Driving an Irish Car in Europe??

Curran

Folks need some help

Im getting married in Spain next week and supposed to be flying into Malaga next Saturday....which aint looking too good right now!
So I've strated looking at other options should it arrise!

Say I get the ferry to France - whats the story with driving your car over there?
I know that you have to have a hi-viz jacket and a breakdown triangle in the car at all times or you could get fined!
Whats the deal with adjusting headlights for night time driving? Are you still allowed them sitck on beam benders or would they have to be actually adjusted?
Insurance, extra cover, is obviously needed - any idea of cost for European driving for say 10 days??

Options being considered....
1. Rosslare - Cherbourg (16hrs), drive (18-19hrs) my own car down
2. Rosslare - Cherbourg (16hrs), walk on passanger, rent a car, leave at Malaga (expensive and reports of cars being hard to come by as everyone else tries to get across Europe)
3. Dublin - Holyhead (2-3hrs depending), drive to Folkstone (6hrs), train across to Calais (35mins) and drive down (20hrs)
4. Dublin - Holyhead, train to London --> Paris --> Madrid --> Malaga (seriously expensive...but I could drink to calm the stress )

Anyone else got ideas?? Or is there anything else Im missing with regard to options or drivin over there?? Thanks in advance!!

245

I'd bring the car all the way - you can carry more stuff which you'll probably need - make sure its all hidden from view so that you can leave the car places without worrying. I prefer Brittany Ferries into Roscoff but the sailing days might not suit.

Driving in France has always been a pleasure for me - just make sure that you don't offend the locals by holding them up and make sure that your motorway etiquette is up to scratch. You need to keep the high viz jacket at hand - i.e. not in the boot to avoid fines. Beam benders are fine, as long as you're careful fitting them.

You need to bring spare bulbs as well and to avoid any hassle make sure that everything is working on the car before you leave. Speed traps are quite common so take it handy.

Get proper breakdown insurance - its expensive to get towed off an Autoroute. Get a sat nav with European maps if you're on your own - it makes life a lot easier.

Factor tolls into account in France - they can add up but can be paid by credit card.

Don't know about the insurance costs as mine was included in my policy - ring them and ask - there may not be a charge but make sure that you have comprehensive cover while abroad.

Enjoy it and take plenty of breaks - its a long trip but it should be memorable.

Edit: if you've never driven on the right before, make sure that you keep reminding yourself when pulling out of petrol station forecourts, car park exits & roundabouts.

Curran

Cheers 245,

Driven plenty of rentals abroad before so at least thats a start - never driven a car with the steering wheel on the wrong side though!!

Must check Brittany Ferries into Roscoff too!!

Spare bulbs and hi-viz at hand and not in the boot are noted also!! Thanks again!!

peasant

Don't drive too much in one stretch, 10-11 hours behind the wheel really is enough. I've done a few cross-continent emergency dashes before, you can't keep awake forever and driving while tired is just too dangerous.

This of course causes another problem for you ..if you really have to drive and get enough sleep on the way you'd have to be leaving even earlier.

Curran

Yeah - I was figuring that I'd do two stints of 9 hours, stopping overnight!
Have done 8 hours before in Germany and felt pretty good after it actually - not like doing 4 hours here!!

peasant

If train tickets could be got (and that's a big if) personally I'd prefer the train ...at least you can move about/sleep and still move forward.
Chances also are that you might be able to fly part of the way, say from the south of France /Barcelona down to Malaga

Curran

Yeah the train would be the best option for everyone involved - theres two young kids travelling too so would be great for them - but its really expensive - and is longer to get there than driving with all the changes etc!

Thats a good point about flying part of the way - maybe Bordeaux to Malaga!!
Another option to look into!! Cheers peasant!!

daveharnett

Option 1/2. Lots of time to take it easy on the ferry, so you're well rested for the first long stretch. IF your car and engine are up for comfortable long distance motorway cruising, go option 1. If not, go option 2.

Saab Ed

Isn't it possible to ge a boat from the south of England down to Spain! That might do the trick.

shamrock105

P&O sail to Bilbao from Plymouth and Santander from Portsmouth

Chris Peak

Saab Ed wrote: »

Isn't it possible to ge a boat from the south of England down to Spain! That might do the trick.

Yes. You can go from Plymouth - Bilboa, Portsmouth - Santander or Plymouth - Santander

Check prices and times here http://www.directferries.co.uk/plymouth_santander_ferry.htm

Could be a lovely trip. Good luck

Curran

Boat to Spain isnt really an option - was mentioned to me earlier - but 24 hours at sea - thats before getting to the Plymouth!! And then there's also a 10hr drive once ya land! No thanks Id be there long before that in the cars!!


Yeah Dave; options 1 & 2 are looking like the way forward!
My car is would have had a good engine back in the day - but its got a niggle or two that Ive put on the back burner cos of the busy last few weeks and fear reliablity could be an issue now!! But there's a few cars well suited to the drive in the family and in-laws so it wont be a problem!!

CJhaughey

You can get autosleeper trains in France, drive on to the train and park the car, get into your cabin and sleep, when you wake up you're in the south of France.

pajero12

Curran wrote: »

Folks need some help

Im getting married in Spain next week and supposed to be flying into Malaga next Saturday....which aint looking too good right now!
So I've strated looking at other options should it arrise!

Say I get the ferry to France - whats the story with driving your car over there?
I know that you have to have a hi-viz jacket and a breakdown triangle in the car at all times or you could get fined!
Whats the deal with adjusting headlights for night time driving? Are you still allowed them sitck on beam benders or would they have to be actually adjusted?
Insurance, extra cover, is obviously needed - any idea of cost for European driving for say 10 days??

Options being considered....
1. Rosslare - Cherbourg (16hrs), drive (18-19hrs) my own car down
2. Rosslare - Cherbourg (16hrs), walk on passanger, rent a car, leave at Malaga (expensive and reports of cars being hard to come by as everyone else tries to get across Europe)
3. Dublin - Holyhead (2-3hrs depending), drive to Folkstone (6hrs), train across to Calais (35mins) and drive down (20hrs)
4. Dublin - Holyhead, train to London --> Paris --> Madrid --> Malaga (seriously expensive...but I could drink to calm the stress )

Anyone else got ideas?? Or is there anything else Im missing with regard to options or drivin over there?? Thanks in advance!!

Dont have much to contribute but congrats on getting married:)

GarMani

HELP!

Interesting and informative thread, thanks. I need to get new car insurance by Tuesday and it only occurred to me recently that I've to make provision for my plan to drive to either Italy, France or Switzerland for nine to eleven weeks in the Spring. While I'm at it I'll be trying to get breakdown cover.

Most insurance companies seem to cover you for a month in Europe but no longer, although the knowledgable FrCrilly says that this is bull, and that they must cover you 3rd Party. Few have the option of comprehensive cover for more than about a month...I'll need nearly 3 months.

If I end up in Switzerland (not in EU) for approx 10 weeks, where do I go for car insurance and where do I go for breakdown cover?

It would seem prudent to get a combination package.

AAireland.com were quoting me €211 for five star breakdown cover in mainland Europe for 46-90 days...that's a lot of money if, Monday next, I get insurance that covers me throughout Europe, but with breakdown cover that excludes places like Switzerland and have to pay twice for breakdown cover because the one thrown in with my car insurance doesn't cover non EU Switzerland (that is, if I chose to spend the 10-odd weeks in Switzerland).

breakdowncover.ie seem only do maximum of 30 days


Tis all a mess.

All advice and relevant facts appreciated.

Ta

GM

xsil

Any news on the insurance issue??
I am working in Europe on contract, have my Irish car with me already, but my insurance will work for one month only...