In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
And the prices are still going up by the day, our local garage is now €1.50 per litre for petrol
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
I'm reconsidering my route from Italy, but I'll probably end up doing my same boring but quick route. I do go off the motorway to buy but I'm not sure it's worth going via Switzerland for petrol cost reasons alone. As I have a Mt Blanc tunnel season ticket (I live locally) I'll use that. The calculation is then whether I do the trip in a day without hotel/meal costs, but higher tolls/petrol, or do a cheaper/longer route with an overnight. As I'm on my own I don't find overnight stops very edifying and after a long drive I can't particularly relax and enjoy places, so I just keep going.
The supermarket by the big roundabout as you come out of the ferry port at Boulogne also seems to have competitive prices.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
We always use that supermarket at Boulogne. However, be careful (and not as mean as us). We were on the last crossing, due to arrive at 9.30pm with a very, very empty tank (petrol cheaper in France). Ferry was delayed and we arrived after 10pm with 10 miles showing on our guage. The petrol station is shut after 10 and only has the automatic pumps which don't accept UK credit cards. We had to wait until a delightful lady accepted our cash and used her credit card for us!
Also take care in Switzerland where on the Gotthard route the motorway service stations are shut for petrol through the night - fortunately we did find an automatic pump which took a UK credit card but it was getting hairy.
Our local petrol station in the UK has just put diesel up to £1.32. Only seems to go up in units of 5p now!
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Been there, done that! Would strongly advise to go through Belgium, because money you will save on petrol in France, they will rob off you by tolls. Done it twice, actually, route thorugh Belgium was cheaper by around 200 Euros one way. Go on ferry to Dorqenque (could be mistake in spelling), then drive to Belgium, then join motorway all the way down to Italy. Great fun if taking a good car!
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=luckoni;90518]Been there, done that! Would strongly advise to go through Belgium, because money you will save on petrol in France, they will rob off you by tolls. Done it twice, actually, route thorugh Belgium was cheaper by around 200 Euros one way (approx. amount how much Frenchies charged us for using their roads). Go on ferry to Dorqenque (could be mistake in spelling), then drive to Belgium, then join motorway all the way down to Italy. Great fun if taking a good car![/quote]
OK understand what you mean,but 200 euro's cheaper!!! each way?
The only way you get near a figure like that,would be to use the mont blanc route, and thats 180 euro's in tolls/fuel and includes the tunnel.But every other route also has tolls of one sort or another so cannot see how you could save anywhere near 200 euro's each way.
Most use the strasburg, switzerland route, either calais to riems to metz to strasburg 35 odd euros, or dunkirk luxemburg and then to mezt ect ect. and don't forget your swits pass 40 euro's.,although useable both ways so lets say 20 euro's.
Alternative route would be dunkirk luxemburg germany austria italy, which means the austria toll and more tolls on Italian m/way[and more miles/time] again adding up to 35 plus euros. and more fuel.used.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=luckoni;90518]by around 200 Euros one way (approx. amount how much Frenchies charged us for using their roads). [/quote]
Sorry, but the toll costs through France are as follows:
Calais to Reims = €18.60
Reims to M. Bianco = €49.60
How ever do you get to €200 for the trip?
A final point well worth noting is that speed limits are strictly enforced in France, Belgium and Switzerland. A speeding ticket, even in your "good car" will cost considerably more than the €200 that the "frenchies" will "rob" you of on any Peage.
Still, an interesting attitude.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=Nardini;90525]Sorry, but the toll costs through France are as follows:
Calais to Reims = €18.60
Reims to M. Bianco = €49.60
How ever do you get to €200 for the trip?
A final point well worth noting is that speed limits are strictly enforced in France, Belgium and Switzerland. A speeding ticket, even in your "good car" will cost considerably more than the €200 that the "frenchies" will "rob" you of on any Peage.
Still, an interesting attitude.[/quote]
Yeah, could have been with petrol costs. However, still, did not pass any tolls right up to Stuttgart, Although you touch France a little right by the board before it. No tolls seen there (last car trip was around 4 month ago).
Regarding tickets - have you ever received ticket from France/etc EU to your home address in UK?! Really?? :no:
P.S. Have no problems with French, very friendly people (until you start speaking English :winki: )
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=luckoni;90528]Regarding tickets - have you ever received ticket from France/etc EU to your home address in UK?! Really?? [/quote]
Considering that I have no address in the UK, then no, I haven't. However, the French police - as well as the Swiss and Italian, by the way - have the power to fine you on the spot, seizing your car until such time as you pay up! [URL="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7305058.stm"]I wouldn't play that game[/URL], if I were you, [URL="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-391280/British-motorists-fined-speeding-abroad.html"]Luckoni[/URL] - unless you really feel like [URL="http://www.radar-detectors.co.uk/news_eu_car_fines_crackdown.asp"]chancing your luck[/URL]!
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=Nardini;90531]Considering that I have no address in the UK, then no, I haven't. However, the French police - as well as the Swiss and Italian, by the way - have the power to fine you on the spot, seizing your car until such time as you pay up! [URL="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7305058.stm"]I wouldn't play that game[/URL], if I were you, [URL="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-391280/British-motorists-fined-speeding-abroad.html"]Luckoni[/URL] - unless you really feel like [URL="http://www.radar-detectors.co.uk/news_eu_car_fines_crackdown.asp"]chancing your luck[/URL]![/quote]
Thanks for the advise, never done speeding before, if I will in EU, I'll definetely try to have my credit card with me if usual "I don't speak french/spanish/dutch etc" won't work :bigergrin:
P.S. I see you're really like links. You might find this one useful: [url=http://www.thegadgetgroup.co.uk/cnb/shop/gadgetgroup?listPos=10&productID=131&op=catalogue-product_info-null&prodCategoryID=8]Gadget Group - Speed Camera Number Plate Spray[/url] So you sleep better.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=luckoni;90605]............ I see you're really like links. You might find this one useful: [url=http://www.thegadgetgroup.co.uk/cnb/shop/gadgetgroup?listPos=10&productID=131&op=catalogue-product_info-null&prodCategoryID=8]Gadget Group - Speed Camera Number Plate Spray[/url] So you sleep better.[/quote]
If that spray actually worked - 'Big Brother' would have banned it years ago!
.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=alan h;90618]If that spray actually worked - 'Big Brother' would have banned it years ago!
.[/quote]
Trust me, you'll be pleasantly surprised...and we're not even selling it :winki:
Lpg
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 05/31/2008 - 08:44In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
We've had our car converted to LPG so are currently paying 50p per litre - slightly less economical on consumption but still a huge saving. Cost about £2000 to convert - when we had it done in December we calculated the payback to 20,000 miles but with fuel prices what they are it will be nearer 16,000. Easy to do - just a couple of days - really straight forward to use once you get used to the funny filling. Loads of stations in Italy.
Chris
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=jepsonclough;90631]We've had our car converted to LPG so are currently paying 50p per litre - slightly less economical on consumption but still a huge saving. Cost about £2000 to convert - when we had it done in December we calculated the payback to 20,000 miles but with fuel prices what they are it will be nearer 16,000. Easy to do - just a couple of days - really straight forward to use once you get used to the funny filling. Loads of stations in Italy.
Chris[/quote]
LPG is a good idea, but how are you calculating a return in 16000 miles?
Do you only get 20mpg !
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=luckoni;90605]. You might find this one useful: [URL="http://www.thegadgetgroup.co.uk/cnb/shop/gadgetgroup?listPos=10&productID=131&op=catalogue-product_info-null&prodCategoryID=8"]Gadget Group - Speed Camera Number Plate Spray[/URL] So you sleep better.[/quote]
Hmm i went to check the site out and i got this warning pop up [URL="http://www.mywot.com/en/scorecard/www.thegadgetgroup.co.uk"]thegadgetgroup.co.uk - Website Reputation Scorecard | WOT Web of Trust[/URL] They don't seem too trustworthy...
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=alan h;90618]If that spray actually worked - 'Big Brother' would have banned it years ago![/quote]
Of course, it cannot work on Italian numberplates as they are embossed - and owned by the state. Whether it [URL="http://www.ukspeedtraps.co.uk/platespray.htm"]works or not [/URL]on [URL="http://www.ukspeedtraps.co.uk/plates.htm"]UK plates[/URL], I cannot possibly comment.
Another point of interest for those driving to Italy - or even just driving IN Italy - it is illegal to either use or [U]CARRY[/U] a speed trap detector here. So, if you have one, don't have it in the car whilst you are in Italy (or France, or Switzerland, come to that).
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[url=http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/09/switzerland-bans-some-gps-devices-for-speed-camera-warnings/]Switzerland bans some GPS devices for speed camera warnings - Engadget[/url]
Basically it is illegal to use any sat nav system, that gives speed camera locations in switzerland!
So be warned technically you friendly tom tom or garmin,if loaded with camera locations in switzerland could indeed be taken off you!
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
What is the swiss motorway charge people are talking about, some kind of tempory road tax while you pass throu? and where do you pay it ? When i came throu in an empty van in Nov all i had paid was about E4.90 from Genoa all the way to Calais and just drove throu the unloaded truck lane at the Swiss border
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=luckoni;90619]Trust me, you'll be pleasantly surprised...and we're not even selling it :winki:[/quote]
I would have been pleasantly surprised. But to save anyone else wasting their time looking for information about this spray, how about this:
[url=http://www.personallyyours.co.uk/number-plate-news/number_plate_spray-28092006.htm]Number Plate Spray - NEWS[/url]
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=bosco;90717]I would have been pleasantly surprised. But to save anyone else wasting their time looking for information about this spray, how about this:
[url=http://www.personallyyours.co.uk/number-plate-news/number_plate_spray-28092006.htm]Number Plate Spray - NEWS[/url][/quote]
As tests have been done by the police I would have beed really surprised if they would have admitted that it works :bigergrin: Would be stupid for me to say how many times I've got flashed while I lived in UK never got a single ticket. I know it wasn't because of absence of the film in cameras - I can't be THAT lucky!
[quote=alan h;90389]I'm planning my drive down to the holiday home in June. I find the following website useful;-
[url=http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/fuel/]Fuel Price Reports : AA monthly fuel price report for May 2008 - The AA[/url]
as it shows what the 'average' prices for petrol are in Europe, so it may make you think about where to fill up on the way down, and your route.
Interestingly enough, Switzerland appears to be cheaper than Luxembourg now - whereas as couple of years ago Luxembourg was cheapest.
Looking at the list - don't fill up in Belguim. If you have to fill up in France, try the Carrefour at Calais [their prices today are 10 cents cheaper than the French 'average'. at E1.32]
[url=http://www.day-tripper.net/supermarketcarrefourmi-v.html]Carrefour Mi-voix supermarket in Calais. Calais Supermarkets - day-tripper.net[/url]
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My route? [Motorway/Dual Carriageway all the way, except for a delightful bit of 'normal' road over the Vosges into Mulhouse]
Calais, Lille, Luxembourg, Metz, Nancy, Mulhouse, Basel, Lucerne, and on to Italy. Toll free all the way to Switzerland, then £20 for the Swiss vignette.[/quote]
You still driving a petrol car? note luxemburg is still cheapest for diesel,although it seems belguim has shot up with its diesels prices, as it was actually cheaper in the border areas last year,than anywhere else.
Would expect that to still be true now.