Travel from Cherbourg to Innsbruck

connewitz

Hi there! So, we have decided to visit our daughter in Innsbruck in beautiful Austria. Booked the ferry from Rosslare to Cherbourg today (cheap with Celtic ferry even when it is the Ryanair of the ferries) and so far so good. But the ferry arrives around 4:30 pm in Cherbourg and we have a drive of around 15 hours in front of us. No way we can do this without a stop. Because we do not know, how far we can drive in one piece, we can not book a hotel in advance in France.
Has anyone done this before and is it possible to book in at any given time in a hotel? Any recommendations? We would be very grateful for any advice. No more the youngest, so we can not stay in hostels.

mikedragon32

You'll see all along the Autoroutes in France chain hotels like Formule 1 and Etap, usually on the outskirts of towns and sometimes alongside service stops. They're really cheap and very basic, bit if all you're looking for is a bed for the night while in transit, they're grand. Availability is rarely an issue at them and they're usually about €30 a night.

If you're looking for something more upmarket and comfortable, take a look here: http://www.relaischateaux.com/spip.php?page=home&lang=en

As for how far to drive in the first stint, if you could make it past Paris at least, then you're well set up for day two. If there is more than one driver and you break it up between ye, then you could probably get as far as Dijon (although it would be quite late when you get there). Maybe Auxerre would be more realistic.

connewitz

Unfortunately there will be only one driver. We are bringing all the stuff my daughter left in Ireland with us, so we go by Van and I can not drive this thing!:o
But still, we think we should make it past Paris. Will have a look now, if I can find some of the cheap hotels you recommended on the net!:)

mikedragon32

If there's only one driver, then rather than set down a target on the route, I really think you'd be better just to stop when the driver is tired.

You'll only be driving from 4:30, but the travel in itself is tiring and the traffic on the autoroutes around the outskirts of Paris is pretty heavy and can be quite stressful. Add fatigue to the mix and the driver might feel happier stopping earlier. Having a booking somewhere puts them under a little pressure to keep going!

These places always have rooms so it really isn't a big deal to just pull up and check in. That's how they operate.

Sorry if I seem overly cautious, it's just that whatever about driving when you're tired here, when you factor in driving a right hand drive car on the continent, it adds more stuff the driver has to concentrate on and can bring fatigue about sooner. When I'm on the continent, I'll never do a stint of more than two hours without a stop to at least stretch the legs and get a coffee to reboot.

schemingbohemia

+1 to Mikedragon32's advice, you really don't want to book in advance.

The journey on the ferry will be tiring enough so planning a long first stage of the drive would be unwise. Drive about 2 or 3 hours out of Cherbourg and stop and relax for the night and then your OH will be grand to tackle the peripherique in the morning.

You should have a test drive on the van yourself though in advance, I was nervous before driving a van for the first time and I was grand and it would really help out your other half if you could drive too.

connewitz

mikedragon32 wrote: »

If there's only one driver, then rather than set down a target on the route, I really think you'd be better just to stop when the driver is tired.


Sorry if I seem overly cautious, it's just that whatever about driving when you're tired here, when you factor in driving a right hand drive car on the continent, it adds more stuff the driver has to concentrate on and can bring fatigue about sooner. When I'm on the continent, I'll never do a stint of more than two hours without a stop to at least stretch the legs and get a coffee to reboot.

You are right! And not overly cautious! We done a similar trip from Dublin to the Isle of Raasay in Scotland. But there we had 2 drivers. Still stopped for a good night sleep. Is not worth the risk. Better to arrive late (what is late when you are on holidays?) than never.;)

connewitz

schemingbohemia wrote: »

+1 to Mikedragon32's advice, you really don't want to book in advance.


You should have a test drive on the van yourself though in advance, I was nervous before driving a van for the first time and I was grand and it would really help out your other half if you could drive too.

I am driving automatic cars since 24 years. No way I will start to learn on a manual again. To scared!!!!!!!!!!!:o
So my partner will have to stick it out. I am happy to give advice.:rolleyes:

schemingbohemia

connewitz wrote: »

I am driving automatic cars since 24 years. No way I will start to learn on a manual again. To scared!!!!!!!!!!!:o
So my partner will have to stick it out. I am happy to give advice.:rolleyes:

ah sorry thought it was just that it would be a bigger vehicle rather than switching to manual from automatic - fair enough so