|
|
 #1 Self drive holiday from England to France Posted 24/08/2010 @ 12:12 |
   |
|
Hi guys
Myself and 2 friends are planning on a snowboard holiday to La Plagne on the 23rd Jan 2011 - to save a few quid and have a bit of a road trip kinda laugh we're thinking of driving down (we live 1 hour from Dover or 40 minutes from Folkestone in Kent).
Has anyone done this before? Any experiences to share?
Also, which is the best place to book accomodation only through? - we're hoping to get all 3 of us into 1 room in a catered chalet or half board hotel for around £500. Is this possible? |
|
|
|
|
|
| #2 Re: Self drive holiday from England to France Posted 24/08/2010 @ 12:27 |
|
|
| In reply to post #1
... |
I drive all the time - so much better than flying and not a lot longer when you add on hassle at airports/security/checking in etc.
Takes about 7hrs to Mozine area and about 10-12 to the tarrentaise valley and bourg st maurice so work on about 12hrs drive to La Plangne. I usually break it up with a stop overnight but I have done it straight. If you all get insured on the same car it is easy to do straight through.
You could check out www.homelidays.com
It is a website that cuts out the middle men so you rent direct from the owner of the apartment or through someone representing them. Good apartments at a good price. I've used them a lot.
Alternatively just use Lastminute.com - always had good experiences with them.
You need to account for about 100euros in motorway tolls for the journey. The French motorways are uncrowded, well built, plenty of rest stops and worth paying the toll fees. The alternative is to drive through every town in france on your way down - ad at least 6hrs to your journey if you do this.
Obviously, travelling by car means you can ram if full of cheap food and basics from the UK - might as well save money on food (always pricey in the alps) and spend it on beer instead! Take as much as you can - you can always bring it back!  |
|
|
|
|
|
| #3 Re: Self drive holiday from England to France Posted 24/08/2010 @ 12:37 |
|
|
| In reply to post #2
... |
thanks for the reply - nice that the first reply is a positive one!
We're planning on all being insured so hopefully around 3 hours driving each (we'll probably get euro tunnel from folkestone) - I must admit we'd thought about a catered chalet, but going self catrering makes sense.
I'll check that site out, thanks a lot! |
|
|
|
|
|
| #4 Re: Self drive holiday from England to France Posted 24/08/2010 @ 12:46 |
|
|
| In reply to post #3
... |
I cannot stress how much better it is than flying!!! You'll have a wicked time andthat's just on the journey there!   |
|
|
|
| Posts: 6001 |
|
Forum Mod |
|
Kirkcudbrightshire |
|
|
| #5 Re: Self drive holiday from England to France Posted 24/08/2010 @ 20:40 |
|
|
| In reply to post #4
... |
We have driven to the Alps many times over the years and thats coming down from Scotland (Its 400 miles to Dover for us).
If I was living in the south-east its the only way I would do it, as has been said the French Motorways are quiet and there are plenty of decent service areas.  |
|
|
|
|
|
| #6 Re: Self drive holiday from England to France Posted 24/08/2010 @ 20:50 |
|
|
| In reply to post #5
... |
Um, yeah. I even paid extra for a little hole between the seats in my car so I can get my snowboards in there.
You can drive down overnight from the uk; from where I live (about an hour north of London) it takes about 13 hours to get to the good stuff in France including all the bits. For driving through the night two people works ok although you may fall asleep on the chair lift the next day.
Watch out as some places may charge you to park your car, which I'd be unhappy about.
If you're mobile you can always chase the snow and of course you're actually doing things for yourself, rather than being part of a herd. |
|
|
|
|
|
| #7 Re: Self drive holiday from England to France Posted 24/08/2010 @ 20:53 |
|
|
| In reply to post #5
... |
Hi Stuart - what kind of money do you spend on a chalet? did you go self catering or catered?
There will be 3 of us going, so we're hoping to just get 1 room between us - I've been taking a look around and it seems that a chalet per person is almost as expensive as an entire package including flights! |
|
|
|
|
|
| #8 Re: Self drive holiday from England to France Posted 25/08/2010 @ 09:28 |
|
|
| In reply to post #2
... |
QUOTE (markmogt - 24/08/2010 @ 12:27) You need to account for about 100euros in motorway tolls for the journey. The French motorways are uncrowded, well built, plenty of rest stops and worth paying the toll fees. The alternative is to drive through every town in france on your way down - ad at least 6hrs to your journey if you do this.
Hi Mark. Do you know how much you'd be looking at for tolls in a mini bus? |
|
 |
|
I've been all over the world, Ibiza, Magaluf, Blackpool etc and Tamworth was by far the best for snowsports!! It's intense man!!! You're totally gripped when you're at the top and looking down...
Snowboard Wales Facebook Group |
|
|
|
| Posts: 1411 |
|
Advertising Partner |
|
France |
|
|
| #9 Re: Self drive holiday from England to France Posted 25/08/2010 @ 09:39 |
|
|
| In reply to post #8
... |
|
a minibus from Calais to Morzine will cost about 65 euros in tolls and takes about 8hrs if you only stop for fuel/coffee |
|
|
|
|
Ride & Slide - Luxury Catered Chalets in Morzine
As recommended in 'Where to Ski & Snowboard' 2007, 2008, & 2009
Clickie here for GONEboarders reviews |
|
|
|
|
|
| #10 Re: Self drive holiday from England to France Posted 25/08/2010 @ 09:49 |
|
|
| In reply to post #8
... |
Tolls on the motorways in France don't seem to differ for the size of the vehicle wierdly, they just go on the length of the journey (between the ticket being issued and where you pay) and sometimes the speed - I have seen some outrageous toll charges for people who have been speeding in sports cars so they can be crafty!
No more than 100euros, prob about 65 like the post below. I did Calais to Ser Che in minibusses for a camp I was running and it cost around 145euros but that valley is much further S than the tarrentaise valley or Morzine area. |
|
|
|
|
|
| #11 Re: Self drive holiday from England to France Posted 25/08/2010 @ 09:50 |
|
|
| In reply to post #9
... |
|
Thanks Johnny, that's much cheaper than I expected. Which would be the best option to cross from Dover with regards to cost? Tunnel or Ferry? |
|
|
|
|
I've been all over the world, Ibiza, Magaluf, Blackpool etc and Tamworth was by far the best for snowsports!! It's intense man!!! You're totally gripped when you're at the top and looking down...
Snowboard Wales Facebook Group |
|
|
|
|
|
| #12 Re: Self drive holiday from England to France Posted 25/08/2010 @ 09:54 |
|
|
| In reply to post #10
... |
|
Cheers Mark. I'm really liking this idea. I can get a 15 or 17 seater mini bus for £785. How much are you looking at for fuel costs? Approximation will be great as I know each bus would have difference consumtion. |
|
|
|
|
I've been all over the world, Ibiza, Magaluf, Blackpool etc and Tamworth was by far the best for snowsports!! It's intense man!!! You're totally gripped when you're at the top and looking down...
Snowboard Wales Facebook Group |
|
|
|
| Posts: 1411 |
|
Advertising Partner |
|
France |
|
|
| #13 Re: Self drive holiday from England to France Posted 25/08/2010 @ 09:55 |
|
|
|
Revision #1 (Last edited: 25/08/2010 @ 09:57) |
| In reply to post #11
... |
ferry is loads cheaper - I travelled back last month and P&) cost €100 euro for the return crossing whereas Sea France were wanting €250!... NorfolkLine are usually the cheapest, they cross to Dunkirk which adds about 15 minutes to your journey time (crossing takes a bit longer as well) although last month NorfolkLine were the most expensive for my trip - I did book last minute though.
Tolls vary depending on type of vehcile - minibuses get classed as cars so if someone at a toll tries to say you're in a van, just point to the windows/seats at the back and tell them it's classed as a car. Speed/time doesn't vary the tolls at all, and it's a myth about timing between toll booths and doing you for speeding... they just stick a Gendarme on a bridge above the motorway just before the booths and then have another Gendarme waiting at the tolls to do you - people then assumed they were being done for being timed between tolls...
edit: Return trip in my minibus (Renault traffic 2 lwb) does about 3 tanks of diesel - cost out here on the motorways is about 1.25-1.35 euro per litre (tank load for me costs around 80 euros) |
|
|
|
|
Ride & Slide - Luxury Catered Chalets in Morzine
As recommended in 'Where to Ski & Snowboard' 2007, 2008, & 2009
Clickie here for GONEboarders reviews |
|
|
|
| Posts: 6001 |
|
Forum Mod |
|
Kirkcudbrightshire |
|
|
| #14 Re: Self drive holiday from England to France Posted 25/08/2010 @ 10:06 |
|
|
| In reply to post #7
... |
QUOTE (adam6177 - 24/08/2010 @ 20:53) Hi Stuart - what kind of money do you spend on a chalet? did you go self catering or catered? There will be 3 of us going, so we're hoping to just get 1 room between us - I've been taking a look around and it seems that a chalet per person is almost as expensive as an entire package including flights!
Check out Ride&Slide for great catered chalets in Morzine (stayed with Jon and Lisa 3 times so far). |
|
|
|
|
|
| #15 Re: Self drive holiday from England to France Posted 25/08/2010 @ 11:54 |
|
|
| In reply to post #13
... |
Brilliant information, thanks Jonny.
The cost is looking like £1225 at the moment: £785 bus hire, £55 tolls (£110 return?), £85 return ferry and £300 fuel.
Apologies to the OP for the thread jack. |
|
|
|
|
I've been all over the world, Ibiza, Magaluf, Blackpool etc and Tamworth was by far the best for snowsports!! It's intense man!!! You're totally gripped when you're at the top and looking down...
Snowboard Wales Facebook Group |
|
|
|