Latest posts for the topic "Dare to drive!!"

Dare to drive!!

Wed, 7 Dec 2011 09:09:33 GMT

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.

Re:Dare to drive!!

Wed, 7 Dec 2011 09:24:33 GMT

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 GBP100 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.

Re:Dare to drive!!

Wed, 7 Dec 2011 09:28:37 GMT

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 GBP200 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.

Re:Dare to drive!!

Wed, 7 Dec 2011 09:33:39 GMT

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 Euro60.

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.

Re:Dare to drive!!

Wed, 7 Dec 2011 11:00:00 GMT

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.

Re:Dare to drive!!

Wed, 7 Dec 2011 11:21:31 GMT

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

The cheapest I could find flights for Feb Half-Term was GBP1500 and then needed transfer which was prabably another GBP200 to GBP400 return for 4 people.

Driving no brainer, chunnel about GBP150 and then 1600 mile round trip (13hr Drive time without stops) 400 to a tank GBP70 to fill plus an extra tank because of queques waiting, engine running for no particular reason other than defrost the screen, then that makes GBP500.

Overnight stop on way GBP100.

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

Re:Dare to drive!!

Wed, 7 Dec 2011 11:42:06 GMT

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.

Re:Dare to drive!!

Wed, 7 Dec 2011 14:35:51 GMT

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

Dare to drive!!

Wed, 7 Dec 2011 14:44:21 GMT

Is there a substantial saving in doing this? - Only if you share the costs with another couple, but going with your OH alone will not save enough to make it beneficial. Trust me, I've priced it to the last penny.

What are the journey times? - Calais to Serre Chevalier, 9 hours. Alpe d'Huez an hour less. Allow more time at peak weekends and in bad conditions.

Will I need a 4'wheel drive/snow chains etc? - Need a 4WD? No. Want? Probably yes. Don't take a rear wheel drive car, do fit winter tyres before you go, and have a set of chains in the boot just in case.

Route planner suggests to use toll roads in France, cost of these? - Calais to Grenoble cost us GBP70 last year, each way. Definitely use toll roads, less crowded and much much faster. You can add 50% travel time on minimum not taking motorways.

TTT (Tony's Top Tip): when you get to Dijon, dont take the main autoroute down to Lyon. Go onto the 2nd one that runs parallel with it towards Bourg en Bresses, you'll miss the worst of the traffic and also won't have to go round Lyon. Much much better. From there you can head up to Geneva, across to Chambery or down to Grenoble, and the world's your oyster.

I know some people do it regularly. I've driven it once, and would do it again but only with another couple as on your own the cost and hassle make it more beneficial for me personally to book a package and fly.

Re:Dare to drive!!

Wed, 7 Dec 2011 14:52:18 GMT

Well thanks for the input everyone, you have given me a lot to consider. I need to weight up my options, time to break out the excel spreadsheet and get crunching the figures i think

Re:Dare to drive!!

Wed, 7 Dec 2011 14:54:54 GMT

Before you were TowerBridgeAndy, did you used to be known as KirkbymoorsidestreamcrossingAndy?

Re:Dare to drive!!

Wed, 7 Dec 2011 17:07:40 GMT

OK, just got home from work, so my thoughts on the matter.

We have been driving to Europe for the past 10 years. Frankly, out of a group of seven of us, there is only one person who would prefer to fly, and that is because she gets a little car sick, and even then she would only do so if the rest of us still took all her gear :shock:

We take around 8 hours from Calais to places like Tignes, and that is due to several stops now we are getting older.

No, I really don't think it is cheaper, but we prefer the freedom it gives us on when we travel and what we take with us. We do have the advantage of taking a pair of 4x4 vehicles, so we really can load them up with gear and not worry too much about what the weather will bring. They are fitted with proper all terrain tyres, but even so we still have chains with us in case.

This year we will be driving to Kitzbuhel, and I still think that will be under 10 hours from Calais. I drove to Dusseldorf this weekend in just over three hours, and that is over a third of the way there.

Agree with earlier comments re France. Use the autoroutes and pay the tolls. I would look at getting the sensor for your car this year so you can pay later and just drive straight through the "fast" booths. See this thread for info.. http://www.j2ski.com/ski-chat-forum/posts/list/11089.page

Just make sure your vehicle is fit for the journey, carry the required extras (hi vis jacket, triangle etc) and ensure you have plenty of anti freeze in your water. Also carry a container of pre made winter strength screen wash, as if it is damp, you will use a lot on the autoroute.

Re:Dare to drive!!

Wed, 7 Dec 2011 17:42:45 GMT

We've done both. Last year we drove to St. Gervais for Christmas & New Year & found it to be a hassle free journey - althogh heavy snow did close in behind us & had we gone a day later it could have been a different story. We planned the route using the following route planner:-

www.viamichelin.co.uk

This gave us exact locations & prices of the tolls so we had the right euros ready at each booth & had no problems. Coming home we found the service areas to be very busy but out biggest hold up was checking into the ferry port at Calais. We were there in plenty of time but missed our ferry which was annoying.

The toll roads are great & we're doing it again this year. Good luck.

Re:Dare to drive!!

Wed, 7 Dec 2011 17:45:30 GMT

Driving isn't a big problem but the economics vary depending on how many are in the car, whether you are taking your own skis, and how it stacks up against a package deal.
Ideally you will be sharing the driving as it's a long drag and, should you get injured, you can get your car back to the UK.

Re:Dare to drive!!

Wed, 7 Dec 2011 18:10:41 GMT

Perhaps I should add, that we still book packages. Most TO's will adjust the price down, and include your Eurotunnel tickets in the package.

Only thing to then check and arrange is the parking at the destination end. Varies from free to Euro's depending on whether covered and secure.

Re:Dare to drive!!

Wed, 7 Dec 2011 18:18:05 GMT

Done it from L'Havre to Grand Massif and that was easy in day via Paris but cost about Euro80 each way ..my preferred route , which I have done a couple of times, is via Lille and Luxembourg (fill up there the cheapest fuel in Europe) and then down the Autoroutes ...a bit longer but a good saving and can be done in the day..its definitely worthwhile for 2 but the main thing is the freedom while you are there..In That region you can go to 3 or 4 major skiing areas in a week ...

Re:Dare to drive!!

Wed, 7 Dec 2011 20:29:43 GMT

I did some investigations last year in this forum, but next Friday we're going to do it. I mean, Do It!

Bigger car being delivered in two days with winter tyres, eurotunnel tickets booked for a pre-six a.m. departure and an eleven o'clock return a week later.

Why are we driving?

- Flights for two adults and two kids are a nightmare to arrange, transfers are a pain, and it's expensive and stressful
- Adventure of a long road trip
- Driving in the Alps is fun itself
- Stopping in a few wine regions on the way down for 'supplies'
- Stopping for Christmas markets on the way back, for more 'supplies'

I've got to say, I'm expecting negative points too but hope to mitigate these by setting up an iPad to play movies in the back of the car, and plenty of music and radio adaptations on my iPhone.

Hopefully the wife will take pity in the afternoon and give me a break...

Re:Dare to drive!!

Sat, 10 Dec 2011 14:12:41 GMT

Hi
We've driven for past 3 years but are flying this year. Some info:... (we are a family of 4).
Pros: 1) If you've a big enough car to make it comfortable, and can get a roof box on top, then you can take loads. Especially important if self catering as can stock up before you go.
2) Fun on way out. A pain though on way home, as you just want to be home when you've ended your holiday.
3) You get to see a bit of france too. We stop over two nights on way out and one on way back to break the journey (travel though to Austria, so to France it's easier with just one stop).
4) You can get more skiing time as you can ski first and last day possibly...especially if you just drive through to get home, without a stop.
Cons:1) im,portant one - now the cost of fuel is so high, it makes flying about on par, if you take into account stops on route/meals etc.
2) We fly to Munich late on Friday evening, and return from Munich late on the Saturday this year. Munich flights are a lot cheaper than to Innsbruck/Salzburg, even iwth car hire on arrival.
3)A taxi sent by resort is even cheaper.