Driving on a Sunday from Calais to DLP

[Dimplenose]

Having booked our February trip I've read a couple of articles that have me worried. So a few of questions -

1. Will I be able to buy petrol on our trip from Calais on a Sunday?

2. Are there really problems with British credit card not being accepted?

3. How far apart are motorway service stations and will they be open on a Sunday?

Thanks for any help.

Libby

 

[BONITATIME]

There are problems with credit cards not being taken on automated petrol pumps. as long as it is manned there is no problem.

Cant help with the other bits as I have only done North from Barcelona.

 

[Hedgehog]

We have had trouble in towns buying petrol on Sunday. Many petrol stations only use automated CC payments, which doesn't include ours for some reason.

On the motorway we have never had a problem.

French service stations are well signposted , ie how far from one to another.

You can get a route on the AA website which will tell you where the petrol stations are. Or try Michelin, their routes are good too.

I do also know our car would get from Calais to Disney on a full tank easily.

 

[ely3857]

Travelling from Yorkshire to Dover takes a full tank of petrol and never having found a petrol station near enough to calais I always fill up at Dover which lasts me until DLRP.

The french petrol stations are well sign posted and well lit (but as other's have said they won't take UK credit cards at the pump) but because I have never seen one (and I have looked) easily in Calais I aslways assumed there wasnt one close enough for us to risk not filling up at Dover.



Jodie

 

[Cyrano]

As others have said you'll have no problems paying for petrol as long as you go to counter.
Sorry can't remember what motorway is like on a Sunday, but there are regular rest and petrol service stops enroute.

 

[Dimplenose]

Thanks for your replies. I think we'll fill up with petrol in Uk and just hope that somewhere will be open for a loo stop en route from Calais.

Libby

 

[Cyrano]

Thanks for your replies. I think we'll fill up with petrol in Uk and just hope that somewhere will be open for a loo stop en route from Calais.

Libby

Definitely plenty of rest stops enroute. France has lovely stop areas which have picnic tables etc

 

[owenwoods]

hiya, we have done this journey many times and have had no problem getting fuel en route. there is a petrol station as soon as you leave the le shuttle train plus many many more all the way to dlp, plus fuel is cheaper in france. as for personal/coffee stops service areas are very plentiful approx 5/10km. hope this helps. owenwoods

 

[Cyrano]

Hi owenwoods and welcome to DLP DIS board
We are a friendly bunch here so please join in on any other thread or if you have a number of questions then just start a new thread for each

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[Mrs Stonfiesta]

Hi there,

really dont worry, it is a lovely drive from Calais to DLP, pleanty of stops and signs to say how far until the next one... We get from Heathrow (about 2 mins from the airport) to paris and about 100-200 miles back on a full tank in a 1.3 diesel corsa. .. never had any problems getting diesel on the way home (sunday) and its is a fair bit cheaper. we normal do a wee stop after being on the road for about 2 hours from the train and then the last bit of the journey flys by... we got our map from Amazon, although you could easiliy do it without...

have fun...

 

[chrismoo]

Its a very easy drive. I could do it very quickly if I tried but I set the cruise control on and have a quick break enroute and it takes about 2:45.

My car is Diesel with a ~600 mile range.

So I fill the car up here before leaving from devon (honiton)

Next fuel stop is at Disneyland Paris.

But I'll fill the tank again when I get back to Calais on the return trip to save an extra few quid on fuel.

EDIT: 5 Days untill I can do this exact route Calais to Marne La Vallee on a Sunday!

 

[Rascal1003]

I would agree with the comments already made.
We opted to drive down last December for the first time (having traveeled on the Eurostar on the previous 4 occasions) and I think this is now the only way I will go.

The route is very simple and quick. The service areas are plentiful for the entire route and it really is quite straight forward.

Be prepared for the 18 Euros (each way) toll to use the main Motorway route, which I dont think anyone has mentioned. It is worth it just for the simnplicity of staying on the same road all the way to Paris. (Down to Charles de Gaulle Airport and turn left !!)

One of the biggest advantages we found with having the car was the journey home. We really enjoyed the fact that we could stay later and have a full day in the park, plus a sit-down meal before setting off at our leisure. This was far better than cutting the day short to queue up for the train.

 

[Lisa1976]

We are driving in December (it will be our first time driving) am a little worried about getting there with all the road signs being in French.

We are hoping to visit the Hypermarkets too this time round, are they open weekends in December?

Also with regard to the Euro Tunnel back, our train isn't until 8pm but if we wanted to come back earlier do you think they will let us on?

 

[chrismoo]

We are driving in December (it will be our first time driving) am a little worried about getting there with all the road signs being in French.

No need to worry, if you look at UK signs there is not really any words on them anyway. You will only really encounter a few mainly just the names of places and speed limits (which are in Kilometres)

We are hoping to visit the Hypermarkets too this time round, are they open weekends in December?

Saturday they will all be open, Sunday is typicaly shut in France but I've noticed they open when it gets close to Christmas in Calais atleast to profit from the Brits on day trips

Also with regard to the Euro Tunnel back, our train isn't until 8pm but if we wanted to come back earlier do you think they will let us on?

Yes usualy no problem, I've never been charged on ever side of the tunnel. ( I think the ticket mentions 2 hours either side, but I've done more then that earlier before)

See bold reply.

 

[Dimplenose]

Thanks for all your help. I'm not feeling so worried now. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed it doesn't snow too hard!

Libby

 

[Lisa1976]

Thanks for your help chrismoo

 

[sjaakie]

The "peage" roads are always very very good salted in case of snow or ice.
That’s what you also pay fore.
I really advise you to take the toll ways. No traffic jam and on weekdays practically no trucks .


Btw. do not take any spare fuel its forbidden in France and the motorway police is always there.
You pay easily a big fee for it.

All the petrol stations along the highway are open. You see billboards along the road how far it is to the next stations.
There always several petrol stations on the billboard selected by name. Shell, Texaco, etc.
Keep in mind that the given distance is in kilometres.
If you see the board Area its means a toiletfacilety is ahead.
Mostly they are very dirty.