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

[Adventurerno24]

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?

I wouldn’t personally but I find driving so boring. Could you not drive somewhere closer, or fly?

Yah do it
or fly to Geneva, usually quite cheap

I'd do it. Make the stop over somewhere really interesting and view it as part of the holiday too. It sounds mad and exciting and the stuff of memories!

cheap flight to Geneva as PP said then train - will be fabulous

It'll take about 10 hours to get to Basle, including the channel crossing - assuming you're in the SE. From there easily 2-3 hours to the Alps - depending on where you are heading

So it is doable, if you both like driving. Not sure it would be very relaxing though.

Maybe fly to Geneva and rent a car? Beautiful scenery around the lake as well, and very close to the mountains.

Yabu, it is a bloody long way in the car for 3 days.

It depends how much you like driving but it would be a no from me!

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

Fly to Geneva and hire a car as others have suggested

Agree with pp, a short flight to Geneva, Zurich or Basel then train. If not flying, Eurostar and tgv.

Perhaps drive to Chamonix in France,
You need to buy road tax to drive in Switzerland. (about £35)
From 1st November to 31st March you need All Season or Snow tyres in that region.

would suggest flights to Zurich then hire car @Adventurerno24?

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

Lake District then??

I don't want to fly!

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??

Have you considered the Lake District?

Or flying.

Sorry. Cross posted.

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.

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.

Train.

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

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. ☹️

as @UltramarineViolet mentioned but may be not the escape you're looking for 🙂

https://cairngorms.co.uk/discover-explore/landscapes-scenery/the-mountains/

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.

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 ❤️

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.

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.