Dare to drive!!

Ok so I have recently relocated from Yorkshire (aka god's county) down to our Capital, I know silly move but work commitments and all that. But it has suddenly dawned on me that I am close enough to possibly drive to the Alps instead of fly. So any help on the following would be greatly appreciated:

Is there a substantial saving in doing this?
What are the journey times? (Route planner seems to suggest a 12.5 hour drive to Tignes)
Will I need a 4'wheel drive/snow chains etc?
Route planner suggests to use toll roads in France, cost of these?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

We drive and it's always been great. Last year we did a stopover in Dijon, this year we are driving overnight down to Les Gets.

Last year we just took chains with us (and yes, you really do need to have them just in case, I think it's a legal requirement in France anyway?). This year I have put winter tyres on my car as well, mainly because the last 2 years have had so much snow over here too.

We use the toll roads and we bought a toll reader device for the car - it's on the windscreen and we just drive through the fast toll lane without having to pay cash - it gets added to the credit card and saves tons of time in queues! Usually allow about £100 for tolls for our journey.

If you like driving then I'd highly recommend it - plus you can fill the car up with booze at Calais on the way back - what's not to like?! If you don't like long distance driving then you'll hate it.

No big saving, but you can take LOADS more stuff.

Yep, 10-12 hours to Tignes, non-stop apart from fuel stops, depending on weather

Chains? Yes. If it's snowing on the approach roads the Gendarmes will turn you around if you don't have chains on. 4wd not necessary.

Use the tolls. The time savings far outweigh costs. Look at £200 and you won't be far off. Using the French equivalent of A and B roads takes forever, is miles further, and will drive you nuts.

I have driven many times to the alps ...

1. It is not cheaper.. Unless you have another party sharing the costs.

2. If you are taking kids think about an overnight stop.

3. Snow chains are a must, you might never use them but don't leave home without them.

4. I always use the French Autoroutes they are maintained very well, just pay the money I normally
travel to an hour past Geneva costs are around €60.

5. Always best if you do not plan an overnight stop is to share the driving just keeps you that little
bit fresher for the days skiing ahead.

6. Benefits you have freedom to drive to other resorts, and the drive is all part of the holiday.

We drove for the first time to Val Thoren last March. We were so fed up with Potato/Kebab Airways et al treating us like cattle, that we thought driving would be a refreshing change.

It took 13 hours door to door through the tunnel, that's from Norwich to Val, so not too bad. It takes that long anyway with driving to the airport, hanging about, flights, hanging about, coaches etc.

We took all the home comforts with us including quilts, pillows, towels, loads of food and booze and a fab picnic for the journey. As many ski's and boots and extra clothes as we like. No weight limit, no queueing, no hanging about and first to arrive in resort before the coaches.

I can't say that it was cheaper for the two of us but we are off again on 17th Dec with four on board and we reckoin this will be comparable to the cost of flying.

You do need snow chains or winter tyres, they won't let you up the mountain without. You also need a flourescent vest or jacket in the car where you can reach it, not in the boot (French rules). We have also invested in the toll reader thingy, so this will hopefully make our journey even smoother.

And what's more, there's snow in La Plagne and even if there wasn't, we could always jump in the car and drive to somewhere else. Can't wait, roll on 17th.

Driving for the first time this year to Austria, Kitzbhul.

The cheapest I could find flights for Feb Half-Term was £1500 and then needed transfer which was prabably another £200 to £400 return for 4 people.

Driving no brainer, chunnel about £150 and then 1600 mile round trip (13hr Drive time without stops) 400 to a tank £70 to fill plus an extra tank because of queques waiting, engine running for no particular reason other than defrost the screen, then that makes £500.

Overnight stop on way £100.

Still much cheaper or am I getting it totally wrong!!!!

Drive every time from Scotland, prices much the same as the above folks although we do have an extra tank of petrol to get us down to Dover. Use snowsocks instead of chains in France. Would never dream of flying now except for a cheeky weekend.

Happy driving and have fun.

Have done the trip every year for the past 10years and its as easy as you want it to be, common sense prevails, at Xmas, New Year half term the roads are a lot busier and the journey takes longer, yes use the tolls, I have done the journey Solihull to Morillon 11hrs door to door leaving at 03.00hrs business class on eurotunnel only because part of the package but is quicker and you get a packed lunch
Cost, two people expensive, four people break even maybe a little better, 6 people quids in, roofbox and ski reack six pairs boots/skis (Ryanair 480euros ski carriage) again when are you travelling peak weeks could be more cost effective for 2 to drive also fuel economy of your car
Now the plus points, do an overnight stop leaving yourself a couple of hours from resort you can get an extra days skiing, no real rush to get back drive through Annecy have lunch in the old town, beautiful !
fill the car with top quality wines and cheap beer from St Omer and do another overnight, most important of all the driving in France is no where near as stressful as the UK