driving to the Alps

[Robmilford]

We are going to drive to the Swiss Alps this summer and most suggested routes go mainly through France, but as far as I can see Germany does not have tolls and I can Drive faster on the Autobahns. Am I right or do I need to pay some sort of road tax instead in Germany as I will need to do in Switzerland. I will be going through the Channel Tunnel so I will have to travel through France to start with, but we had to return by coach because of the ash cloud a few years ago and the coach went mainly through Germany.

Cheers,
Rob.

[Amateurish]

No road tax to pay in Germany, or tolls. Where are you going to in Switzerland?

[fozzymandeus]

Typically, due to the peage, autoroutes are less busy than the autobahns. I prefer travel through france if I'm honest.

[AndyBrew]

Yep, the french toll roads are almost deserted and you can just sit at 140km/h (130km/h limit when dry) without much of a worry, the Autobahns are very congested a lot of the time and it's difficult to make much better progress than 140km/h anyway.... having said that I would recommend a blast on the Autobahn its a liberating feeling we just got back from a Euro road trip and the Autobahn was a great experience I managed 165mph clock speed albeit briefly before another Audi diesel estate pulled out!

A friend recorded 196mph on his VBOX!!!!

[Robmilford]

we are going to Interlaken and then on to Austria, not sure where yet.

[Stephanie Plum]

Don't forget your vignette for both Switzerland and Austria when you get there. We've been both ways - via France and Germany, but tend to get off the peages etc asap and take the interesting roads

[TomM]

Robmilford said:

we are going to Interlaken and then on to Austria, not sure where yet.

I know Interlaken well, there are some superb roads around that area. We always go through France as you can cover some serious ground quickly.

If you get the chance head to the Simplon Pass, takes you through the alps over some breathtaking roads and an amazing bridge down into Italy. We often head out for the day with no location in mind and have found some amazing places / roads doing this.

Enjoy, we try to go out there every year to Crans Montana and love Switzerland.

What car are you taking?

[Robmilford]

I've got a 530i M sport touring BMW, I've only had it three weeks. We are going to take the dogs with us now its easier to get them pass ports.

[Amateurish]

Check out viamichelin.fr for some route options which include distances, times and costs of tolls / vignettes. It's best option is through France and only costs £20 in peages. Not really worth the diversion through Germany.

[heebeegeetee]

Annecy is an easy day's drive from Calais, and then you've got a wonderful choice of routes from thereon. Or you could go Vosges/Jura into Switzerland.

I don't think I'd choose Belgian and German motorways over these routes, although I do agree a blast on an unrestricted autobahn is liberating. The rest of the day will be dull though, I'd suggest.