Page 632 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Spain

630  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Travelling by Road

Spain’s fastest roads are its autopistas. They are normally
dual carriageways and are subsidized by peajes (tolls).
Autovías are similar but have no tolls. The carretera
nacional is the countrywide network of main roads or
highways with the prefix N. Smaller minor roads are
generally less well kept, but they are often a more leisurely
and enjoyable way to see rural areas of Spain.

Arriving by Car Buying Petrol
Many people drive to Spain In Spain gasolina (petrol) Cambio de sentido (slip road) 300 m
via the French motorways. and gasoil (diesel) are priced (330 yards) ahead
The most direct routes across by the litre. Gasolina sin plomo Rules of the Road
the Pyrenees, using the (unleaded petrol) is available
motorways, pass through everywhere. All three cost Most traffic regulations and
Hendaye on the western flank more at the autopista service warnings to motorists are
and Port Bou in the east. Other, stations. Self-service stations, represented on signs by easily
rather more tortuous routes where you fill up yourself, recognized symbols. However,
may be used, from Toulouse are common. Modern petrol a few road rules and signs may
through the Vall d’Aran, pumps in Spain are sometimes be unfamiliar to some drivers
for instance. From the UK, operated by credit card. from other countries.
there are car ferries from You should run your To turn left at a busy junction
Plymouth to Santander and card through the machine, or across oncoming traffic, you
from Portsmouth to Santander press the buttons to indicate may have to turn right first and
and Bilbao in northern the amount of petrol cross a main road, often
Spain (see p627). you want in euros, and by way of traffic lights,
then serve yourself. a bridge or an
You must wait for underpass. If you
What to Take
service if there are are accidentally going
A Green Card from your attendants at the the wrong way on a
motor insurance company station. They will ask motorway or a main
is needed in order to extend ¿cuánto? (how much?); Speed limit 50 km/h road with a solid
your comprehensive cover to you should reply lleno (31 mph) white line, you can
Spain. The RAC, AA and Europ (fill the tank), or turn round at a
Assistance have rescue specify an amount sign for a cambio
and recovery policies with in euros: diez euros, de sentido. At
European cover. Spanish por favor. If you crossings, give way
law requires you to carry do use your credit to the right unless
your vehicle’s registration card to pay at a a sign indicates
document, a valid insurance motorway service otherwise. You
certificate and your driving station, you will must wear seat
licence at all times. You must be asked to show Pedestrian belts in both
always be able to show a your passport or crossing sign front and rear seats.
passport or a national identity another form of Oncoming drivers may
card as ID. You must also identification. Gibraltar flash their headlights to mean
display a sticker on the back and Andorra have tax- “you go”, “danger”, “your lights
of the car showing its country free, cheap petrol, so are on unnecessarily”
of registration. The headlights it is worth filling up or “speed
of right-hand drive vehicles before entering Spain. trap ahead”.
need to be adjusted or
deflected. Stickers for this
are available at ferry ports
and on ferries. You risk on-
the-spot fines if you do not
carry a red warning triangle
and a reflective jacket. In
winter, carry chains if you
intend to drive in mountain
areas. In summer, take drinking
water when travelling in
remote areas. A filling station run by a leading chain with branches throughout Spain

630-631_EW_Spain.indd 630 26/09/17 11:04 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.6)
Date 7th January 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm