Driving to the French Alps

The very best accommodation deals up for grabs are often ‘flightless’…so how hard is it to load up the car and drive on down (and up!)? We think you’ll find it easier and quicker than you might imagine…

Our information is based on heading from Calais.  You can get there either by ferry (www.ferryonline.co.uk) or on the Eurotunnel (www.eurotunnel.com).  There are some great deals to be had…and if you have any vouchers e.g Tesco remember they can be used.

The European motorways and French road networks are better than their UK counterparts – with much less congestion.  Some of the French resorts can be reached from Calais in less than 8 hours.  

Queue Jumping!

A big tip before you go is to get yourself a ‘license-to-queue-barge’: a Liver-t Toll Tag.  It is a tiny electronic device that you stick on your windscreen that then allows you to use the ‘priority’ queues at all the French tolls.  We used one last year and it was fantastic to just see the barrier automatically open up so you just whizz on through!  To get your hands on one, go to the Sanef Tolling website (it’s in English). There is a small set up cost and an invoice arrives the following month for your tolls which are collected by direct debit.  For the time it saves it is well worth it.

How Long?

• Calais - Alpe D'Huez - 8 hrs 30 mins
• Calais - Chamonix - 7 hrs 50 mins
• Calais - Courchevel 1850 - 8 hrs 50 mins
• Calais - La Plagne - 9 hrs 15 mins
• Calais - Les Deux Alpes - 8 hrs 40 mins
• Calais - Meribel - 8 hrs 45 mins
• Calais - Morzine – 8 hrs
• Calais - Tignes - 9 hrs 20 mins
• Calais - Val D'Isere - 9 hrs 20 mins

For help with route planning with time and cost estimations visit www.viamichelin.com or www.theaa.com.

Radar speed traps are very common so do be aware of speed limits on French motorways!

• 130km/hr (81mph) on toll motorways (110km/hr when raining)
• 110km/hr (68mph) on dual carriageways (90km/hr when raining)
• 50km/hr in towns
• 90km/hr on other roads