Traveling is arguably one of the most common human activities, and rightly so because it offers a chance to see and discover exciting things. And what better way to make these discoveries than by driving from Africa to Europe?
It’s actually possible to drive from Africa to Europe with a few tweaks, though at face value it may seem impossible. Although not entirely possible to complete the trip in a vehicle, there are a few itineraries to consider.
However, note that it takes a lot of planning and preparation, and the road conditions vary significantly from one country to another.
So, whether you’re a solo traveler, or hanging out with a bunch of friends, a couple, or an entire family, this post will give you six itineraries to consider on your trip.
These options will help you plan the journey by knowing what to expect and, better still, help emergency responders locate you quickly in case of an eventuality.
Let’s proceed!
1. The Long but Interesting Route Through Israel
The Middle East route is suitable for those who want to see a lot of the world and have time to spare. It can be done with an average car in good conditions, but you should always check what type of terrain you will have to face before choosing this itinerary.
If you are going to travel by car, we recommend starting your journey in Cairo. From there, head north to Beirut and then continue towards Syria. Once in Damascus, take a detour towards Palmyra and spend some time visiting this fantastic city before continuing on your way towards Turkey.
Once in Turkey, head south towards Antalya until you reach Alanya, where you can stop for a few days. Continue south until you reach Kalkan, where you can enjoy a relaxing beach holiday before driving back up north to Izmir, where there is an airport for those who wish to fly back home instead of driving all the way back again.
This route has two options, and both of them are common depending on which area of Europe you want to visit. There are many exciting things to see on the way, which will make your trip more memorable.
Cairo through Israel
Best time of the year to attend: late spring/ early summer
Duration: 2 weeks
Km/Miles Driven: 2,500km / 1,550 miles
Things to see: Sinai Desert
The route from Egypt to Israel is very popular with overland travelers because it’s a relatively easy way to cross Africa and Europe. You can drive from Cairo to Tel Aviv without changing countries or visas, unlike going from Egypt to Syria.
The biggest challenge of this itinerary is getting across the Sinai Desert. It is too long to do it in one day, so you’ll need to spend the night near El Arish, which is on the Red Sea coast, and then cross over into Israel on the other side of the desert.
The best time of year for this route is late spring/ early summer, when temperatures are milder than in the summer months.
Cairo to Istanbul via Israel and Turkey
Best time of the year to attend: Spring/ autumn
Duration: 12 days
Km/Miles Driven: 4,200 km or 2,600 miles
Things to see: Ancient and biblical sites like Nazareth, Damascus
The distance between Cairo and Istanbul is about 4,200 km (2,600 miles), which takes at least 12 days of travel time. The route goes through Israel and Turkey, passing by biblical sites like Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, and ancient sites like Petra in Jordan.
It also passes by other important cities like Damascus in Syria and Erbil in Iraq. The best time to use this route is in spring or autumn, when the weather is pleasant and the roads are good.
2. Cairo to Europe via Libya and Italy
Best time of the year to attend: All year
Duration: 3 days
Km/Miles Driven: 6,538 km or 4,062 miles
Things to see: Mountains and sand dunes
This is a longer route than the previous one, with a total distance of 6,538 km or (4,062 miles). It takes about 3 days of travel time if you don’t often stop for sightseeing or rest along the way.
The route goes through Libya and Italy before reaching its final destination in Istanbul. You’ll pass through important cities like Alexandria (Egypt) and Beirut (Lebanon) before entering Libya from Egypt’s western border with the country.
3. Algeria to Europe
Best time of the year to attend: All year
Duration: 3 days 15 hours
Km/Miles Driven: 7,826 km or 4,863 miles
Things to see: Mountains and dunes
Algeria is a great country to start your journey from Africa to Europe. It is one of the most exciting countries in North Africa and offers a variety of landscapes and climates, as well as abundant natural resources.
Algeria is also an ideal starting point for a long road trip because it has excellent roads and many attractions.
The distance between Algiers and Paris is 3,900 km (2,423 miles), which means that it will take you about six days if you drive at a leisurely pace. The best time to drive this route is during summertime (June-September) since there are fewer tourists on the road then, so you won’t have to worry about traffic jams or slow-moving trucks.
The route starts in Algiers, where you can spend two days exploring the city’s main attractions, such as the Mausoleum of Mohamed V or the Bardo Museum, before heading north towards Constantine.
From there, continue towards Oran, where you can visit the Great Mosque or enjoy a day at the beach resort La Marsa before heading towards Constantine again. From Constantine, you can either continue east towards Tunis or take another route through Morocco instead (this option will take longer, though).
4. Algeria to Greece
Best time of the year to attend: All year
Duration: 2-3 days
Km/Miles Driven: 2,000 km or 1243 miles
Things to see: Mountains and dunes
The best way to drive from Algeria to Greece is by taking the Greek Peloponnese peninsula road (E75) from Algiers down through Constantine and Tunis before crossing over into Greece at Ioannina in Epirus, where it turns into E65.
This route is about 2,000 kilometers (1,242 miles) long and takes about two or three days if you take your time and stop.
5. The Parched but Sand-duned Western Sahara Crossing
Best time of the year to attend: June- August, and December- February
Duration: From 5 days
Km/Miles Driven: 2,100 km or 1,300 miles
Things to see: Dunes, M’Hamid oasis village
Image Credit: Holiday Extra
The Western Sahara crossing is one of the most popular routes for driving from Africa to Europe. This route is often taken by truck drivers who travel from Morocco to Spain. To navigate this route, you need a 4WD vehicle, and you should travel in a convoy with other cars or a tour group.
The Western Sahara crossing can take anywhere between two and four days, depending on how fast you want to travel and how many stops you plan on making along the way. The journey through the desert alone can be an incredible experience, but there are also some great places worth stopping at, such as Erg Chigaga dunes or M’Hamid oasis village if you have time or energy left over.
You mustn’t rush this journey. You will want plenty of time so that you don’t miss any amazing sights along the way. Additionally, you should ensure that your car has enough gas before starting because there aren’t many gas stations inside Western Sahara territory.
You should expect hot weather during the summer months (June-August), with temperatures reaching up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the winter months (December-February) will be much cooler, with average temperatures around 70 degrees Fahrenheit making it perfect for traveling.
Generally speaking, these two seasons offer optimal conditions both outside and within our bodies, so choosing either would work just fine.
From Morocco, you can use a ferry to cross over to Europe, where you can continue with your driving experience.
6. The Scenic Journey Through the Morocco-Spain crossing
Best time of the year to attend: All year
Duration: Less than 2 hours
Km/Miles Driven: 14.3 km or 8.9 miles
Things to see: Mountains and national parks
Image Credit: GoMad
The Morocco-Spain crossing is the most popular, and for a good reason. It’s the shortest and easiest route, with a well-maintained road that makes for a quick trip. However, this also means that it’s the most crowded and expensive of these options.
The crowds you’ll encounter on this route will likely be made up primarily of other tourists from around Europe making their way back home after vacationing in Africa or exploring another part of Morocco.
This route takes you through the mountains of Morocco, where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery and learn about Berber culture at various stops along the way.
Before reaching Spain, you’ll pass through Córdoba, which features a beautiful mosque built during the 8th century. Similarly, the route brings you within reach of Gibraltar.
Other exciting things you can see on this route are.
- From Casablanca, you can go through Rabat and visit its famous Hassan II Mosque. Then go west towards Tanger, which has some beautiful beaches and offers excellent views of the Strait of Gibraltar.
- From Fez, you can visit Meknes’ Old Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with many beautiful buildings that date back hundreds of years ago. Then head towards Rabat, where there’s more history waiting for you.
- The numerous national parks in Spain, Teide National Park, Monfrague, Ordesa, Garajonay, and more.
One of the cons of this route is that it has many people and thus can be overcrowded. However, it offers an ideal location for anyone who wants to get some great photos of camels or Moroccan towns without waiting in line for long periods.
The Morocco-Spain crossing takes about six days or less if you travel with an experienced driver. It’s not just an option for those who want to do all their driving in one go; it is also possible to break up this route into smaller chunks if that works best for your schedule.
Conclusion
Driving from Africa to Europe is one of the greatest ways of enjoying road trips. If you’re looking for a great road trip, these options will provide you with all you need. There are many scenic and enjoyable places for stopovers, either for snacks or sleep.
Additionally, the routes are not easy, so make sure you have a well-planned-out itinerary, geo location systems, or a tour guide for a smoother ride. Whether you go through Israel, Libya, Morocco, or Spain, you will find something unique and worth remembering.
