Iwona Konieczna What are the best forms of car transport in Europe?
Table of contents
Road transport – the most popular option
Road transport is the most popular form of car transportation in Europe. It allows for the direct pickup and delivery of a vehicle, without transshipment. Auto carriers, multi car carrier trailers or individual door-to-door transports are used.
It is most often used for short to medium distances, such as Germany-Poland, France-Belgium or the Netherlands-Czech Republic. Carriage of cars by car carrier trailer across Europe gives great flexibility of routes, but the cost increases with distance. For comparison: transportation of one car from Berlin to Katowice is on average 300-400 €, from Marseille to Warsaw – even 900-1000 €.
Fleets or dealers use bulk transportation, i.e. up to 8-10 vehicles. Individual customers are more likely to opt for single-vehicle transport, which is more expensive, but faster and without transshipment.
Rail transport – an alternative for large volumes
Rail transport of cars is used less frequently by individual customers, but is a viable alternative for manufacturers and fleet operators. Trains carrying vehicles run between the Czech Republic and Belgium, from Germany to Spain or from France to Italy, among others. One trainset can hold up to 200 cars, making this mode efficient for large volumes.
Prices for transporting cars by train in Europe are attractive on a per-vehicle basis, especially for fixed contracts and pre-planned routes. The disadvantages are the limited availability of terminals and the lack of flexibility, as loading and unloading is possible only at selected points.
Delivery time depends on the route. For instance, a train from Mladá Boleslav (Czech Republic) to the port of Zeebrugge (Belgium) takes about 3 days. This is a good choice for companies, albeit unprofitable when transporting a single car. Unless one is not in a hurry.
Intra-European sea transport – less frequent but possible
Although mainly associated with intercontinental imports, maritime transportation also functions in intra-European relations. It mainly refers to shipments between ports in Germany, the Netherlands, the UK and Scandinavia. Ro-Ro vessels are used and can carry hundreds of vehicles in a single trip.
A comparison of car delivery times by sea versus land in Europe points to road transport being significantly quicker. For example, the Hamburg – Gdansk route by sea is about 5-6 days, while by land it is only 1-2 days. In turn, for larger batches of cars, sea transport is simply more cost-effective. This solution is used mainly by dealers and logistics operators serving ports.
Express transport for urgent orders
Express transportation is a solution for time-sensitive customers. It is most often implemented in the form of transporting one or two cars in a dedicated vehicle, with no transhipments or stops along the way. In practice, this means that a car can get from Munich to Warsaw within 24 hours. It works well for replacement cars, deliveries to VIP customers or urgent fleet relocations.
The costs are higher than in bulk transport, but the customer gains full control over the delivery date and safety. This is the best solution to transport a car quickly across Europe when every hour counts.
Comparison of car transport forms in Europe
| Type of transport | Cost* | Delivery time | Number of vehicles | Flexibility | For whom? |
| Road (car carrier) | 300–900 € / vehicle | 1–4 days | 1–10 vehicles | High | Individual clients and dealers |
| Rail | 100–300 € / vehicle (whole-sale) | 3–5 days | Up to 200 vehicles | Low | Producers, logistics operators |
| Sea (Ro-Ro) | 150–400 € / vehicle (port-port) | 5–7 days (plus logistics) | Hundreds of vehicles | Low | Dealers, transports between ports |
| Express (dedicated) | 500–1200 € / vehicle | 24–48h | 1–2 vehicles | Very high | Premium customers, urgent orders |
Current market prices (spreads) for car transport in Europe
Prices for transporting cars across Europe vary depending on the distance, the country of shipment, the type of vehicle and the form of transport chosen. Below is a summary of approximate rates for the transport of one car by land (car carrier trailer) on routes popular among individual customers and dealers:
- Berlin → Katowice – 300–400 €
- Hamburg → Wrocław – 350–500 €
- Paris → Poznań – 700–900 €
- Brussels → Warsaw – 750–950 €
- Amsterdam → Cracow – 700–850 €
- London → Silesia (through Eurotunel) – 850–1100 €
- Milan → Warsaw – 900–1200 €
- Oslo → Gdańsk (by ferry) – 1000–1300 €
Prices for transporting cars by train in Europe for large volumes (e.g., factory fleets) can amount to €100-300 per vehicle, but require a contract and access to terminals.
For express or enclosed individual transportation, up to +30-50% should be added to the standard rate.
Practical tips – how to quickly transport a car across Europe
- Choose a company with its own fleet.
- Have all the documents prepared.
- Avoid bulk transportation if time is of the essence.
- Report the transport in advance.
- Keep track of the route.
With good organization and flexibility, the delivery time for a car from Germany or France can be reduced to 24-48 hours.
In a nutshell
The best way to transport your car around Europe depends on your destination, budget and timing. Road transport dominates due to its flexibility, but for larger volumes, it is worth considering rail or sea options. Operational preparation in particular will be essential here.
FAQ
1. What is the cheapest form of car transport in Europe?
Road transport in the collective option – especially from Germany or the Netherlands. Prices start from 300-400 € per car.
2. How long does it take to transport a car from France to Poland?
Normally 3-5 days by road. In the express option, even as little as 24-48h.
3. Is it profitable to transport a car by train?
Yes, but only with a larger number of vehicles and access to terminals. For private individuals, it usually is not profitable.in road transportation.
