Driving to the Czech Republic
Discussion
Hi there folks, looking for a little advice. I have a wedding to attend in the Czech Republic 1 Hour outside Prague this July. My girlfriend, whose sister is the one getting married, wants to drive so that we can take our dog and a few bits and pieces for family back in Czechia.
It's looking like quite the journey so far when checking out google maps Link to directions 1 and michelin route planner Link to directions 2 both suggesting a total driving time of around 22.5 hours though my gf says that it is optimistic with regards to how fast we will get from Calais to Prague as she has done it before and it took much longer, though that was in a minibus.
I guess what I'm wondering is whether it makes sense to stop at Dover then try and do the ferry and drive to Czechia the next day or is it better to get over to the continent in one go then it's not so much of a trek to Czechia, I don't really want two overnights but I am aware that it may be a necessity.
Has anyone got experience of driving this route? I'm happy for any tips or shortcuts that anyone knows of, thanks in advance.
It's looking like quite the journey so far when checking out google maps Link to directions 1 and michelin route planner Link to directions 2 both suggesting a total driving time of around 22.5 hours though my gf says that it is optimistic with regards to how fast we will get from Calais to Prague as she has done it before and it took much longer, though that was in a minibus.
I guess what I'm wondering is whether it makes sense to stop at Dover then try and do the ferry and drive to Czechia the next day or is it better to get over to the continent in one go then it's not so much of a trek to Czechia, I don't really want two overnights but I am aware that it may be a necessity.
Has anyone got experience of driving this route? I'm happy for any tips or shortcuts that anyone knows of, thanks in advance.
We drove to Prague in 2015, but we went via Berlin and Poland. Do you have to go via Calais? That adds quite a few miles onto a trip, which if you crossed via Holland could be avoided. Once through Belgium into Germany, depending on the vehicle and the roads chosen, progress could be swift.
Personally, I would have an overnighter on the continent before an early start the next day Example Eindhoven to Prague is only 500 miles, so whilst it would be a long day it's doable
<Edit - just looked at your location and I would definitely use a North Sea Ferry - Newcastle, Hull or Harwich, early start after a restful night on the boat>
Personally, I would have an overnighter on the continent before an early start the next day Example Eindhoven to Prague is only 500 miles, so whilst it would be a long day it's doable
<Edit - just looked at your location and I would definitely use a North Sea Ferry - Newcastle, Hull or Harwich, early start after a restful night on the boat>
Edited by chopper602 on Wednesday 15th February 21:22
In the past I`ve done a hell of a lot of driving in Europe including a trip to Prague.I gave up a few years ago because it's so busy and takes for ever,a complete waste of a day.
The last time we went to Prague it was a 1.5hr EasyJet flight,I think it's possible to pay £70 return?
Our car journey to Prague was part of a holiday so we took it easy.After the ferry it was all motorway straight across via Lille,Liege,Cologne,then south towards Frankfurt.We then spent the night in Wertheim,then across into Czech visiting friends in Pilsen then on to Prague.
I would say a drive to Prague WITHOUT an overnight stop is out of the question,and unsafe!!
Just add up all that expense,time,hassle,stress etc etc and think about the EasyJet flight,even with excess baggage.Do you really want to take the dog to a wedding?
The last time we went to Prague it was a 1.5hr EasyJet flight,I think it's possible to pay £70 return?
Our car journey to Prague was part of a holiday so we took it easy.After the ferry it was all motorway straight across via Lille,Liege,Cologne,then south towards Frankfurt.We then spent the night in Wertheim,then across into Czech visiting friends in Pilsen then on to Prague.
I would say a drive to Prague WITHOUT an overnight stop is out of the question,and unsafe!!
Just add up all that expense,time,hassle,stress etc etc and think about the EasyJet flight,even with excess baggage.Do you really want to take the dog to a wedding?
Have done it in one hit to W Berks, is a reasonable slog, can boot it a bit in Germany which helps keep the av speed up, tho I wasn't in a very quick car so don't think I hit over 140mph or so, was nowhere near the 22 hrs you've looked at, sure I did it in 16 hrs or so with quick bite stops & Chunnel etc
Edited- doh just spotted you are Scotland, hence the 22 hr bit, yeh that's a step too far in one hit esp with a dog, needs a 1 night stop at least.
Edited- doh just spotted you are Scotland, hence the 22 hr bit, yeh that's a step too far in one hit esp with a dog, needs a 1 night stop at least.
Edited by iguana on Thursday 16th February 23:32
We did Prague last year - overnight to Hook of Holland, but then split it up - with 2 nights in Bad Harzburg on the way down.
This was part of a longer holiday, but I'd still want an overnight stop on the way down.
German motorways are never quite as quick and free-flowing as you expect them to be - there are some real bottlenecks caused by roadworks due to years of underinvestment.
This was part of a longer holiday, but I'd still want an overnight stop on the way down.
German motorways are never quite as quick and free-flowing as you expect them to be - there are some real bottlenecks caused by roadworks due to years of underinvestment.
Similar to above, we stopped off in Prague for a few nights as part of a longer trip.
The route (from London) was pretty much similar to the most southerly route shown, as we had two overnight stops in Cologne and Nuremburg on the way with a diversion to visit Karlovy Vary en-route to Prague - the final part of the drive between Cologne to Nuremburg was pretty slow due to the amount of traffic on the road and it wasn't the first time we had been caught in queues on the same road.
With the drive from Scotland to consider, I'd be considering at least a couple of overnight stops, and the Hull-Rotterdam option sounds much better than carrying on to Kent for a crossing there..as you would be pretty much certain to hit traffic some where M6/M1/M25 on the way south as well..
The route (from London) was pretty much similar to the most southerly route shown, as we had two overnight stops in Cologne and Nuremburg on the way with a diversion to visit Karlovy Vary en-route to Prague - the final part of the drive between Cologne to Nuremburg was pretty slow due to the amount of traffic on the road and it wasn't the first time we had been caught in queues on the same road.
With the drive from Scotland to consider, I'd be considering at least a couple of overnight stops, and the Hull-Rotterdam option sounds much better than carrying on to Kent for a crossing there..as you would be pretty much certain to hit traffic some where M6/M1/M25 on the way south as well..
iguana said:
Have done it in one hit to W Berks, is a reasonable slog, can boot it a bit in Germany which helps keep the av speed up, tho I wasn't in a very quick car so don't think I hit over 140mph or so, was nowhere near the 22 hrs you've looked at, sure I did it in 16 hrs or so with quick bite stops & Chunnel etc
We did 13 hours Munich to Reading once, S2000 though 
I missed the Scotland bit !!! blimey the drive from your home to Dover would be bad enough and may take longer than the drive from Calais to Prague?? let's be sensible, one night near Dover,one night in Germany,that is a drive and a half,you will be cream crackered.
EasyJet fly from Edinburgh to Prague,it's a no brainer.
EasyJet fly from Edinburgh to Prague,it's a no brainer.
Puggit said:
We did 13 hours Munich to Reading once, S2000 though
Trouble is these days no matter where you are, UK,Germany,the traffic can suddenly stop.Take Reading to Dover,I`ve done it many times say 1.5hrs? may be two? once it took me over THREE!!Germany is the same.My son was based there in the Army during the 90`s,my lap record from Gutersloh to Calais was 4hrs driving like Lewis Hamilton at well over 100mph.The last time I drove to Germany that same drive took me 8HRS !!
Edited by Old Merc on Friday 17th February 10:10
Old Merc said:
Trouble is these days no matter where you are, UK,Germany,the traffic can suddenly stop.Take Reading to Dover,I`ve done it many times say 1.5hrs? may be two? once it took me over THREE!!
Took us 3 hours a few years back (some idiot drove a crane in to an M25 gantry on the first day of the summer holidays). We arrived breathless at the ticket barrier at the very last minute for our train check-in. Or so we thought... Mrs Puggit had booked the next day!! £5 change fee saw us on a train 2 hours later. Fortunately with our own property, it didn't matter with accommodation. Old Merc said:
Trouble is these days no matter where you are, UK,Germany,the traffic can suddenly stop.Take Reading to Dover,I`ve done it many times say 1.5hrs? may be two? once it took me over THREE!!
Germany is the same.My son was based there in the Army during the 90`s,my lap record from Gutersloh to Calais was 4hrs driving like Lewis Hamilton at well over 100mph.The last time I drove to Germany that same drive took me 8HRS !!
Also worth noting that maintaining high speeds for prolonged periods is exhausting - I can briefly cruise at 140mph, but you start to get sensory overload and really do have to throttle back to something a little easier to process.Germany is the same.My son was based there in the Army during the 90`s,my lap record from Gutersloh to Calais was 4hrs driving like Lewis Hamilton at well over 100mph.The last time I drove to Germany that same drive took me 8HRS !!
I'm OK at 120, but find around 100 is significantly more relaxing.
We went 22 yrs ago.
1st stop Cologne then into the Czech Republic via Chemnitz. A bit nervous as I'd heard European cars were in demand and theft likely.
1st village we came to a Trabant pulled in front of us @ 10mph, hogged the middle of the road so we couldn't overtake, car behind right up our chuff so nowhere to go. A bit concerned. Centre of the village a couple of fit girls dancing about in underwear and high heels, next layby Trabant pulls over followed by a car in the queue behind. Then I cottoned on, local pimp making sure we all got a good look @ the goods. The same routine in the next few villages.
Enjoyed having the car, we got out and about a bit.
1st stop Cologne then into the Czech Republic via Chemnitz. A bit nervous as I'd heard European cars were in demand and theft likely.
1st village we came to a Trabant pulled in front of us @ 10mph, hogged the middle of the road so we couldn't overtake, car behind right up our chuff so nowhere to go. A bit concerned. Centre of the village a couple of fit girls dancing about in underwear and high heels, next layby Trabant pulls over followed by a car in the queue behind. Then I cottoned on, local pimp making sure we all got a good look @ the goods. The same routine in the next few villages.
Enjoyed having the car, we got out and about a bit.
Old Merc said:
Trouble is these days no matter where you are, UK,Germany,the traffic can suddenly stop.
We had huge problems around Frankfurt, we ended up stopping there which we hadn't intended to as the traffic was so bad and do a longer leg the following day - which we cruised on through with no issue at all. You can't predict traffic and a few 20 or 30 minute delays add up, never mind something more significant.In these circumstances I would fly and get a dog sitter, it was a great trip to take with no time pressure - but that was the fun of it really.
Hi Guys,
Thanks for the replies, I had thought that calais to Czechia would be too much in one go but had hoped to manage. I'll plan for another stop somewhere in Germany not far off the route. I know what you are all saying about the northern ferries but the prices at that time of year are frankly absurd plus the gf has friends from when she stayed in Folkestone so we will stay with them for that part of the journey which makes going down that far worthwhile.
Wish we could get a dog sitter but it isn't going to happen for many reasons, mainly bad previous experiences on my gf's part plus he really hates being seperated from us.
Thanks again for the advice, it's really appreciated. I'll post up a thread of our experiences after the trip.
Thanks for the replies, I had thought that calais to Czechia would be too much in one go but had hoped to manage. I'll plan for another stop somewhere in Germany not far off the route. I know what you are all saying about the northern ferries but the prices at that time of year are frankly absurd plus the gf has friends from when she stayed in Folkestone so we will stay with them for that part of the journey which makes going down that far worthwhile.
Wish we could get a dog sitter but it isn't going to happen for many reasons, mainly bad previous experiences on my gf's part plus he really hates being seperated from us.
Thanks again for the advice, it's really appreciated. I'll post up a thread of our experiences after the trip.
I've been driving back to UK to north Germany or Switzerland for 22 years now.
Both used to be done as a single day 14 hour drive.
Nowadays, I tend stop in Belgium for an overnight rest or use the Harwich - Hook of Holland ferry.
I think that would be a good idea for yourselves simply because you can get a decent nights sleep before an early start for Prague.
I think both of those drives a quite doable with rest/coffee stops for yourselves and your dog.
Sounds like a nice trip to plan, good luck.
Got me thinking about this summers drive to Spain now.
Both used to be done as a single day 14 hour drive.
Nowadays, I tend stop in Belgium for an overnight rest or use the Harwich - Hook of Holland ferry.
I think that would be a good idea for yourselves simply because you can get a decent nights sleep before an early start for Prague.
I think both of those drives a quite doable with rest/coffee stops for yourselves and your dog.
Sounds like a nice trip to plan, good luck.
Got me thinking about this summers drive to Spain now.
Well folks I am sitting waiting on the wedding getting underway.
We ended up going down to folkestone then over by Euro tunnel. I managed it in two days and we made fantastic time. Got to folkestone in just over 10hrs including a couple of stops.
Then we set off at 4am the next day to get onto the continent. The driving was awesome, easily the best and fastest I have ever experienced. Apart from my lack of preparedness (had to stop and get a German toll sticker as I forgot to order it) we made excellent time, sat at approx 90 for the majority of Germany, no traffic, minor roadworks, some stretches we had three lanes to ourselves!
So we took 13.5 hrs to get from Calais to hradec kralove. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a similar trip back as even though I was a bit tired at the end I didn't feel too bad
must admit I thought I would struggle more with driving on the right but it came very naturally.
We ended up going down to folkestone then over by Euro tunnel. I managed it in two days and we made fantastic time. Got to folkestone in just over 10hrs including a couple of stops.
Then we set off at 4am the next day to get onto the continent. The driving was awesome, easily the best and fastest I have ever experienced. Apart from my lack of preparedness (had to stop and get a German toll sticker as I forgot to order it) we made excellent time, sat at approx 90 for the majority of Germany, no traffic, minor roadworks, some stretches we had three lanes to ourselves!
So we took 13.5 hrs to get from Calais to hradec kralove. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a similar trip back as even though I was a bit tired at the end I didn't feel too bad
must admit I thought I would struggle more with driving on the right but it came very naturally. Edited by FRA53R on Wednesday 19th July 15:29
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