Car Transport Costs in Europe

Q: What factors determine the cost of car shipping?

Number of vehicles If you have multiple vehicles transported at the same time, this can lower the price per vehicle. This allows transport companies to plan more efficiently and save on costs. Type of transport There are two common types of car transport: open and enclosed transport. Open transport is the most popular option. With this method, the car is transported on an open trailer or semi-trailer. This is suitable for standard vehicles and is relatively affordable. Enclosed transport offers extra protection and is recommended for classic or luxury cars. With this method, the vehicle is transported in an enclosed trailer, providing better protection against the elements and dirt. This type of transport involves higher costs. Is the car drivable? Transporting a drivable car is simpler and less expensive. If a vehicle cannot be driven, special equipment such as a winch or crane is required. A tow truck may also be used. These additional steps result in higher costs. Route and Destination The destination of the car affects the price. Domestic transport is generally cheaper than international transport. International transport involves additional costs, such as taxes, customs formalities, and longer distances. Price developments Transport prices can change with fuel prices, tolls and market conditions. On longer international routes, tolls along the way weigh more heavily in the final price.

Are you curious about the costs of car transport within Europe? And would you like to know what factors determine the final price of professional car transport? In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about the costs of car transport.

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Experts in commercial vehicle transport across Europe

With a single platform, an extensive European network of certified transport partners, and clear communication, we handle the entire transport process for you. From pricing and scheduling to CMR documentation, status updates, and damage coverage: TransConnect makes car transport across Europe straightforward, scalable, and hassle-free.

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How much does car transport cost in Europe?

The cost of car transport depends on the distance, the route, the type of vehicle, and the transport schedule. Prices differ per country and per route, so the quickest way to know what your shipment will cost is to use our calculator.

Estimated costs by distance

Short distances are usually the most affordable. On longer distances the total price goes up, while the price per kilometer goes down.

The pricing structure usually consists of a base rate, a per-kilometer rate, and any additional costs that may arise due to special requests or circumstances.

Would you like to get a quick price estimate? Using our online tool, you can easily calculate the transportation costs based on the number of kilometers, the type of vehicle, and any additional options.

Car Transport Costs Per Kilometer

Car transport rates in Europe are often calculated per kilometer, plus a base rate for the first stop. Here’s an average estimate:

International routes: €0.55 – €0.90 per kilometer (depending on the country and return freight options)
Starting fee: €70 – €100 for short distances

The price per kilometer decreases as the distance increases. A carrier does not earn extra money on longer trips, but spreading the fixed costs over more kilometers lowers the price per kilometer. Tolls on European routes can also affect the price.

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Route Examples: Popular Routes Across Europe

TransConnect provides daily car transport on thousands of routes across 24 European countries.

With over 2,000 carriers, we transport vehicles to and from every European destination—from major import ports to regional dealerships.

Here are a few example routes ->

Please note: the current price of each route depends on market conditions; use the calculator to see it.

Calculate the current route price

Munich (Germany) - Milan (Italy)

This route is approximately 570 km long. Use the calculator to see the current price.

Lyon (France) - Barcelona (Spain)

This route is approximately 640 km long. Use the calculator to see the current price.

Vienna (Austria) - Prague (Czechia)

This route is approximately 330 km long. Use the calculator to see the current price.

Copenhagen (Denmark) - Stockholm (Sweden)

This route is approximately 660 km long. Use the calculator to see the current price.

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Shipping Costs

Frequently asked questions about the cost of car shipping in Europe.

How much does car transport cost?

The exact price depends on the distance, the route, the type of vehicle, and the schedule. Shorter trips are more affordable; the longer the distance, the higher the total price, while the price per kilometer goes down. Prices differ per country. With our calculator you see the exact price for your route in 30 seconds.

How much does it cost to ship a car to Germany or another European country?

For car transport to Germany, you’ll pay an average of €200–€500 per vehicle. To Spain, the cost ranges from €800 to €1,300 (excluding VAT). The price depends on the distance, the route, and the possibility of combining the trip. You’ll find more details on our country-specific landing pages.

Is car shipping per kilometer cheaper than driving yourself?

That depends on the distance. Driving yourself takes time and fuel, and causes extra wear and tear and adds miles to the odometer. For longer distances or multiple vehicles, professional transportation is often the more cost-effective option, especially when you factor in the hours and risks.

What is included in the price of car shipping?

The price typically includes planning, communication, paperwork, insurance, damage coverage, and any tolls incurred during transport. So you’re not just paying for the trip, but for the entire process from pickup to delivery.

How much does it cost to transport a car that doesn't run?

A non-running car requires additional equipment, such as a winch or a tow truck. Expect a surcharge of about 10 to 15% on top of the normal rate, depending on the situation and the steps required.

What factors determine the cost of car shipping?

Number of vehicles

If you have multiple vehicles transported at the same time, this can lower the price per vehicle. This allows transport companies to plan more efficiently and save on costs.

Type of transport

There are two common types of car transport: open and enclosed transport.

Open transport is the most popular option. With this method, the car is transported on an open trailer or semi-trailer. This is suitable for standard vehicles and is relatively affordable.
Enclosed transport offers extra protection and is recommended for classic or luxury cars. With this method, the vehicle is transported in an enclosed trailer, providing better protection against the elements and dirt. This type of transport involves higher costs.

Is the car drivable?

Transporting a drivable car is simpler and less expensive. If a vehicle cannot be driven, special equipment such as a winch or crane is required. A tow truck may also be used. These additional steps result in higher costs.

Route and Destination

The destination of the car affects the price. Domestic transport is generally cheaper than international transport. International transport involves additional costs, such as taxes, customs formalities, and longer distances.

Price developments

Transport prices can change with fuel prices, tolls and market conditions. On longer international routes, tolls along the way weigh more heavily in the final price.

What does route pricing mean in car transport?

Route pricing is a quote for transporting a vehicle along a specific route. For example, from Germany to Spain, from France to Belgium, or within a single country between two locations. Carriers determine this price based on factors such as distance, driving time, return freight, market pressure, available truck capacity, and driver availability.

Rates are often expressed as ranges and are not always fixed amounts. This means that the same route can have different prices at different times.

Why do prices vary for the same route?

The distance remains the same, but the cost structure changes. Price differences arise primarily due to the pickup date (fixed time versus flexible time window), the ability to combine transport with other vehicles, and seasonal factors and market demand. By intelligently combining routes, transportation companies operate more efficiently and save costs.

Limitations of route pricing

Route pricing focuses primarily on the trip itself, but total transportation costs consist of more components. These include waiting time, rescheduling, additional handling, idle inventory, and potential delays. Professional auto transport therefore optimizes the entire process, not just the price per kilometer.

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Damage during shipping? That's covered.

When choosing a car transporter, it’s important to verify that any damage that may occur during transport is covered. Ask specifically about the maximum coverage amount per vehicle and the maximum per shipment. This way, you’ll know exactly what to expect in advance and receive clear and transparent terms and conditions. This is especially important for international transport.

Modern transport companies use advanced navigation equipment, real-time tracking, and ensure efficient communication. Each truck is driven by an experienced driver, so your car is delivered safely and professionally.

TransConnect covers damage occurring during car transport up to €70,000 per car, with a maximum of three cars per shipment.

International Car Transport

If you want to have a car shipped abroad, this requires additional expertise. The following must be taken into account:

The necessary documentation for import, including the CMR consignment note
Taxes and customs formalities
Country-specific insurance requirements
Coordinating the transport with the destination

Specific estimates for popular international routes:

Car transport to Germany: on average €200–€500 per vehicle. You can read more about shipping a car from Germany on our Car Transport to Germany page.
Car transport to Spain: on average €800 – €1,300 per vehicle (excluding VAT). View the details for transport to Spain.

International transport costs are usually higher than domestic transport costs due to the greater distances involved, customs formalities, and higher fuel costs on longer trips.

International car transport also usually takes longer than domestic transport, depending on distance, route, and the possibility of combining the trip with other vehicles. For high-value vehicles, enclosed transport is often chosen for the added protection it provides.

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Do you own a business and would you like to transport a car within Europe? If so, please register on our platform first.

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Reliable delivery

Our network of carriers plans and carries out your shipment from pickup to delivery.

Extensive transportation capacity with over 2,000 certified transportation partners

Thanks to our extensive European network, there’s always a professional carrier nearby.

Clear and Personal Communication

Stay fully informed about your shipment with the dedicated support of our in-house service team.

Book your car transport quickly and easily

Just tell us what you want to transport and where it needs to go—we'll take care of the rest.

Damage coverage up to €70,000 per vehicle

We cover damages up to €70,000 per vehicle, with a maximum of three vehicles per shipment.

Transport from and to any European country

We provide car transport services from and to any European country, including Belgium, Germany, France, Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, Austria, Spain, and other destinations in Europe.

Thanks to our experience with transport across Europe, our extensive network, and clear communication, we offer a reliable service for international car transport, ensuring your car is always in good hands.

Personal contact is at the heart of what we do

As a business customer, do you have questions or specific requests regarding your car transport? During business hours, you can speak directly with a logistics specialist for advice and to ask any questions you may have. Are you looking for a specific car transport service within a country or between European countries? Our staff will be happy to assist you personally.

In addition, you can view your order and track the process through our online customer portal. You can always reach us and coordinate requests via email as well, so we can guarantee speed, clarity, and careful handling.

TransConnect is your logical choice for reliable car transport across Europe.

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A specialist in car transport for over 12 years. Trusted by automotive companies since 2014.
Extensive transportation capacity with over 2,000 certified transportation partners.
Operating in 24 European countries. From local trips to European car transport.