Our European trip

[Paul Martin]

Hi all,

As per my post in the newbies section, I’m trying to plan and put together some plans for this trip which is covering approx 4500 miles through France, Spain, Italy, Austria, Germany, Belgium, then back into France then home. All of this, with stopping points in each country for various places. I’m used to driving big vehicles long distances and confident enough to do this trip.

Due to the age of my towing vehicle (2010 diesel euro 5) I’ll have to avoid many of the big cities or apply for one of them windscreen stickers for each.

I need a little help as I’m getting quite bamfuddled with how to work out toll costs, vignette? costs and fuel costs. Is there some sort of calculator available for these ?

I’ve also read elsewhere that toll tags are the way to go now, so which would be best.

I can’t find any definitive answers for my soon to be set up ?

I can figure out all of the legal requirements for essentials ie- warning triangles and paperwork.

Apologies for a million questions so soon, I just hope you’re all kind enough to offer any help and advice.

Thank you in advance and kind regards,

Paul

 

[AndrewAventura]

Hi all,

As per my post in the newbies section, I’m trying to plan and put together some plans for this trip which is covering approx 4500 miles through France, Spain, Italy, Austria, Germany, Belgium, then back into France then home. All of this, with stopping points in each country for various places. I’m used to driving big vehicles long distances and confident enough to do this trip...................

Paul

Hi Paul,
In your other post, you said about making this a 3 week trip. That would work out at 200+ miles per day, and moving to a different site every day. Does that feel like a holiday to you, I'm sure your passengers at least will grumble! My benchmark is 3 days on each site for a touring holiday, and I wouldn't like to do more than 250 miles in a day, except on the return legs and maybe going out.
Are you thinking something longer than 3 weeks now?
Andrew

 

[Buckman]

Not a holiday if doing 4500 mile sin 3 weeks. Preferably 3 months and even that is pushing it for a holiday.

 

[Mr Plodd]

That's a huge mileage in a brief period! You will spend most of your time on the road rather than enjoying your holiday. It works out at 215 miles each and EVERY day! At an average of 45/50mph (and thats not easy to achieve) thats roughly 5 hours driving every day, which, if its a holiday rather than an endurance test, is a bit excessive to say the least.
Plus of course you are going to use a lot of expensive fuel. 4500 miles at 25mpg multiplied by £7 per gallon comes out at £1500 or £60 per day

Scale your ambitions down considerably and just enjoy your surroundings would, after many years experience of continental holidays, be my considered advice.

 

[Devonisheaven]

Not a chance, after 7 days the pressure of continuing for another two weeks would be too much to handle. It certainly isn’t a holiday, thats for sure, its an unnecessary, unpleasant challenge. You will be frazzled.

 

[Gafferbill]

Post removed.

 

[Buckman]

When I was about 20 years of age I drove 2000 miles in under 40 hours. It took me nearly 3 days to recover and I ws young and very fit. On the return trip I took 3 days.

 

[Devonisheaven]

I did just around 2000 miles in the US last year, 3 weeks, not towing, great roads in a big GMC Yukon with all the driver aids, with lots to see that was enough. 4500 in three weeks is not a holiday….Sorry.

 

[Lutz]

We did 14,000km (8700 miles) across Canada from Victoria Island to Newfoundland in 8 weeks, but driving over there is a different kettle of fish and I wouldn’t want to try it here.

 

[Devonisheaven]

We did 14,000km (8700 miles) across Canada from Victoria Island to Newfoundland in 8 weeks, but driving over there is a different kettle of fish and I wouldn’t want to try it here.

Will be in Newfoundland in seven weeks time! 👍

 

[Lutz]

Will be in Newfoundland in seven weeks time! 👍

It's a really lovely part of the world - much underrated. The island is also a lot bigger than it seems - almost 600 miles from Channel Port-aux-Basques where the ferry from Nova Scotia arrives, to the capital, St John's. While you're there, don't miss out on a trip to the islands of St Pierre & Miquelon just off the Newfoundland coast. It's the last French colony in North America, hence part of the EU, so prices there are marked in Euros - making it a most unusual place and one of the most remote overseas dependencies in the world. Even a lot of French don't even know that it exists.

 

[Mr Plodd]

For remote dependencies try looking on Google Earth for South Georgia, now that's what I call remote
My daughter is the CEO of the authority of it. She is based in Stanley in the Falklands but she has to physically go there 3 or 4 times a year. Its 800 miles by sea with no other means of getting there. It's an incredibly beautiful place!
Huge multi million square kilometres of ocean to protect from unauthorised fishing and Bio security for the island that is exceedingly strict. The only biosystem in the world in total recovery.

 

[Lutz]

For remote dependencies try looking on Google Earth for South Georgia, now that's what I call remote
My daughter is the CEO of the authority of it. She is based in Stanley in the Falklands but she has to physically go there 3 or 4 times a year. Its 800 miles by sea with no other means of getting there. It's an incredibly beautiful place!
Huge multi million square kilometres of ocean to protect from unauthorised fishing and Bio security for the island that is exceedingly strict. The only biosystem in the world in total recovery.

Been there too, and I can only concur with your statement that it's a beautiful place. I've also been to Pitcairn Island which is just about as remote.
Yours truly sending a postcard from Pitcairn back home:

 

[Mr Plodd]

You are a VERY fortunate man Lutz, very very few have visited SG. Not even my son in law and he lives with daughter in Stanley has been able to go (They have been in Tge Falklands 4 years now)
I have onky seen the photographs my daughter has taken. A keen photographers paradise!!

 

[Lutz]

You are a VERY fortunate man Lutz, very very few have visited SG. Not even my son in law and he lives with daughter in Stanley has been able to go (They have been in Tge Falklands 4 years now)
I have onky seen the photographs my daughter has taken. A keen photographers paradise!!

Then your daughter will know where this photo was taken:

 

[Mel]

Here’s a thought; Perhaps instead of an “I’ve towed more miles than you” competition; someone who has driven all them miles could actually answer the OPs questions about Air quality stickers, routes and tolls.
Just saying
Mel

 

[Hutch]

For the French Payages, I used the Sanef tolling, they have changed names now. They charge you the next month from the bank you select, Deposit for the tag is refundable.
Switzerland , you have to buy a Vignette for car and Caravan, lasts a year. Purchase at the border or on line , give it 2 weeks to arrive.
Austria you can buy Vignett s, Daily, weekly, monthly and yearly at petrol stations as you cross the border.

 

[Steven_374224300]

Back to the original question.
I use this: https://www.viamichelin.co.uk/
Work out your route from place to place and it will calculate various routes, what tolls, vignettes, fuel, etc.
Using the same website for our trip to Italy via France in a few weeks.
Steven.

 

[borderbilly]

He hasnt got time to reply, hes driving

 

[Buckman]

Here’s a thought; Perhaps instead of an “I’ve towed more miles than you” competition; someone who has driven all them miles could actually answer the OPs questions about Air quality stickers, routes and tolls.
Just saying
Mel

Actually I think it is more important to advise them about their travel plan as it may just save lives?

 

[RogerL]

When I was about 20 years of age I drove 2000 miles in under 40 hours. It took me nearly 3 days to recover and I ws young and very fit. On the return trip I took 3 days.

When I was 77, I drove 1800 miles in 2 days - felt fit as a fiddle at the end and would have carried on.

My point is that we all have different capabilities, as well as different vehicles and different discipline for rest periods - so perhaps you and I are just opposite ends of a range of capabilities.

 

[Mr Plodd]

Then your daughter will know where this photo was taken:

View attachment 9264

Certainly do, its Shackletons Grave. I have a pen made from some of the wood salvaged from part of the fence that was replaced around the graveyard a few years ago. Very treasured possession for very obvious reasons.
Shackleton was a brilliant leader, but the Capt of his ship, a chap called Woresley, doesn't get the recognition he most certainly should. He's the chap who navigated them, in a tiny open lifeboat, from Antartica all the way to South Georgia, possibly the most accomplished bit of navigation, under the most appaling conditions ever!

 

[Mel]

Actually I think it is more important to advise them about their travel plan as it may just save lives?

My point is that the warning about the amount of driving was clearly and rightly made in a couple of posts. The thread then veered into a discussion about the miles others have driven; and now we are on Shackleton.
This is exactly the sort of gossipy clique discussion between long term forumites that does not address the needs of new members who have legitimately joined the group to get some information. They are then effectively excluded while folks chat amongst themselves. There is a section on this forum for that. The OP has not come back to this thread and quite frankly, I am not the least bit surprised.
As for “saving lives” . Unless the OP is embarking on a polar expedition, I fail to see how Shackleton’s heroic endeavour is pertinent.
Mel

 

[borderbilly]

My point is that the warning about the amount of driving was clearly and rightly made in a couple of posts. The thread then veered into a discussion about the miles others have driven; and now we are on Shackleton.
This is exactly the sort of gossipy clique discussion between long term forumites that does not address the needs of new members who have legitimately joined the group to get some information. They are then effectively excluded while folks chat amongst themselves. There is a section on this forum for that. The OP has not come back to this thread and quite frankly, I am not the least bit surprised.
As for “saving lives” . Unless the OP is embarking on a polar expedition, I fail to see how Shackleton’s heroic endeavour is pertinent.
Mel

Aye most of them join, get the information, then never hear of them again 🙄

 

[Buckman]

My point is that the warning about the amount of driving was clearly and rightly made in a couple of posts. The thread then veered into a discussion about the miles others have driven; and now we are on Shackleton.
This is exactly the sort of gossipy clique discussion between long term forumites that does not address the needs of new members who have legitimately joined the group to get some information. They are then effectively excluded while folks chat amongst themselves. There is a section on this forum for that. The OP has not come back to this thread and quite frankly, I am not the least bit surprised.
As for “saving lives” . Unless the OP is embarking on a polar expedition, I fail to see how Shackleton’s heroic endeavour is pertinent.
Mel

I am sorry, but I just don't get your reasoning for my quip about " saving lives" and Shackleton as I never mentioned Shackleton. My thoughts regarding saving lives was that trying to do that sort of journey with a caravan in 3 weeks, one would become tired and loose concentration on the road resulting in an accident that may or may not involve others.