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Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



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  #1  
Old 14 May 2010
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From Calais to Gibralter
Hello all,

I looking for some guidance, on which tolls to pay, and which to try avoid, and which to avoid at all cost.

We are going to drive from Calais to Gibralter.
We will be in no rush at all.
I will pull a caravan for overnight sleeping.

Should we drive through France, or the surrounding Belguim, then back to France. Or Belguim, Germany, Italy, ?

I know Switzerland needs the Vigniette, so I will plan to avoid Switzerland.
We want to avoid as many tolls as practicable.
I know some tolls are better to be paid, as the detour far outweighs the toll cost.

We would like to south all the way to Monaco, then the coastalroad to Gibralter..
We would hope to stay in several beach camp sites for a few days to more relax.

I would like to take about 3 weeks to get there.
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  #2  
Old 15 May 2010
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There's a suprising number of non-toll autoroutes and motorway-quality dual carriageways in France. For example you can go from Clermont Ferrand to Montpellier with just a tiny section of peage over the Millau bridge, however the direct route to Monaco isn't well served by these.

Your best bet in the north is to go via Belgium, then Luxembourg (to pick up cheaper fuel). The stretch from Luxembourg down through Epinal is free, but as you have already picked up, the other option is to head into Germany, then Italy. We found France incredibly expensive last year with Germany appreciably cheaper.

If you take the Italian route see if you can swing by Livigno as it's a duty-free zone with extremely cheap fuel and other things.

Within Spain the autovias (e.g. A7) are free, however the autopistes (e.g. AP7) are toll roads. Gibraltar also has cheap fuel though the queues to enter are long at peak periods.
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Old 15 May 2010
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Dear Tim,
Thank you very much for giving me some good ideas.

I am very much appreciation to you sir.

I am dissapointed to learn that the Swiss, charge for a full year of car tax/toll even if you are simply passing through for a few days.

So would you suggest, Belguim, Luxemburg, Germany, Austria, Italy, (we would like to see Rome) then Monaco, and coastal raods all the way to Gibralter?

'vette
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  #4  
Old 15 May 2010
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Swiss vignette
Quote:
Originally Posted by uk_vette View Post
I am dissapointed to learn that the Swiss, charge for a full year of car tax/toll even if you are simply passing through for a few days.
No. Wrong.
They don't charge for using their roads - only their motorways.

'Normal' roads are free in Switzerland including main roads (signed in blue)

The vignette is only if you use their Motorway/Autoroutes (signed in green).

It is pefectly feasable to tour/cross Switzerland without using motorways at all. They are always signed in advance and can easily be avoided in favour of their good network of 'A' and minor roads.
It just takes a little longer, going through many picturesque towns and villages. The mountains are just as visible!
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  #5  
Old 15 May 2010
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Some non-motorway Swiss routes are not too difficult, others are an absolute pain.

Austria also requires a vignette but you can buy for short intervals.
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Old 15 May 2010
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If you use Viamichelin.co.uk you can plan your journey and it gives you all the tolls and estimated fuel cost! Great site!
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Old 15 May 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim Cullis View Post
Austria also requires a vignette but you can buy for short intervals.
Hi Tim, I've been wondering where you buy these vignette from?
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Old 15 May 2010
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From Google: The German Way | Autobahn 2 | Tolls - Autobahn Sticker Vignette | Austria - Switzerland
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Old 16 May 2010
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Wink
Brilliant Tim, I was been lame soz
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  #10  
Old 4 Jun 2010
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I've just came back from Gib ... With in the last few day's ... Used a lot of tolls in France as I need to cross as quick as possible ... The pain is ... That the tolls work out at about the same as doubling the price of petrol ... As it's about 7 to 10 cent's a kilometre in charges ... That work's out at about the same price as a gallon of petrol travailing 40 mile's ... And as petrol is round £5 a gallon in France ... If you use the tolls an easy way of working it out is just double the price of petrol to ten Pound's a gallon and you will be near the cost ... Or get a sat nav put in your rout and then press in non toll road's ... Should get you where you want to go ... A simple solution to your problem ...
John933
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