Driving in Luxembourg


The city of Luxembourg, the capital and largest city, is the seat of several institutions and agencies of the European Union. Luxembourg has an excellent network of highways and secondary roads that offer easy access to the neighboring countries of Belgium, Germany and France. The roads pass through many rolling hills and can take you to one of the many castles in this small nation. There are no toll motorways.

Total territory is only 2,596 square km

The total territory is only 2,596 square km yet the landscape is quite diverse. To the north you'll find the richly wooded Ardennes and to the south flat, agricultural and wine-growing land. Several languages are spoken including the distinctive local blend of French and German. Luxembourg is a cinch for motorists as the furthest point in the duchy is little more than an hour's drive from the capital.

Fuel is generally cheaper in Luxembourg

Luxemburg Petite Suisse is a small area with dolomite formations. Because of a lower VAT (15%), the fuel is generally cheaper in Luxembourg than in the border countries. Major credit cards are accepted. Generally you can pay at a booth, or by inserting your card into the machine near the pumps. Please be careful of the fact that the most commons credit cards (such as Eurocard, Visa, American Express) are generally accepted but not all foreign credit cards.

Headlights on - night and day

Motorcycles must be operated with the headlights on - night and day. Do not use the horn in built-up areas or at night, except in the case of immediate and extreme danger. Use the horn outside built-up areas during daylight hours to warn of your intention to pass or to warn of your approach on mountain roads. Also use the horn in weather conditions that significantly restrict visibility. Flash your lights to indicate your intention to pass.

Parking: high overtime fees

Echternach lies near the border with Germany, and is the oldest town in Luxembourg. Parking-meters ("horodateurs") are common throughout Luxembourg. The price and time limit are written on the machine, and usually need currencies. Some Parking Disk areas also exist. Because of high overtime fees, be sure to check the limit time when retrieving a ticket. Since October 2006, the city of Luxemburg proposes a service to pay parking tickets by phone (Call2Park).

To use it, you need to subscribe (www.call2park.lu) and then to send an SMS (on a luxembourgish operator network) or to give a phone call. Important: illegally parked vehicles may be wheel-clamped or towed.

Free car parks

Alternately make use of the free car parks located approximately two miles away, where busses regularly leave for the city. Parking discs for these zones can be obtained from the ACL motoring club, police stations, shops, and tourist offices. Luxembourg city has parking meters and machines that dispense parking tickets. Wheel clamps are placed on illegally parked vehicles.

Renting a car

To rent a car, you must be at least 23 years old (age may vary by car category) and have held your license for 1 year. Drivers under the age of 25 may incur a young driver surcharge. Seatbelts are mandatory and children under 12 must have safety seats if in the front seat. Children up to age 4 must be in a child seat.



The data above is based on information by public sources. No rights can be derived from this publication.





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