Regular trips from Uk to Switzerland via car.....

[King Eric]

I am planning on doing London area to Basel fairly frequently as of the end of next month. Have driven loads across europe and done many long journeys. Wonder if anyone could offer any tips on that sort of trip in terms of routes, what to avoid, areas for stop overs in hotels etc? My young kids are being relocated there and while flying is the fastest and cheapest option taking the car for trips where I will be there more than a couple of days opens up the ability to go to further away places and stay in Italy/Germany and France with them.

I had an M135i and thought it best to get something motorway capable so am back in an F10 M5 I also have a 3.0D X4 for when the weather turns colder.

Local advice and tips very welcome

Thanks Swiss PH experts!

[JC29]

Hi - have lived over near Zurich for a while now.

The best way we have found (consistently) is the Autoroutes across France towards Strasbourg then head south on the Autoroute to Basel.

You can try the autobahns in Germany, but those near the border are crowded so the average speed is better through France.

One bonus on the German side is the EuropaPark (like a German Alton Towers) just nort of Freibourg.

In terms of stop offs we found Reims was a good overnight halt as it is about half way. Came totally by chance and the centre was really nice, despite looking like a dump from the motorway

[AW10]

I do a similar drive but to Zurich once or twice a year. I normally do it in one day; it's about 12 hours elapsed time door to door traffic and weather permitting. Basel probably an hour less. My favourite route is https://goo.gl/maps/rQcbGk8q3ju - no quicker but a bit shorter and less boring than peage all the way. Plus some good roads as well.

Consider getting a peage transponder - makes life easier.

[JMGS4]

AW10 said:

I do a similar drive but to Zurich once or twice a year. I normally do it in one day; it's about 12 hours elapsed time door to door traffic and weather permitting. Basel probably an hour less. My favourite route is https://goo.gl/maps/rQcbGk8q3ju - no quicker but a bit shorter and less boring than peage all the way. Plus some good roads as well.

Consider getting a peage transponder - makes life easier.

Good route, however in Alsace take the exit Autoroute exit Oberenzheim, Molsheim, Soultz, Saverne, you save a lot of traffic around Strasbourg and it's shorter and mostly quicker!

[AW10]

Sorry, posted the wrong link. This is the correct one - https://goo.gl/maps/31FZS2naLD12 If the weather is good go over the Col de Bonhomme for some nice twisties.

[King Eric]

Awesome guys thanks for the advice....I have got a toll thingy sorted and the years swiss tax thing too. The routes are ace will study them and definitely use!

[Whitean3]

JMGS4 said:

AW10 said:

I do a similar drive but to Zurich once or twice a year. I normally do it in one day; it's about 12 hours elapsed time door to door traffic and weather permitting. Basel probably an hour less. My favourite route is https://goo.gl/maps/rQcbGk8q3ju - no quicker but a bit shorter and less boring than peage all the way. Plus some good roads as well.

Consider getting a peage transponder - makes life easier.

Good route, however in Alsace take the exit Autoroute exit Oberenzheim, Molsheim, Soultz, Saverne, you save a lot of traffic around Strasbourg and it's shorter and mostly quicker!

John (JMGS4) is absolutely right. Up through France is quick (depending on your kids, and the need to stop, 6-7.5 hrs to the Tunnel). Chopping off the Strasbourg corner (i.e. Molsheim-Saverne) saves 30 minutes easily, you might (if you are v lucky catch sight of a Bugatti), plus you avoid the speed cameras around Strasbourg (although les flics are out around Saverne sometimes). The journey is exceptionally boring however, partly because the autoroute is empty (and the French seem to have good lane discipline too)

[jamiebae]

AW10 said:

Sorry, posted the wrong link. This is the correct one - https://goo.gl/maps/31FZS2naLD12 If the weather is good go over the Col de Bonhomme for some nice twisties.

This is my route too. No tolls until you're about half way there and much nicer than taking the autoroute all the way. I can do Brighton to Zürich in just under 11 hours door to door (taking the tunnel) so I think Basel is feasible in 10 hours if you focus and don't stop too much.

I guess you have UK plates on the car - but just in case you don't, if you have Swiss plates and get flashed by a French speed camera they will track you down and fine you

[JC29]

Can second the speeding fines from dance to Switzerland.

Had a friend this happened to in France - and because of a prior 3 'month ban in Switzerland he lost his license for a year...

[fvert]

I have heard some people use Waze in France and Blitzer.de in Switzerland...