Driving Options
From the North of England, the best ferry option is the overnight ferry from Hull - Rotterdam prices vary from £250 - £400 return depending on the time of year and type of cabin booked. This is a good option if a few of you are sharing a vehicle to drive across. The ferry docks around 8am and you are on the road by 9am, feeling refreshed after a nights sleep, the journey is approx 9½hrs from Rotterdam, which can be easily done in a day with 2 drivers.
From the South of England, the Dover - Dunkirk and Dover - Calais options seem to be the most competitive on price, with a similar travel time in Europe of around 10hrs.
The Eurotunnel is a faster option taking just 35 min - however, be aware that the cost can rise for larger vehicles such as 4x4s that don't meet the passenger carridge size limits. Prices start from around £160 return and vary depending on time of year and time of day you travel. Be aware that vehicles running LPG will not be allowed on the channel tunnel trains!
Additional Considerations when driving in Europe
There are many extra costs to consider before driving across Europe; ferry cost, fuel costs, European insurance cover, European breakdown cover and tolls if you travel through France. It is possible to avoid France and thus tolls for little additional mileage if you plan your route carefully.
When Driving in Europe, as a minimum, you must have:
There are also a number seasonal items you may need to carry such as snow chains. These rules vary from country to country in Europe so be sure to check which countries you are driving through. The AA website has a host of useful information you should check out for driving abroad.
N.B Before driving into Austria you must purchase a motorway tax disc known as a vignette. This is instead of tolls and is a sticker that you have to put on your windscreen. You can buy it for one year (€73.80), 6 months (€22.20) or 10 days (€7.70). If you fail to purchase and display a vignette and get caught, you'll be fined a minimum of €120!
Private Transfers;
Alternatively, if you fly but dont want to use the public transport network you can get an airport transfer from Salzburg or Munich airport. See any other following websites for more information:
