Thoughts on driving to Toulouse?

[RRS_Staffs]

Hi

Im going to watch/ride the Tour de France and so dont want to arrive at my b&b at 10pm, reassemble my bike and then realise Ryanair mashed bits which I wont be able to repair till the bike shops open - by which time I'll have missed a day

None of the obvious budget carriers will get me there from Staffs until late in the evening on the days I have off work and so Im considering driving for the above reasons

If anyone regularly drives to Toulouse Id be very grateful for your advice

It doesnt look a bad option in theory

Flight:
1.5h to airport
2h for security and boarding
2h flight
1h airport disembarkation
1h car hire hassle
2h to destination from airport
Total 9.5h

Versus 15h according to Google route planner

Having said that I have no idea on what it would be like in reality
My (limited) experience of French Autoroutes is positive, but you could say the same of the M6 north of Preston compared to the M25!

Cheers!

PS Fuel costs prob about same as flights after taxes and surcharge for carrying bike

[Puggit]

If you cross to Le Havre from Portsmouth, then you can miss out Paris and the NW, which is the only part with motorways as busy as in the UK. The A71/A20 route is as quiet as you'd hope.

[ben_h100]

Have flown there, hired a car.

Roads around Toulouse fairly quiet compared to the UK, it's a nice city.

[RRS_Staffs]

Yes Ive flown there to but this year the carriers have shrunk their timetables and so I cant get a flight which will get me there from where I live at a decent time

The Le Harve ferry isnt great as it would add a 5h crossing versus the Tunnel

Are the Autoroutes from Calais to south of Paris that bad?

Oh and I havent budgeted for tolls, although that wont be a deal breaker I suppose

[missdiane]

what airport are you looking at for 2 hours?
We planned to drive down that way, when we worked out costs, decided it was easier and cheaper to fly

Edited by missdiane on Wednesday 30th December 19:38

[Puggit]

RRS_Staffs said:

The Le Harve ferry isnt great as it would add a 5h crossing versus the Tunnel

Or there's the overnight ferry which gets you in for 8am, and gives you a decent day's drive down to Toulouse It also gets you West of Paris, with quiet autoroutes the whole way.

[Engineer1]

RRS_Staffs said:

Yes Ive flown there to but this year the carriers have shrunk their timetables and so I cant get a flight which will get me there from where I live at a decent time

The Le Harve ferry isnt great as it would add a 5h crossing versus the Tunnel

Are the Autoroutes from Calais to south of Paris that bad?

Oh and I havent budgeted for tolls, although that wont be a deal breaker I suppose

Paris is similar to London and the M25, a longer crossing overnight also means you are fresh to drive down, the tunnel 45mins means you don't get a massive rest.

[Bugeyeandy]

Driving assuming 30mpg? will cost around £240 in petrol alone then you need to add Chunnel,Tolls etc..

Flight even with BA is only £140. I'd fly and hire a decent bike locally.

[Deva Link]

I recently flew Liverpool via Sciphol to Toulouse on KLM. I guess the total journey time wouldn't be quicker but it all pretty easy and not too expensive.

Or from Birmingham might be better for you?

[smifffymoto]

Easy,Liverpool-Carcassonne with Ryan air.Regular sevice in summer.Use Hertz and get a bit of a discount if you book via Ryan air website.Carcassonne is 2 hours from the Pyrenees and not much different to Toulouse.Other alternatives are Pau or Tarbes airports but I think they are serviced from East Midlands and Bristol

[Olf]

Left field option if you have time to play with. Ferry to Bilbao?

[missdiane]

smifffymoto said:

Easy,Liverpool-Carcassonne with Ryan air.Regular sevice in summer.Use Hertz and get a bit of a discount if you book via Ryan air website.Carcassonne is 2 hours from the Pyrenees and not much different to Toulouse.Other alternatives are Pau or Tarbes airports but I think they are serviced from East Midlands and Bristol

Plus Stansted to Pau

[Johnniem]

Buy a TVR and drive there. Once you have a TVR the time taken to get places becomes irrelevant!!

[heebeegeetee]

Johnniem said:

Buy a TVR and drive there. Once you have a TVR the time taken to get places becomes irrelevant!!

What, because you never arrive?

[Johnniem]

heebeegeetee said:

Johnniem said:

Buy a TVR and drive there. Once you have a TVR the time taken to get places becomes irrelevant!!

What, because you never arrive?

From a Boxster driver as well! Mwahahahahaha!!! If something were to fail on the tiv then there'll be enough time to fix it before the Porker catches up!