Driving Calais to Copenhagen - Best Route?

[Dave+Anne+Guinness]

We are dipping our touring toes in Scandinavian waters this summer (late May to mid-July, 7 weeks), and my first job is to devise an outline itinerary. We are getting the ferry to Calais, then thought we would spend two nights in Ghent, but that's as far as I've got. We would like to go to Copenhagen first, so I'm interested in what routes people would take, with interesting places to stop on the way. We have a dog, so that's a factor, and we want to avoid big cities, and would probably prefer to stay on sites en route than wild camp. Any recommended sites in/near Copenhagen would be appreciated. After Copenhagen we are planning to go to Aarhus, then north to get the ferry to Kristiansand from Hirtshals, up and around south Norway and back via Oslo and Gothenburg. Our vehicle is a VW campervan. All suggestions gratefully received, Dave, Anne and Guinness.

 

[Brains]

First thing I'd do, is save yourself a day in either direction and get the overnight ferry from Harwich to Hook of Holland.
You can then be in Germany in time for a late breakfast.

It's 600km to Hook to Denmark, so if you wanted, you could cross the Danish border at the end of day one.

 

[DavidG58]

Check out the Denmark bridge toll cost or prepare for a shock

We did this route on our way to Norway in 2017, we knew about the Orendsun bridge / tunnel, but not about another bridge you have to use to get as far as Copenhagen. We had bought a toll tag pass that worked well and reduced our crossing by 50% to 50€ for each bridge each way

 

[Rollingwheels]

We went to the Danish border a few years ago, we took a scenic route around the top of Holland from Den Haag to Harlingen and parked for free on the quayside this route take you over the Afsluitdijk which was very impressive then stopped at Emden on the river Stelplatz the finally we stopped in Shleswig where the stelplatz is incorperated into the marina it was lovely a lot cooler than further south but we knew it would be, it also turned out this was where the RAF food drops took place after WW2 when the Russians blockaded Berlin.

 

[Wanders from Glos]

Check out the Denmark bridge toll cost or prepare for a shock

We did this route on our way to Norway in 2017, we knew about the Orendsun bridge / tunnel, but not about another bridge you have to use to get as far as Copenhagen. We had bought a toll tag pass that worked well and reduced our crossing by 50% to 50€ for each bridge each way

Which tag did you buy?

 

[DavidG58]

Which tag did you buy?

I will need to refer back to my thread to check when I have more time but think it was a Bro Pass or Biz Pass , Bev sorted it and paid all the tolls

 

[Brains]

Check out the Denmark bridge toll cost or prepare for a shock

We did this route on our way to Norway in 2017, we knew about the Orendsun bridge / tunnel, but not about another bridge you have to use to get as far as Copenhagen. We had bought a toll tag pass that worked well and reduced our crossing by 50% to 50€ for each bridge each way

There are quite a number of ferry options across the Baltic.
All of which, once fuel and time is taken into consideration, may be cheaper options than the bridges.

Travemunde to Trelleborg bypasses Denmark entirely.
Or Frederikshavn to Gothenburg and bypass Copenhagen.

 

[jerryz]

fastest way is up past Hamburg to the ferry at puttgarden its all easy peasy then 2 hours drive to copehhagen i have done it a few times

 

[Wanders from Glos]

fastest way is up past Hamburg to the ferry at puttgarden its all easy peasy then 2 hours drive to copehhagen i have done it a few times

That’s the route we are looking at. Seems the most straightforward

 

[Loopyxlou]

check the road works out in Hamburg.

You have to cross the river, and there are limited bridge options. We traveled Hook of Holland to Billund last summer, and the traffic through and around Hamburg was horrendous. Even on our return journey on Sunday it was a nightmare.

We did the journey in 2 days but it was all day driving - traffic was pretty slow the whole way.

 

[Wanders from Glos]

check the road works out in Hamburg.

You have to cross the river, and there are limited bridge options. We traveled Hook of Holland to Billund last summer, and the traffic through and around Hamburg was horrendous. Even on our return journey on Sunday it was a nightmare.

We did the journey in 2 days but it was all day driving - traffic was pretty slow the whole way.

I have heard Hamburg is bad

 

[Wanders from Glos]

The alternative is to take the longer route and stop at Flensburg for a large supermarket stock up, before expensive Scandinavia.

 

[Loopyxlou]

I have heard Hamburg is bad

They’re building a new bridge or tunnel, and it seems to be connected to the existing main route through the city, so everything grinds to a halt where the road works start.

Going north our satnag (google maps) diverted us to the east of Hamburg, but it was quite along way. Coming south it decided that straight through the middle was the quickest time.

 

[Loopyxlou]

There’s a ferry across the river to the west of Hamburg, looks a nice area, not sure if it’s any quicker but might be more interesting.

 

[Bailey58]

There’s a ferry across the river to the west of Hamburg, looks a nice area, not sure if it’s any quicker but might be more interesting.

We only ever did Hamburg once and once was enough! It's supposedly quieter on a Sunday when lorries are banned, whether that's still the case I don't know. We always use the Wischafen to Gluckstadt ferry north of Hamburg, we waited an hour once but normally it's a lot quicker, there's parking and snack bars each side if it's time for a break anyway.

 

[cyberyacht]

The Schleswig marina aire is good. Adequate is the best that can be said for the one at Aarhus.

 

[paddymcc]

It's reassuring to know there are still roadworks around Hamburg. There have been every time we have been up that way since 2002!
We have stopped at Sittensen in the past - off the autobahn just E of Bremen.Nice town. Then brave Hamburg the next day!

 

[Bailey58]

I was told years ago that they were scheduled until 2026, donkeys years in the future at the time, that time has come!

 

[aleclitchfiel]

fastest way is up past Hamburg to the ferry at puttgarden its all easy peasy then 2 hours drive to copehhagen i have done it a few times

we are do that route in late aug return late sept we will be overnighting in hanover stellplaze then up puttgarden and over to Copenhagen can't waite

 

[Wanders from Glos]

There are quite a number of ferry options across the Baltic.
All of which, once fuel and time is taken into consideration, may be cheaper options than the bridges.

Travemunde to Trelleborg bypasses Denmark entirely.
Or Frederikshavn to Gothenburg and bypass Copenhagen.

Not sure how I missed this. travemunde to relleborg sound very interesting. On the overnight crossing you can even plug your vehicle in to keep your freezer running!

 

[sally47]

We go often as my wife is Danish and are going in August and usually cross the puttgarten ferry that way you can bypass Hamburg then we stop lubec before crossing to Denmark stay their also on way home for the vet
We usually stay couple of nights in brugge then couple of other stopovers end route

 

[Dave+Anne+Guinness]

First thing I'd do, is save yourself a day in either direction and get the overnight ferry from Harwich to Hook of Holland.
You can then be in Germany in time for a late breakfast.

It's 600km to Hook to Denmark, so if you wanted, you could cross the Danish border at the end of day one.

Thanks. We are planning on stopping in Ghent for a couple of nights, so we'll go via Calais. It's also a shorter crossing - we prefer driving to sailing!

 

[Neil S]

Not sure how I missed this. travemunde to relleborg sound very interesting. On the overnight crossing you can even plug your vehicle in to keep your freezer running!

appears to be several ferry companies operate on this route which did you use

 

[Wanders from Glos]

appears to be several ferry companies operate on this route which did you use

I only found the one, which companies did you find?

 

[Neil S]

I only found the one, which companies did you find?

TT-Line & Superfast Ferries
on www.openferry.com

 

[Wanders from Glos]

I haven’t looked at the ferry clearing websites. Does anyone actually buy tickets on them?

 

[GuyNewman]

We travelled up to Sweden last summer and had the same concerns as you. We went through the tunnel very early and got to our intended destination of Munster in Germany by early afternoon. Munster is super and we stopped there on the way back too. Going, we stayed on a farm (horse stables) on the outskirts which we found on P4N. Close enough to cycle in to the city. On the way back, we were braver and stayed in the city centre car park which was great and I would recommend. Flanked by the University, parks and trees it's a safe, quiet + a cheap place to stop over but also walk into the city centre.

 

[Neil S]

I haven’t looked at the ferry clearing websites. Does anyone actually buy tickets on them?

I would guess so , however I would go direct to the ferry companies for a hopefully a better price

 

[Pantouffle]

We've done Calais to Denmark, then Sweden & Norway route several times with dogs. We use the Tunnel as it is so easy. We stick to 150-250 miles per day and a 2 night stop every 3rd day. We prefer campsites and avoid long ferries due to a nervous mutt on board. If you dont like cities with dogs and larger vehicles, and long treks into the centre, then avoid Copenhagen. Although there is a good, basic marina camping at Vallensbaek on the west side thats easy to access public transport to centre if you need to do the culture. Apparently theres a good campsite (to the north?) in an old fort, but it gets booked up). Try not to miss a day at Roskilde and the Viking Boat museum (dog friendly except the indoor bit).

From Calais & Ghent you could detour slightly to Hamelin in Germany for a good site on the Weser river and easy dog walk into the beautiful centre. Then we have gone straight north up through Hamburg on a Sunday (not too awful, but prepare to spend 1-2 hours to get from south to north through the roadworks). Then into Schleswig Holstein to a quiet site at Treene with beer garden & food.

Enter Denmark the rural route and visit Mogeltonder pretty village, then onto Romo Island (great campsite Oasen Romo around a large pond/lake) before hitting Ribe (medieval wonder with nice large site on outskirts and easy walk in, or parking near centre). If weather is good, wander on up the west coast beaches of Jutland and even to Skagen at the pointy end for a beach walk where the Baltic meets the North Sea.

From there take the Hirtshalls crossing to Norway, unless like us you fall in love with Denmark and go east across Funen Island and then Sjaelland. The bridge tolls are really expensive, but worth doing once for the experience.

l could go on into southern Norway but this should get you started.....

 

[Delboyarapaho]

I read your post to say you have made your mind up how you want to get across the channel so not sure why everyone wants to change your mind? We are also doing Norway this year around the same time crossing from hirtshalls but we intend to travel up to lofoten and return. Happy to share our route with you so you can take what you want from it if you wish?
In terms of places to visit after Ghent (which is beautiful) we are calling it a kinderdijk, Geithorn lubeck (in Germany) Ribe on our way north. Haven’t decided on our return yet but there are lots of lovely towns in Netherlands and northern Germany.