Euro Trip in the Benz

[kap02]

Well the original itinerary was:

Calais
Luxembourg - 1 night
Stuttgart - 1 night
Zurich - 1 night
Paris - 2 nights

Could even do :

Luxembourg - 1 night
Stuttgart - 1 night
Zurich - 1 night
Dijon - 1 night (splits up the long trip to paris)
Paris - 1 nights


Munich only actually came up for the German alpine road, but im sure most of my trip will be idyllic ?

 

[BTB 500]

I was using luxembourg as a stop off from calais as calais to stuttgart is to far to travel in one day.

We do it twice a year - it's not too bad ... about 7 hours with one stop for fuel/food/toilet (cruising at 120 kph).

 

[cliveyboy8]

Think you will need to take V5, Insurance Certificate, MOT Certificate (if applicable), Driving Licence with counterpart and Hi-Vis jackets for each occupant.

 

[st13phil]

Munich only actually came up for the German alpine road, but im sure most of my trip will be idyllic ?

How pleasant the trip will be from a driving point of view will be roughly in inverse proportion to the amount of motorway miles you route yourself over.

On the way out, if you're routing via Luxembourg I'd also stop off at Trier for a quick nose at the impressive Porta Negra (and lots of other Roman remains if you're interested). Unless you particularly want to stay in Luxembourg City then somewhere like Vianden is pleasant enough for a one-night stop and gives you the oportunity to drive some nice roads too.

I'm with Charles and his suggestion to spend some time in the Vosges and the Alsace. Are you particularly wedded to the idea of Zurich? If not then you you could spend more time exploring the likes of Cite de l'Automobile in Mulhouse, and/or the plethora of stunning roads over the ballons, before taking in Colmar and then heading west over the Col de la Schluct and continuing west through Troyes to Paris. Personally, I prefer the roads in that region to the Alpenstrasse, and they're certainly more accessible on a short trip.

If you do go to Switzerland be aware that it's difficult to avoid their motorways unless you're very good with a map, and so you'll need to get a Vignette. Swiss speed limits are strictly enforced and fines are very heavy if caught breaking one. Funnily enough, fuel is pretty cheap though.

 

[BTB 500]

Apart from the legal requirements i.e first aid kid, triangle and breathalyser should I be taking anything else?

You will need a German emissions disc for your car ... you can order these online now from various sites e.g.

https://www.berlin.de/labo/kfz/dienstleistungen/feinstaubplakette.shop.en.php

40 Euro fine if you're caught in a zone (Stuttgart is one) without a disc on display.

 

[Noustie]

I think the French law requires two breathalisers, just incase you have to use one....
New French law makes breathalyser kits compulsory for motorists | Mail Online
Sounds like a great trip building up here!

 

[kap02]

How pleasant the trip will be from a driving point of view will be roughly in inverse proportion to the amount of motorway miles you route yourself over.

On the way out, if you're routing via Luxembourg I'd also stop off at Trier for a quick nose at the impressive Porta Negra (and lots of other Roman remains if you're interested). Unless you particularly want to stay in Luxembourg City then somewhere like Vianden is pleasant enough for a one-night stop and gives you the oportunity to drive some nice roads too.

I'm with Charles and his suggestion to spend some time in the Vosges and the Alsace. Are you particularly wedded to the idea of Zurich? If not then you you could spend more time exploring the likes of Cite de l'Automobile in Mulhouse, and/or the plethora of stunning roads over the ballons, before taking in Colmar and then heading west over the Col de la Schluct and continuing west through Troyes to Paris. Personally, I prefer the roads in that region to the Alpenstrasse, and they're certainly more accessible on a short trip.

If you do go to Switzerland be aware that it's difficult to avoid their motorways unless you're very good with a map, and so you'll need to get a Vignette. Swiss speed limits are strictly enforced and fines are very heavy if caught breaking one. Funnily enough, fuel is pretty cheap though.

I will be looking at a map today and viewing the above information, thanks for your input.

Nothing is booked as yet so I am in the early stages, ideally i want the ferry and hotels booked at the end of March.

As I will be driving Manchester to Dover and then on from Calais, I would prefer to stop in Luxembourg for the night get a decent nights sleep

In terms of requirements as suggested the AA guide lists all requirements for travel:

European Driving : European driving advice from the AA - The AA

As of last night the route is:

Calais to Luxembourg

Luxembourg to Stuttgart

Stuttgart to Zurich

Zurich to Dijon

Dijon to Paris

Paris to calais.

This may change..... AGAIN

 

[Deleted member 65149]

Why are you using the ferry instead of the tunnel? My intention is to use the tunnel because I suspect the car will be a lot safer that way. I've done many trips on the ferry and it always worries me how they're packed into the hold and then everyone squeezes past them with kids, buckles and bags doing their worst. Now that I finally have a pristine car I want to do my best to keep it that way as long as possible.

 

[kap02]

Why are you using the ferry instead of the tunnel? My intention is to use the tunnel because I suspect the car will be a lot safer that way. I've done many trips on the ferry and it always worries me how they're packed into the hold and then everyone squeezes past them with kids, buckles and bags doing their worst. Now that I finally have a pristine car I want to do my best to keep it that way as long as possible.

Its an excellent point.... to be honest I haven't even thought about it?!

I will look at prices now. How have you found the tunnel?

 

[Charles Morgan]

I use the ferry because it gives me a good hour break, when I can stretch my legs, get some air and sunlight, and also sit down and have a decent breakfast (normally the time I get there from here) and it is cheaper too. Given the cleanliness of most of my cars, most people steer well clear anyway!

 

[kap02]

I use the ferry because it gives me a good hour break, when I can stretch my legs, get some air and sunlight, and also sit down and have a decent breakfast (normally the time I get there from here) and it is cheaper too. Given the cleanliness of most of my cars, most people steer well clear anyway!

The costs are around the same, I don't think I like the idea of being stuck inside my car/train. I think the ferry will the best option for the reasons above!

Charles, are you on detailers world? Im a keen detailer my self.

 

[kap02]

Any traditional hotel recommendations for Stuttgart? Budget of around £65/£75 a night.

 

[Charles Morgan]

Oddly enough I am a member of Detailers World, only because one of my cars was detailed and the results posted there. However, I can safely state that my cars are so unclean, most people recoil for fear of catching something.

 

[kap02]

I see! lol. Im not too sure where you are based but a good friend of mind is a pro detailer. Excellent work... if required.

Do you have a link to your car on DW?

 

[Charles Morgan]

Ancient history I fear. It is my old 320 coupe - my gallery here has some shots by me about a week after it was detailed.

 

[BTB 500]

We always use the tunnel.

If you buy in advance the cost is about the same, but obviously the crossing is much faster and not subject to weather conditions etc. They are also very flexible - we nearly always end up on an earlier train than the one we have booked ... this is offered automatically when you check in (assuming there is a space available).

 

[st13phil]

When I used to live further from Dover I tended to use the ferry for exactly the reasons Charles mentioned. However, I tend to use the tunnel a great deal more nowadays, partly because I use Tesco vouchers to pay for it, but partly for reasons of speed. The ferries now take a minimum of 90 mins (used to be 75) and they are more susceptible to disruption by disgruntled French fishermen.

 

[kap02]

We always use the tunnel.

If you buy in advance the cost is about the same, but obviously the crossing is much faster and not subject to weather conditions etc. They are also very flexible - we nearly always end up on an earlier train than the one we have booked ... this is offered automatically when you check in (assuming there is a space available).

Thats one great load carrier!

 

[Mr E]

Why are you using the ferry instead of the tunnel? My intention is to use the tunnel because I suspect the car will be a lot safer that way. I've done many trips on the ferry and it always worries me how they're packed into the hold and then everyone squeezes past them with kids, buckles and bags doing their worst. Now that I finally have a pristine car I want to do my best to keep it that way as long as possible.

The only time that my car has been damaged is in the tunnel train - plenty of people seem to walk up and down looking for the toilet!. We always book priority boarding on the ferry now, so very little walking traffic past the car as you're first on / first off.

Never had a problem rocking up early and getting on board - and even maintain the priority boarding too. We also find it nice to get up and out of the car, grab a coffee, etc.

 

[Rashman]

Thats one great load carrier!

Doggie looks happy and comfortable too