Best route to Austria? (best Autobahns!)
Discussion
I'm off to Austria soon, and google maps is giving me three choices of route
1) Cologne, Frankfurt, Nurembery, Ingolstadt, Munich
2) Cologne, Stuttgart, Augsburg, Munich
3) Luxembourg, Saarbrucken, Stuttgart, Augsburg, Munich
I've never even been to Germany before let alone driven all the way through it, any clues as to what may be the best route?
Leaving early on a Saturday morning, with a view to getting there in the evening on the same day.
Any idea which has the best Autobahns (are they all speed limit free these days?) and which are likely to be less busy?
I've never been to Luxembourg either, is it worth going that route, just so I can say I've been!
Cheers
Dave
1) Cologne, Frankfurt, Nurembery, Ingolstadt, Munich
2) Cologne, Stuttgart, Augsburg, Munich
3) Luxembourg, Saarbrucken, Stuttgart, Augsburg, Munich
I've never even been to Germany before let alone driven all the way through it, any clues as to what may be the best route?
Leaving early on a Saturday morning, with a view to getting there in the evening on the same day.
Any idea which has the best Autobahns (are they all speed limit free these days?) and which are likely to be less busy?
I've never been to Luxembourg either, is it worth going that route, just so I can say I've been!
Cheers
Dave
ILoveMondeo said:
iva cosworth said:
Petrol in Luxembourg seems to be much cheaper than surrounding countries so
yes worth going through there just for a fill up.
Stuttgart to Munich is a VERY fast autobahn.
Either go VERY quickly or stay out of lane 3.
I like the sound of this! How fast is VERY fast? yes worth going through there just for a fill up.
Stuttgart to Munich is a VERY fast autobahn.
Either go VERY quickly or stay out of lane 3.
Just a warning. Don't do it unless you are totally comfortable with your car and if the car is safe to do it. (150mph+)
If you look like you're on the edge, the police will pull you over. Also do not speed on the 120kph sections. Again the police will screw you over. Especially as a foreigner.
I've cruised through Germany during my travels home from Vienna to Reading many times and 210kph is fine but very tiring.
I suppose the point I'm trying to make is take it easy to begin with...
If you look like you're on the edge, the police will pull you over. Also do not speed on the 120kph sections. Again the police will screw you over. Especially as a foreigner.
I've cruised through Germany during my travels home from Vienna to Reading many times and 210kph is fine but very tiring.
I suppose the point I'm trying to make is take it easy to begin with...
Speeds will probably not be that extreme on a Saturday, but yes, do check your mirrors before changing lanes. 150 mph VMax is plenty (what car?) and will be just fine.
As for the route, I'd not take option 3, even if that means you miss the cheap refuelling opportunity in Luxembourg. Assuming you start from Calais, going for option 3 means passing all of Belgium and Luxembourg and that is speed limited to 120 IIRC.
Option 1 probably fastest if no traffic and you keep your foot down, but also a bit boring. I'd take 2 probably. Bit more variety to it: http://goo.gl/maps/EVxbs .
Edit: and yes, Beanbag makes a good point, take it easy, stick to the speed limits (+10 kmh usually OK in Germany, just see what the locals do. In Austria no speeding please) and don't forget to stop and take a break. Driving fast is tiring, especially if you are the only driver and want to do the whole thing in one go. Even if you should be able to get there in 9 hours (w/o breaks), that's a lot of driving for one day.
As for the route, I'd not take option 3, even if that means you miss the cheap refuelling opportunity in Luxembourg. Assuming you start from Calais, going for option 3 means passing all of Belgium and Luxembourg and that is speed limited to 120 IIRC.
Option 1 probably fastest if no traffic and you keep your foot down, but also a bit boring. I'd take 2 probably. Bit more variety to it: http://goo.gl/maps/EVxbs .
Edit: and yes, Beanbag makes a good point, take it easy, stick to the speed limits (+10 kmh usually OK in Germany, just see what the locals do. In Austria no speeding please) and don't forget to stop and take a break. Driving fast is tiring, especially if you are the only driver and want to do the whole thing in one go. Even if you should be able to get there in 9 hours (w/o breaks), that's a lot of driving for one day.
Edited by Kolbenkopp on Tuesday 11th September 22:59
I'll be driving the A8, but it's only the 3.0 Diesel so wont be keeping up with the faster stuff!
This time I dont think I'll have anything on the roof but when I go again in Jan' I'll have two sets of skis and two boards on the roof so I definitely wont be going too fast, I panic about losing them!
Thank you all very much for the tips!
I've done long slogs like this many times before, although I think this may be the furthest by 50-100 miles.
I find getting to the Alps a hell of a lot easier and more relaxing than getting to Scotland!
This time I dont think I'll have anything on the roof but when I go again in Jan' I'll have two sets of skis and two boards on the roof so I definitely wont be going too fast, I panic about losing them!
Thank you all very much for the tips!
I've done long slogs like this many times before, although I think this may be the furthest by 50-100 miles.
I find getting to the Alps a hell of a lot easier and more relaxing than getting to Scotland!
Edited by ILoveMondeo on Wednesday 12th September 08:28
80% of the reason I bought it! and thanks again for the help 100-110 is a pretty nice speed, but if the Autobahn is busy it gets difficult to go fast due to "elephant racing" bunching all the faster traffic into lane 3. I'd normally go Frankfurt - Nuremburg - Munich, the road for Nuremburg to Munich is pretty much straight for 30 miles or more...
beanbag said:
I've cruised through Germany during my travels home from Vienna to Reading many times and 210kph is fine but very tiring.
I suppose the point I'm trying to make is take it easy to begin with...
I completely agree. When I lived there, I was quite happy to cruise for extended periods at 220-240 km/h, but it took me time to grow comfortable with those speeds. After a while, it became very comfortable to do in the right conditions, but when I go back now, I take it easy for the first half hour or so to get used to the feel of a high speed Autobahn. The sheer speed with which a car can grow in your rear view mirror is something you just never experience here. I suppose the point I'm trying to make is take it easy to begin with...
ILoveMondeo said:
This time I dont think I'll have anything on the roof but when I go again in Jan' I'll have two sets of skis and two boards on the roof so I definitely wont be going too fast, I panic about losing them!
.Used to do this exact journey with an A8 4.2Tdi with skis and boards flat out (limited to 155 ish) and never had a problem. Go for it.......vive le St Anton!
ILoveMondeo said:
I'm off to Austria soon, and google maps is giving me three choices of route
1) Cologne, Frankfurt, Nurembery, Ingolstadt, Munich
2) Cologne, Stuttgart, Augsburg, Munich
3) Luxembourg, Saarbrucken, Stuttgart, Augsburg, Munich
I've never even been to Germany before let alone driven all the way through it, any clues as to what may be the best route?
#3 Stock up on cheap booze, fags, tobacco and petrol in Lux.1) Cologne, Frankfurt, Nurembery, Ingolstadt, Munich
2) Cologne, Stuttgart, Augsburg, Munich
3) Luxembourg, Saarbrucken, Stuttgart, Augsburg, Munich
I've never even been to Germany before let alone driven all the way through it, any clues as to what may be the best route?
It will also get you the furthest distance on limited roads.
Since you are a first timer, suggest stay out of the fast lane in Germany.
150 mph is a perfectly ordinary speed in Germany, and even if you
aren't going that fast, folks around you will be *and* they will be
expecting you to cope. Leave enormous gaps to the car in front,
and for the love of God, check very very *very* carefully before
changing lanes.
Suggest also don't go mad with the speed - 100 to 110mph, some 50% more
than the usual UK limits, is fine for a first visit. Doing a Vmax
run on your first visit is just asking for trouble.
Suggest get your car serviced properly before you go out. Car problems
that don't appear at 70 mph in the UK can be holiday ending problems at
110 mph and beyond in Germany.
Having said all that, have fun on the finest and fastest motorway
system in the world.
Free roads for free people !
I used to drive most of #3 regularly. If you can get into Germany around midnight you'll have yourself roughly 6 hrs of completely empty roads
The section 80km section after Stuttgart has a fantastic unlimited section winding through the Swabian Alps, beautiful views if you do it during the day too.
When you enter Germany via #3 you will easily figure achieve 150 as there is hardly anyone on that first section of road.
As others have said, ALWAYS use your mirrors, look a long way down the road and overtake properly - Oh yes, make sure your brakes and tyres are up to scratch, you will need them
The section 80km section after Stuttgart has a fantastic unlimited section winding through the Swabian Alps, beautiful views if you do it during the day too.
When you enter Germany via #3 you will easily figure achieve 150 as there is hardly anyone on that first section of road.
As others have said, ALWAYS use your mirrors, look a long way down the road and overtake properly - Oh yes, make sure your brakes and tyres are up to scratch, you will need them
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