Driving to Sweden
Discussion
We have a wedding to go to in Sweden in July. We enjoy driving holidays, so figured we could drive there stopping along the way.
It's a fair old way at 1200 miles, so we're thinking we could get a ferry over to somewhere like Norway or Denmark and do most of the driving once we're there. Copenhagen, Gothenburg etc.
Anyone done a trip like this before, due to it being so vast, it's going to take a long time to figure out what ferries might be best. So after some advice on route etc.
It's a fair old way at 1200 miles, so we're thinking we could get a ferry over to somewhere like Norway or Denmark and do most of the driving once we're there. Copenhagen, Gothenburg etc.
Anyone done a trip like this before, due to it being so vast, it's going to take a long time to figure out what ferries might be best. So after some advice on route etc.
I'd considered this before, but I don't think there are any crossings left between the UK and Scandinavia - I'd considered starting/finishing part of the journey from Kristensand in Norway.
The Harwich/Esjberg route closed recently, so the closest starting point on the continent is possible Harwich-Amsterdam, or similar..
The Harwich/Esjberg route closed recently, so the closest starting point on the continent is possible Harwich-Amsterdam, or similar..
hoegaardenruls said:
I'd considered this before, but I don't think there are any crossings left between the UK and Scandinavia - I'd considered starting/finishing part of the journey from Kristensand in Norway.
The Harwich/Esjberg route closed recently, so the closest starting point on the continent is possible Harwich-Amsterdam, or similar..
Sadly it's true. Fly drive might give you the most time there. Just don't speed.The Harwich/Esjberg route closed recently, so the closest starting point on the continent is possible Harwich-Amsterdam, or similar..
Did London to Stockholm (and back) late July 2013. Took the 6am ferry to Calais, sorted the GPS and arrived at Scandic Kolding at 7pm. Went past Bruges, Antwerp and then blasted up the A1 through Germany. As soon as you hit Denmark it's fairly smooth sailing from there. Remember to keep cash for the bridges though.
Speeding in Sweden is not that bad. I usually keep it about 10-15km/h over the limit for good progress (http://trafikjuristen.se/korkortingripande/aterkallelsepraxis/aterkallelse1.htm). Just keep an eye out for helicopters in the rear if you're really going for it.
Speeding in Sweden is not that bad. I usually keep it about 10-15km/h over the limit for good progress (http://trafikjuristen.se/korkortingripande/aterkallelsepraxis/aterkallelse1.htm). Just keep an eye out for helicopters in the rear if you're really going for it.
Edited by Looket on Saturday 31st January 12:03
Edited by Looket on Saturday 31st January 12:04
I was considering using the Esbjerg ferry this year to cut down the driving miles to Sweden but I'd heard it
was closing ,as above now closed.
Have to resort to the Calais and 1000 + drive then,just like last year.
It's along slog but the drive over the Oresund is nice when you finally arrive in Sweden.
was closing ,as above now closed.
Have to resort to the Calais and 1000 + drive then,just like last year.
It's along slog but the drive over the Oresund is nice when you finally arrive in Sweden.
Having had a place in both UK and Sweden, up on Baltic coast a bit north of Gävle, this is a trip have done often.
Done most of the routes, including the Scandinavian routes when they were running. Most of the time used the Harwich - Esbjerg route but stopped when they just started taking the piss on fare prices. So started investigating the shorter channel crossings.
The problem I found with the channel crossings through Calais / Boulogne / Dunkirk etc is that I had a longish drive to get to Dover etc. Being the only driver found that by the time you'd fought your way round London, had a bit of a poxy crossing, you might get say to Antwerp or Gent and were ready for a kip.
Therefore the option best for me was Harwich - Hoek overnight. You get a reasonable dinner and breakfast included. The ferry docks at 5, disembarks 6ish iirc and you're out and away before the morning traffic. Blast up through Germany, across Denmark and well into Sweden by time for a stop. Occasionally I'd be lazy or the weather / traffic bad (Hamburg grrr) and stop at the Scandic Helsingborg, sometimes get a wiggle on with a clear run and get all the way up to Linkoping.
So that's my view but if your start point is closer to Dover then that's a more viable route.
Done most of the routes, including the Scandinavian routes when they were running. Most of the time used the Harwich - Esbjerg route but stopped when they just started taking the piss on fare prices. So started investigating the shorter channel crossings.
The problem I found with the channel crossings through Calais / Boulogne / Dunkirk etc is that I had a longish drive to get to Dover etc. Being the only driver found that by the time you'd fought your way round London, had a bit of a poxy crossing, you might get say to Antwerp or Gent and were ready for a kip.
Therefore the option best for me was Harwich - Hoek overnight. You get a reasonable dinner and breakfast included. The ferry docks at 5, disembarks 6ish iirc and you're out and away before the morning traffic. Blast up through Germany, across Denmark and well into Sweden by time for a stop. Occasionally I'd be lazy or the weather / traffic bad (Hamburg grrr) and stop at the Scandic Helsingborg, sometimes get a wiggle on with a clear run and get all the way up to Linkoping.
So that's my view but if your start point is closer to Dover then that's a more viable route.
illmonkey said:
I can do dover in 2 hours.
Seems like no easy crossing to half the miles though.
What is your destination?Seems like no easy crossing to half the miles though.
Driving in Scandinavia is a doddle, especially that time of year. You'll likely find near deserted roads in Sweden. It's a long slog getting there (especially if you catch Hamburg traffic) but once you do the miles won't be that much of an issue anymore. I cut my journey in two equally long legs by overnighting in Kolding and found that to be a good idea - made the second day of driving a decidedly chilled out affair.
EDIT: Oh, and it'll all be worth it for the feeling of euphoria alone that you get while crossing Öresund bridge. I admit. I pumped my fist. With much gusto.
Edited by Looket on Sunday 1st February 00:22
Seeing as you're two hours from Dover then tend to agree. Scandic Kolding is a reasonable break point.
You certainly want to be crossing those bridges in daylight first time. Recall crossing once and realised there was a seabird gliding on the wind and keeping pace alongside me for quite some time. Looked at the speedometer.
Didn't know they could fly so fast. Jonathan Livingstone Seagull indeed.
Edited to add. If you go into the centre of Stockholm there is a congestion charge. As a foreign registered vehicle you are exempt.
You certainly want to be crossing those bridges in daylight first time. Recall crossing once and realised there was a seabird gliding on the wind and keeping pace alongside me for quite some time. Looked at the speedometer.
Didn't know they could fly so fast. Jonathan Livingstone Seagull indeed. Edited to add. If you go into the centre of Stockholm there is a congestion charge. As a foreign registered vehicle you are exempt.
Edited by FiF on Sunday 1st February 07:17
FiF said:
Edited to add. If you go into the centre of Stockholm there is a congestion charge. As a foreign registered vehicle you are exempt.
I wanted to take advantage of that last year but could I find a simple map of the city at a filling stationEdited by FiF on Sunday 1st February 07:17
before getting there ?...no !
I'll buy one in England before departing this year.
Wife's family are in Kristianstadt, we usually fly to Copenhagen and drive there... over the bridge, past Malmo and Lund. Not too far but I'd be tempted with that if you want to make a trip of it - more time to see Sweden and fewer 'slog' miles before you get onto the, relatively, quiet Swedish roads.
I usually aim for limit + 10% on cruise and find I'm somewhere in the middle of overtaking and being overtaken. If you're not in a rush this is the way to go - speed enforcement seems to be more common now than when I first drove over there as is the proliferation of 'slow down' zones with 90-80-70-60-50 replacing the older 90-70-50 on non-m-way.
Generally find the Swedes to be courteous divers and not quite as prone to tailgating as the Benelux posse.
I usually aim for limit + 10% on cruise and find I'm somewhere in the middle of overtaking and being overtaken. If you're not in a rush this is the way to go - speed enforcement seems to be more common now than when I first drove over there as is the proliferation of 'slow down' zones with 90-80-70-60-50 replacing the older 90-70-50 on non-m-way.
Generally find the Swedes to be courteous divers and not quite as prone to tailgating as the Benelux posse.
Limit plus 10% seems to be the norm but I would suggest to be restricted to the equivalent of the Swedish NSL. They don't have an NSL per se, but on any limit below 110 on motorway / dual carriageway or any limit below 90 on single carriageway* then I tend to behave myself. 50 and 30 absolutely so. A mate's Mrs got nabbed on a short stretch of 30 only just over.
Permanent cameras tend to be signed in advance, eg speed checks next x km, occasionally seen the face pointing cameras mounted on a small trailer. Hand held checks again with lasers etc not unknown.
Having said that during the ash cloud malarkey a few years back it seemed that a pragmatic approach prevailed. Speeds significantly over 160 kph went unmolested. Indeed we did one run from Gävle to Schiedam at a pace that shouldn't have left any of us drivers with a licence. Not proud of it but had to be done.
Permanent cameras tend to be signed in advance, eg speed checks next x km, occasionally seen the face pointing cameras mounted on a small trailer. Hand held checks again with lasers etc not unknown.
Having said that during the ash cloud malarkey a few years back it seemed that a pragmatic approach prevailed. Speeds significantly over 160 kph went unmolested. Indeed we did one run from Gävle to Schiedam at a pace that shouldn't have left any of us drivers with a licence. Not proud of it but had to be done.
- * On the back roads deep in the middle of nowhere however.
FiF said:
Edited to add. If you go into the centre of Stockholm there is a congestion charge. As a foreign registered vehicle you are exempt.
]
Just found out that no longer applies due to EU directives 1999/62/EC and 2008/38/EC foreign vehicles are no longer exempt from beginning 2015.]
It seems you have to set up an account with www.epass24.com or else they will find out your details and send you a bill via some collection agency. Risk of 500 sek extra collection charge. No idea if any reciprocal arrangements are in place for UK and who any collection agency would be.
So 2,400 mile round trip
How many days are you going for? Assuming a week in which case it would be what 3 days to get there 3 days back one day for the wedding. That' will be long days driving too - even if you do like driving lots surely you prefer actually doing something else than say on your arse for 6 full days and literally then sleep.
Why not fly direct then hire a car and use it there but drive back home or fly from halfway?
I know one chap who drives to the Alps each year - coz it saves him the flights. However he has two 16 hr days driving give or take utterly shattered and then he isn't on the slopes until the 2nd/3rd day and even then not fully as totally done in. A false economy. We mirrored it one year we flew he drove we had 6 full days skiing and were totally relaxed he had 3 as he had to drive back to arrive the same time as we did in the UK. (He
How many days are you going for? Assuming a week in which case it would be what 3 days to get there 3 days back one day for the wedding. That' will be long days driving too - even if you do like driving lots surely you prefer actually doing something else than say on your arse for 6 full days and literally then sleep.
Why not fly direct then hire a car and use it there but drive back home or fly from halfway?
I know one chap who drives to the Alps each year - coz it saves him the flights. However he has two 16 hr days driving give or take utterly shattered and then he isn't on the slopes until the 2nd/3rd day and even then not fully as totally done in. A false economy. We mirrored it one year we flew he drove we had 6 full days skiing and were totally relaxed he had 3 as he had to drive back to arrive the same time as we did in the UK. (He
a few of the monaro owners have driven up to Vasteras for the Power Big Meet.
Around 1400 miles from Derby and we do it in 2 days
Use the tunnel, then the scenic route through France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark then Sweden
A large portion of the Germany autobahn heading towards Denmark has no speed limit so you can make up time there.
In Denmark and Sweden try to keep your speed down, other than that its straight forward
Were off again to Sweden for the third time in July
Around 1400 miles from Derby and we do it in 2 days
Use the tunnel, then the scenic route through France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark then Sweden
A large portion of the Germany autobahn heading towards Denmark has no speed limit so you can make up time there.
In Denmark and Sweden try to keep your speed down, other than that its straight forward
Were off again to Sweden for the third time in July
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