Calais to Bielefeld - Aires

[DerryW]

We will be traveling from Calais to Bielefeld on the 5th July, intending to travel via Gent, Antwerp, Eindhoven, Venlo Duisburg, Dortman Gutersloh. Can anyone recommend any nice Aires along the way-that would be ideal. I'm also open to suggestions os alternative routes

Thanks Derry​

 

[Chuns]

Just over the border after Venlo is Wachtendonk. About the right distance from Calais for us. You pay, as is common for German aires ( stellplatz) but is peaceful and safe.

Your route is the most direct, but depending on the time of day the traffic past Antwerp will be either bad, or awful. You will be amazed at the number of lorries on that route, especially on a Friday.

If you have any choice in the matter travelling at the weekend is much better, and there is less likelihood of the massive traffic jams that are very frequent. This Friday have a look at Google maps (with 'traffic' turned on) at about the time you will be travelling. That will give you an idea of what to expect.

However you will be past Antwerp, and Saturday will be better in Germany.

If Wachtendonk is too far, then by overnighting in France, Belgium or Holland you will not be bothered too much by traffic.

It all depends on the time of day of your crossing, of course.

Like everyone, we have favourite stops, and your bibles are Campercontact, SearchforSites, and Park4night.

PM me if you think I can help more specifically.

 

[PhilG]

The best tip i can give , is that when you get to Antwerp, the third lane goes all the way to the junction for the tunnel where you can filter in.. mate of mine, lost over an hour there, he is a bloke that sees a queue and has to join it, i just winged it all the way down the outside and got straight through.

 

[DerryW]

I'm reconsidering my route. to avoid some potential delays around Antwerp, has anyone tried this route: -

1. A26 Calais – St Omer.
2. D643 St Omer – Hazebrouck
3. D642 Hazebrouck – Bailleul
4. A25 Bailleul – Lille
5. A27 / E42 Lille – Tournai
6. E42 Tournai – Mons
7. E42 Mons - Liege
Overnight at Blegny-mine Aire

1. E42 Liege – Aachen (Cross the Border into Germany)

2. A44/E40 Aachen – Cologne

3. A3 Cologne – Leverkusen

4. A1 Leverkusen – Wuppertal

5. A1 Wuppetal – Hagen

6. A1 Hagen – Unna

7. A2 Unna – Beckum

8. A2 Beckum = Guttersloh
A2 Guttersloh – Bielfeld

 

[PhilG]

If you go to Cologne , you may as well stay there, Dont get me wrong, Antwerp, is a ball Ache, like Dartford , but its far better than any alternative. The time of day you travel, is key, and what day. As a guide , i can leave, Gutersloh at 4pm on a sunday afternoon and make Dunkirk by 9.30 , by car. Thats flat out in Germany, and steady through Holland and Belgium.. the trip in the opposite direction on a friday can be 7 hours.

Everywhere that way on is busy, but if you pick your times you can minimise, the grief, same as the Dartford Crossing.

Gent, Antwerp, Venlo... all you will see it 10 year old Mercs , Audi's and BMW's on British plates, hi tailing back to Poland. Thats cos its the way to go.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[nicholsong]

Another vote for Wachtendonk. Easy to get to from the M/Way and quiet.

Antwerp is not that bad if you steer clear of rush hour. Do not do ring road north - expensive toll tunnel.