Super long distance driving at Christmas (euro road trip)
Discussion
So Christmas is coming... (has been for months judging by Tesco's seasonal aisle) and the GF want's to head back to Romania, the previous 7 years she's flown back but this year looking at the price for both of us it's looking like ~600 for flights for two at this time + car hire at the other end no doubt with prices to rise by the time we shuffle our workplace holidays round and confirm everything.
Looking at what's cheaper to do she said to look into driving... so practicalities aside I did the maths, 1300 miles one way, 35mpg car (guessing) and UK petrol prices (cheaper in Europe?) looks about £240 in petrol costs one way + ferry tickets, obviously we save on car hire when we're there so that puts us £100 or so up.
On the practical side what's a drive of this length like? Longest I've done is London-Newcastle and back the next day, sore but not too bad, obviously that's less than half distance. Weather and distance are my main worries. I'm sure fellow PH'ers have tried such things before? any thoughts/advice/tales?
Looking at what's cheaper to do she said to look into driving... so practicalities aside I did the maths, 1300 miles one way, 35mpg car (guessing) and UK petrol prices (cheaper in Europe?) looks about £240 in petrol costs one way + ferry tickets, obviously we save on car hire when we're there so that puts us £100 or so up.
On the practical side what's a drive of this length like? Longest I've done is London-Newcastle and back the next day, sore but not too bad, obviously that's less than half distance. Weather and distance are my main worries. I'm sure fellow PH'ers have tried such things before? any thoughts/advice/tales?
That's what, 24 hours driving? Does losing all that time at the destination make up for the cost? If you both drive I guess it might be possible but it won't be especially enjoyable. Plus you'll be knackered when you get there. If you break up the journey halfway (or thirds) it becomes more do-able.
1) Are you planning on doing the drive all in one go? Much better to have a stop off somewhere (if not two). That'll add additional costs and make driving less economically viable.
2) What's the weather going to be like? Likely to encounter snow? Will you need winter tyres? (Will be compulsory in Germany that time of year).
3) How long are you planning to go for? Driving such distances is tiring, you'll need a day to recover from it (in both directions) imo.
4) First time driving abroad? Shouldn't be too much of an issue in itself but being winter you'll have short days so I suspect a decent proportion of your driving may be in the dark. That can be hard work in unfamiliar surroundings.
5) What kind of car are you planning to use? Will make a big difference to fatigue levels.
If you had said somewhere like Germany, Switzerland etc I'd say go for it. Romania is genuinely far!
2) What's the weather going to be like? Likely to encounter snow? Will you need winter tyres? (Will be compulsory in Germany that time of year).
3) How long are you planning to go for? Driving such distances is tiring, you'll need a day to recover from it (in both directions) imo.
4) First time driving abroad? Shouldn't be too much of an issue in itself but being winter you'll have short days so I suspect a decent proportion of your driving may be in the dark. That can be hard work in unfamiliar surroundings.
5) What kind of car are you planning to use? Will make a big difference to fatigue levels.
If you had said somewhere like Germany, Switzerland etc I'd say go for it. Romania is genuinely far!
king crazy driving.Driving in winter, long distance, in the dark, reliant on your passenger also being alert as you will be on the wrong side, with the possibility of snow, when roads will probably be busy with Christmas travelers and shoppers... No, not worth doing IMO. Far to much risk and far too much hard work.
We both drive, so would be taking turns. The idea's exciting but I'd always thought of summer and relaxing rather than winter and rushing although in summer airfares are sensible :/
I've driving in Palermo rush hour so have a taste of crazy foreign driving and escaped with no injuries/scratches/death although required new pants
I'm 50/50 on it to be honest right now the savings don't really seem big enough!
I've driving in Palermo rush hour so have a taste of crazy foreign driving and escaped with no injuries/scratches/death although required new pants
I'm 50/50 on it to be honest right now the savings don't really seem big enough!
I regularly drive 800 miles to the Alps (and will be doing so at Christmas), typically as a solo drive and through the night - OK, you're going further, but you have two drivers.
It's all about average speed - trade outright speed for range, ensure that you're not stopping every time you pass a motorway service station, and make sure you have lots of bottles of water (or whatever else you like to consume) in the car.
Euro breakdown cover is a must, winter tyres are a really good idea, and if something needs doing to the car, get it done now.
Note that it makes ZERO sense for you to do all this to save £100 - I only do it because I have a family to transport to the chalet and a love of long-distance driving. I genuinely look forward to the night driving and crunching my way through the snow in the last few kilometres.
It's all about average speed - trade outright speed for range, ensure that you're not stopping every time you pass a motorway service station, and make sure you have lots of bottles of water (or whatever else you like to consume) in the car.
Euro breakdown cover is a must, winter tyres are a really good idea, and if something needs doing to the car, get it done now.
Note that it makes ZERO sense for you to do all this to save £100 - I only do it because I have a family to transport to the chalet and a love of long-distance driving. I genuinely look forward to the night driving and crunching my way through the snow in the last few kilometres.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff