Car Rentals from Hell: The Worst Countries to Drive In
Hiring a car can be one of the easiest ways to explore a new destination. You’re free to follow your own schedule, stop where you like and get a real sense of the landscape beyond the usual tourist spots.
But in some countries, the reality of driving is far from relaxing. Instead of breezing along scenic roads, you might find yourself stuck in bumper-to-bumper chaos, dodging motorbikes or desperately trying to make sense of road signs in a foreign language.
India: A Challenge at Every Turn
India offers an incredibly rich and vibrant experience, but getting behind the wheel is something else entirely. In the bigger cities, it’s a sensory overload. Traffic moves in waves, seemingly without rules. Honking isn’t a warning—it’s just part of the conversation. Vehicles of every kind share the road, from lorries and buses to rickshaws and cows. Drivers invent lanes where none exist and pay little attention to traffic lights or signs.
Road conditions also vary dramatically. You can go from smooth tarmac to potholes and dust in the space of a few minutes. If you're not used to this kind of driving, it can be exhausting. Many visitors wisely leave the actual driving to locals and simply hire a car with a driver.
Italy: Scenery with a Side of Stress
Italy might conjure up images of winding roads through vineyards and coastal cliffs, but anyone who’s driven there knows it comes with its own set of challenges. In cities, the roads are packed and drivers tend to be impatient. Tailgating is common, and overtaking can happen anywhere, regardless of whether there’s room.
Roundabouts can be confusing, and if you hesitate, you're likely to be honked at. Parking in city centres can feel impossible, and many towns have restricted zones where tourists often get fined for driving unknowingly. Despite this, the country’s natural beauty continues to tempt drivers, even if it means a few frayed nerves along the way.
Greece: Idyllic Views, Frantic Roads
The Greek islands are known for their charm and laid-back atmosphere, but driving there isn’t always as calm as you might expect. The roads are often narrow and twisty, with little space for error. On some islands of Greece, car hire and scooters compete for space on lanes barely wide enough for one vehicle.
In Athens, the roads are congested and local drivers don’t waste time. Rules tend to be flexible, and it’s not unusual to see cars parked across pavements or corners. While many signs are translated into English, some in rural areas aren’t, which can make things tricky for first-time visitors trying to find their way around.
Vietnam: A River of Motorbikes
Driving in Vietnam, especially in the big cities, is unlike anything else. Motorbikes fill the streets in huge numbers, moving around cars and each other in a kind of flowing chaos. It looks dangerous to outsiders, but it somehow works. However, for anyone new to it, the experience can be overwhelming.
You can expect to see drivers ignoring lanes, riding the wrong way and weaving through traffic with just inches to spare. Even walking across the road feels like a challenge, let alone driving. Outside the cities, roads may be quieter, but they’re often less maintained, and it’s easy to get lost if you’re relying on unfamiliar road signs.
Egypt: Not for the Timid
Cairo’s traffic has a reputation, and for good reason. The city never seems to slow down, and the driving style is fast, assertive and unpredictable. Horns are used constantly—not out of anger, but simply as part of how people drive. It’s loud, busy and hard to know what to expect from one minute to the next.
Elsewhere in Egypt, driving might be less intense, but issues still crop up. Roads can be in poor condition, lighting is often inadequate and it’s not unusual to see pedestrians or even animals on major roads. Night driving can be particularly hazardous.
In some places, driving really is part of the adventure—but in others, it might be better enjoyed from the passenger seat.