Driving in Northern Basque Country?

Hi All,

I have a holiday planned for September in Biarritz and the Northern Basque Country. I will be renting a car in Biarritz Airport and heading towards Saint-Jean-Pied-du-Port and beyond to see the countyside, before making our back to Biarritz to relax by the sea for a few days. I was just wondering what the roads are like and is it straight forward enough drive, I am used to driving on the left-hand side of the road and am a bit nervous as have never driven abroad before..

Thanks in advance,

McGeady

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I did exactly the same trip a few years ago and in general the roads are good. The left hand side of the road thing becomes second nature after a few hours, use the centre line of the road as your marker and you%26#39;ll be fine...just be aware that your font seat passenger may be nervous!

There is a very noticable difference between driving on either side of the boarder. On the French side drivers tend to be polite and drive and more slowly..quite the opposite on the Spanish side!

Relax and enjoy!

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We have also done this trip previously - you are in for a great time. Driving abroad is probably better for those who are new to it or the very experienced - it%26#39;s the in betweeners who get complacent and make mistakes!

The roads near the coast are bigger and better - more like our motorways and dual carriageways. As you head inland and into the Pyrenees they are not as good but as long as you stay on major roads (equivalent A roads) there is no problem.

If you head from St Jean PdP into Spain the road gets smaller and narrower into Spain but as long as you are careful it is a great journey and full of atmosphere

I would recommend that you ask for Sat Nav in the car as it is invaluable - both for directions and the instructions which keep you on the correct side of roundabouts etc and give some security to a nervous driver

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Sorry to hijack Mac%26#39;s post but I%26#39;m doing a similar trip in September after a few days in Bayonne; although only going as far east as Cambo and then south into Navarre, Spain and through the Baztan/Bidassoa Valleys.

Any recommendations for car rental companies in/around Bayonne/Biarritz and any known concerns with the rental companies by taking their cars across the border into Spain?

Luckily I don%26#39;t have to deal with driving on the other side of the road; kudos to Mac for being adventurous.