Travelling Across Europe In the Scoob...Advice.
20 February 2009, 08:08 PM
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Travelling Across Europe In the Scoob...Advice.
This summer, me and the girlfriend are going to travel to europe from the UK, and go to Slovakia as that's where she is from.
On route, we might go to the Nurburgring (still undecided).
Has anyone travelled from Hull or Newcastle to Rotterdam before? I was sure it wasn't too expensive, but looking on the P&O website it's about £400 which is steep.
Has anyone got any tips/advice? Think if we don't go to the Nurburgring, we will be going:
Whitby
Hull (or Newcastle)
Rotterdam
Poland
Czech
Slovakia - Banska Bystrica
I think it will be a lot cheaper to go to Dover, but I'd rather not drive the length of Britain then through France really.
I'm going to service the car before we go, and get it all ready with new mods a few months before to make sure everything is running smooth as a mule etc.
Thanks
On route, we might go to the Nurburgring (still undecided).
Has anyone travelled from Hull or Newcastle to Rotterdam before? I was sure it wasn't too expensive, but looking on the P&O website it's about £400 which is steep.
Has anyone got any tips/advice? Think if we don't go to the Nurburgring, we will be going:
Whitby
Hull (or Newcastle)
Rotterdam
Poland
Czech
Slovakia - Banska Bystrica
I think it will be a lot cheaper to go to Dover, but I'd rather not drive the length of Britain then through France really.
I'm going to service the car before we go, and get it all ready with new mods a few months before to make sure everything is running smooth as a mule etc.
Thanks
20 February 2009, 08:24 PM
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lol, sounds an obvious thing mate....but I hadn't thought about that at all!!
Cheers, you could have saved me a lot of ****e then
Cheers, you could have saved me a lot of ****e then
20 February 2009, 08:31 PM
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Oh yeah, already planned the money for that, hehe
There is a car gathering thing, with a drag on....which I want to enter near the girlfriends town.
There is a car gathering thing, with a drag on....which I want to enter near the girlfriends town.
20 February 2009, 08:42 PM
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Check out the obvoius rules and regs. Need for warning triangles, spare bulb kits, country badges, hi-vis vests etc.
Also look to see how they deal with speeding fines. e.g. I know France is spot fines so you need to take lots of Euros, but I recall there being lots of cameras in Holland last time I was across there.
Also look to see how they deal with speeding fines. e.g. I know France is spot fines so you need to take lots of Euros, but I recall there being lots of cameras in Holland last time I was across there.
20 February 2009, 08:57 PM
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Thanks mate Will have to read up on the rules and regs. I know a few foreign folk 
so will ask them, as a few Polish and Czech work with me.
Will have to read up on the rules and regs. I know a few foreign folk so will ask them, as a few Polish and Czech work with me.
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20 February 2009, 09:01 PM
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And I never speed in the company cars as it'll be the job on the line
20 February 2009, 09:10 PM
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Yeah, I wouldn't speed I don't think, as I wouldn't know how other police would react to foreign drivers in fast cars!
Thanks for them websites, just looking now.
Thanks for them websites, just looking now.
20 February 2009, 09:13 PM
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Also, worth checking with your insurance company. They may give you up to 30 days free cover, but they probably want to know so they can chalk it off against your entitlement!
20 February 2009, 09:13 PM
#11
ferry is expensive but you will save on fuel and time in the long run
when i go to nurburgring we go from dover to dunkerke, its about 40 quid but then the fuel bill will be 150 quid,, you add the fuel for traveling down the country you would be doing the same anyway tbh
try and get ADAC breakdown cover though IMO as its cheeper than the RAC
when i go to nurburgring we go from dover to dunkerke, its about 40 quid but then the fuel bill will be 150 quid,, you add the fuel for traveling down the country you would be doing the same anyway tbh
try and get ADAC breakdown cover though IMO as its cheeper than the RAC
20 February 2009, 09:19 PM
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It seems like when we want to go it's going to cost around £400 return from Hull or Newcastle. But like you said Ginge, will save on fuel, and a lot of time.
Will check Jon with my insurance when I renew in April as well
Will check Jon with my insurance when I renew in April as well
20 February 2009, 09:38 PM
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Satnav! I used my TomTom when I drove to Nurburg. I know that some purist will argue that it spoils things. For me it allowed me to completely chill out and enjoy driving
P.S make sure European maps are included.
P.P.S I’m jealous I want to go
P.S make sure European maps are included.
P.P.S I’m jealous I want to go
20 February 2009, 09:49 PM
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Yeah, I agree chiefs.....I just want to chill. She bought me a tomtom for xmas. It's a 730 or 750 and has Europe on. I tested it when I was in Slovakia over xmas and it worked nicely!! So should be ok Plus she'll be driving some of the time, so would need sat nav for sure 
Plus she'll be driving some of the time, so would need sat nav for sure
20 February 2009, 09:50 PM
#18
this is a TRUE story im gonna share now !!
2 years ago when i first was due to go to the ring i didnt get any help, i just booked a ferry and a hotel, arranged to meet others there and off i went early hours in the morning, borrowed a mates satnav,,, downloaded update and off i went
checked it was charging on the way to dover, all was fine and so turned it off just incase
get off the ferry,, in dunkerke and drive for a bit then pull to the side i set up the satnav for the directions, turn on the sat nav " out of range, searching" then something like " area not supported" or some ****e like that
I WAS IN FRANCE,, WITH NO MAP, NO SATNAV AND LOOKING FOR NURBURGRING
I FOLLOWED THE TRAFFIC, MISSUS was not happy at all saying we should turn back before we get lost,,, but nope i tell her " all we gotta do is drive straight and we will be in germany and then follow the signs to the ring
on our travels we happened to bump into 2 peugot 205 stripped and caged cars with ring stickers on the back, so i decided to follow them and then when they stop ask if they are going to the ring,, we followed them for over a hour !!!!!, then they pulled over for fuel, i asked and confirmed,, THANK **** THEY WAS GOING TO THE RING !!! anyway we start chatting about cars and i mention about my cossie being nicked,,,, then he said it had one blahblah blah,,, turns out he owned my cossie and sold it to the bloke I bought it off,, hows that for a small world !!!
anyway followed them and got to the ring all ok ect,, even managed to find the hotel too without a map !!!
anyway just thought i would share my traveling tale,, cant belive i was just gonna drive looking for germany then hoping "nurburg" would be sign posted,,,, how ****ing lost would i have REALLY got !!!!
2 years ago when i first was due to go to the ring i didnt get any help, i just booked a ferry and a hotel, arranged to meet others there and off i went early hours in the morning, borrowed a mates satnav,,, downloaded update and off i went
checked it was charging on the way to dover, all was fine and so turned it off just incase
get off the ferry,, in dunkerke and drive for a bit then pull to the side i set up the satnav for the directions, turn on the sat nav " out of range, searching" then something like " area not supported" or some ****e like that
I WAS IN FRANCE,, WITH NO MAP, NO SATNAV AND LOOKING FOR NURBURGRING
I FOLLOWED THE TRAFFIC, MISSUS was not happy at all saying we should turn back before we get lost,,, but nope i tell her " all we gotta do is drive straight and we will be in germany and then follow the signs to the ring
on our travels we happened to bump into 2 peugot 205 stripped and caged cars with ring stickers on the back, so i decided to follow them and then when they stop ask if they are going to the ring,, we followed them for over a hour !!!!!, then they pulled over for fuel, i asked and confirmed,, THANK **** THEY WAS GOING TO THE RING !!! anyway we start chatting about cars and i mention about my cossie being nicked,,,, then he said it had one blahblah blah,,, turns out he owned my cossie and sold it to the bloke I bought it off,, hows that for a small world !!!
anyway followed them and got to the ring all ok ect,, even managed to find the hotel too without a map !!!
anyway just thought i would share my traveling tale,, cant belive i was just gonna drive looking for germany then hoping "nurburg" would be sign posted,,,, how ****ing lost would i have REALLY got !!!!
20 February 2009, 10:03 PM
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LMAO, thats mint mate!!
I hate **** like that to be honest, and even if it was my fault, the missus would have got the bollocking!
I hate **** like that to be honest, and even if it was my fault, the missus would have got the bollocking!
16 April 2009, 07:12 PM
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Well, quick update.
Were going in mid july now, so will sort the ferries out asap. Will drive from Whitby to Gillingham where my bro lives, and the get the ferry across to France.
This is a rough plan of where were going to go. Anyone been to the places, or suggest somewhere close to the route which would be better?
Need to sort European cover still though......as I don't want to be stranded.
Were going in mid july now, so will sort the ferries out asap. Will drive from Whitby to Gillingham where my bro lives, and the get the ferry across to France.
This is a rough plan of where were going to go. Anyone been to the places, or suggest somewhere close to the route which would be better?
Need to sort European cover still though......as I don't want to be stranded.
16 April 2009, 08:31 PM
#21
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that route thru france looks a bit pants to me, you want to avoid paris
the route should be Calais - Arras - Riems - Troyes - Macon -Lyon
much better and avoids the Paris "peripherique"
Lyon is tricky unless you have up to date maps
driving on continental motorways is a joy, no traffic and what there pulls to the right
tolls to Macon would be about 50 Euros (I have just returned from Geneva)
my tip would be to do a dummy wheel change outside you house before you go -- to make sure you have all the tools etc
Unless you want the excitement of doing on a European motorway in the dark!!!!
good luck and have a great time
the route should be Calais - Arras - Riems - Troyes - Macon -Lyon
much better and avoids the Paris "peripherique"
Lyon is tricky unless you have up to date maps
driving on continental motorways is a joy, no traffic and what there pulls to the right
tolls to Macon would be about 50 Euros (I have just returned from Geneva)
my tip would be to do a dummy wheel change outside you house before you go -- to make sure you have all the tools etc
Unless you want the excitement of doing on a European motorway in the dark!!!!
good luck and have a great time
Last edited by hodgy0_2; 16 April 2009 at 08:35 PM.
16 April 2009, 08:45 PM
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The girlfriend was wanting to go to Paris. But I was thinking of going to a town just outside there, and get a bus or something in. I'm not too fussed where we go really. Do fancy Venice and Vienna though!
The map shows where we'd stay for the night, not just driving through (sorry should have explained).
50 euro for a toll is pretty steep isnt it!! Didnt think they were that much.
Good tip on the wheel change actually!!
Cheers
The map shows where we'd stay for the night, not just driving through (sorry should have explained).
50 euro for a toll is pretty steep isnt it!! Didnt think they were that much.
Good tip on the wheel change actually!!
Cheers
16 April 2009, 09:10 PM
#23
im going to the ring next month,,,, exactly ( which is worring as my car aint done yet pmsl)
the ferry to holland works out the same with fuel plus theres a disco on the ferry
the ferry to holland works out the same with fuel plus theres a disco on the ferry
16 April 2009, 09:23 PM
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DON'T!!!!!! Drive through Paris!
I have driven to South of France 3 times.......twice were around Paris and last time we decided to go through!!!
Stuck in traffic for hours.....then stuck in one way system the wrong way in traffic!!
People drive crazy and I was in a punto....would have been worried for my scoob in that crazy place.
If you need accom. on the way....i reccomend Formula1 hotels...they are cheap and very clean....and on the main routes.
I have driven to South of France 3 times.......twice were around Paris and last time we decided to go through!!!
Stuck in traffic for hours.....then stuck in one way system the wrong way in traffic!!
People drive crazy and I was in a punto....would have been worried for my scoob in that crazy place.
If you need accom. on the way....i reccomend Formula1 hotels...they are cheap and very clean....and on the main routes.
17 April 2009, 04:29 AM
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Ginge, do you mean from Hull? It works out at £400 from Hull at the time I want to go. But I've found from Dover to Dunkirk with Norfokline it's only £50.
Cheers Smiley, think you've confirmed what I was thinking. I would mind seeing Paris though, so might try to get a village near it.
Thanks for the pointer on the Formula1 hotels as well
Cheers Smiley, think you've confirmed what I was thinking. I would mind seeing Paris though, so might try to get a village near it.
Thanks for the pointer on the Formula1 hotels as well
17 April 2009, 02:16 PM
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not sure what impreza you got mate but if you've got a low or even relatively low front splitter id take a couple of decent wooden stakes/planks with you - i've driven to south of spain twice and they saved my car from splitter damage virtually every day! the car park entrances and some kerbs seem very high in europe compared to what we are used to!
and another vote for avoiding paris
tolls came to alot more than i thought .... when on the motorways its almost ridiculous how often you have to stop and pay
a cheap and cheerful compass ( and a map ) incase sat nav goes down/crashes ... saved me again a fair few times!
RAC cover cost me more than mentioned on here ... i think its worth going for the full recovery home option incase its something serious like big ends etc
Not sure if you're still hitting the ring but do it on your way back incase things go sour - you dont want your trip to end before its started
and another vote for avoiding paris
tolls came to alot more than i thought .... when on the motorways its almost ridiculous how often you have to stop and pay
a cheap and cheerful compass ( and a map ) incase sat nav goes down/crashes ... saved me again a fair few times!
RAC cover cost me more than mentioned on here ... i think its worth going for the full recovery home option incase its something serious like big ends etc
Not sure if you're still hitting the ring but do it on your way back incase things go sour - you dont want your trip to end before its started
17 April 2009, 03:00 PM
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reza, no I'm not going to the ring now....I've decided to dedicate a trip solely to the ring later on.
Good idea about the wood actually! It is quite low, and I do have a splitter. What it like getting on the ferries etc being lowered?
mrtheedge2u2, if they are anything like the ones in Slovakia, I will be driving carefully!
Good idea about the wood actually! It is quite low, and I do have a splitter. What it like getting on the ferries etc being lowered?
mrtheedge2u2, if they are anything like the ones in Slovakia, I will be driving carefully!
17 April 2009, 03:22 PM
#29
ferry is expensive but you will save on fuel and time in the long run
when i go to nurburgring we go from dover to dunkerke, its about 40 quid but then the fuel bill will be 150 quid,, you add the fuel for traveling down the country you would be doing the same anyway tbh
try and get ADAC breakdown cover though IMO as its cheeper than the RAC
when i go to nurburgring we go from dover to dunkerke, its about 40 quid but then the fuel bill will be 150 quid,, you add the fuel for traveling down the country you would be doing the same anyway tbh
try and get ADAC breakdown cover though IMO as its cheeper than the RAC
Speeding: France/Belgium you have to pay on the spot and your car can be seized if you fail to pay. If caught exceeding the speed limit by 50kmph in Belgium you can be banned on spot. In Germany the police can only search you and your vehicle for money, they can't make you go to the cashpoint like in France/Belgium. The fine is effectively a deposit for the offence, if you pay it, that's the offence dealt with. If you don't pay you can contest it in court. Someone I know was fined €990 for speeding in Germany last week!
17 April 2009, 03:33 PM
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is ADAC that good? As the AA has quoted me £55, which includes:
- Overall claim limit £2,000 per party per trip
- Vehicle recovery to the UK, up to vehicle¿s current market value
- Dedicated telephone helpline
- English-speaking incident managers, 24 hours every day
- Emergency roadside repairs or towage to the nearest repairer
- Location and despatch of spare parts. No limit to complete repairs overseas (cost of parts not covered)
- Replacement car hire and public transport costs to allow you to continue your journey or return home. Up to £1,200 per party; car hire up to £120 per day
- Legal protection up to £75,000 for cost of help and advice after a road traffic accident
- Emergency accommodation
Seems worth it carry plenty of Euro's then, just incase I do speed by mistake. Are they normally that big fine? 990euro is tons!
- Overall claim limit £2,000 per party per trip
- Vehicle recovery to the UK, up to vehicle¿s current market value
- Dedicated telephone helpline
- English-speaking incident managers, 24 hours every day
- Emergency roadside repairs or towage to the nearest repairer
- Location and despatch of spare parts. No limit to complete repairs overseas (cost of parts not covered)
- Replacement car hire and public transport costs to allow you to continue your journey or return home. Up to £1,200 per party; car hire up to £120 per day
- Legal protection up to £75,000 for cost of help and advice after a road traffic accident
- Emergency accommodation
Seems worth it carry plenty of Euro's then, just incase I do speed by mistake. Are they normally that big fine? 990euro is tons!