Driving to Holland from London
Discussion
Bit of a last minute decision but I've decided to drive to Holland with 3 mates on Saturday morning.
Just booked the ferry, the plan is:
Drive to Dover
Get the ferry to Calais
Drive from Calais to Breda (small town near south Holland)
Do "touristy" things
Spend the night in a cheap hotel
Drive back to Calais on Sunday afternoon
Get on the 9pm ferry from Calais
Drive from Dover back to London
It's the first time I'm going to be drive properly in Europe (went to Calais earlier in the year but only drove to the town center which is only 10 minutes) so has anyone got any tips or advice that might be useful?
Just booked the ferry, the plan is:
Drive to Dover
Get the ferry to Calais
Drive from Calais to Breda (small town near south Holland)
Do "touristy" things
Spend the night in a cheap hotel
Drive back to Calais on Sunday afternoon
Get on the 9pm ferry from Calais
Drive from Dover back to London
It's the first time I'm going to be drive properly in Europe (went to Calais earlier in the year but only drove to the town center which is only 10 minutes) so has anyone got any tips or advice that might be useful?
polo54 said:
Bit of a last minute decision but I've decided to drive to Holland with 3 mates on Saturday morning.
Just booked the ferry, the plan is:
Drive to Dover
Get the ferry to Calais
Drive from Calais to Breda (small town near south Holland)
Do "touristy" things
Spend the night in a cheap hotel
Drive back to Calais on Sunday afternoon
Get on the 9pm ferry from Calais
Drive from Dover back to London
It's the first time I'm going to be drive properly in Europe (went to Calais earlier in the year but only drove to the town center which is only 10 minutes) so has anyone got any tips or advice that might be useful?
Watch out for the French customs that patrol the A16! Just booked the ferry, the plan is:
Drive to Dover
Get the ferry to Calais
Drive from Calais to Breda (small town near south Holland)
Do "touristy" things
Spend the night in a cheap hotel
Drive back to Calais on Sunday afternoon
Get on the 9pm ferry from Calais
Drive from Dover back to London
It's the first time I'm going to be drive properly in Europe (went to Calais earlier in the year but only drove to the town center which is only 10 minutes) so has anyone got any tips or advice that might be useful?
I expect you know which side of the road you should be driving on. Remember to keep the kerb to your right and you'll be fine.
You'll need to buy some beam convertors on the ferry. If you don't have GB numberplates you'll need a GB sticker as well. Take a spare bulb kit, warning triangle and hi-vis vests if you have them, if you don't - up to you really - you're unlikely to be stopped, but if you are and you don't have the requisite kit, expect a fine.
Your insurance may only give you 3rd party cover in Europe. If you want comprehensive cover, ask your insurer for a "Green Card". Your breakdown cover may also need extending, but that's optional.
Other than that, driving on the continent is a piece of cake.
You'll need to buy some beam convertors on the ferry. If you don't have GB numberplates you'll need a GB sticker as well. Take a spare bulb kit, warning triangle and hi-vis vests if you have them, if you don't - up to you really - you're unlikely to be stopped, but if you are and you don't have the requisite kit, expect a fine.
Your insurance may only give you 3rd party cover in Europe. If you want comprehensive cover, ask your insurer for a "Green Card". Your breakdown cover may also need extending, but that's optional.
Other than that, driving on the continent is a piece of cake.
A lex said:
Its all a great plan except the SE of the UK is under a foot of snow.
NL is predicted around 4cm snow Sunday into Monday.
NL is just as bad as the UK when it comes to roads and snow.
Maybe I should have checked the weather before booking the ferry...NL is predicted around 4cm snow Sunday into Monday.
NL is just as bad as the UK when it comes to roads and snow.
Anything else that I need to know?
Bluebarge said:
I expect you know which side of the road you should be driving on. Remember to keep the kerb to your right and you'll be fine.
You'll need to buy some beam convertors on the ferry. If you don't have GB numberplates you'll need a GB sticker as well. Take a spare bulb kit, warning triangle and hi-vis vests if you have them, if you don't - up to you really - you're unlikely to be stopped, but if you are and you don't have the requisite kit, expect a fine.
Your insurance may only give you 3rd party cover in Europe. If you want comprehensive cover, ask your insurer for a "Green Card". Your breakdown cover may also need extending, but that's optional.
Other than that, driving on the continent is a piece of cake.
Thanks, sounds like I've got nothing to worry about!You'll need to buy some beam convertors on the ferry. If you don't have GB numberplates you'll need a GB sticker as well. Take a spare bulb kit, warning triangle and hi-vis vests if you have them, if you don't - up to you really - you're unlikely to be stopped, but if you are and you don't have the requisite kit, expect a fine.
Your insurance may only give you 3rd party cover in Europe. If you want comprehensive cover, ask your insurer for a "Green Card". Your breakdown cover may also need extending, but that's optional.
Other than that, driving on the continent is a piece of cake.
Halfords do a good little European driving kit with all the statutory requirements in a zipped bag, I use it when I am delivering cars to the continent, like I am next week with a Porsche 356 Outlaw to the Netherlands!
One thing to check, NL motorways have some quite severe subsidence and undulations which can get quite hairy in the wet when on semi-slick tyres, I don't know what you're driving over there but one to watch out for.
One thing to check, NL motorways have some quite severe subsidence and undulations which can get quite hairy in the wet when on semi-slick tyres, I don't know what you're driving over there but one to watch out for.
markmullen said:
Halfords do a good little European driving kit with all the statutory requirements in a zipped bag, I use it when I am delivering cars to the continent, like I am next week with a Porsche 356 Outlaw to the Netherlands!
One thing to check, NL motorways have some quite severe subsidence and undulations which can get quite hairy in the wet when on semi-slick tyres, I don't know what you're driving over there but one to watch out for.
What do you mean by subsidence?One thing to check, NL motorways have some quite severe subsidence and undulations which can get quite hairy in the wet when on semi-slick tyres, I don't know what you're driving over there but one to watch out for.
I'm driving a Honda Civic on normal tyres, hopefully it'll make it there and back in one piece!
Not much good now but I would have booked to Dunkerque, It's nearer Holland (The Netherlands) (so less driving and more time for fun).
Antwerp is okay. If you can spare the miles and time visit to either Delft or The Hague.
The distances are quite small, the roads are great and you can get to places quite quickly.
Hope that helps.
Antwerp is okay. If you can spare the miles and time visit to either Delft or The Hague.
The distances are quite small, the roads are great and you can get to places quite quickly.
Hope that helps.
markmullen said:
Halfords do a good little European driving kit with all the statutory requirements in a zipped bag, I use it when I am delivering cars to the continent, like I am next week with a Porsche 356 Outlaw to the Netherlands!
One thing to check, NL motorways have some quite severe subsidence and undulations which can get quite hairy in the wet when on semi-slick tyres, I don't know what you're driving over there but one to watch out for.
What do you mean by subsidence?One thing to check, NL motorways have some quite severe subsidence and undulations which can get quite hairy in the wet when on semi-slick tyres, I don't know what you're driving over there but one to watch out for.
polo54 said:
I'm driving a Honda Civic on normal tyres, hopefully it'll make it there and back in one piece!
You'll be fine, FWD on narrow tyres, job done.A lex said:
markmullen said:
One thing to check, NL motorways have some quite severe subsidence and undulations which can get quite hairy in the wet when on semi-slick tyres, I don't know what you're driving over there but one to watch out for.
Have never noticed this in 4yrs of living here.A lex said:
markmullen said:
One thing to check, NL motorways have some quite severe subsidence and undulations which can get quite hairy in the wet when on semi-slick tyres, I don't know what you're driving over there but one to watch out for.
Have never noticed this in 4yrs of living here.NL motorways are amongst the best in Europe - the only downside being a lot are two-lane, although they are currently being expanded.
OP - There is a huge amount of construction work on the motorways at the moment, especially around Eindhoven. If you see a yellow sign saying 'GPS UIT' do NOT follow GPS instructions and instead read the road signs. They are changing junction configs almost daily and your GPS WILL take you in the wrong direction (ask me how I know
)Not planning on driving too much in Netherlands, the plan is to go to Breda but if we get bored might drive up to Amsterdam (according to Google Maps it's only 1 hour and 20 mins from Breda).
Is there anything else worth checking out?
markmullen said:
A lex said:
markmullen said:
One thing to check, NL motorways have some quite severe subsidence and undulations which can get quite hairy in the wet when on semi-slick tyres, I don't know what you're driving over there but one to watch out for.
Have never noticed this in 4yrs of living here.polo54 said:
What do you mean by subsidence?
Everything in Holland is built on sand and as such it tends to settle over time, leading to some interesting undulations on the motorways sometimes. You'll be perfectly fine in a normal car though 
One tip though - DON'T buy your fuel in Holland as it's much much cheaper in France (and somewhat cheaper in Belgium).
Oh and the Dutch tend to drive very close together, their definition of a normal gap is pretty much the definition of tailgating in the UK so if you leave a "UK gap", expect people to keep pulling into it
MX7 said:
You thought about leaving from Harwich?
Yeah thought about it but the ferry was around £160 which is way out of my budget!I managed to get the Ferry for £50 return, according to my (not very thorough) calculations I will end up spending around £140 on petrol (at approx 35mpg).
I'm not actually saving that much and it probably would have been easier but I reckon it will be a laugh driving through Europe!
A lex said:
Yip, good luck!
It snowed on Monday night across the whole country; only around 3-4cm but there were over 1000km of jams on the NL motorway network.
As far as practicalities with driving:
-Personally I wouldnt worry about the GB sticker.
-Personally I wouldnt worry about beam converters - just aim the beam to the lowest setting and youll be fine.
-Dont worry about speeding fines, they never get back to a UK plate.
-Dont worry about parking fines, same story.
-On small roads and in villages you will often have to obey 'priority right' - ie traffic joining from the right has priority. People will blindly pull out of junctions and it will be your fault if you hit them.
-Cyclists have priority over everything else on the road (vulnerable road users have priority). Take it very very easy around bikes and mopeds - they will ride across junctions and roundabouts without looking and its up to you to avoid them.
-When turning right at traffic lights (cross roads) pedestrians on the crossing to the right will have a green man to cross at the same time you get a green light. They have priority.
-If someone flashes their lights at you it means 'I am coming through', not 'you go'.
HTH
Personally I would bother with beam convertors - for £5-8 they will stop you dazzling other road users and will allow you to see where you are going much better than fiddling with the beam adjusters. I always like to see where I am going, in the dark, in December. In August - not such an issue! It snowed on Monday night across the whole country; only around 3-4cm but there were over 1000km of jams on the NL motorway network.
As far as practicalities with driving:
-Personally I wouldnt worry about the GB sticker.
-Personally I wouldnt worry about beam converters - just aim the beam to the lowest setting and youll be fine.
-Dont worry about speeding fines, they never get back to a UK plate.
-Dont worry about parking fines, same story.
-On small roads and in villages you will often have to obey 'priority right' - ie traffic joining from the right has priority. People will blindly pull out of junctions and it will be your fault if you hit them.
-Cyclists have priority over everything else on the road (vulnerable road users have priority). Take it very very easy around bikes and mopeds - they will ride across junctions and roundabouts without looking and its up to you to avoid them.
-When turning right at traffic lights (cross roads) pedestrians on the crossing to the right will have a green man to cross at the same time you get a green light. They have priority.
-If someone flashes their lights at you it means 'I am coming through', not 'you go'.
HTH
troc said:
hesnotthemessiah said:
If you can spare the miles and time visit to either Delft
There's quite a few PH members in Delft so feel free to poke some of us for a drink if you do make it this far Great country and people.
A lex said:
polo54 said:
A lex said:
markmullen said:
One thing to check, NL motorways have some quite severe subsidence and undulations which can get quite hairy in the wet when on semi-slick tyres, I don't know what you're driving over there but one to watch out for.
Have never noticed this in 4yrs of living here.NL motorways are amongst the best in Europe - the only downside being a lot are two-lane, although they are currently being expanded.
OP - There is a huge amount of construction work on the motorways at the moment, especially around Eindhoven. If you see a yellow sign saying 'GPS UIT' do NOT follow GPS instructions and instead read the road signs. They are changing junction configs almost daily and your GPS WILL take you in the wrong direction (ask me how I know
)Not planning on driving too much in Netherlands, the plan is to go to Breda but if we get bored might drive up to Amsterdam (according to Google Maps it's only 1 hour and 20 mins from Breda).
Is there anything else worth checking out?
Farther to the East 's-Hertogenbosch (Den Bosch) is a very nice historic city with good shopping. Antwerp is good too. In the north Rotterdam is pretty good and of course there is Amsterdam too - although driving through Amsterdam will give you a heart attack. If the cyclists dont get you I can almost guarantee a tram will.
I've been to Amsterdam a few times now and to be honest it wasn't as fun the last time I went but a couple of my mates have never been before so we might end up going there. I was also thinking about Rotterdam - what's it like to drive there? Will I run over a cyclist or get hit by a tram?!
polo54 said:
markmullen said:
A lex said:
markmullen said:
One thing to check, NL motorways have some quite severe subsidence and undulations which can get quite hairy in the wet when on semi-slick tyres, I don't know what you're driving over there but one to watch out for.
Have never noticed this in 4yrs of living here.Gassing Station | General Gassing [Archive] | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff