Many people, especially families, opt to drive all the way from the UK as it can work out considerably cheaper and you’ll have plenty of space for all your luggage. If driving from the M25, take the M20 exit and follow signs; the ferry port of Dover is just over an hour’s drive from here, with Folkestone’s Eurotunnel terminal a little closer.

The starting point in France for most people is Calais, as from here the Alps are a relatively straightforward journey down the A26 motorway through Reims and Troyes towards Dijon/Lyon.  Most of our resorts are within an 8 to 10 hour drive of Calais but you may wish to make an overnight stop en route to break the journey.

Low cost motels such as ‘Formule 1’ have basic family rooms for around £30 a night, whilst chains such as Campanile and Ibis offer a little more comfort.  Motels are clustered around the edge of larger towns and are easily accessible from the motorway – you can pre-book or decide en route when you would like to stop.  Some operate a card entry system enabling guests to check in late at night with a credit card.

Crossing the Channel

 Many people opt to travel via the Eurotunnel for its convenience. There are up to three shuttles running each hour, with a journey time of approximately 35 minutes and unlike the ferries, they won’t be cancelled due to bad weather.  If you miss your time slot due to traffic etc, you will be allowed to travel on the next available train and can therefore continue with your onward journey as quickly as possible.  Please note that if your car runs on LPG, you must not travel on the shuttle for safety reasons.   

EUROTUNNEL: 0870 330 0379  

www.eurotunnel.com

The Dover to Calais ferry service is also very popular, with a choice of ferry companies making regular trips backward and forwards across the Channel.  Unfortunately there are currently no ‘fastcat’ ferries operating since Speedferries went into liquidation last year.  The average crossing time is around 1hr 30mins. 

Make sure you advise your ferry company if the total height of your car (including the roof box if you have one) is over 1.85m. 

P & O FERRIES
Tel. 08705 20 20 20
www.poferries.com

LD LINES
Tel. 08704 284 335
www.ldlines.co.uk

BRITTANY FERRIES
Tel. 08705 360 360
www.brittanyferries.com

SEAFRANCE
Tel. 08705 711 711
www.seafrance.com

CONDOR FERRIES
Tel. 08702 435 140
www.condorferries.co.uk

NORFOLKLINE
Tel. 08708 701 020
www.norfolkline.com

TRANSMANCHE FERRIES
Tel. 08009 171 201
www.transmancheferries.com

Route Planning

Use an online tool such as Google Maps, www.theaa.com or www.viamichelin.com to get full directions to your resort.  The suggested route to the French Alps from Calais is to follow the A26 motorway through Reims, follow the A5 at Troyes and then the A31 towards Dijon. 

From Dijon:-

For Chamonix Valley, Grand Massif and Portes du Soleil take the A39 to Bourg en Bresse and then follow the A40.

For Three Valleys, Paradiski, Espace Killy, Grandes Alpes & Maurienne Valley follow the A31 to Beaune, A6 through Macon to Lyon, then A46 & A43 towards Grenoble.

For Isola 2000, follow the A7 towards Avignon from Lyon.

 Aproximate driving times from Calais

Alpe D’Huez – 8hrs 45mins,   Avoriaz – 8hrs,  Chamonix – 8hrs,  Courchevel 1850 – 9hrs, La Plagne - 9hrs 30mins,  Les Deux Alpes – 8hrs 45mins, Meribel – 9hrs

 

Self-Drive Tips

 

• Resort

Choose your resort carefully and plan your route and any stopovers before you travel.  The Portes du Soleil, Grand Massif and Chamonix areas are the most easily accessible from Calais – resorts can be reached in around 8 – 9 hours or you can overnight en route.

 

• Channel Crossing

Look out for special offers and promotions on crossing the Channel – Sea France and P and O ferries have frequent sailings from Dover and you can put your Tesco Clubcard vouchers to good use on the Eurotunnel if you apply in advance. 

 

• Car Preparation

Service the car and pack snow chains which should be carried in mountain regions where there is a risk of snow and ice.  If you borrow some from a friend, bear in mind that they come in different sizes for different makes of car! 

 

• Compulsory Kit

Fit self-adhesive headlamp converters to righthand drive cars to prevent dazzling drivers on the other side of the road.  You must also carry your driving licence, original registration documents and insurance certificate plus a warning triangle and fluorescent jacket in case of an emergency.  You also need a GB sticker and spare bulbs for your car.   

 

• Luggage

A roof box is ideal for carrying skis and luggage or you can fit ski racks to the top of your car unless you have a people carrier with plenty of space to store them inside.  Ferry companies may charge a higher fare for overheight vehicles so check this out before you travel.

 

• Motorway Tolls

Allow approximately £55 each way for motorway tolls.  Euros or credit cards are accepted for payment at the booths.  If you choose a route that takes you through Switzerland, you may be stopped at Customs and asked to pay a one off annual charge for Swiss motorway tax (approx 30 Euros). 

 

• Speed Limits

The speed limit on French motorways is 130 kmph in the dry and 110 kmph when wet.  Dual carriageway limits are 110kmph (100 when wet), 90kmph (80 when wet) on the open road and 50kmph in built-up areas.  You have to be 18 or over to drive in France and children under 10 years must sit in the back of the car. 

 

• Rest Breaks

Take advantage of the many picnic areas along the motorway to stretch your legs and use the toilet facilities.  The main service stations are similar to our own, with fuel, restaurants and shops. 

 

• Fuel

As at home, supermarkets tend to sell the cheapest fuel.  If you are driving a diesel car in freezing conditions, it’s a good idea to top up your tank with ‘winter diesel’ in the mountains as this is designed to withstand the coldest temperatures.

 

• Provisions

If you will be arriving in resort after the shops have shut, either bring from home or buy en route essentials such as milk, bread and tea to tide you over until the next day.

 

• Snow Chains

Snow-clearing is usually very efficient (unlike in the UK!) but if you arrive in resort during a heavy snowfall, don’t wait until the car grinds to a halt before putting on your snow chains. Ideally practise before you go (I know we all mean to,,,,,,,) and do have gloves, coat, boots and a torch to hand.

 

• Insurance

Don’t forget to take out European vehicle breakdown assistance (you can buy this as a one off or add to your annual UK policy) as in the unfortunate event of a breakdown, you will simply get towed off the motorway and abandoned if you don’t have it!  Check out your vehicle insurance cover too to make sure you are fully insured for driving on the Continent.