Calais to Kitzbuhel by road, which route?

[maser_spyder]

Hi All,

I'm off to Kitzbuhel next week. Booked on the 6.40am ferry from Dover, will arrive Calais 9.10am on Friday morning.

I've done a google route directions thingy, and it's come up with a couple of options which are all relatively similar total time and length, but all going in quite different directions.

We'll aim to get all the way there in one day, sitting at a steady 70~~ should see us reach Kitz by 10 or 11pm (we hope!). Failing that, we'll stop at a cheapy hotel and finish the journey the next morning.

Option 1 is mainly through France;
A4 and A8, to Riems, Strasbourg, Stuttgart, Munich, Kitz.

Option 2 goes further north through Belgium/Germany
A8 Brugge, Brussels, Aachen, Koblenz, Karlsruhe, Stuttgart, Munich, Kitz.

Option 3 goes even further across Germany

A3 Brugge, Brussels, Aachen, Frankfurt, Numberg, Munich, Kitz.

Which would you go for? I've done quite a bit of driving on French roads, they're generally quick, efficient, although we'll be paying tolls for a chunk of the journey.

There is literally no time or distance at all between the options, 1103km, 1108km, 1111lkm total, and times ranging from 10:03, to 10:12. According to google directions, there's basically no difference in time for all three routes.

I'm inclined to take the French route as I've done this before, and I'm pretty sure the toll roads will be quite quiet, and easy driving. I've found German autobahns quite stressful when you're just trying to knock the miles off at a gentle pace, you're either stuck behind a truck at 55mph, or blocking and Audi behind you that's trying to do 150mph. However, if it's the better route, I'm happy to bear it!

Landcruiser is loaded up, winter tyres fitted, loads of spare kit, snow chains, tyre weld, big torch, etc. I'm all ready to go, bar the route.

We'll be heading back in March, hence driving rather than flying, we want to be able to go shopping, and see some of the other ski areas!

Would be grateful for any experience of heading out this way as to which is the more likely route to be free of delays and stress.... Thanks!

[Stephanie Plum]

I've used similar to routes 1 & 2 before - if you're really not going to make the most of the autobahns in terms of speed, then I'd stick to France - roads will be quiet, and it's nice scenery around Reims. Sotp off somewhere like Epernay for lunch

[maser_spyder]

Cheers for that, unless anybody has any more ideas, I think I'll go the France route.

If nothing else, I'll get a better meal in the French services come lunchtime!

[Webber3]

maser_spyder said:

We'll be heading back in March, hence driving rather than flying, we want to be able to go

You're staying in the alps until March? I'd love to do that and would if the kids weren't in school

[maser_spyder]

Webber3 said:

maser_spyder said:

We'll be heading back in March, hence driving rather than flying, we want to be able to go

You're staying in the alps until March? I'd love to do that and would if the kids weren't in school

No kids!

It's a 30th Birthday present. From me, to me. (with love).



You could always take the kids too? Call it 'home schooling (abroad)!

[Webber3]

maser_spyder said:

Webber3 said:

maser_spyder said:

We'll be heading back in March, hence driving rather than flying, we want to be able to go

You're staying in the alps until March? I'd love to do that and would if the kids weren't in school

No kids!

It's a 30th Birthday present. From me, to me. (with love).



You could always take the kids too? Call it 'home schooling (abroad)!

I'll run that past the wife and see what she says

[johnfm]

Just driven to and from Saalbach over the new year.

Satnav offered two routes:

north from Calais, through Belgium, Luxembourg and then back into France, past Strasbourg then on to Stuttgart, Munich etc.

Other route is via Reim.

The main difference is 'avoiding tolls'. Journey distance was the same, but cuts out circa £30 in French tolls.

Worst bit was return journey on a snowy Saturday - 9 hrs through A8 in Germany for just 290 miles!

I'd just follow sat nav. It is a long drive. Set cruise to 80 mph and go. We travelled through the night - absolutley zero traffic on the way there at night.

[neilsie]

I'd go option 1. just make sure you take breaks or swap drivers. Have done it a few times mainly to the french/swiss resorts for some weekend skiing. Its an easy drive through the night, fairly easy going.

[XJSJohn]

Used to do London to Munich a lot, option 1 was the most reliable one to do, but i guess its a bit late now