Hi,

Looking for advice on the best route to follow from Zeebrugge in Belgium to Doucier in France?

Google maps suggests the following:
Brugge - Lille - Arras (Just east of it) - Saint Quentin - Reims - Troyes (Just east of it) - Dijon - Monay - Poligny - Doucier

It's 430 miles using the above route which seems pretty direct but I've not looked into the costs of toll roads and local petrol prices (yeah I know diesel is cheaper in france but our car won't burn it... )

Any advice on nicer or faster or cheaper routes would be most welcome although we need to stick to a fairly efficient route with minimal sight-seeing to avoid arriving too late. We'll be setting off from Zeebrugge around 7 or 8am and would like to arrive for dinner if possible (9 hours or so) with a couple of stops on the way.

Many thanks,
Craig.

Seems OK and should be fairly quick, traffic permitting. I have done parts of that route a few times - Calais to Costa Brava via (round) Lyon avoiding Paris - and it was OK. Given that Google gives a time of about 6.5 hours, even if traffic is worse than expected and taking into account food/loo/petrol stops you should get there at a reasonable time.

Thanks - any tips for a euro-driving virgin?

Actually I've driven LHD cars before in France and Spain but never taken my own car before. Here is what I've already done:

1. Serviced the car fully myself a few weeks ago. Brake pads, tyres all near new.
2. Arranged euro-breakdown cover via AA
3. Got the required items (Warning triangle, hi-vis vest, first aid kit, GB sticker, headlamp converters, bulb kit.
4. Got some sun shades for the rear side windows and a reflector for the windscreen when parked.
5. Will pack basic toolkit
6. Checked tyre gel (out of date, will get some) and checked that electric pump works.
7. Planned route - iPhone plus map for backup.
8. Insurance covers use in Europe and got V5 and MOT and driving licence (both parts) & passport with me.

Anything else? I do like to over-prepare if at all possible...

Should do it easily in 8 hours, we drove from rotterdamn to toulouse, over 700 miles back in january and that only took us 9 hrs, tolls not to expensive but try and take a few quid in euro coins just in case you come accross any un manned booths.

Petrol is about 1.35€ to 1.50€ per litre.
Depends where you buy it.
Always use supermarket fuel if you can
Far cheaper than Autoroute prices.

You're credit card should work ok in autofuel stations.
With poss exception Esso Express

HTH


Oh forgot to add
Watch out for hidden speed cameras.
Especially in towns and villages.
My advice is, never go above 50kph when within town boundaries. (Not even 55kph)
Guess how I know??

Anything specific give me a shout.
I'll try to help

[Edited on 3/7/10 by dogwood]

Inform your insurance company, most policies will cover you for europe, however most are limited to 60 or 90 days. They require notification of travel periods.

Also as above don't speed through the villages even on a sunday..... guess how i know too !!

Roger

If your car has a blind spot mirror as standard on the o/s see if you can get a LHD mirror and put it on the n/s it will help you no end when overtaking.

Don't forget that you need a hi-vis vest for everyone in the car, and they've got to be to hand - not in the boot. If a policemen sees anyone get out of the car on a major road without a vest then it's an instant fine.

Similar for the warning triangle - I had conflicting reports for these, but basically you must be able to grab it in seconds without ferreting through luggage. Cars like Mercs & BMWs have them on the inside of the boot lid. If you put it just inside the boot on top of everything then you should be ok.

Oh - and very few supermarket petrol stations will take a UK credit or debit card. This is a pain when it supermarket's shut and the attendant has gone home...

[Edited on 4/7/10 by David Jenkins]

Dont forget vehicle documentation;

insurance
log book
driving licence

Thanks for all the tips guys, some really good ones in there.

I'm insured with Admiral and it says on the policy doc that I don't need to phone them to arrange Europe cover, it is automatic. It also mentions Europe cover on the certificate so I think I'm okay.

On the high vis vest, the AA website says that I only require one vest but one for each passenger is recommended. Good tip to have it to hand though. I can get to it via the ski hatch into the boot so should be okay.

I'll make sure I have cash for the petrol stations and will watch my speed.

Any tips for keeping cool in the absence of air con in the car? What is most effective without resorting to open windows and that horrible fluttering sound which you get at speed? Can you get window mounted air scoops which get trapped between window and door top? Are fans in the car any good? I don't want to asphyxiate us all with dry ice in the air vents...

Cheers,
Craig.

quote but try and take a few quid in euro coins just in case you come accross any un manned booths.

In my experience, you can use your credit card at the Péages. It is all very easy.

More and more supermarket fuel stations accept our credit cards and I think you will get a better exchange rate on a credit card than on the rate you paid for your Euros.

quote:

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Originally posted by craig1410

On the high vis vest, the AA website says that I only require one vest but one for each passenger is recommended. Good tip to have it to hand though. I can get to it via the ski hatch into the boot so should be okay.

Cheers,
Craig.

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quote:

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Originally posted by 2cv
quote but try and take a few quid in euro coins just in case you come accross any un manned booths.

In my experience, you can use your credit card at the Péages. It is all very easy.

but takes a lot longer than chucking 6 euros into a basket... and we all love waiting behind people paying by card

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2cv - 9/7/10 at 07:54 PM

quote:but takes a lot longer than chucking 6 euros into a basket... and we all love waiting behind people paying by card

Charges are variable and the chuck it in the sack only works if you have the right money and you don't have to struggle into your pocket to search for it.

All you have to do with a credit card is to put it in the slot, it is returned instantly along with the payment slip. What could be easier and quicker than that?

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