Motorail
- Thread starter Oddballs
- Start date
Have used Motorail numerous times, the last time from Dusseldorf to Villach in 2009.
Having previously used the train from Calais to the south and near Brussels to the south, the Germans are definitely a step ahead when it comes to organisation and efficiency!!
Not the most comfortable journey and ear plugs are a must, as if you're not one that sleeps well and easily, it'll be a long night.
Take food/snacks/drinks on with you and make sure you have plenty to see you through the journey. The buffet car is small and food/drink limited. Stop at at supermarket before boarding and stock up! When you think you have enough, get a bit more.
Book/Mags to read, or films on a tablet are a good way to pass the quieter hours.
Pack an overnight bag to take from the car into the train, space is limited in the cabins. You really don't want unrequired stuff cluttering the cabin up.
Personally I think the train to your destination makes sense and saves loads of time.
Leave them to load the car and forget it, it'll be fine.
Having previously used the train from Calais to the south and near Brussels to the south, the Germans are definitely a step ahead when it comes to organisation and efficiency!!
Not the most comfortable journey and ear plugs are a must, as if you're not one that sleeps well and easily, it'll be a long night.
Take food/snacks/drinks on with you and make sure you have plenty to see you through the journey. The buffet car is small and food/drink limited. Stop at at supermarket before boarding and stock up! When you think you have enough, get a bit more.
Book/Mags to read, or films on a tablet are a good way to pass the quieter hours.
Pack an overnight bag to take from the car into the train, space is limited in the cabins. You really don't want unrequired stuff cluttering the cabin up.
Personally I think the train to your destination makes sense and saves loads of time.
Leave them to load the car and forget it, it'll be fine.
Oh no! I was thinking of doing this in the summer 
Ok, so it looks like we are driving to Rome and back as there aren't any suitable autotrains running in September.
We are based in Cornwall and had considered the Plymouth to Roscoff ferry but although it saves 150 miles driving the crossing is 6 hours so will probably take an early morning tunnel crossing from Calais on the Thursday and need to be in Rome by lunchtime on Saturday.
Any suggestions on best route, suggested stopovers, good hotels etc. would be greatly appreciated.
We are based in Cornwall and had considered the Plymouth to Roscoff ferry but although it saves 150 miles driving the crossing is 6 hours so will probably take an early morning tunnel crossing from Calais on the Thursday and need to be in Rome by lunchtime on Saturday.
Any suggestions on best route, suggested stopovers, good hotels etc. would be greatly appreciated.
Oddballs said:Ok, so it looks like we are driving to Rome and back as there aren't any suitable autotrains running in September.
We are based in Cornwall and had considered the Plymouth to Roscoff ferry but although it saves 150 miles driving the crossing is 6 hours so will probably take an early morning tunnel crossing from Calais on the Thursday and need to be in Rome by lunchtime on Saturday.
Any suggestions on best route, suggested stopovers, good hotels etc. would be greatly appreciated.
Hotels? I've done dozens of road trips and never ever booked ahead, drive until you're ready to stop and start looking. Within half hour you'll find somewhere that feels right, you can view the place, the location and what's nearby, most small to medium towns have a few to choose from. Also means your don't have to stop before your ready to or drive further than you want to, as you would if you booked ahead.
Routes? I'd head to the Vosges for night one, somewhere like Gerardmer, although that may be a bit short for day one??
Cheers Lance, we were thinking about Basel on the first night & then Pisa on day two.Lance said:Oddballs said:Ok, so it looks like we are driving to Rome and back as there aren't any suitable autotrains running in September.
We are based in Cornwall and had considered the Plymouth to Roscoff ferry but although it saves 150 miles driving the crossing is 6 hours so will probably take an early morning tunnel crossing from Calais on the Thursday and need to be in Rome by lunchtime on Saturday.
Any suggestions on best route, suggested stopovers, good hotels etc. would be greatly appreciated.
Hotels? I've done dozens of road trips and never ever booked ahead, drive until you're ready to stop and start looking. Within half hour you'll find somewhere that feels right, you can view the place, the location and what's nearby, most small to medium towns have a few to choose from. Also means your don't have to stop before your ready to or drive further than you want to, as you would if you booked ahead.
Routes? I'd head to the Vosges for night one, somewhere like Gerardmer, although that may be a bit short for day one??
We didn't visit Pisa when we went t Italy last time so it would give a chance to visit see the tower and only leave a short drive to Rome on day three.
All the route planners want to take us around Vosges rather than over it, does it add much time to the journey?
I'm guessing you're going to do some of the journey on the Autoroute and large chucks on the main routes, if so the Vosges would add 2-3 hours if you go over the more scenic routes. If you do, the hotel des bains is a nice stopover with secure parking.
The Vosges is very nice, however if you're doing alpine routes on the way back, you'll be seeing and driving plenty of stunning places.
The Vosges is very nice, however if you're doing alpine routes on the way back, you'll be seeing and driving plenty of stunning places.