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Post by usplitu on Nov 16, 2015 13:39:36 GMT 1
Given everything that is going on with European borders at the moment, I was wondering if anyone has driven to/from UK recently? Im thinking of driving there next week (from Split) and I was wondering on the implications on the journey with border crossings that weren't there before, additional security etc. I've always gone via Germany before but I'm thinking perhaps I need to investigate an alternate route on this trip. Any knowledge would be greatly appreciated.
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Post by crojoe on Nov 17, 2015 15:08:53 GMT 1
Given everything that is going on with European borders at the moment, I was wondering if anyone has driven to/from UK recently? Im thinking of driving there next week (from Split) and I was wondering on the implications on the journey with border crossings that weren't there before, additional security etc. I've always gone via Germany before but I'm thinking perhaps I need to investigate an alternate route on this trip. Any knowledge would be greatly appreciated. All is OK! The refugee route goes more north but they are bused and trained from border to border. We just did trip to UK two weeks ago and other then loads of road works in Germany (on the way back we went a bit more North via Holland and much better and quicker). There are police spot checks in Germany, so be prepared for some delays. France may now also have border checks, although if you don't resemble a terrorist (profile) then you should be ok. And, Darford bridge/tunnel no longer has toll collection booths, you must do it online prior to crossing or within 24 hours (think they should give more time), as we got caught out thinking it was longer to pay for the crossing. And, don't forget Slovenian and Austrian vignette. |
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Post by usplitu on Nov 25, 2015 10:33:25 GMT 1
Thanks for that, another quick question .... which route did you take up to Germany? I usually use the michelin travel website and it's taking me a route through Zagreb/Ljubliana/Villach and I thought before it took the Maribor route. Which way do you normally take ?
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Post by crojoe on Nov 25, 2015 14:37:39 GMT 1
Thanks for that, another quick question .... which route did you take up to Germany? I usually use the michelin travel website and it's taking me a route through Zagreb/Ljubliana/Villach and I thought before it took the Maribor route. Which way do you normally take ? I always take the Maribor route... as once took the Ljubliana/Villach route and it took longer. But looking at say google maps there is only like 10 miles difference if you are going sat to calais. |
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Post by fidobsa on Dec 1, 2015 20:46:26 GMT 1
I have never done Croatia to UK but from Hungary I cross the border into Austria near Vienna. I did once go through all those tunnels on the road to Graz but it seemed expensive for the tolls so I do more of the route through Hungary now. I can't see how you could avoid Germany though, although it is the part of the trip I dislike the most. German drivers are by far the worst I have encountered in nearly 40 years of driving.
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Post by crojoe on Dec 1, 2015 22:42:31 GMT 1
I have never done Croatia to UK but from Hungary I cross the border into Austria near Vienna. I did once go through all those tunnels on the road to Graz but it seemed expensive for the tolls so I do more of the route through Hungary now. I can't see how you could avoid Germany though, although it is the part of the trip I dislike the most. German drivers are by far the worst I have encountered in nearly 40 years of driving. Not sure if this is any good (anyone tried it?), but am thinking about trying out Car by Train for my next trip to UK. Train leaves from Vienna and travels overnight to Düsseldorf , then it's 360km trip to Dunkirk. If I am right then a car costs 89 euros and then one of the following sleeping arrangements: Seat incl. reservation for as little as 29 euros* Couchette in 6-bed compartment incl. breakfast for as little as 49 euros* Couchette in 4-bed compartment incl. breakfast for as little as 59 euros* Sleeper 3-bed compartment incl. breakfast for as little as 69 euros* Sleeper double compartment incl. breakfast for as little as 89 euros* Sleeper single compartment incl. breakfast for as little as 129 euros* From my calculations a trip by road to Dunkirk from Zagreb costs around 200 (factor in 1 cheap hotel room along the way), so the above option might work out to be around the same price minus all the driving except from Zagreb to Vienna, then from Düsseldorf to Dunkirk. Anyone tried this before? Worth the trouble (or lack of it)? Might beat driving all day long? www.oebb.at/en/Planning_your_trip/Car_motor-_and_bicycle/Motorail_train/index.jsp |
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Post by Ribaric on Dec 2, 2015 8:55:25 GMT 1
Looks a good idea Joe. I've done the trip eleven times and by far the quickest and cheapest (no tolls in DE, NL, BE or FR) is Maribor - Graz - Frankfurt - Nurnberg - Aachen - Brussels - Ghent - Dunkirk/Calais.
If you find out more about the train thing, can you pass it on please?
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Post by fidobsa on Dec 2, 2015 10:33:35 GMT 1
If you hit it at the wrong time you can get delays on the Brussels road so I take one to the south of that , the E42 I think it is. I also normally go via Luxembourg as they have the cheapest fuel.
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marcojo
Junior Member
[M0:0]
Posts: 25
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Post by marcojo on Dec 2, 2015 10:38:01 GMT 1
We used the DB Autozug 3 times, Trieste/Dusseldorf & Villach/Dusseldorf, but sadly those routes no longer run.
It was a great way to travel, cutting down time and driving.
I've just looked at the OBB website & was keen to book Dusseldorf/Vienna, BUT the booking page states:-
"only possible for vehicles without trailers, superstructures or side cars (passenger car, convertible, motorcycle)
up to a height of max. 1.58 m"
Our vehicle is 1.71 so unfortunately we cannot travel.
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Post by Ribaric on Dec 2, 2015 12:03:57 GMT 1
"only possible for vehicles without trailers, superstructures or side cars (passenger car, convertible, motorcycle) up to a height of max. 1.58 m" Our vehicle is 1.71 so unfortunately we cannot travel. Short lived hope, Oh well. |
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Post by prkbrk on Dec 2, 2015 13:30:04 GMT 1
If you hit it at the wrong time you can get delays on the Brussels road so I take one to the south of that , the E42 I think it is. I also normally go via Luxembourg as they have the cheapest fuel. I use the Luxembourg route as well as find it better than the whole drag through Germany...makes it a bit less boring although not much in it in time distance to be honest. Train route sounds an option though, although will likely cost a lot more overall than the straight through drive...no stops to Calais from Zadar |
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Post by swordfish on Dec 9, 2015 19:48:47 GMT 1
Not long done the trip. We went the Swiss route back. I must admit even though it cost 40euro for tolls it was a very nice drive, not like the mad rush in Germany. The train does sound good especialy now that there will be tolls from next year in Germany. Depending on toll costs against train fare it could work out cheaper. From door to door it took us 24hrs non stop. Getting back to Germany we saw 4 accidents within 2hrs all back shunts as we went via Germany on the return trip and as Joe says the road works are terrible. I think they are trying to get the roads in good condition before they charge the tolls.
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Post by crojoe on Dec 11, 2015 21:36:33 GMT 1
Not long done the trip. We went the Swiss route back. I must admit even though it cost 40euro for tolls it was a very nice drive, not like the mad rush in Germany. The train does sound good especialy now that there will be tolls from next year in Germany. Depending on toll costs against train fare it could work out cheaper. From door to door it took us 24hrs non stop. Getting back to Germany we saw 4 accidents within 2hrs all back shunts as we went via Germany on the return trip and as Joe says the road works are terrible. I think they are trying to get the roads in good condition before they charge the tolls. Just arrived in the UK. Decided not to take the train as when I went to book ticket the "from" 29 euros became 250 euros (not including the 89 euros to transport the car... cheaper to send the car then go in person on the train). No wonder the car by train business is failing. Was so excited about "trying it out", but 350 Euro's to make that trip just not worth it. So, went by car to Koln, stayed at an IBIS hotel for the night (42 Euros for a room) and then onto Dunkirk. Police checks on road entering Germany (on on opposite side leaving Germany), no checks in Belgium (now one kind of understands why Paris) and this is a country where the headquarters of the EU is based. Highway check entering France. Armed military at Dunkirk Port, otherwise normal immigration check. They have made some changes at Dover port, and completely re-arranging the port of Dunkirk. Once past Slovenia (and my love hate relationship in being ripped off by DAR for 30 euros) for a bit of highway (not yet finished) via Maribor, the rest of the trip was quick and easy (midweek trip). St Micheal tunnels price has now gone up. One is now 8.50 euro's and the other 5.00 euros. Daylight robbery by Austria. I'm scared to think what Germany will charge if and when they start a toll system. Time to introduce an EU vignette? I now love driving in Zagreb again... just spent 1.5 hours going 16 miles in London. |
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