Christmas Road Trip- Precautions to take?
Discussion
Afternoon!
I'm plotting our route for Christmas that will take us to the lovely mountainous region by Grenoble in France while Santa is on his travels, to then go down to southern Spain for New Year and then back again.
In total it looks to be a 3,000 mile round trip over two weeks going from grey Britain, to freezing snowy mountains before the warmer climate of Spain.
We are doing this in the new moto that I picked up 6 weeks ago- my 2009 Audi TTS.
My question to you is, would you get the car serviced or checked over before departing? It's done 22,000 miles and was last serviced by the previous owner 4,000 miles ago. I've got breakdown cover, but I'd prefer it not to go wrong at all to be honest!
Cheers
I'm plotting our route for Christmas that will take us to the lovely mountainous region by Grenoble in France while Santa is on his travels, to then go down to southern Spain for New Year and then back again.
In total it looks to be a 3,000 mile round trip over two weeks going from grey Britain, to freezing snowy mountains before the warmer climate of Spain.
We are doing this in the new moto that I picked up 6 weeks ago- my 2009 Audi TTS.
My question to you is, would you get the car serviced or checked over before departing? It's done 22,000 miles and was last serviced by the previous owner 4,000 miles ago. I've got breakdown cover, but I'd prefer it not to go wrong at all to be honest!
Cheers
Sounds like a good festive trip!
I drive to southern France pretty much every year usually rounds up to about 2500 miles, i only do normal checks, Tyre pressures, fluid levels etc, if the car doesn't need a service it wont need one IMO.
Did an impromptu fly down to Zurich a few years ago with a buddy in my 8 year old 90k mile A4 TDI, never skipped a beat, there and back in a weekend. I did get new tyres though as the swiss limit is 1.5mm not 2mm, but that wont affect you.
On the subject of the trip itself, if you are using the French M-way network, make sure you budget for road tolls, they REALLY add up if you don't pay attention, also fuel in France is MUCH cheaper if you leave the M-way network and go to a non motorway service station to fill up, well worth researching in advance ones that are on your route before you leave.
I drive to southern France pretty much every year usually rounds up to about 2500 miles, i only do normal checks, Tyre pressures, fluid levels etc, if the car doesn't need a service it wont need one IMO.
Did an impromptu fly down to Zurich a few years ago with a buddy in my 8 year old 90k mile A4 TDI, never skipped a beat, there and back in a weekend. I did get new tyres though as the swiss limit is 1.5mm not 2mm, but that wont affect you.
On the subject of the trip itself, if you are using the French M-way network, make sure you budget for road tolls, they REALLY add up if you don't pay attention, also fuel in France is MUCH cheaper if you leave the M-way network and go to a non motorway service station to fill up, well worth researching in advance ones that are on your route before you leave.
Seems sensible advice thanks!
I never thought about the fuel costs, I'm sure last time I was over in France I noticed how expensive it is, so I will make sure I'll jump off the motorway.
You're right about the tolls though, I've been using the via Michelin website to try and budget for them which comes back with some shocking numbers!
I'm looking forward to trying the quattro out on the icy roads- I just don't fancy getting snow chains around the 18 inch wheels
I never thought about the fuel costs, I'm sure last time I was over in France I noticed how expensive it is, so I will make sure I'll jump off the motorway.
You're right about the tolls though, I've been using the via Michelin website to try and budget for them which comes back with some shocking numbers!
I'm looking forward to trying the quattro out on the icy roads- I just don't fancy getting snow chains around the 18 inch wheels
On the subject of tolls, I Did Bordeaux to Calais this year deliberately avoiding tolls, took 12 hours instead of the 10 it took on the way down but saved the money on tolls, the lower speeds saved a fair bit in fuel, and it was much more pleasant bowling through the french countryside rather than cruising down the auto route.
I never normally do this but I knew had time to spare so thought i would give it a go, I would recommend it if you can spare the time, made for a much more pleasant journey, and avoided Bloody Paris, which frankly is worth a few extra hours!
Oh and if you need a Breathalyzer (which may or may not be a legal requirement depending on who you believe) I found they were cheaper on the ferry than at halford's in June this year.
Diesel is cheaper in France not sure about Petrol, I always try and judge it so that i am on fumes when i go through the tunnel and fill up at the Shopping place on the other side at City Europe, there is a petrol station in the underground car park which is towards the cheaper end of the French Average.
I never normally do this but I knew had time to spare so thought i would give it a go, I would recommend it if you can spare the time, made for a much more pleasant journey, and avoided Bloody Paris, which frankly is worth a few extra hours!
Oh and if you need a Breathalyzer (which may or may not be a legal requirement depending on who you believe) I found they were cheaper on the ferry than at halford's in June this year.
Diesel is cheaper in France not sure about Petrol, I always try and judge it so that i am on fumes when i go through the tunnel and fill up at the Shopping place on the other side at City Europe, there is a petrol station in the underground car park which is towards the cheaper end of the French Average.
Edited by big_boz on Tuesday 27th November 14:56
I'd agree with boz and the other chaps so far. If you have time get off the toll roads, they're generally more pleasant than the autoroutes, and you'll save a fair chunk of cash!
Winter tyres are a must if you're going up mountains etc, probably best to have a shovel and some chains in the boot just in case of disaster, although I doubt you'll need them.
Winter tyres are a must if you're going up mountains etc, probably best to have a shovel and some chains in the boot just in case of disaster, although I doubt you'll need them.
Go with DFDS Seaways from Dover to Dunkirk as its usually much much cheaper than the Dover to Calais route, (I never pay more than 30 GBP)
French road Tolls are a killer and they clock you between the Toll Plaza's so watch your speed as you sometimes get automatically charged for speeding when you pay the toll. Also many of the Toll booths are unmanned and card only at night time.
Switzerland you'll have to buy a vignette at the border, Its 50 Swiss Francs and will expire at the end of the year so you may have to buy a second one on the way home as they go by Calendar year as opposed to anniversary of purchase.
Also it would be worth checking if Winter Tyres are compulsory as in Germany they are and the same here in Poland, I'm not sure about France but I assume they are in Switzerland.
You'll need a triangle and all the usual rubbish for driving on the continent but i'm guessing its OEM equipment in an Audi.
Call your insurance company and bank before you leave. Uk insurers are obliged by law to provide you with the minimum level of cover for 365 days a year on the continent but not the FC element, Also UK banks are shockers when it comes to stopping cards while overseas so make sure you inform them.
You'll also need to switch your headlights to LHD beam, My BMW had a lever on the back of the headlight to do this, Forget the stick on beam benders they are terrible and leave marks on plastic lenses.
Apart from that, Enjoy, Its not too far and its a fairly civilised drive and the Swiss Scenery is stunning!
French road Tolls are a killer and they clock you between the Toll Plaza's so watch your speed as you sometimes get automatically charged for speeding when you pay the toll. Also many of the Toll booths are unmanned and card only at night time.
Switzerland you'll have to buy a vignette at the border, Its 50 Swiss Francs and will expire at the end of the year so you may have to buy a second one on the way home as they go by Calendar year as opposed to anniversary of purchase.
Also it would be worth checking if Winter Tyres are compulsory as in Germany they are and the same here in Poland, I'm not sure about France but I assume they are in Switzerland.
You'll need a triangle and all the usual rubbish for driving on the continent but i'm guessing its OEM equipment in an Audi.
Call your insurance company and bank before you leave. Uk insurers are obliged by law to provide you with the minimum level of cover for 365 days a year on the continent but not the FC element, Also UK banks are shockers when it comes to stopping cards while overseas so make sure you inform them.
You'll also need to switch your headlights to LHD beam, My BMW had a lever on the back of the headlight to do this, Forget the stick on beam benders they are terrible and leave marks on plastic lenses.
Apart from that, Enjoy, Its not too far and its a fairly civilised drive and the Swiss Scenery is stunning!
Just thought of something else, not car related, but regards spending money, the Post office Euro travel cards are pretty useful, exchange rate is competitive, you can recharge whenever you like, no fees for using it (unlike most UK Debit/Credit cards) and if you get skimmed you have limited risk as its only got on it what you put on it.
Again, thank you for the advice!
I never thought of getting the headlights moved opposed to getting those dam stickers on there. Last time I drove on the continent those things were a right mess.
Good shout on the money side of things too- Santander charges me for foreign transactions which is annoying from a Spanish bank...
As for the tolls, I take it that the Michelin's expectation of 60 EUR is well underestimating the cost, so I'll get the slush fund ready.
The winter tyres part is the concern, I wasn't intending on changing them as I'm only up in the snow for a few days, so I'll need to have a think what to do there.
I never thought of getting the headlights moved opposed to getting those dam stickers on there. Last time I drove on the continent those things were a right mess.
Good shout on the money side of things too- Santander charges me for foreign transactions which is annoying from a Spanish bank...
As for the tolls, I take it that the Michelin's expectation of 60 EUR is well underestimating the cost, so I'll get the slush fund ready.
The winter tyres part is the concern, I wasn't intending on changing them as I'm only up in the snow for a few days, so I'll need to have a think what to do there.
LivLifetotheMax said:
As for the tolls, I take it that the Michelin's expectation of 60 EUR is well underestimating the cost, so I'll get the slush fund ready.
Never tried it but sounds low. The tolls change depending on times though so i suppose if you went through all of them "Off Peak" it might be correct.Also i had heard that in France that they time you between tolls and that you get auto fined, but based on personal experience i don't think that they do else i would have a few tickets.
CDB1983 said:
Go with DFDS Seaways from Dover to Dunkirk as its usually much much cheaper than the Dover to Calais route, (I never pay more than 30 GBP)
French road Tolls are a killer and they clock you between the Toll Plaza's so watch your speed as you sometimes get automatically charged for speeding when you pay the toll. Also many of the Toll booths are unmanned and card only at night time.
Switzerland you'll have to buy a vignette at the border, Its 50 Swiss Francs and will expire at the end of the year so you may have to buy a second one on the way home as they go by Calendar year as opposed to anniversary of purchase.
Also it would be worth checking if Winter Tyres are compulsory as in Germany they are and the same here in Poland, I'm not sure about France but I assume they are in Switzerland.
You'll need a triangle and all the usual rubbish for driving on the continent but i'm guessing its OEM equipment in an Audi.
Call your insurance company and bank before you leave. Uk insurers are obliged by law to provide you with the minimum level of cover for 365 days a year on the continent but not the FC element, Also UK banks are shockers when it comes to stopping cards while overseas so make sure you inform them.
You'll also need to switch your headlights to LHD beam, My BMW had a lever on the back of the headlight to do this, Forget the stick on beam benders they are terrible and leave marks on plastic lenses.
Apart from that, Enjoy, Its not too far and its a fairly civilised drive and the Swiss Scenery is stunning!
Unless you're going at insane speeds, the toll booth speeding thing is not a worry. However, the motorway cops have become a lot more vigilant, and as a British car you're a bit more of a target. Set the cruise control for 90mph and I think it vey unlikely that you'll have a problem.French road Tolls are a killer and they clock you between the Toll Plaza's so watch your speed as you sometimes get automatically charged for speeding when you pay the toll. Also many of the Toll booths are unmanned and card only at night time.
Switzerland you'll have to buy a vignette at the border, Its 50 Swiss Francs and will expire at the end of the year so you may have to buy a second one on the way home as they go by Calendar year as opposed to anniversary of purchase.
Also it would be worth checking if Winter Tyres are compulsory as in Germany they are and the same here in Poland, I'm not sure about France but I assume they are in Switzerland.
You'll need a triangle and all the usual rubbish for driving on the continent but i'm guessing its OEM equipment in an Audi.
Call your insurance company and bank before you leave. Uk insurers are obliged by law to provide you with the minimum level of cover for 365 days a year on the continent but not the FC element, Also UK banks are shockers when it comes to stopping cards while overseas so make sure you inform them.
You'll also need to switch your headlights to LHD beam, My BMW had a lever on the back of the headlight to do this, Forget the stick on beam benders they are terrible and leave marks on plastic lenses.
Apart from that, Enjoy, Its not too far and its a fairly civilised drive and the Swiss Scenery is stunning!
The vignette thing in Switzerland is a real pain, and if you cross at any of the big places you'll definitely have to pay it, otherwise you get turned around.
Try Eurotunnel if you just want speed - late in the evening or really early and you'll pay £60 each way, but pay for it with Tesco vouchers and it's only £20 each way.
There are no specific laws in Switzerland concerning the use of winter tyres. However, in the case of an accident, if a motorist does not have winter tyres fitted to his/her vehicle they have a far greater chance of receive the responsibility of any damage incurred from the collision. Although iIn certain areas there is a requirement to use winter tyres, you'd be fine on the motorway.
Edited to add: I drive in the Alps a good deal, and would always use winter tyres. Most Brits don't, but it would be best practice. I'd certainly advise you to take snow chains if you're going to be in a mountainous area.
Edited by longblackcoat on Wednesday 28th November 09:39
big_boz said:
Diesel is cheaper in France not sure about Petrol, I always try and judge it so that i am on fumes when i go through the tunnel and fill up at the Shopping place on the other side at City Europe, there is a petrol station in the underground car park which is towards the cheaper end of the French Average.
Petrol is around EUR1.50-1.60 a litre, so a little cheaper than here. Many stations are automated, and take Mastercard but dislike UK Visa cards.The motorways, as in the UK, charge more.
They also have San Plomb-E10 fuel, if your car can take it, which is slightly cheaper.
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