Euro Drive (help needed)
Discussion
I am looking to go for a Euro drive next year and would like some ideas and advise.
The idea is to get to Marseille or Nice.
1st Question - Best way to get the car there ? (without driving it)
Then I would like to drive along to Genova.
How long would this take ?
Staying over night in Genova, then a drive up to Zurich stopping a night here.
Can I do Genova to Zurich in one day ?
Following a night in Zurich, a drive to the Alps and through the passes. Staying for a few days.
Are these far from Genova, and will there be places to stay along the route ?
Then some ideas on a nice route back, maybe taking in The Porsche Factory (Stuttgart) and the 'Ring ?
The plan is the trip takes 4-5 days...
Please feel free to give any advise, and good roads, websites, costs ect...
I am looking to do this trip around May - July next year..
TIA
The idea is to get to Marseille or Nice.
1st Question - Best way to get the car there ? (without driving it)
Then I would like to drive along to Genova.
How long would this take ?
Staying over night in Genova, then a drive up to Zurich stopping a night here.
Can I do Genova to Zurich in one day ?
Following a night in Zurich, a drive to the Alps and through the passes. Staying for a few days.
Are these far from Genova, and will there be places to stay along the route ?
Then some ideas on a nice route back, maybe taking in The Porsche Factory (Stuttgart) and the 'Ring ?
The plan is the trip takes 4-5 days...
Please feel free to give any advise, and good roads, websites, costs ect...
I am looking to do this trip around May - July next year..
TIA
Ok, I do quite a bit of this kind of thing.
Getting to Marsielle is a bit of a problem without driving. The three options are
1. to do the chunnel, drive to Paris and stick it on a train to Marsielle (only for the very wealthy and I am not sure if they still do this - it was about 8 yeras ago when I last looked into it)
2. By Ferry - your closest is Portsmouth to Bilbao in Spain (9hrs), but you would still have a fair old hike to Marsielle (623 miles and 9 hours of driving.) It would only only take around 11 hours to drive from Calais to Marsielle (not including stops)
3. Fly to Marsielle and hire a car (you could probaly get a diesel Focus for around £275 or less if you shop around. You can get one way hires too
Here's a thought - why not do it the other way around. Stuttgart, Zurich, Genova Marsielle? Then hike it back through France stopping in Paris? The roads from Calais to Stuttgart are good and it would only take around 7 hours or so.
Good websites: the AA & RAC are good sites. Googlge maps and Google Earth for Route planning - I have found them quite good on their timings. For accomadation pick a town and find their local tourist board website (don't use standard booking sites - they are more expensive than going direct). Leonardo hotels offer good standards of accomadation and you can sometimes get good deals. ETAP is basic, clean but cheap, so is Formule1 (these are like mushrooms in the forest in France) and plentiful in Germany too.
You can do Genova to Zurich in a day. It's about 260 mile and will take around 4.5 to 5 hours, not including stops.
However, I have to say that unless you are planning to spend the whole holiday in the car, 4 to 5 days is not really long enough for such a trip. You really need twice that to do it justice.
Feel free to email me if you want to know more.
Regards
Radlet6
Getting to Marsielle is a bit of a problem without driving. The three options are
1. to do the chunnel, drive to Paris and stick it on a train to Marsielle (only for the very wealthy and I am not sure if they still do this - it was about 8 yeras ago when I last looked into it)
2. By Ferry - your closest is Portsmouth to Bilbao in Spain (9hrs), but you would still have a fair old hike to Marsielle (623 miles and 9 hours of driving.) It would only only take around 11 hours to drive from Calais to Marsielle (not including stops)
3. Fly to Marsielle and hire a car (you could probaly get a diesel Focus for around £275 or less if you shop around. You can get one way hires too
Here's a thought - why not do it the other way around. Stuttgart, Zurich, Genova Marsielle? Then hike it back through France stopping in Paris? The roads from Calais to Stuttgart are good and it would only take around 7 hours or so.
Good websites: the AA & RAC are good sites. Googlge maps and Google Earth for Route planning - I have found them quite good on their timings. For accomadation pick a town and find their local tourist board website (don't use standard booking sites - they are more expensive than going direct). Leonardo hotels offer good standards of accomadation and you can sometimes get good deals. ETAP is basic, clean but cheap, so is Formule1 (these are like mushrooms in the forest in France) and plentiful in Germany too.
You can do Genova to Zurich in a day. It's about 260 mile and will take around 4.5 to 5 hours, not including stops.
However, I have to say that unless you are planning to spend the whole holiday in the car, 4 to 5 days is not really long enough for such a trip. You really need twice that to do it justice.
Feel free to email me if you want to know more.
Regards
Radlet6
Thanks Radlet6
I am liking the idea of doing the trip in reverse, I had never thought of that..
I will email you for a route if thats ok, if you do this kind of drive often you may know some good roads off the beaten track.
I would like to do the drive in my own car, so a hire car would be a no no.
Thanks you for your advise..
I am liking the idea of doing the trip in reverse, I had never thought of that..
I will email you for a route if thats ok, if you do this kind of drive often you may know some good roads off the beaten track.
I would like to do the drive in my own car, so a hire car would be a no no.
Thanks you for your advise..
Looking for advise on the route os far -
Day 1
.......................................................
Dover - Calais.
Calais (E41) to Luxembourg.
Luxembourg to Metz.
Metz to Karlsruhe (E25)
Karlsruhe to Stuttgart.
.......................................................
Day 2
Spend the day at the Porsche Museum/Factory
.......................................................
Day 3
Stuttgart to Tubingen (via Pliezhausen)
Tubingen to Rottwell (27)(via Hechingen)
Rottwell to Zurich (E41)
.......................................................
Day 4
Spend day looking round Zurich, finding some good roads
drive to hotel in Davos
.......................................................
Day 5
Spend all day finding driving roads, Davos to the stelvio Pass
and other passes if the stelvio is busy !
.......................................................
Day 6
Start the drive back, heading towards Paris, maybe stopping over night
So, what do we think ????
Could I get more done in the time I have, I would like to be there and back in 5 days?? Is this Possible ? are there better roads they I have looked at ?
The main things I would like to do -
Stuttart (Porsche factory)
Zurich (pop in a see a friend)
stelvio or other passes for a day
(you get the idea)
Thanks.
Day 1
.......................................................
Dover - Calais.
Calais (E41) to Luxembourg.
Luxembourg to Metz.
Metz to Karlsruhe (E25)
Karlsruhe to Stuttgart.
.......................................................
Day 2
Spend the day at the Porsche Museum/Factory
.......................................................
Day 3
Stuttgart to Tubingen (via Pliezhausen)
Tubingen to Rottwell (27)(via Hechingen)
Rottwell to Zurich (E41)
.......................................................
Day 4
Spend day looking round Zurich, finding some good roads
drive to hotel in Davos
.......................................................
Day 5
Spend all day finding driving roads, Davos to the stelvio Pass
and other passes if the stelvio is busy !
.......................................................
Day 6
Start the drive back, heading towards Paris, maybe stopping over night
So, what do we think ????
Could I get more done in the time I have, I would like to be there and back in 5 days?? Is this Possible ? are there better roads they I have looked at ?
The main things I would like to do -
Stuttart (Porsche factory)
Zurich (pop in a see a friend)
stelvio or other passes for a day
(you get the idea)
Thanks.
Have a look at the Mercedes-Museum, too. We did Porsche and Merc last week-end.Merc is giving you an idea
about motorized transportation history of the last 100 years, incl. race-cars, Porsche, well, just only
about Porsche, very attractive, beautiful collection of race-cars, turbo history, tech info on moving screens, etc.
Take good shoes and a bottle of water....enjoy :-))
We could have a drink, when you are in Davos, I am living just down the road.
Have a good trip!
Rainer-CH
about motorized transportation history of the last 100 years, incl. race-cars, Porsche, well, just only
about Porsche, very attractive, beautiful collection of race-cars, turbo history, tech info on moving screens, etc.
Take good shoes and a bottle of water....enjoy :-))
We could have a drink, when you are in Davos, I am living just down the road.
Have a good trip!
Rainer-CH
RainerM said:
Have a look at the Mercedes-Museum, too. We did Porsche and Merc last week-end.Merc is giving you an idea
about motorized transportation history of the last 100 years, incl. race-cars, Porsche, well, just only
about Porsche, very attractive, beautiful collection of race-cars, turbo history, tech info on moving screens, etc.
Take good shoes and a bottle of water....enjoy :-))
We could have a drink, when you are in Davos, I am living just down the road.
Have a good trip!
Rainer-CH
Did you not get my email about route ideas ??about motorized transportation history of the last 100 years, incl. race-cars, Porsche, well, just only
about Porsche, very attractive, beautiful collection of race-cars, turbo history, tech info on moving screens, etc.
Take good shoes and a bottle of water....enjoy :-))
We could have a drink, when you are in Davos, I am living just down the road.
Have a good trip!
Rainer-CH
Day 1
I would take the Chunnel over the ferry any day now, It’s quicker and easier (you only have to turn up about an hour beforehand and there are good cafes and shops whilst you wait. Plus it is just up the road from Calais in Folkstone. Just drive on and half an hour later you are in Calais.
Ok I can see from a point of aesthetics why you might choose the E41, but the A4 through France will be quicker by about an hour and a half. The downside of this is that you will have French tolls to pay (about £12) .
The only other advantage of going through Belgium and Luxembourg is the scenery, cheap petrol (Luxembourg has to be the cheapest in Europe; Why? Because they don’t TAX it that’s why – are you listening Mr. Brown? – France is about the same as the UK now) and cheap Belgian beer (e.g Leff is about three quarters of the price you pay in the UK – why? Because they don’t – oh I give up)
Also by taking the E41 in Belgium you will pass right by the Eurospace Centre just outside of Brussels.
Eurospace
When in Luxembourg, keep driving – there is nothing worth stopping for except the cheap petrol (see above).
Another alternative to consider is the E40 past Dunkirk towards Brugges and Brussels. Then turn right onto the E314 towards Maastricht, joining the E40 at Aarchen. Then turn South onto the E31 at Kerpen. It looks longer but it is the same distance, better scenery and half an hour quicker (more time on the Autobahns – large stretches of which have no speed limit. Be careful because some are restricted to 120Kph, and the Germans take a dim view of speeding).
If you do stick to your original plan and you find you have an hour or two spare then don’t go to Karlsruhe but take exit 56 off the a35 onto the D4 and onto the B500 towards Baden Baden. Past there turn right onto the L78 to Gernsbach and then the L564 to Bad Herrenalb. The follow the l340 until you reach the B294; Head south along that branching off onto the B 296 and then rejoining the E52 to Stuttgart.
This route will take you through the Northern part of the Black forest with some brilliant views and good driving roads.
Day 2
Can’t fault that, but agree about the Merc museum above
Day 3
See Day 2, but stop off in a couple of the villages on your way; that really is a beautiful part of Germany. Especially the ones you mention. Tubingen is v. picturesque; mainly because of its lack of industry we didn’t blast it to a million pieces in 1944. Rotweil is obviously where the dogs come from (they even have a statue to them).
Day 4
No probs
Day 5
I am green with envy and I hate you!
However, if you can, try to make it back to Zurich for your last night rather than staying in Davos. It will knock two hours off your drive back to Paris (6 hours instead of 8). In fact you can do Zurich to Calais in 8 hours if you want to miss Paris.
Your schedule seems realistic, I doubt if you will do all this in less than 5 days though.
I would take the Chunnel over the ferry any day now, It’s quicker and easier (you only have to turn up about an hour beforehand and there are good cafes and shops whilst you wait. Plus it is just up the road from Calais in Folkstone. Just drive on and half an hour later you are in Calais.
Ok I can see from a point of aesthetics why you might choose the E41, but the A4 through France will be quicker by about an hour and a half. The downside of this is that you will have French tolls to pay (about £12) .
The only other advantage of going through Belgium and Luxembourg is the scenery, cheap petrol (Luxembourg has to be the cheapest in Europe; Why? Because they don’t TAX it that’s why – are you listening Mr. Brown? – France is about the same as the UK now) and cheap Belgian beer (e.g Leff is about three quarters of the price you pay in the UK – why? Because they don’t – oh I give up)
Also by taking the E41 in Belgium you will pass right by the Eurospace Centre just outside of Brussels.
Eurospace
When in Luxembourg, keep driving – there is nothing worth stopping for except the cheap petrol (see above).
Another alternative to consider is the E40 past Dunkirk towards Brugges and Brussels. Then turn right onto the E314 towards Maastricht, joining the E40 at Aarchen. Then turn South onto the E31 at Kerpen. It looks longer but it is the same distance, better scenery and half an hour quicker (more time on the Autobahns – large stretches of which have no speed limit. Be careful because some are restricted to 120Kph, and the Germans take a dim view of speeding).
If you do stick to your original plan and you find you have an hour or two spare then don’t go to Karlsruhe but take exit 56 off the a35 onto the D4 and onto the B500 towards Baden Baden. Past there turn right onto the L78 to Gernsbach and then the L564 to Bad Herrenalb. The follow the l340 until you reach the B294; Head south along that branching off onto the B 296 and then rejoining the E52 to Stuttgart.
This route will take you through the Northern part of the Black forest with some brilliant views and good driving roads.
Day 2
Can’t fault that, but agree about the Merc museum above
Day 3
See Day 2, but stop off in a couple of the villages on your way; that really is a beautiful part of Germany. Especially the ones you mention. Tubingen is v. picturesque; mainly because of its lack of industry we didn’t blast it to a million pieces in 1944. Rotweil is obviously where the dogs come from (they even have a statue to them).
Day 4
No probs
Day 5
I am green with envy and I hate you!
However, if you can, try to make it back to Zurich for your last night rather than staying in Davos. It will knock two hours off your drive back to Paris (6 hours instead of 8). In fact you can do Zurich to Calais in 8 hours if you want to miss Paris.
Your schedule seems realistic, I doubt if you will do all this in less than 5 days though.
Edited by radlet6 on Friday 30th October 13:31
Oh and one other thing, the motorways in Belgium and Luxembourg are better than the French ones. they are better maintained and are wider (with wider lanes)
don't forget all the kit you will need. Fire extiguisher, first aid kit, triangle and Hi vis vest (one for each person in the car. see AA & RAc websites.
Re the headlights, I find that Beam benders are better than littile bits of black tape. They are about £10, but there is considerably less loss of light.
don't forget all the kit you will need. Fire extiguisher, first aid kit, triangle and Hi vis vest (one for each person in the car. see AA & RAc websites.
Re the headlights, I find that Beam benders are better than littile bits of black tape. They are about £10, but there is considerably less loss of light.
Dan7357 said:
RainerM said:
Have a look at the Mercedes-Museum, too. We did Porsche and Merc last week-end.Merc is giving you an idea
about motorized transportation history of the last 100 years, incl. race-cars, Porsche, well, just only
about Porsche, very attractive, beautiful collection of race-cars, turbo history, tech info on moving screens, etc.
Take good shoes and a bottle of water....enjoy :-))
We could have a drink, when you are in Davos, I am living just down the road.
Have a good trip!
Rainer-CH
Did you not get my email about route ideas ??about motorized transportation history of the last 100 years, incl. race-cars, Porsche, well, just only
about Porsche, very attractive, beautiful collection of race-cars, turbo history, tech info on moving screens, etc.
Take good shoes and a bottle of water....enjoy :-))
We could have a drink, when you are in Davos, I am living just down the road.
Have a good trip!
Rainer-CH
Rainer-CH
radlet6 said:
Day 1
I would take the Chunnel over the ferry any day now, It’s quicker and easier (you only have to turn up about an hour beforehand and there are good cafes and shops whilst you wait. Plus it is just up the road from Calais in Folkstone. Just drive on and half an hour later you are in Calais.
Ok I can see from a point of aesthetics why you might choose the E41, but the A4 through France will be quicker by about an hour and a half. The downside of this is that you will have French tolls to pay (about £12) .
The only other advantage of going through Belgium and Luxembourg is the scenery, cheap petrol (Luxembourg has to be the cheapest in Europe; Why? Because they don’t TAX it that’s why – are you listening Mr. Brown? – France is about the same as the UK now) and cheap Belgian beer (e.g Leff is about three quarters of the price you pay in the UK – why? Because they don’t – oh I give up)
Also by taking the E41 in Belgium you will pass right by the Eurospace Centre just outside of Brussels.
Eurospace
When in Luxembourg, keep driving – there is nothing worth stopping for except the cheap petrol (see above).
Another alternative to consider is the E40 past Dunkirk towards Brugges and Brussels. Then turn right onto the E314 towards Maastricht, joining the E40 at Aarchen. Then turn South onto the E31 at Kerpen. It looks longer but it is the same distance, better scenery and half an hour quicker (more time on the Autobahns – large stretches of which have no speed limit. Be careful because some are restricted to 120Kph, and the Germans take a dim view of speeding).
If you do stick to your original plan and you find you have an hour or two spare then don’t go to Karlsruhe but take exit 56 off the a35 onto the D4 and onto the B500 towards Baden Baden. Past there turn right onto the L78 to Gernsbach and then the L564 to Bad Herrenalb. The follow the l340 until you reach the B294; Head south along that branching off onto the B 296 and then rejoining the E52 to Stuttgart.
This route will take you through the Northern part of the Black forest with some brilliant views and good driving roads.
Day 2
Can’t fault that, but agree about the Merc museum above
Day 3
See Day 2, but stop off in a couple of the villages on your way; that really is a beautiful part of Germany. Especially the ones you mention. Tubingen is v. picturesque; mainly because of its lack of industry we didn’t blast it to a million pieces in 1944. Rotweil is obviously where the dogs come from (they even have a statue to them).
Day 4
No probs
Day 5
I am green with envy and I hate you!
However, if you can, try to make it back to Zurich for your last night rather than staying in Davos. It will knock two hours off your drive back to Paris (6 hours instead of 8). In fact you can do Zurich to Calais in 8 hours if you want to miss Paris.
Your schedule seems realistic, I doubt if you will do all this in less than 5 days though.
It's actually the E411, not E41. The Euro Space Center is quite a distance from Brussels. And I can tell you it's NOT worth a visit, unless you have 8-14 year-olds with you...I would take the Chunnel over the ferry any day now, It’s quicker and easier (you only have to turn up about an hour beforehand and there are good cafes and shops whilst you wait. Plus it is just up the road from Calais in Folkstone. Just drive on and half an hour later you are in Calais.
Ok I can see from a point of aesthetics why you might choose the E41, but the A4 through France will be quicker by about an hour and a half. The downside of this is that you will have French tolls to pay (about £12) .
The only other advantage of going through Belgium and Luxembourg is the scenery, cheap petrol (Luxembourg has to be the cheapest in Europe; Why? Because they don’t TAX it that’s why – are you listening Mr. Brown? – France is about the same as the UK now) and cheap Belgian beer (e.g Leff is about three quarters of the price you pay in the UK – why? Because they don’t – oh I give up)
Also by taking the E41 in Belgium you will pass right by the Eurospace Centre just outside of Brussels.
Eurospace
When in Luxembourg, keep driving – there is nothing worth stopping for except the cheap petrol (see above).
Another alternative to consider is the E40 past Dunkirk towards Brugges and Brussels. Then turn right onto the E314 towards Maastricht, joining the E40 at Aarchen. Then turn South onto the E31 at Kerpen. It looks longer but it is the same distance, better scenery and half an hour quicker (more time on the Autobahns – large stretches of which have no speed limit. Be careful because some are restricted to 120Kph, and the Germans take a dim view of speeding).
If you do stick to your original plan and you find you have an hour or two spare then don’t go to Karlsruhe but take exit 56 off the a35 onto the D4 and onto the B500 towards Baden Baden. Past there turn right onto the L78 to Gernsbach and then the L564 to Bad Herrenalb. The follow the l340 until you reach the B294; Head south along that branching off onto the B 296 and then rejoining the E52 to Stuttgart.
This route will take you through the Northern part of the Black forest with some brilliant views and good driving roads.
Day 2
Can’t fault that, but agree about the Merc museum above
Day 3
See Day 2, but stop off in a couple of the villages on your way; that really is a beautiful part of Germany. Especially the ones you mention. Tubingen is v. picturesque; mainly because of its lack of industry we didn’t blast it to a million pieces in 1944. Rotweil is obviously where the dogs come from (they even have a statue to them).
Day 4
No probs
Day 5
I am green with envy and I hate you!
However, if you can, try to make it back to Zurich for your last night rather than staying in Davos. It will knock two hours off your drive back to Paris (6 hours instead of 8). In fact you can do Zurich to Calais in 8 hours if you want to miss Paris.
Your schedule seems realistic, I doubt if you will do all this in less than 5 days though.
Edited by radlet6 on Friday 30th October 13:31
Something worth looking into, is getting a Coyote Mini (www.coyotesystems.eu). It's available now in the UK too, and works all over Europe, except Germany and Switzerland, but most effective in France (almost 200.000 users!) and Belgium (15.000 users since the launch in May 2009). I can tell you, French police doesn't like foreigners speeding, and will confiscate your car, and possibly your license, till the court hearing (usually 3 months or more after the facts...)
For France, if you're driving to Germany first, and returning through France, drive along the coast to Montpellier, then take the highway to Clermont-Ferrand... It will take you over the Millau viaduct, and then the most amazing sweeping highway through the mountains... So much better than the route Marseille - Avignon - Lyon - Dijon...
Exit just after the Viaduct to visit Millau and get your pictures
Onwards, get on the "Nationales" to Reims and visit the Reims-Gueux track
From there on, head for Calais.
Oh and it's "LEFFE"
Edited by SimonSays on Monday 2nd November 15:58
Edited by SimonSays on Monday 2nd November 16:01
Yes I know it's Leffe I've drunk enough of the stuff (filled the car with it and others); sorry yes it's the E411 but anyone with a map and half an ounce of brain power would soon have realised what I meant - I was in a hurry ok?
Ok so the space centre may be alittle way from Burssels, but he will still pass the place (anyway it can't be that far; belgium ain't that big). I've not been to the space centre, just past it a few times with the intention of calling in. And talking of things been out of the way the new Milau Viaduct is hardly on his way home from Zurich given it's only a kick in the pants from Nimes in the South of France.
Coyote Mini is a good bit of kit, but suerly a better way is not to speed in the first place, especially given European Speed limits are a tad more realistic than ours.
FFS you just offer a bit of help and....
Ok so the space centre may be alittle way from Burssels, but he will still pass the place (anyway it can't be that far; belgium ain't that big). I've not been to the space centre, just past it a few times with the intention of calling in. And talking of things been out of the way the new Milau Viaduct is hardly on his way home from Zurich given it's only a kick in the pants from Nimes in the South of France.
Coyote Mini is a good bit of kit, but suerly a better way is not to speed in the first place, especially given European Speed limits are a tad more realistic than ours.
FFS you just offer a bit of help and....
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