Driving to France

We drove to Calais on a booze cruise haha!

We went over on the ferry so didnt really have to drive much - but we've talked about driving to Disney too and its do-able - I would make H drive tho..cant deal with the other side of the road haha

I wouldn't let MF drive my car though! Hahaha

I have driven to Disneyland Paris before, it took about 3 hours I think from the ferry port.

it was not an overly difficult drive, mostly motorways if I remember rightly, but it was really, really boring so make sure you are not tired in any way !

I went in December 2012 and the Eurostar was only £60 return?!

I wouldn't drive abroad, I am easily confused in this country. Mr C wants to drive to my dad's in Spain!!

We did it a few years back. We got the chunnel and drove all the way down to Biarritz.

It's actually easier than you think it will be. The motorways in France are great, well sign posted and generally not too busy. I found it easier driving there than on our motorways ( once i'd got over the initial being on the wrong side of the road thing)

WWS

My parents have a house in southern France and we have driven down several times. The motorways are much less congested and very easy to navigate. I'm also certain that Disneyland will be VERY well sign posted.

The wrong side of the road thing is not as hard as you think. And you can pay any tolls on credit/debit card now which is much easier then rummaging for change!

Excellent! Sounds like I'll be able to cope with it then.

Mrs C - for two adults, 4 nights, 5 days with full passes and breakfast it was around £380 and the ferry took it up to just over £400. If I chose Eurostar instead, it was over £800. I may try nearer the time looking at the Eurostar again.

This.

Don't overtake a car EVER. Someone will come flying up your rear and literally force you off the road.

Pomps- that's a great deal! Do you mind me asking who you booked / are booking through? Is that £380 all in, or per person?

Thats for both of us! I did it through the Disneyland website too!

Sweet, thanks! Looking for ideas for my bday this year...! ?

I have driven in France a few times, the motorways are well signposted and easy to navigate.

I would avoid driving anywhere near the centre of Paris though, that was hell on earth!

OH drives to Le Mans every year, The motorways always seem very quiet even will all the brits heading to the circuit.

Dont forget all the things you need to have in the car by law in france.

Off the top of my head you need:

- First aid kit

- High viz vest each (in the cab not boot)

- warning triangle

- breathalyser x 2 (debate still rages as to whether you HAVE to have this or just SHOULD)

there could be more but i cant remember.

Excellent advice. I will add to that too by saying you have to have a complete set of replacement bulbs for the car. Halfords do spare sets.

Not related to Disneyland but when we went to Italy a couple of years ago we hired a car. OH was driving us and is a very confident driver but when we got straight onto the motorway from the airport it took him by surprise and he freaked out a little, it took him about half an hour to get used to it. So maybe if it's your first time driving on the wrong side of the road you could have a practice drive round a car park or down some quiet streets before you set off properly just to make sure you're happy.

We took the channel tunnel and drove through a bit of northern France to Belgium. I can't say too much about French roads to Paris but the tunnel was so easy and quick. We arrived earlier than needed and got put on the train before because it wasn't full so no extra waiting like you would have to at the airport.

Ooo exciting! If you're a confident driver you'll be fine with getting used to being on a different side of the road.

You will need all of this, plus deflectors on your front lights. I think you can get a cheapo kit with everything you need for/in your car from amazon.

Also watch out for the b*stard gendarme. If they see a foreign car even going a fraction over the speed limit they will jump out of nowhere and give you a 100 euro on the spot fine. This has happened to H THREE times in the last two years. The last time they whacked an extra 50 euros on the fine as he didn't have a breathalyser and the high viz jacket was in the boot... Jeez.

Yeah. Definitely watch out for crazy French people on the roads

Although if you book eurostar in advance and are flexible with dates, you will be London to Paris for £60pp in 2 hours 15 minutes. Have yuo also factored in petrol when doing your price comparison?

Yup - looked at petrol, and should still be way cheaper ?

Thanks for the list MD - very helpful. I knew about the breathalizer so I will purchase the rest soon.

P - I can't see a deal like this

Approx dates/hotel?

Going monday to friday end of November, staying at the Santa Fe hotel for 4 nights. Hotel and drive option:

Ta!

Ta!

It was the karaoke bar that convinced me...