns such as Bitburg and Trier. All-day rail tickets are also valid on Luxembourg's buses, which are provided by CFL and not as expensive as buses in the UK. A combined train and bus 2-hour ticket is around £1.50 and an all-day one £3.20. Services in and out of the main city run throughout the day, with service to even the smallest of villages at least every hour. If you plan to travel a lot in the country, purchase a one-month network pass for around £36.00.

Airports
Luxembourg’s international airport is Luxembourg-Findel International Airport, which lies about 6 km from Luxembourg City. The national airline Luxair operates from here and flies to various European destinations, including London. A taxi from the airport to the city costs between £17.00 and £24.00. There are several bus links to the city from the airport as well.

Explore

Exploring Luxembourg

Most visitors spend most of their time in the capital city, Luxembourg City, which is split into 24 districts, including the medieval ‘High City’ or Ville Haute, the picturesque ‘Low City’ or Ville Base, the Gare area near the railway station where the majority of restaurants and cafés are located and the modern, developing Kirchberg region.

Luxembourg City's biggest tourist draw is its unique network of underground fortifications which have been established since the 18th century and are a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Old Town is where visitors head to enjoy shopping and drinking, while architecture enthusiasts enjoy trips to Neumunster Abbey and the Grand Ducal Palace.

The small historical town of Diekrich is one of the most visited towns by tourists. This is mainly down to it being the location of the WWII Battle of the Bulge and the host of the National Museum of Military History.

Also popular are the quaint, small towns of Vianden for its exquisite chateau, Remich for its promenades along the Moselle River and Mondorf-les-Bains, a spa town on the border with France that has a famous casino.

Weather

Temperatures of 30°C can be enjoyed in Luxembourg's summertime, which typically runs from June to September. An oceanic climate is often experienced and leads to heavy rainfall in towns across the country, particularly during late summer. In winter, which runs from November to March, snowfall is more frequent than in the UK.