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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to drive to the Swiss Alps for only 3 nights?

37 replies

Adventurerno24 · 17/08/2024 15:04

Dh and I have 5 days without dc, we need some adventure. Would we be mad to drive from the UK to the Swiss Alps for 3 nights- one night being a stop over? We've had some shit things going on, no break etc. I'd love to go and see the mountains. The trip also really scares me which I think is a good thing for me. I think it will give me some new energy. What do you think?? AIBU?

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SharpWriter · 17/08/2024 18:42

I'd suggest Luxembourg which is beautiful and much closer with good roads and plenty of decent places to stop through France and Belgium. Or, as another poster said, Scotland is really spectacular depending on where you are in the UK.

fuckingbastard · 17/08/2024 17:23

We do it often. Just do it. Strategically choose were you stop.

Whataretalkingabout · 17/08/2024 17:04

Drive through France in August are you crazy? The tolls are very expensive and 3 days is not long enough. You will spend your entire holiday on the road.
Your best bet is to fly if you could get a flight. You say you don't fly. That would be your next "exciting" challenge. Much safer and a million times more pleasant for 3 days. Have a great trip.

helpfulperson · 17/08/2024 16:53

From london in 10 hours you can get to Wengen (peak alps) by train. Three nights give you two days to explore. SBB website has a timetable that covers all legs.

WellyBellyBoo · 17/08/2024 16:50

We did Annecy by train, you can get there in a day from a lot of England via Eurostar.

Aligirlbear · 17/08/2024 16:48

Adventurerno24 · 17/08/2024 15:22

I don't want to fly!

Have you considered Eurostar and link up with the European intercontinental trains. I did Switzerland this way - loved it and was more relaxing than driving - enjoy your trip wherever you get to !

NomenNudum · 17/08/2024 16:39

Paris to Geneva train s 3.5 h fwiw and spectacular

Next2nothing · 17/08/2024 16:25

I wouldn't do the drive in August. Not in France.

Original poster
Adventurerno24 · 17/08/2024 16:23

Should have said this is to go on Monday! Lakes weather looks terrible. We are midlands ish.

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Twoshoesnewshoes · 17/08/2024 16:08

We go to northern Lake District- valleys just south of Keswick, very mountainous and quieter than the areas around Windermere and coniston

longdistanceclaraclara · 17/08/2024 15:53

Was also going to suggest Annecy but it's a slog for three days. We've done it for a week before but you essentially lose two days and we are near the tunnel, wouldn't want a longer drive at the front end.

WeegieWan · 17/08/2024 15:49

Get the train - it's really easy. Train from wherever you are to London then Eurostar to Paris Gare Du Nord. Either stay overnight in Paris and get up early the next morning or if you are early enough get on the RER straightaway down to Gare D'Est (not many stops, easy), train to Zurich.

I can thoroughly recommend the train from Zurich through the Alps to Austria.

Check out Man in Seat 61 www.seat61.com for some excellent suggestions

The Man in Seat 61 | The train travel guide

How to travel by train in Europe & worldwide: Schedules, fares & how to buy tickets.

http://www.seat61.com

SoRuff63 · 17/08/2024 15:49

We’ve driven down to Annecy in the French alps many times over the years, both with children and without. Love the mountains and there’s a beautiful, clear, turquoise lake for swimming and water sports.
We take the car through the tunnel and then take turns with the driving. Often travel overnight so the autoroutes are virtually empty and we arrive in time for a nice breakfast then crash on the beach.
We normally go for a fortnight or longer but I did do a short trip down with my now grown up - and driving - daughter which we both really enjoyed. Where is your starting point in the uk as that could make quite a difference to how far it seems.
but, as long as you’re not starting in Scotland, and you can share the driving, I’d go for it.

ApplesonTuesdays · 17/08/2024 15:46

Adventurerno24 · 17/08/2024 15:22

@TwoLeftSocksWithHoles Chamonix was the other option! What shall we do??

Lake District then??

We drive to Chamonix about 4 times a year. It's a bit of a slog (8 hours Calais to Alps) and the drive isn't particular picturesque as it's all motorways. If you live in south east England, the drive this end wouldn't be that bad and the tunnel only takes half an hour.

I love France though and if had an opportunity of a child free 5 days. I would still go across and go on the smaller rds and stop off at different beautiful towns and villages in north/mid france for the night.

Happyholidays78 · 17/08/2024 15:45

It wouldn't be long enough for me & travelling makes me tired. I agree that the lake district is beautiful with nice town's & pubs but you can also get away from the crowd's for walks/drives & paddle boarding etc. I also like the Elan Valley (mid Wales) very pretty. Enjoy your time together ❤️

Kumquat24 · 17/08/2024 15:41

Completely random alternative if flying is not your thing https://ferrygogo.com/ferry-to-norway-from-the-uk/

Not done this route but have elsewhere and pick the right boats and the journey is more of an independent traveller cruise without being on a cruise.

Ferry to Norway from the UK (all routes). England-Norway by ferry

Ferry from the UK to Norway: There are no direct ferries from the UK to Norway but these routes are your best options, ferry guide to Norway

https://ferrygogo.com/ferry-to-norway-from-the-uk

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 17/08/2024 15:35

Adventurerno24 · 17/08/2024 15:22

@TwoLeftSocksWithHoles Chamonix was the other option! What shall we do??

Lake District then??

Well, I really like Chamonix, and you can take a little train up to the glacier, (for free if you stay in a Chamonix hotel and get a pass from the Tourist Office) or a cable car up a mountain. It's just a long way there (and back again.) From Calais I'd allow 1.5 days to get there and 1.5 days to return. ☹️

UltramarineViolet · 17/08/2024 15:34

If I was craving mountains and didn't mind a long drive then I would be more inclined to drive to the Scottish Highlands but I appreciate that might not be ideal if you're in the South of England

bridgetreilly · 17/08/2024 15:32

Train.

UltramarineViolet · 17/08/2024 15:31

In what way??

It may depend on your exact destination but if you are driving to the French Alps, there is a huge chunk of the journey (til you are well past Dijon) which is very samey and featureless landscape with no reference points so it make you feel like you aren't making any progress.

LIZS · 17/08/2024 15:25

Northern France is not terribly scenic for first few hours of the drive. Go via Strasbourg then down to Basel from where you can head to Bern or Lucerne.

Shouldbedoing · 17/08/2024 15:24

Sorry. Cross posted.

Shouldbedoing · 17/08/2024 15:23

Have you considered the Lake District?

Or flying.

Original poster
Adventurerno24 · 17/08/2024 15:23

The drive from Calais down to the Alps is spectacularly tedious and I swear that time slows down while you're doing it!!

In what way??

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