Driving through the night is often a good way to get to Tignes (it can mean an extra day on the slopes etc )  but with the advent of cheap flights and ease of hiring a car or getting a transfer it's often not worth it. However if you're in a group, with kids, want to ski other resorts, bring booze back or see some more of France on the way there or back then it's a great way of getting here. Note that prices are always changing - this is just a guide...

 

Routes and Tolls

Simply follow the signs from Calais to Reims, Troyes, Dijon, Lyon, Chambery, Albertville, Moûtiers, Bourg St Maurice,Tignes. Alternatively head towards Geneva and turn of the motorway at the first Annecy sign and then head for Albertville. This avoids some tolls and is 575 miles - it can take longer or slower depending on traffic or weather. Motorway tolls from Calais to Tignes are approximately £95 return.

 

 

 

 Ferry or Tunnel

The Tunnel is the quickest way, though not the cheapest - always book in advance and look for a deal. Prices can be as low as £119 for an off-peak return of up to 5 days. If you just turn up and drive on, a return fare of over 5 days is £223.

 

From Dover to Calais Sea France often guarantee the cheapest prices - can be from £90 return off peak but check for special offers and deals.

 

From Dover to Boulogne there are some great deals with SpeedFerries with fares from £25 each-way on all sailings for a car and up to 6 passengers.

 

Portsmouth - Le Havre was another good option especially if you live nearby. The 10:30pm sailing gets in around 7am French time - you could be in resort for 2pm if you got a move on. This service has now been withdrawn but there's a similar Southampton - Caen service.

 

Norfolkline were offering crossings from Dover one way for £19 per car, September to December 2005. They arrive in Dunkirk which is only 10mins longer to the A26.

 

 

   

 

Overnight Stops

If you don't want to drive it in one go there are lots of cheap motel type places to stay right across France from around £20 for a triple room - click on Accorhotels.com for Ibis, Sofitel, Mercure, Novotel, Formule1, Etap, Red Roof and Motel6 hotels. Another option is Mister Bed and Villages Hotels (The Villages Hotel in Troyes is near the Motorway, has it's own fairly secure parking and is near a Macdonald's - often booked up though).

 

 

Speed Limits

The speed limit on French Autoroutes is 130 km/h (81mph) and is reduced to 110km (68mph) in wet weather. Police have been known to catch speeders using the times on the tickets between Autoroute toll points. There are also new speed cameras between Chambery and Moûtiers plus some on the route from Geneva - you've been warned!

 

In built-up areas the limit is 50km/h (31mph). Outside built-up areas the limit is 90km/h (55mph) and on dual carriageways 110km/h (68mph), these are reduced to 80km/h (49mph) and 100km/h (62mph) in wet weather.

 

 

Other Stuff

Of course there's the hassle of ski racks and whether to take snow chains, spare bulbs, warning triangle, fire extinguisher, GB sticker etc. Though I know plenty of people who carry none of them - ever. Then there's insurance, rescue cover, fuel, tolls, channel crossing hassles etc

 

BUT, remember you can just jump in the car and ski anywhere, anytime. No luggage restrictions, airport parking and waiting around, chance to bring loads of booze back, stopping on the way over or back to see some of the "real" France and travel when you want to. Once you've sorted a trip the first time, the second trip is just like nipping down the road.....

 

 

Useful Links

Accorhotels.com for Ibis, Sofitel, Mercure, Novotel, Formule1, Etap, Red Roof & Motel6

Cheap 4 Ferries - Low cost ferry deals on all routes

P&O Ferries - P&O Ferries from Dover

Eurostar - book the train direct to Moûtiers

seafrance.com - check for special offers

norfolkline.com - Dover to Dunkirk

eurotunnel.com - now has on line bookings

speedferries.com fares from £25 each-way from Dover to Boulogne

theaa.com - Lots of information about driving abroad from the AA

rac.co.uk - And similar from the RAC

AA Motor Insurance  - Make sure you're covered abroad too

misterbed.fr - Cheap motels

villages-hotel.com - Another cheap motel option

autoroutes.fr - French Motorways site, useful info, route planner and toll details

radarsfixes.com - Speed Cameras in France. Complete listing

BIG THANKS TO TOFFA AT www.latania.co.uk , beers are on us !