Road trip to Hamburg

[deanogtv]

Me, the missus and kids are driving to Hamburg next wednesday to watch the mighty Fulham in the Europa Finel, we are hoping to leave Calais at around 8.30am. Google route planner recons 6hours 32mins.
Firstly has anyone ever done this route??? and if so how long realisticly will it take, i'm guessing 6hrs is a bit over egged for 460miles

Any thoughts would help

[5potTurbo]

I just checked on Viamichelin.com and they reckon ~7h15m from Calais to Hamburg.

I would say much of how long it takes you depends on what time you're arriving in Calais. Using the E40 in Belgium, then skirting around Antwerp can be a royal 'P.I.T.A.' with traffic, with very long queues forming just due to the volume of traffic on the roads.

To be safe, I would allow 9h and cover the distance comfortably. Nothing more stressful than getting caught in traffic wondering if you'll make it in time. Take it from me, having used the E40 numerous times to get to Dunkerque for the ferry to Blighty - arriving at the Port with <10 minutes to departure. (I'm resident "Sausageside")

If you haven't got a decent SatNav, get one.

Enjoy the match!

[stigmundfreud]

yes I'd say about that, we did Salzburg from Calais and it took a little longer. Get there first thing AM you will be ok, otherwise I'd recommend a halfway stop

[rpla102]

Last summer I drove from Calais via Amsterdam to Hamburg...

Quite a trip, depends on roadworks between Bremen and Hamburg and if they are still in operation. Some of the Autobahn is unrestricted but the majority is not.

This bit was the slowest...seemed to take a bloody age to get over



Mind you this wasn't particularly quick either...poor old Volvo was fully loaded with luggage and struggled to go much quicker...



Cracking city hamburg, there is loads going on, the locals love the footie and there are loads of great resturants etc!!

Have a good time!!!

Rpla102

[Rich_W]

deanogtv said:

Me, the missus and kids are driving to Hamburg next wednesday to watch the mighty Fulham in the Europa Finel, we are hoping to leave Calais at around 8.30am. Google route planner recons 6hours 32mins.
Firstly has anyone ever done this route??? and if so how long realisticly will it take, i'm guessing 6hrs is a bit over egged for 460miles

Any thoughts would help

Well done for gettin tickets! Sold out in a day unsurprisingly. What gets me is that of the 50K capacity. HALf are for corporate guests and 1.4 each for Fulham and Atletico fans!

Lets take this thread way off topic. Notice how when Zamora comes off they play as a better team? He scores goals, but I think the combined wieght of the rest of the team make more of a constant impact.

[CampDavid]

I to will be road tripping. Think we're driving through the night Tuesday.

[messa]

5potTurbo said:

I just checked on Viamichelin.com and they reckon ~7h15m from Calais to Hamburg.

I would say much of how long it takes you depends on what time you're arriving in Calais. Using the E40 in Belgium, then skirting around Antwerp can be a royal 'P.I.T.A.' with traffic, with very long queues forming just due to the volume of traffic on the roads.


Enjoy the match!

Not that bad anymore, during traffic hours you have the normal queues but it shouldn't be that bad going to the direct of Eindhoven on the E34. E19 is a bit of a mess now due to roadworks.

[davepoth]

One word for you - Currywurst. Seriously.

In a UK registered car you can still "make progress" as the speed cameras won't get you, just watch out for the police.

I'd say 9 hours is about right all in. Bear in mind with a couple of kids in tow you will want to stop quite a lot (driving a vanload of musicians dosed up on Haribo and Red Bull meant about once every two hours, which was fairly comfortable)

[nonplussed]

I've done Milton Keynes to just north of the Danish border in just over 11 hours, so if you're lucky with the traffic you can do it quite a lot quicker than 9 hours, but I otherwise agree. Better be early than stressed, Hamburg is a great city.

[deanogtv]

Rich_W said:

Well done for gettin tickets! Sold out in a day unsurprisingly. What gets me is that of the 50K capacity. HALf are for corporate guests and 1.4 each for Fulham and Atletico fans!

My brothering law is playing left back ;o)

Edited by deanogtv on Wednesday 5th May 12:33

[996GT2]

I've done this route, drove through the night and I think it took under 7 hours. I went through a multipack of coke cans and really struggled to stay awake, it's a miserable boring drive (98% dual carriageways) with inconsiderate lorry drivers blocking the overtaking lane and lots of paper salesmen in Mercs doing 120 on your rear bumper.

At least you've got something to look forward to at the end of the trip, we were travelling to stay with German relatives.


Enjoy the trip