Driving from UK to Greece

[vyv_cox]

Although if you touch the Austrian motorway system don't take Vyv's "apparently voluntary" comment too literally. In 2013 I bought the vignette for 15-ish Euro but didn't stick it on the windscreen immediately as it was 4:00 in the morning and still dark. I was stopped by an Austrian border guard a couple of hours later when leaving Austria. I showed him the vignette but copped a 120 Euro cash fine for "non displayment".

I was polite and respectful but pehaps the memories of 1945 are still too fresh?

Richard

The first time we drove this route we had no idea that we were supposed to have paid. Nobody stopped us to enquire, even when we paid to cross the pass there was no query. Second time we paid, which meant stopping at a service station to buy one, but again it was not queried.

 

[RichardS]

The first time we drove this route we had no idea that we were supposed to have paid. Nobody stopped us to enquire, even when we paid to cross the pass there was no query. Second time we paid, which meant stopping at a service station to buy one, but again it was not queried.

The Border Guard tried to cheer me up (I suppose) by pointing out that if I hadn't been able to produce the Vignette the fine would have been double ...... Euro 240!

I could probably strangle the Missus and get a lesser fine!

Richard

 

[Davy_S]

Went through Frejus Tunnel at about Midnight, burst into French rain on the other side and made our way down to the Ibis in Chanbery, to spend the night. Couldn't find it and eventually got to bed at about 2 am. Great cheap hotel (and they welcome pets).

We also stayed at the same place! we arrived at rush hour, I would not have found the place but it was refreshing to hear Mrs TomTom say, you have reached your destination we walked up the road and found a pizza place, bought a couple of bacon and egg pizzas and a bottle of el plonko, it was hammering down so we retired to the tv in the room.

 

[Mr Cassandra]

If you have read my post about taking a dog ,would people tell me how much it cost for the journey from Uk to Greece, all in ,this is for two persons and a dog. I understand there will be different cost re time of year on ferry ,I intend leaving in April..

thanks all bob

 

[captmikecoin]

I can't give you the overall cost because it will depend on your hotel choice but to give you an idea, I just booked the Ancona - Igoumenitsa ferry with Minoan for April, car, pet cabin for 2 persons + dog, return for £371. We generally stay at Ibis hotels which are pet friendly and they charge about €8 extra for the animals, on top of the "human" room cost. If you look at http://ViaMichelin.co.uk and put in your start and finish points, your average fuel cost and type of car they will work out the fuel and toll charges for you. You would have to add restaurant costs on top according to your tastes of course.

Hope this helps,

Mike

 

[captmikecoin]

If you have read my post about taking a dog ,would people tell me how much it cost for the journey from Uk to Greece, all in ,this is for two persons and a dog. I understand there will be different cost re time of year on ferry ,I intend leaving in April..

thanks all bob

Just a further thought or two. We had the same dilemma when we moved our yacht to Greece four years ago. Our conclusion was the only way was by car which also avoids the stress the animals often feel when being carried around in a small cage by unfamiliar people and being left in a strange, noisy aircraft hold. At least one of our dogs would be very upset with that rigmarole.

Driving is more expensive and more tiring but there is virtually no alternative if you want to take a four footed family member.

Cheers,

Mike

 

[RichardS]

I can't give you the overall cost because it will depend on your hotel choice but to give you an idea, I just booked the Ancona - Igoumenitsa ferry with Minoan for April, car, pet cabin for 2 persons + dog, return for £371. We generally stay at Ibis hotels which are pet friendly and they charge about €8 extra for the animals, on top of the "human" room cost. If you look at http://ViaMichelin.co.uk and put in your start and finish points, your average fuel cost and type of car they will work out the fuel and toll charges for you. You would have to add restaurant costs on top according to your tastes of course.

Hope this helps,

Mike

We likewise .... always IBIS and we have a discount card which you can get at reception which makes on-line bookings a doddle with our members number. We've stayed at IBIS Budgets, IBIS Styles and just IBIS in cities all over Europe. You get a bit more for your money with IBIS and Styles (enclosed bathroom, in-house restaurant etc) but they are all great value and you can arrive anytime you like and let yourself in with the door combination number.

Recommended!

Richard

 

[michael_w]

Why faff about with the St. Gottard tunnel? The pass is easy sweeping bends and the interesting 'Devil's Bridge' to stop and gawk at.

 

[Two Drifters]

We have done this route 4 or 5 times (not sure) and it is easy enough.

Normally we do 7 hours a day driving, but this time slowed it down a little.

If you want a nice place in UK before tunnel then the Dog & Bear in Lenham is a nice pub run by a chap called Brian. The rooms are comfy and not to expensive and you can have your last decent pint. They are about 30 mins from the tunnel.

Into France we stopped this time in the Champagne region (4 hrs from Calais) then just the French side of the Alps in Challes Les Eaux. Then over the Alps via the Frejus tunnel, the roads are pretty good, we always use this tunnel and have not yet (touch wood) had an issue with snow.

We then stay in Parma West at a good hotel called San Marco Hotel (it has onsite parking and secure underground). It is fairly well priced, the rooms are comfy and you can request one with a bath if that is your thing. The restaurant is consistently good and it is next door to a huge discount wine store which is handy for stoking up before hitting Greece. If you do not fancy the hotel restaurant then next to the wine store and Casino is a decent Pizza / Pasta place.

If you have time then a trip round Parma is well worth it, a 15 min drive takes you into the city, we parked in a secure underground car park recommended by the hotel as the car was packed with all our stuff. Lovely city with stunning architecture, Dumo etc...

 

[BrianH]

Why faff about with the St. Gottard tunnel? The pass is easy sweeping bends and the interesting 'Devil's Bridge' to stop and gawk at.

Because not all of us travel when the pass is open. Last year I travelled in early November and shortly before conditions had deteriorated enough to close it. Also, under certain weather conditions fog and sometimes snow can be met even when open. The pass is normally closed when I make the journey, it closes for the winter in October and doesn’t re-open until late May.

Definitely no road to be driving in adverse conditions:

.

 

[Nick86]

Hi,

I am also driving to Greece (Kefalonia) at the end of April.

I think I am going to take the following route then the ferry from Ancona to Ig (€212 for 2 people plus a Landrover with roof box).

Hoping to leave on 23rd April and Arrive in Kefalonia on 26th April. Not sure of where to stop yet so any suggestions would be great

http://en.mappy.com/#/3/M2/TItinera...cona (Italy)|GP1.14/N0,0,6.84732,47.74439/Z5/

 

[vyv_cox]

Hi,

I am also driving to Greece (Kefalonia) at the end of April.

I think I am going to take the following route then the ferry from Ancona to Ig (€212 for 2 people plus a Landrover with roof box).

Hoping to leave on 23rd April and Arrive in Kefalonia on 26th April. Not sure of where to stop yet so any suggestions would be great

http://en.mappy.com/#/3/M2/TItinera...cona (Italy)|GP1.14/N0,0,6.84732,47.74439/Z5/

Suggest you modify the first part slightly, go through Belgium and Luxembourg. You will then pay no road tolls (the final part around Nancy is free) and can fill your tank with the cheapest fuel in W.Europe in Luxembourg. Otherwise that's the route we use.

 

[Nick86]

Suggest you modify the first part slightly, go through Belgium and Luxembourg. You will then pay no road tolls (the final part around Nancy is free) and can fill your tank with the cheapest fuel in W.Europe in Luxembourg. Otherwise that's the route we use.

Thanks vyv_cox. Great tip re fuel! Does this look a bit better? http://en.mappy.com/#/5/M2/TItinera...e (Belgium)|GP1.298/N0,0,6.69943,49.95004/Z5/

 

[captmikecoin]

Thanks vyv_cox. Great tip re fuel! Does this look a bit better? http://en.mappy.com/#/5/M2/TItinera...e (Belgium)|GP1.298/N0,0,6.69943,49.95004/Z5/

Personally, I'd change the route slightly in France to go via Nancy, St Dié, and Colmar, admittedly some of which is not motorway but much shorter. There is however a toll tunnel but not expensive (from memory €6).
Bon voyage,

Mike

 

[vyv_cox]

Thanks vyv_cox. Great tip re fuel! Does this look a bit better? http://en.mappy.com/#/5/M2/TItinera...e (Belgium)|GP1.298/N0,0,6.69943,49.95004/Z5/

Yes, looks better. I agree with Mike about the Colmar route. It's very nice as far as the tunnel, all dual carriageway when I last did it, a bit slow afterwards but not very far and the whole lot is free, whereas I see that your route still has some French tolls in it.

 

[captmikecoin]

One further thought when heading to Colmar from St Dié, take the N59 and head toward Selestat where you pick up the A35 motorway to Basel. The other apparently more direct route is much slower as it goes through the mountains.
Cheers,
Mike

 

[Artic Warrior]

I did this trip last febuary,
Loved it great fun,
Calais straight down to marrseille turned left across the top Italy over to Ancona.
I went this way to keep away from the snow, as had no snow chains
Also I wanted to dip my toes in the French med sea.
The ferry to Greece saves on italian toll fees
total toll fees each way £140 that includes at the greek end as well across from Patras to evia

 

[rascacio]

I've just read this thread and it is great as I'm planning on driving to Greece this year and with a dog. Some excellent information on here and I will modify my route after reading all this but I have a couple of questions that the more experienced travelers may be able to help with, so here we go.

It's mentioned about the ferry price reduction for booking a return, however does anyone know about open returns / prices so that we can decide on the fly when we return ?

If the open return is not an option does anyone know what the cost to change the return date on the ticket is ?

We are going Brindisi to Igou, short sailing with the dog and looks cost effective. Any hints and tips much appreciated.

 

[Mr Cassandra]

Just a further thought or two. We had the same dilemma when we moved our yacht to Greece four years ago. Our conclusion was the only way was by car which also avoids the stress the animals often feel when being carried around in a small cage by unfamiliar people and being left in a strange, noisy aircraft hold. At least one of our dogs would be very upset with that rigmarole.

Driving is more expensive and more tiring but there is virtually no alternative if you want to take a four footed family member.

Cheers,

Mike

Thanks for your help cheers Bobt

 

[Mr Cassandra]

Had a look at ViaMichelin. Conwy to Athens driving via
Frankfurt
Zagreb
Beograd
Skopje
Athens.

What's the downside.?