For those who drive through Europe - a resource

[bavaria]

I know that not as many people drive to DLRP, but I wanted to share a tool that I have used for many years driving in Germany and Austria - 'Links und Rechts der Autobahn'

It used to be a well thumbed book in our house; now I use the website. Here is the link in English http://www.linksundrechts.com/index.php

I like the site because it helps me to plan my routes and be aware of the rest stops along the way (there are some wonderful Autobahn reststops in Germany, such as my favourite Irschenberg, which even shows Disney films, and has a pet rest area 'sponsored' by Pongo and Perdita!)

I'm actually thinking of driving to DLRP on my trip this summer, and the website has been useful for the portions in France, as well. In fact, the site covers countries as diverse as Poland, Portugal, and Norway

 

[Cyrano]

Thanks for sharing the link

 

[milomummy]

Hi Bavaria...We are driving from the Hanover region to DLP in September...We have our faithful Sat Nav to guide us on our merry way (thankfully). I don't know how we journeyed through Europe without one. (well, I DO, it meant lots of sulking and tense times as I am not the world's best map reader!)

 

[Architect]

As someone who also drives to DLRP and has TomTom Satnav, I would also recommend alertgps.com which allows you to download all speed camera positions free of charge. Contrary to popular myth this is, in fact, legal in France however radar detection devices are not.

In the UK, pocketgpsworld seems to be the best charge even though they charge (a stonkingly huge £2, wow).

 

[Cyrano]

As someone who also drives to DLRP and has TomTom Satnav, I would also recommend alertgps.com which allows you to download all speed camera positions free of charge.

Thanks. Will have a look at this for our DLP trip

 

[Architect]

Thanks. Will have a look at this for our DLP trip

We found it very helpful, as it was far too easy to let the speed creep on on the superb autoroute from Caen to Paris. It also includes danger/accident areas.

Incidentally, although the Park is on our TomTom POI list, we didn't have a specific address/code postale which we could use for DCR. Don't suppose you have one?

 

[Bexx]

Thank you for the link bavaria, and also for your useful sites Architect. I've added this thread to the Very Useful Info sticky

 

[Architect]

Thank you for the link bavaria, and also for your useful sites Architect. I've added this thread to the Very Useful Info sticky

In which case can I add that if you're coming from Caen direction and your satnav tries to take you around the southern leg of the Periphique, it's a bit of a nightmare with a lot of junctions in quick succession and hellish traffic. Last time we asked for an alternative and it took us around the northern leg, which proved much less stressful (and only about 5 minutes longer).

 

[bavaria]

honestly the speed thing is something I have never considered, so thank you for the tip - I must watch it in France I assume!

I have only ever received 1 speeding ticket in Germany; on a country road, while driving a Citroen 2CV!!!! (a pretty amazing feat to receive a speeding ticket in that car)

 

[Cazgal]

We are planning to drive when we go in April - is it really stressful or is it OK ?

How far from the Eurotunnel exit ? I think its about2 hoyurs or so .. is that about right ?

We don't have a SATNAV yet - is it worth investing in one ?

 

[buzzbevan]

I allow 3 hours from calias to drive to DLRP. i normally set the cruise control for 80mph and enjoy the ride.

the best trip time we have yet is 5 and half hours door to door from essex.

i use TOMTOM and found it a much less stressfull trip than when we did the trip without it. the main reason for this is that when we aproached a junction my wife would be reading the map to find out which way to go but it would block the view of my passanger mirror making it difficult to negotiate lanes. but when we used the TOMTOM there was no need for maps so no blocking of the mirror.

buzz.

 

[Cyrano]

i use TOMTOM and found it a much less stressfull trip than when we did the trip without it. the main reason for this is that when we aproached a junction my wife would be reading the map to find out which way to go but it would block the view of my passanger mirror making it difficult to negotiate lanes. but when we used the TOMTOM there was no need for maps so no blocking of the mirror.

We noticed the same benefit on our summer trip which was a first with the Tom.
Is it strictly necessary to undertake the trip I'd say no ? But it definitely makes for a less stressful journey

 

[crazygunuk]

We noticed the same benefit on our summer trip which was a first with the Tom.
Is it strictly necessary to undertake the trip I'd say no ? But it definitely makes for a less stressful journey

we are off in 2 wks

driving from UK, and I was gonna use my Tom Tom as well....wots the best postcode to put in to get the BEST driving route (quickest rather than prettiest!!)

is it just the DLRP postcode? we are going to sequoia lodge hotel

 

[buzzbevan]

we are off in 2 wks

driving from UK, and I was gonna use my Tom Tom as well....wots the best postcode to put in to get the BEST driving route (quickest rather than prettiest!!)

is it just the DLRP postcode? we are going to sequoia lodge hotel

your TOMTOM should have all the hotels as points of interest. it also has the telephone numbers so that you can phone them if you have paired your phone to the TOMTOM.

 

[Cazgal]

We don't have a satnav ... is it really worth buying one (maybe a xmas pressie for the hubby) !

Do all satnavs have european maps .. or do I have to get these in additon ?

Don't know that much about satnavs (usually use RAC Route Planner) !

 

[crazygunuk]

Thanks. Will have a look at this for our DLP trip

Did you manage to find anything on the site to download?

 

[lojo]

Just how portable are the GPS navigation systems, if we were to purchase one and bring it with us, could we easily instal it in a rental car?

Also, can you enter private addresses or postcodes as destinations - I've found with our walking GPS that its fine with the extremes - if you have exact co-ordinates or a major hotel you're fine, but anything in between is dodgy to say the least.

Ta
Lucy

 

[Cyrano]

Did you manage to find anything on the site to download?

From memory I decided that I didn't need to download the speed camera database since most are mobile on French motorways anyway

 

[Dead-metal]

Just how portable are the GPS navigation systems, if we were to purchase one and bring it with us, could we easily install it in a rental car?

Also, can you enter private addresses or postcodes as destinations - I've found with our walking GPS that its fine with the extremes - if you have exact co-ordinates or a major hotel you're fine, but anything in between is dodgy to say the least.

Ta
Lucy

They are very portable, (the units are smaller than a paperback book) the bracket has a sucker that sticks to the windscreen and then you power it from the cigarette lighter.

TomTom and Navman both have 7 digit postcode and road name searches.

 

[tracipierce]

your TOMTOM should have all the hotels as points of interest. it also has the telephone numbers so that you can phone them if you have paired your phone to the TOMTOM.

Sorry to drag up an old thread, but I am toying with the idea of booking another trip near to xmas and possibly driving down. I have got a satnav but its not a tomtom, its a sony navu,, anyway I have tried to enter the address and its not recognising it, i've also looked at places of interest and the only disney hotels which are coming up are cheyenne, new york and disneyland hotel, so if anyone has an exact postcode or address for Santa fe it would be much appreciated