if i am avoiding the toll roads - say through france, german, belguim and heading to italy other than insurance, breakdown , licence - is there any other mandatory requirements - or is their a guide i can browse through ?
through europe -
- Thread starter Jewellbags
- Start date
This may be of some help. Then again, it may not!
Firstly, routes and route maps for France and Spain. This first link is an award winning database about France. It has a host of information on best routes to many locations. I have selected the famous N10 route from Calais to Irun which is used by many motorhomes when travelling to Spain. It’s almost Toll free (more on that a little later) and almost all duel carriageway from start to finish with the exception of about 100 K. This route is great for motorhomes small, medium and large. Note: (HGV’s are not allowed on French roads, Sunday’s, so plan your journey over a weekend if possible).
https://about-france.com/tourism/no-tolls-routes.htm
Fuel & Toll costs. For a class 2 Motorhome. Calais – Irun. Toll = €153.80 Fuel €158.11 Based on 1083 K @10K per Ltr. @€1.46 per ltr. 3.5T motor-home). N10 Calais - Irun. Using partial Toll = Toll €11.50. Fuel €154.17 Based on 1056 K @10K per Ltr. @€1.46 per ltr
Tolls: Avoid the toll road from Calais to Abbeville and save 13.20 Euros. The non-toll route is quite scenic and fairly straight forward, between Boulogne-sur-Mer and Abbeville.
At Abbeville, join the A28 and cross the river Sein at Rouen. We take the second exit immediately after crossing the bridge (about 50 m past the first exit at the end of the bridge), swing down and under the bridge you have just crossed and continue on this road and join the A13 motorway until the N154 which takes you down to Evreux. (Note: there are a number of different options for getting through Rouen and no doubt other members will have their own preferences. We find this very straight forward on both outward and return legs). Approaching Tours on the D910 join the A10 toll road at Jct. 19 and exit at Jct. 23. This will take you through the city via the toll road, (€1.80). At Jct. 23 take the exit lane for Montbazon which returns you to the D910. (Reverse for the return leg). That’s the last toll to pay until you hit the bottom of the A63 after Bordeaux.
To save toll fares on the A63 south of Bordeaux please read the route recommendations in the above link. Do not come off the A63 near the bottom as all roads will be heavily congested and it’s worth paying the last few tolls. (From Jct 6 €8.90 in total). This route is also recommended during winter, due to its proximity to the Atlantic ocean, which means little to no problems with ice and or snow, unlike using the A75 to cross the Massif Central. Although the A75 is quickly cleared, it is advisable to have winter tyres fitted and there may be some small delays due to snow ploughs clearing this route.
If heading to the Mediterranean side of Spain, it’s worth taking the N121-A to Pamplona after crossing the Spanish boarder on the A63 at Irun. It’s clearly sign posted (Large white sign) about 300 m after passing through the last toll booth and crossing the river. Also near here, cheap fuel with easy access (https://www.fuelflash.eu/en/alcampo...rcial-txingudi-zona-araso_b_-ventas-80-33301/) and shopping opportunities. You will find more details in this link for the N121-A and how to navigate Spain toll free.
https://about-spain.net/travel/no-tolls.htm
If you decide to pay Tolls in order to save time getting to Spain, your best route options are in this link.
https://about-france.com/tourism/routes-to-spain.htm
Should you choose to plan your own routes anywhere in Europe and also establish Toll costs, (or toll free costs) use this link. Under route options, select caravan then select toll roads. Toll costs for a class 2 motorhome will be calculated for the whole journey. You can also choose Non toll routes and other options. This is currently one of the best online free route planers.
https://www.viamichelin.co.uk/
As for stop overs on routes, you can’t go wrong using the App below which is free but I would recommend getting the paid version for about £6.00 which you can then use off line. You will find numerous places to stop along the above route and I have deliberately not made any recommendations so drivers can make their own choices. This app is also brilliant for finding other places too and highly rated by many users.
https://www.campercontact.com/en/content/app
A popular app/website. Used by many and worth taking out the small subscription. Loads of up to date reviews here too.
https://www.searchforsites.co.uk/
There is another popular app/website that is used which you may also find useful if you’re doing a lot of wilding and looking for free overnight stops. It too is used by many motor homers in Europe. Get the paid version to use off line for around £9.00
https://www.park4night.com/
One of the best off line MAP ‘App’ and used by many. It also includes a sat-nav function which is quite good and can also be used off line. Again, many motor homers use this, especially in Morocco.
Broken Link Removed.
Firstly, routes and route maps for France and Spain. This first link is an award winning database about France. It has a host of information on best routes to many locations. I have selected the famous N10 route from Calais to Irun which is used by many motorhomes when travelling to Spain. It’s almost Toll free (more on that a little later) and almost all duel carriageway from start to finish with the exception of about 100 K. This route is great for motorhomes small, medium and large. Note: (HGV’s are not allowed on French roads, Sunday’s, so plan your journey over a weekend if possible).
https://about-france.com/tourism/no-tolls-routes.htm
Fuel & Toll costs. For a class 2 Motorhome. Calais – Irun. Toll = €153.80 Fuel €158.11 Based on 1083 K @10K per Ltr. @€1.46 per ltr. 3.5T motor-home). N10 Calais - Irun. Using partial Toll = Toll €11.50. Fuel €154.17 Based on 1056 K @10K per Ltr. @€1.46 per ltr
Tolls: Avoid the toll road from Calais to Abbeville and save 13.20 Euros. The non-toll route is quite scenic and fairly straight forward, between Boulogne-sur-Mer and Abbeville.
At Abbeville, join the A28 and cross the river Sein at Rouen. We take the second exit immediately after crossing the bridge (about 50 m past the first exit at the end of the bridge), swing down and under the bridge you have just crossed and continue on this road and join the A13 motorway until the N154 which takes you down to Evreux. (Note: there are a number of different options for getting through Rouen and no doubt other members will have their own preferences. We find this very straight forward on both outward and return legs). Approaching Tours on the D910 join the A10 toll road at Jct. 19 and exit at Jct. 23. This will take you through the city via the toll road, (€1.80). At Jct. 23 take the exit lane for Montbazon which returns you to the D910. (Reverse for the return leg). That’s the last toll to pay until you hit the bottom of the A63 after Bordeaux.
To save toll fares on the A63 south of Bordeaux please read the route recommendations in the above link. Do not come off the A63 near the bottom as all roads will be heavily congested and it’s worth paying the last few tolls. (From Jct 6 €8.90 in total). This route is also recommended during winter, due to its proximity to the Atlantic ocean, which means little to no problems with ice and or snow, unlike using the A75 to cross the Massif Central. Although the A75 is quickly cleared, it is advisable to have winter tyres fitted and there may be some small delays due to snow ploughs clearing this route.
If heading to the Mediterranean side of Spain, it’s worth taking the N121-A to Pamplona after crossing the Spanish boarder on the A63 at Irun. It’s clearly sign posted (Large white sign) about 300 m after passing through the last toll booth and crossing the river. Also near here, cheap fuel with easy access (https://www.fuelflash.eu/en/alcampo...rcial-txingudi-zona-araso_b_-ventas-80-33301/) and shopping opportunities. You will find more details in this link for the N121-A and how to navigate Spain toll free.
https://about-spain.net/travel/no-tolls.htm
If you decide to pay Tolls in order to save time getting to Spain, your best route options are in this link.
https://about-france.com/tourism/routes-to-spain.htm
Should you choose to plan your own routes anywhere in Europe and also establish Toll costs, (or toll free costs) use this link. Under route options, select caravan then select toll roads. Toll costs for a class 2 motorhome will be calculated for the whole journey. You can also choose Non toll routes and other options. This is currently one of the best online free route planers.
https://www.viamichelin.co.uk/
As for stop overs on routes, you can’t go wrong using the App below which is free but I would recommend getting the paid version for about £6.00 which you can then use off line. You will find numerous places to stop along the above route and I have deliberately not made any recommendations so drivers can make their own choices. This app is also brilliant for finding other places too and highly rated by many users.
https://www.campercontact.com/en/content/app
A popular app/website. Used by many and worth taking out the small subscription. Loads of up to date reviews here too.
https://www.searchforsites.co.uk/
There is another popular app/website that is used which you may also find useful if you’re doing a lot of wilding and looking for free overnight stops. It too is used by many motor homers in Europe. Get the paid version to use off line for around £9.00
https://www.park4night.com/
One of the best off line MAP ‘App’ and used by many. It also includes a sat-nav function which is quite good and can also be used off line. Again, many motor homers use this, especially in Morocco.
Broken Link Removed.
Search "driving in the eu" and you get this advice from the govt https://www.gov.uk/guidance/driving-in-the-eu and this advice from the and this from the AA https://www.theaa.com/european-breakdown-cover/driving-in-europe.
Philand Mena's post covers loads more so you're not short on advice.
Philand Mena's post covers loads more so you're not short on advice.
Is there a comprehensive route map like that for heading to south east of france from Calais.
You could do worse than viaMichelin https://www.viamichelin.co.uk
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- Jul 5, 2013
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If you are going to Italy through Switzerland you will need either a PSVA ticket (if over 3.5t) or a vignette (if under 3.5t).
The PSVA is needed no matter what roads you are using and costs 25CHF and for that you get the use of the roads for any 10 days in the following 12 months. That means you will be able to use it on your return journey without paying anything more.
The vignette, which lasts for a year, is only needed if you use the motorways, which I would suggest you will want to do so. I am not sure how much it costs.
You can buy either on the border at Basle, just pull up to the person standing by the side of the motorway and explain what you want. You will then be shown where to pay. Do not join the long line of HGVs waiting their turn to cross the border, even if you are over 3.5t.
If you need the PSVA the easiest way is to download the Swiss Via app onto your smartphone and use that to make the purchase in advance. You can also fill in the days you are using it on the with the app. Make sure you do that for your first day before you get to the border and you will be able to drive straight on.
The PSVA is needed no matter what roads you are using and costs 25CHF and for that you get the use of the roads for any 10 days in the following 12 months. That means you will be able to use it on your return journey without paying anything more.
The vignette, which lasts for a year, is only needed if you use the motorways, which I would suggest you will want to do so. I am not sure how much it costs.
You can buy either on the border at Basle, just pull up to the person standing by the side of the motorway and explain what you want. You will then be shown where to pay. Do not join the long line of HGVs waiting their turn to cross the border, even if you are over 3.5t.
If you need the PSVA the easiest way is to download the Swiss Via app onto your smartphone and use that to make the purchase in advance. You can also fill in the days you are using it on the with the app. Make sure you do that for your first day before you get to the border and you will be able to drive straight on.
- Oct 12, 2009
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peterc10 said
"If you need the PSVA the easiest way is to download the Swiss Via app onto your smartphone and use that to make the purchase in advance. You can also fill in the days you are using it on the with the app. Make sure you do that for your first day before you get to the border and you will be able to drive straight on."
Maybe it is worth re-iterating that the 'days using it' has to include all days the MH is in Switzerland. whether driving or not.
Peter,
Thanks for pointing out that it can be pre-paid on the App and that the days use can be entered that way also. First time I had seen that mentioned.
Geoff
"If you need the PSVA the easiest way is to download the Swiss Via app onto your smartphone and use that to make the purchase in advance. You can also fill in the days you are using it on the with the app. Make sure you do that for your first day before you get to the border and you will be able to drive straight on."
Maybe it is worth re-iterating that the 'days using it' has to include all days the MH is in Switzerland. whether driving or not.
Peter,
Thanks for pointing out that it can be pre-paid on the App and that the days use can be entered that way also. First time I had seen that mentioned.
Geoff
DMartin
LIFE MEMBER
I'm late to this party, but I do notice that the "about-france" links in PhilandMena's post are all broken. Anyone know what's up and/or an alternative site in use possibly? I seem to remember from years ago that "about-france" was a great resource. Ta VM.
I will revisit this after I drop my granddaughter off at school, it should not be an issue.
Further to my post above , this site is now blocked for whatever reason. It was great while it lasted. Edit: I have sent an email to the webpage owner.
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Last edited:
OK ! Some success after a lot of pratting about. Webpage still down but managed to get into a back door.
about-france.com
Drive from Calais to the south and west France avoiding Paris
Routes from Calais avoiding Paris: motorways and trunk routes to southern, western and southwestern France
Through France avoiding tolls - Calais-Bayonne and Southwest France
Drive from Calais to the Spanish border at Irun, avoiding most tolls. Route guide and hotels
about-france.com
DMartin
LIFE MEMBER
Agree, it does now seem to be back, perhaps they were having a spring-clean. The 'isitdown' site reported that it has been down for a week. Hopefully back for good. Phew. Thanks for checking folks ...
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