 Poster: A snowHead
|
|
Auto-route all the way - not like driving on UK MWays - much easier. Cost is only about £40 each way.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
nessy, we have friends in Lux so if we decide to stop overnight we do the Lux/Belgium route, otherwise we just stick to the autoroutes in France, which are a joy to drive on imo. The problem with the Lux/Belgium route is Begium and the Belgians  But I have to agree about the Reims-Calais stretch - dull as ditchwater! You want a DVD to pass teh time as the driver LOL
Another idea here - when we travelled when I was a kid my parents used to write a scavenger hunt for me. I found that good as it focused my attention outside the car whereas if I read for too long in a car I would begin to feel sick (and I don't get travel sick)
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
Check out the RAC website for kids games (car bingo etc)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
boredsurfin, stevo_the_saddler,
As they both say, stick to the Autoroute. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
| Quote: |
| I think they had some heavy snow up there last winter - what's it like then? |
The two or theree times we did it just after snow was no problem, and the ski lifts are open as you pass so it can really up the excitement. We did only go through once while it was snowing, again no problem, but the snow ploughs need to beat you to it.
I think the youngest in the car was 14ish whenever we drove down, so it might not work for younger kids avoiding the autoroute. However the only town we got stuck in was Rheims otherwise we've generally avoided anything that large except round the Dijon bypass and of course, Geneva. However we were going to Courmayeur so our route may have been different to all the others mentioned here:
Calais->Reims Autoroute, then Chalons-en-Champagne -> Vitry-le-Francois -> Brienn-le-Chateau -> Chaumont -> Langres -> (Dijon sometimes) Dole (we *may* have gone via Besancon once) -> Poligny -> Champagnole -> Morez -> Gex -> Geneva -> MB Tunnel -> Courmayeur.
Generally te same route, but we did vary it at times, depending on where we chose to stay the night.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| fraserp wrote: |
boredsurfin, stevo_the_saddler,
As they both say, stick to the Autoroute. |
I agree. Pleasant as the D roads usually are, they are slower even at their best, and if time is of the essence, as it usually is, autoroutes are going to be the best bet. It is sometimes worth cutting off a corner or avoiding a particularly jammed bit if you know of it, but otherwise, I'd stick to autoroutes.
If you have the luxury of 2+ nights to get there (or back), non autoroute driving becomes a more attractive option.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The thing I hate about Reims to Calais, is the KM marker posts which count down every 0.1 KM all the way down to (I think) 0.3. Given they start at 250 or something it takes FOR EVER!!!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
Maybe we should stop moaning about the boring bit between Calais and Reims,this lady is looking for encouragement.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Boris wrote: |
| The thing I hate about Reims to Calais, is the KM marker posts which count down every 0.1 KM all the way down to (I think) 0.3. Given they start at 250 or something it takes FOR EVER!!!! |
BUT they are very useful for pointing out the radar guns particularly the one at 38.6 just before you get to the Calais Peage where the Gendarmes come and collect your speeding fine from you 
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
Helen Beaumont, you misunderstand me - I like the drive from Calais to Reims! I'm off on holiday, we're in France, its exciting. Reims to Calais is more I'm going home, I've got to go to work tomorrow, I want to be skiing again.
Its not so much the drive as the state of mind
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
I think Cal -Reims is ok...its two hours and you know you have got off to a good start outbound and its not far home inbound... I think its the easiest part of the journey for those reasons.
I like driving to the alpes, apart from the train it's the best way to travel, for me, as long as you aren't crammed in the vehicle. Use a long-legged car, a good cruiser and its a doddle.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JT, I love the drive. I would love to get the train too, but the hassle of crossing London with bags would be horrendous.Flight to Paris,and the sleeper train is OK though, (or my sons though so).
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
Helen Beaumont, Roll on St Pancras. I will certainly give it a bash once it gets going.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
Frosty the Snowman, definitely.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
| Quote: |
| but the hassle of crossing London with bags would be horrendous |
It's actually quite (usually) quick and easy in a taxi. But yes, once St Pancras is sorted it'll be even easier.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
Surely there must be a huge market for direct trains from London to other destinations than Paris? I for one would pay good money for a direct Winter train to Chambery, Geneva or Annecy. Or in the summer direct to La Rochelle, Bordeaux and Nice. However are there 'political' reasons why wouldn't happen? Surely in light of climate concerns governments should be doing more to encourage rail travel?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
micksup,
| Quote: |
Surely in light of climate concerns governments should be doing more to encourage rail travel?
|
Quite, it's ridiculous that it remains cheaper to drive by car than go by train 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
eng_ch, IMHO the quickest route to Calais from our neck of the woods is Basel - Nancy - Bar le Duc - Reims - Calais. Only the last section is on a toll autoroute. If you take the Strasbourg - Metz - Reims autoroute route it is quite a bit further. The Basel - Nancy bit is currently a bit slower than it might be until they re-open the tunnel at Sainte Marie aux Mines.
fraserp, maybe heading to Geneva it is as short on the motorways. Heading for Basel, staying on autoroutes involves quite a lot of extra KM that may not even save any time leave alone the extra fuel and toll cost.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
nessy, I did west Zurich to West Kent in 10 hours door to door once going via Strasbourg on the autoroutes and not going over 140  There is a cut up from just below Strasbourg to Saverne but we've not found it yet. I actually like pootling along the stretch between Strasbourg and Metz, usually empty roads. But then enjoyment and speed aren't necessarily the same goals. We did Metz - Nancy - Mulhouse back one time bnut found it very slow and much more tiring and it only saves about 6 EUR in tolls anyway. Different strokes and all that.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Quote: |
most of France is /was shut on a Saturday
|
and don't even try to get a meal, or a hotel room except the big chains, on a Sunday.........
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
pam w, or a nice Chambre d'Hote in Champagne!!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Quote: |
it's ridiculous that it remains cheaper to drive by car than go by train
|
even more ridiculous, three weeks ago when we flew from Heathrow we got a private taxi return, from our front door, which was cheaper than taking the rail/coach link via Woking from Havant station 4 miles away....
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
I am currently organising for 4 possibly 5 people to Les Arcs. Boys 'long weekend' ( ok 5 days..the SO calls it a "short week") We have decided on the train. One person is flying in from MadrId, but wants to get train back to UK with rest of us
(plus various other interesting travel combos, including possible North American journet leg: you know what it's like when you do these things: one day I will arrange a multi-party skiing trip and all will be easy. The following week, I will solve Middle East conflict, world poverty and famine. And then Hell will freeze over...still, bound to be some good runs down there.).
Rail Europe (bless)
London -> Bourg -> London £129 (change in Paris) . Cushty.
BSM- > London (ie return 1/2 of journey only, also Paris change) £160
What in the name of all that is holy is that all about?!
PS since they don't ask for names on the tickets (hello Osama...) I've just bought the return ticket option , for who knows with all the multiple fafffing going on, someone is bound to want to use it, and if they don't, I have a spare seat for my new boots...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
