Do you need a car to live and get around in Luxembourg?

Are you preparing to move to Luxembourg and wondering whether you really need a car? This question comes up again and again in expat forums And with good reason: the Grand Duchy has some unique features when it comes to mobility.

On the one hand, Luxembourg is the first country in the world to have made its public transport completely free. On the other hand, it is also one of the countries with the highest number of cars per capita in Europe. So do you really need a car to live and get around in Luxembourg? We've got the answer.

Is there enough public transport to get around Luxembourg?

The advantages of public transport

First of all, Luxembourg has a particular advantage in terms of public transport. On 1 March 2020, Luxembourg became the first country in the world to make all its public transport completely free of charge. This includes buses, trams and all trains in the country. This revolutionary measure concerns all users - residents, cross-border commuters and visitors - throughout the country.

In practical terms, this includes :

• All urban and regional buses
• The whole of the Luxembourg rail network (trains CFL)
• The Luxembourg City tramway and its extensions
• Special services such as the Pfaffenthal-Kirchberg funicular and tourist shuttles

The only exception: first-class seats on trains. remain payingBut prices are still very affordable by European standards.

For expatriates, this free service is a huge advantage and a great annual saving. Before 2020, a monthly subscription cost around €50. Over the course of a year, this represents savings of €600, not counting the parking costs avoided and the indirect costs of a car.

The disadvantages of public transport in Luxembourg

Despite their undeniable advantages, public transport in Luxembourg has certain constraints that you should be aware of before you move in.

• Rural areas are logically less well served than urban centres: While Luxembourg City, Esch-sur-Alzette and the main conurbations enjoy excellent coverage, some isolated villages have only a few connections a day. Timetables are often based on school and work requirements.
• Frequencies are reduced in the evenings and at weekends: After 8pm and at weekends, frequency drops considerably. Night services (Night Bus, Night Rider) do exist, but with limited coverage and a much reduced frequency.
• Journey times can be long: For some destinations, public transport can triple the journey time compared with the car, particularly for journeys requiring multiple connections. To get from one suburb to another, for example, you often have to pass through the city centre, which adds to the journey time.

Do you need a car in Luxembourg?

The advantages of owning a car in Luxembourg

Although public transport is excellent, many expats choose to buy or hire a car, for a number of reasons:

• To explore the Grande Région at the weekend: With a car, you can easily discover the Moselle vineyards, go shopping in Metz or Trier, or enjoy the Belgian Ardennes. You can cross borders at any time. Many of Luxembourg's tourist sites are more easily accessible by car (Mullerthal, Vianden castle, Esch-sur-Sûre lake, etc)...
• To make certain business trips easier: Some jobs require you to travel to clients or work atypical hours (you may finish late at night, or have an afterwork session that ends after the bus service has finished, etc). In consulting, finance or technical professions, a car may be essential to your career.
• Simplifying family life: Driving children to after-school activities, dealing with emergencies or simply organising family outings is much easier with a car.

Finally, it's also cultural. Luxembourg residents have a high standard of living. Many enjoy owning their own car and using it to get around on a daily basis. Mainly for comfort.

The disadvantages of owning a car in Luxembourg

There are two main constraints: the budget and parking.

As far as the budget is concerned, you need to allow for :

• Car insurance : 600 to €1,500 a year (higher for new residents with no local history). Although you can compare offers for find the cheapestThis is still a substantial budget.
• Technical inspection : 90 every year
• Fuel : Around €1,000 to €1,500 per year for normal use (or even more)
• Maintenance and repairs : 500 to €1,000 per year (bearing in mind that the more upmarket the vehicle, the more it will cost to maintain)

All in all, you're looking at between €2,200 and €4,400 a year (at the very least). to have your own car in Luxembourg. Leasing would cost about the same.

Secondly, with regard to parking:

Luxembourg City suffers from a chronic shortage of parking spaces. Rates vary from €1 to €3 per hour, depending on the zone. Many expatriates are surprised by how difficult it is to park, even for short journeys. It is possible to have a resident's card to park for free in your neighbourhood, but you still need to find a space.

If you don't have a car park in your home, budget €150 to €300 a month to rent a private car park in Luxembourg.

Our recommendations based on your profile

If you're not sure whether or not you need a car for your needs in Luxembourg, here's what we can advise you:

• Are you a professional without children living in the city? If you work in the centre, don't take a car initially. You'll easily save €3,000 in the first year. You can change your mind once you've really assessed your needs.
• Do you have a family with children? A car will be really useful in many situations (shopping, children's activities, medical emergencies, weekend outings, etc.). Remember to look for accommodation that also has a parking space.
• Are you a student, trainee or young professional? You can opt for creative alternatives when you need a car: like the car-sharing service Flex (a service offered by Chemins de Fer Luxembourgeois). And for your holidays or weekends away, you can hire a car at Findel airport (where you'll find the best car hire rates).

And above all: no stress! You won't really need a car on the day you arrive. If you're in any doubt, you can hire a car for the first few months and see whether you'd prefer to buy/lease, or use public transport instead.

Finally, if you decide to buy a car in Luxembourg, remember to compare car insurance to make sure you get the best cover!