Driving from Calais to Lake Como - any tips?

[Seany88]

Hi all,

I'm doing a 5 day trip to Verzasca dam to do the Bungy jump, with a stop at Nurburgring for a lap (or 2) and then 1 day in Lake Como too. I was hoping to squeeze in Furka Pass too at some point, its looking like we can pass through it on the way back to Calais. I've planned the route on Google Maps.

http://goo.gl/maps/UE4L0

Would anyone who's familiar with the area/route be able to take a look and see if it seems ok? We're not flush with money so if there's similar routes we can use to avoid some tolls that would be nice, but I've also got a Sanef toll pager (originally for Le Mans) that may make progress easier?

Got a couple of specific questions:
1. Nurburgring down to Switzerland - anyone know if any of the autobahns are de-restricted here?
2. Am I pushing it expecting to do a 12hr drive back to Calais in pretty much one go?
3. Do I need any specific extras for driving in Germany/Switzerland? I know in France you need hi-vis vest, triangle, spare bulb kit.
4. Filling up - I guess its the same as here where the petrol stations by the motorways are way more expensive than the local ones?

Thanks

[Seany88]

A lex said:

1. Yes, lots of deresticted sections - also a lot of roadworks as you get further south.

2. Back from where? Switzerland? If so, then yes, you are pushing it. Any kinf of traffic snarl up and you are bksed. We just did Zurich to Southern NL the other week - cruise set at 100mph on the autobahn where it allowed. Took us 8 hrs with about 20mins of jams around the roadworks section in Southern Germany. Calais is another good 4hr journey from where we live. Im sure 12hrs is doable on a good day, but it could easily be pie in the sky too.

3. You need a Vignette for Switzerland.

4. Yes, the same. Its more exepnsive in CH than in Germany and Italy.

Ok thanks. So fill up in Germany/Italy is possible!

What is a vignette?

We have a flexible ferry ticket so we have a back up plan, just wondering if 12 hours of driving is a killer, the most I've done really is 8 hours before and that was tiring...

[audidoody]

>2. Am I pushing it expecting to do a 12hr drive back to Calais in pretty much one go?

Without a co-driver? I'd say 'yes'. I've driven Calais to Lyon in one hit and that pretty much knackered me even with a 10-minute rest stop every two hours. I'd suggest stopping at Reims for the night and then blasting up to Calais the next morning in a couple of hours.

[PauloV12V]

A lex said:

The Vignette is a Swiss tax disc - Google is your friend. You can buy one in the UK.

I would find 12hrs a bit of a killer, but thats all down to personal preference. Dont forget it could easily become 15hrs with traffic.

I know it sounds penny pinching but as you are going later on try e bay.

A number of people buy the Vignette for their weeks holiday then its useless if they do not go back to that country (they last a year, until 2013 I think).

So if you need it again for say 2 weeks buy from them. (they are meant to be stuck to the window proving difficult to get off but not everyone sticks them.)

Regs

[Seany88]

PauloV12V said:

A lex said:

The Vignette is a Swiss tax disc - Google is your friend. You can buy one in the UK.

I would find 12hrs a bit of a killer, but thats all down to personal preference. Dont forget it could easily become 15hrs with traffic.

I know it sounds penny pinching but as you are going later on try e bay.

A number of people buy the Vignette for their weeks holiday then its useless if they do not go back to that country (they last a year, until 2013 I think).

So if you need it again for say 2 weeks buy from them. (they are meant to be stuck to the window proving difficult to get off but not everyone sticks them.)

Regs

Ah good idea, thanks for that! All the little savings help, as accomodation in Switzerland isn't cheap!

[Seany88]

Actually been reading about the vignette - it says you only need it if driving on the motorways in the country just in case anyone wanted to know.

There's none on ebay so guess I'll just stump up for it at the border.

[Megaflow]

I've done Como to Calais in one hit, via Mont Blanc tunnel, not too bad, took just a smudge under 10 hours.

[Magic919]

A lex said:

Buy before you go - if you havent got a Vignette at the border you have to go through a separate customs lane. When we went through that queue was huge and *everyone* seemed to be getting extra attention.

I haven't experienced that driving into Switzerland. Given that it's part of Schengen these days it makes little sense. I've just driven straight through and bought the vignette at a garage after that.

[Puggit]

A lex said:

Seany88 said:

Actually been reading about the vignette - it says you only need it if driving on the motorways in the country just in case anyone wanted to know.

There's none on ebay so guess I'll just stump up for it at the border.

Buy before you go - if you havent got a Vignette at the border you have to go through a separate customs lane. When we went through that queue was huge and *everyone* seemed to be getting extra attention.

Presumably that was on a motorway? I suspect it would be a lot easier at a non-motorway crossing. When we entered Switzerland a few years ago on the A9 from Italy (ironically at Como), they saw our GB plates and helpfully pulled us over to tell us we needed to buy a vignette. No queue at all

[Targarama]

A lex said:

We went through via Basel on the way South and Lugano on the return trip.

There were two lanes; one with vignette, one without.

Everybody in the vignette lane was getting a close look, but in general getting waved through.

The non-vignette lane was backed up for 3/4 mile with a lot of people having to park up and have the car inspected.

Its cheaper to pre-buy too - its a bit of a no-brainer IMO.

Last time I remembered to buy one a a fuel station on the way down - certainly traveling towards Basel through Germany they are available at the motorway services in Germany. Me and Dad in the TVR, we just got waved through, never even had to stop.

[Enricogto]

Seany88 said:

Hi all,

3. Do I need any specific extras for driving in Germany/Switzerland? I know in France you need hi-vis vest, triangle, spare bulb kit.
4. Filling up - I guess its the same as here where the petrol stations by the motorways are way more expensive than the local ones?

Thanks

Hi,

number 3 is mandatory also in Italy, and regarding number 4 be aware that in Italy during weekends petrol is 10/15 cents (€) cheaper than in other days.
As you didn't specified in your itinerary and you didn't mention in the description, lake Como during the weekend can be a bit crowded, ie you'll easily find queues, especially during summer. Are you planning to visit Como or Lecco or other villages around?

Enrico

[PauloV12V]

Seany88 said:

Actually been reading about the vignette - it says you only need it if driving on the motorways in the country just in case anyone wanted to know.

There's none on ebay so guess I'll just stump up for it at the border.

One here.. but postage from US!
They come up quite often so keep looking..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Swiss-Motorway-Vignette-...

[Fuchs]

Petrol is cheaper in Switzerland than in Germany or Italy.........

[Seany88]

Enricogto said:

Hi,

number 3 is mandatory also in Italy, and regarding number 4 be aware that in Italy during weekends petrol is 10/15 cents (€) cheaper than in other days.
As you didn't specified in your itinerary and you didn't mention in the description, lake Como during the weekend can be a bit crowded, ie you'll easily find queues, especially during summer. Are you planning to visit Como or Lecco or other villages around?

Enrico

Hi Enrico, sorry for the late reply. Yes we're planning to visit Como, not sure what else is there though really? Any suggestions?

[The Leaper]

Go to Alberge Plini in Lenno for lake side lunch...order the Big Pasta, sensational! Let me now if you need more details.

6 of us had a week at Bellagio a month ago, great holiday. If you plan to use your own vehicle on the ferries be aware it's pricy: €42 (I think)for a day ticket in the area of Cadenabbia, Mennagio, Varena and Bellagio.

R.

[Mykap]

Most questions have been answered but FYI on no1 we just did Nurburgring to Salzburg (Austria)then Switzerland a couple of weeks ago.

The autobahn is unrestricted for much of the route but we experienced road works for much of the route. Outer lane is only 2m wide on contrafows which makes life interesting in an American car.

Stopped at Hockenheim for the museum - worth the visit.

Shouldn't effect you but although we had the Swiss vignette I forgot the Austrian one. Got nicked for speeding 102 in an 80kph limit 30 euros - fair enough, but the 150 euros for no vignette was taking the urine....

I always limit spells behind the wheel to 2 -3 hours max and usually no more than 6 hours a day.

[Enricogto]

Seany88 said:

Hi Enrico, sorry for the late reply. Yes we're planning to visit Como, not sure what else is there though really? Any suggestions?

Hi Sean,
no problem, near to Como you have all the lake riviera dotted with wonderful country villages up to Lecco, another intresting town to visit, then on the way to Milan, just 20 miles away there's Monza....

E

[Seany88]

Just wanted to update this for future info.

1. Yes - petrol is cheaper in Switzerland! BUT in Euroland they offer this E10 fuel which seems to have messed up my o2 sensor should've been more careful in selecting which fuel I wanted

2. Yes - driving 12 hours is probably too long, did pretty much 24 hours of driving on the way there (with stops along the way and Furka pass at night!) but did have a 2hr nap at a services because I was exhausted! Fortunately seats are v.comfortable and the car took it all in its stride

3. Vignette I didn't buy beforehand, was planning on getting it at a German services on the way down but then realised my German is appalling! So bought it at border, and it is now stuck on my windscreen =/ On plus side queue to buy one was non-existent! (If anyone wants it and can get it off its £25 )

And of course a couple of pics:


NSX at Spa by Senna88, on Flickr


Longing to go on the Ring by Senna88, on Flickr


Stopping for a picnic by Senna88, on Flickr

[MadMullah]

fantastic!!

we had a minibus goin on a similar route but we headed over into Milan

its been a few months now and the arse is itching to plan something new now

the longg drives were too long - it was a learning experience as it was my first euro trip but lots learnt!

one of the main lessons we learnt the very hard way was not to use a dodgy mobile phone charger that'll blow the fuse thus rendering the tomtom, iphone and a laptop with maps stored on it useless *LOL*

[Seany88]

MadMullah said:

fantastic!!

we had a minibus goin on a similar route but we headed over into Milan

its been a few months now and the arse is itching to plan something new now

the longg drives were too long - it was a learning experience as it was my first euro trip but lots learnt!

one of the main lessons we learnt the very hard way was not to use a dodgy mobile phone charger that'll blow the fuse thus rendering the tomtom, iphone and a laptop with maps stored on it useless *LOL*

My lesson was to plan the routes down more! Half relied on google maps screenshots and the rest on a 5yr old sat nav that I hadn't used in years! Crossing borders was interesting, you had to select the particular country map each time as it couldn't cope with navigating you across the border!

Just made a short vid of what I did on my birthday while out there

http://youtu.be/pV1_QjFo4ik