Useful information

Driving to the Alps

Here is some helpful information on driving to the Alps, which is the most popular choice for our clients. Please note however that we are able to offer some charter and scheduled flights and a variety of train services.

Full details on each service are featured in our travel section. If you are unclear on which method you would prefer, please contact our office.

Driving to the Alps is an option more and more people are choosing in order to travel at their own pace, avoid busy airports, not be restricted in the amount of luggage they can bring and stock up on wine on the way home!
All of Europe is very accessible via an excellent network of motorways and all resorts provide car-parking facilities.

Shopping
One of the huge advantages of driving down to the Alps is being able to do some shopping in one of the several hypermarkets in and around Calais. Avoid England’s expensive prices and stock up on excellent quality, good value wine, champagne and French food before you return home. Please see the map for some hypermarkets conveniently placed for the ferry port and Eurotunnel terminal.

Opening hours:

(Please note that timings may be subject to change)

Accommodation en route – stop overnight – and gain an extra day’s skiing
Campanile - Motel style 2 star hotels with free secure parking. Located throughout France on the edge of towns or commercial centres and ideally situated for motorway access. Rooms have a double or twin beds, private bathroom with tea and coffee making facilities and a colour TV. Family rooms for 2 adults and 2 children under 16 yrs are found in most locations with limited availability. Buffet breakfast is available and is payable directly for approximately 8€.
Rooms are guaranteed until 23.00 hours but if you think you are going to arrive after 22.30 it is your responsibility to call before 18.00 hours to go through the arrival procedure.

Individual Hotels
We also offer a number of individually run hotels located close to the mountains, these are very popular and availability is often limited. Please contact the office for more information. 

• Please note availability on peak dates hotels en-route to the Alps book up very quickly, we therefore suggest you book early to avoid disappointment. 
• Please contact us with your preferred hotel details and we will check availability and provide you with a competitive quote.

Driving Directions
We now have Google Maps on every resort and accommodation page, which display the exact location of all our properties.  You can also enter you postcode to view detailed driving instructions right to your chosen accommodation. You can also access alternative driving directions at www.viamichelin.co.uk.

Top tips for driving in the Alps:

• Ensure that you always have a good amount of fuel in the car and make sure that you have a shovel, chains, torch, gloves, warm clothing and refreshments that are easily accessible. 
• Always use the highest gear possible in a manual car, especially when moving off from stationary. Avoid using high revs when moving from stationary or uphill. 
• Make sure the engine is warm before setting off on your journey to limit the possibility of stalling your vehicle. 
• If you find your car skidding try and steer in to the skid and do not use the breaks. 
• If you are hiring a car, please check that you will have snow chains or snow tyres (usually payable locally) and check that you have the snow chains in the car before leaving. Also ensure that you know how to put the chains on!

If you are parking your car outside: 

• Park your car facing downhill and if possible in the direction you will be wishing to move off in. 
• Lift your windscreen wipers away from the front and back windscreens so they are not impossible to move if it snows heavily. 
• Leave car in gear if you are able to, so that you do not have to use the handbrake as it is possible for handbrakes to freeze in position.

Before you leave:

• display a GB sticker
• stick on headlight adaptors
• top up your anti-freeze
• check your tyres

Take with you:

• original of vehicle registration document
• full valid national driving licence
• current insurance certificate
• snow chains
• warning triangle
• first aid kit
• spare set of light bulbs

Polar Snowchains have a wide range of products

Speed Limits:

• 130km/hr on toll motorways (110km/hr when raining)
• 110km/hr on dual carriageways (90km/hr when raining)
• 50km/hr in towns
• 90km/hr on other roads

Tolls:

• Approx. £55 each way from Calais to Alps
• credit cards accepted
• in Switzerland tolls replaced by a ‘vignette’ (SFR40) to be displayed on windscreen

Driving to the ski resorts in France is a popular choice for many people. There is also the added benefit of bringing back wines, spirits and traditional French food by car which would otherwise limit you to what you could carry.

Take care when driving abroad as the road laws vary in many different ways.