Dieppe to Lake Garda

[drippytap]

Having driven to South France and than onto Barcelona last year, this year off to Lake Garda.
Any ideas as to routes - avoiding as much expediture as possible. I believe that if you go thru Switzerland you have to pay a one off payment to use their motorways so thought avoid the land of cuckoo clocks and go France - germany - austria - Italy but open to suggestions.

[Titus A Duxass]

Lake Garda used to be my weekend retreat.

If you go through Austria and Italy you have to buy a Vignette for the Austrian autobahn and pay a toll to use the Brenner pass.
Then when you get to Italy you have to pay to use the Autostrada.

You can get from Germany (which is toll free) to Lake Garda on the back roads but it takes time.
The Brenner pass is an engine killer, the old Brenner is much nicer and easier (flatter) on the engine.

Just for information the top end of Lake Garda (Riva, Limino, Torbole, Navenna, etc.) is Germany's Blackpool.
You have drive down to Bardolino to get the Italian feeling.

[drippytap]

Definitely need to get several detailed maps to look at alternate routes. Aiming for Lazise to meet up with friends. How long do you think it would take - 1.6 diesel etc

[Titus A Duxass]

Taking the direct route from Calais via der Schweiz - I would say about 16 hours or 2 days.
Maybe a few hours more is you go the Belguim, Germany, Austria route.

[Ian Hulley]

The Swiss motorway pass is about £20 so don't go on a detour of 100's of miles to avoid that bit How much is the Austrian one ?

Ian.

[Titus A Duxass]

About 7,70 for a 10 day Autrian Vignette and 8,00 euro each way on the Brenner.

[Titus A Duxass]

For the Italian part - approx. 14,00 yoyos each way.

[scrumpy jack]

if you drive through switzerland, you could go over the St bernadino pass throught to Tessin the italian part of switzerland, as you pass us pop in for a cuppa and we can show you some nice places. Switzerland is not to expensive the ausrian pass is about 12 euro per day...

[scrumpy jack]

sorry 12 euro for 10 days....

[Robin!]

I'm heading to Italy this weekend via Newcastle - Holland DFDS ferry then thru Germany - Austria then Italy.

[Titus A Duxass]

I'm heading to Italy this weekend

- where are you going to?

We set off next Friday lunch time for Riccione, world superbikes here we come.

[jed the spread]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DR41ags9UDc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

jed

[Pepperami]

The Swiss motorway pass is about £20 so don't go on a detour of 100's of miles to avoid that bit How much is the Austrian one ?

Ian.

We didn't pay for one last year

[drippytap]

I can cope with the French tolls, you just chuck money at the booths but where do you get these motorway passes for switzerland and austria?
Leaving Dieppe at 4am so plan to get to lake Garda Sunday - one overnight stop, do they have the aires de service in Germany/Austria/switzerland like what they do in France?

[Ian Hulley]

The Swiss motorway pass is about £20 so don't go on a detour of 100's of miles to avoid that bit How much is the Austrian one ?

Ian.

We didn't pay for one last year

No, but ya didn't get caught either Tony

To buy the Swiss vignette :-
http://www.travel-swiss.co.uk/passes-mo ... nette.html

The Austrian one is available at the border crossing or from larger petrol stations costing €7.70