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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Driving to Denmark/Sweden

28 replies

AveEldon · 08/01/2017 10:53

Starting to plan our summer holiday and wondering about driving to Denmark & Sweden

If you've done this I'd welcome suggestions on which channel crossing is best and places to stop on the way.

Thanks!

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Original poster
AveEldon · 10/01/2017 13:17

bump

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languagelearner · 14/01/2017 15:32

Why not rent a car with the steering wheel on the right (=left) side? Won't it be difficult to drive around in a car with the steering wheel on the other side, difficult to see traffic when you're to overtake a car (on its left side) etc. ?

Original poster
AveEldon · 14/01/2017 17:40

Car rental is expensive for 4 weeks so we prefer to take our own car

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Original poster
AveEldon · 15/01/2017 15:51

Anyone else driven there?

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scaryteacher · 15/01/2017 16:03

Language I drive a UK car in Belgium, and have done for a decade...it's not difficult!

NicknameUsed · 15/01/2017 17:06

There are ferries between Harwich and Esbjerg, Hull and Rotterdam and Newcastle and Amsterdam.

pericat · 15/01/2017 17:12

We drove to Denmark two years ago and had a wonderful holiday. We took the ferry from Hawick to Esbjerg but I am not sure that crossing still runs.

We were going to a sporting event near Arhuss. We had a European satnav and had no problems at all. Roads were wonderfully clear even in "rush hour" traffic. We loved Denmark. Everything seemed to just work well with no hassle.

It was expensive though!!

Bananalanacake · 15/01/2017 17:14

You go over toll bridges to get to Sweden from Denmark, after Copenhagen there's the bridge to Malmo. Or there is a ferry from Fredricshavn to Goteburg but it takes over 3 hours.

unicornsIlovethem · 15/01/2017 17:36

We did Dover to Calais and up through Germany. I'm not sure there are many ferries now which go significantly north.

Denmark was a long full day drive through Germany which was fine but hard work and need to really really concentrate. Denmark itself was lovely. We went on into Norway through Sweden. Norway was really hard to drive round because of the geography - it takes a very long time - 3 days of driving from Oslo to Bergen although we stopped a bit.

Sweden was horribly boring. 50mph speed limit in perpetual twilight but it might have been better if we weren't just going through to Norway.

OublietteBravo · 15/01/2017 17:41

It's a long way now that the Harwich to Esbjerg ferry no longer runs. Ferry to Netherlands is probably the best bet.

Original poster
AveEldon · 15/01/2017 18:28

We used to take the Harwich and Esbjerg ferry.

Last time we flew as it was only a 2 week trip but my OH would prefer to try the drive as we will be going for longer

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Teds77 · 15/01/2017 19:49

I've done this a few different ways but as a child/teenager as I have family in Sweden. Not sure which crossings still exist. There was a direct ferry from Newcastle to Gothenburg (grew up in Yorkshire so not too far a drive for us) but I don't think that still exists. My parents hated it though, so I wonder if we kids were hard work!! We also did Harwich Esjberg one time and spent most of our time in Denmark with only a few days in Sweden. Again I think my parents really hated the long ferry journey.

The last few times we did it, even though we had a caravan, I think we did Dover-Zeebruge and then we will have done a crossing between Germany and Denmark - something like Rodbyhaven and Puttgarten but apologies for my spelling! We'd usually take our time so I remember one time have a few days in Lubeck and Hamburg on the way out and then have a few days in The Netherlands on the way home.

We always did the short crossing between Helsingborg and Helsingor (sp?) but this was in the days before the bridge.

Enjoy - great countries!

Original poster
AveEldon · 16/01/2017 12:00

Thanks, I think we might try the Puttgarden crossing

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lovelyupnorth · 24/01/2017 08:44

We flew to Copenhagen and hired a car. Cost a lot less than the ferry fair never mind the travelling time.

lovelyupnorth · 24/01/2017 08:45

Newcastle - Amsterdam.

All the Scandinavian routes have ceased which is a shame.

Original poster
AveEldon · 26/01/2017 12:30

The Channel Tunnel looks pretty cheap at under £200 return
Car hire in Sweden for 4 weeks will be more than £1000 and flights at least £400

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anonymice · 26/01/2017 12:33

We drove last year to Copenhagen. Used the puttgarden to roedby route. I have family in Germany though so we stopped overnight in first Belgium and then Germany. We had a nice drive. Have a good holiday !

lovelyupnorth · 26/01/2017 12:55

Wow we paid 38 each for flights and £200 for two weeks car hire from Avis in August - group c car I think we ended up with a Renault captor.

anonymice · 26/01/2017 13:12

like Teds77 I would recommend Luebeck for a break. We also stayed in Ghent which is lovely, and Hamburg which is ace. on the way back we came through the Netherlands to Dunkirk and stayed overnight in Breda. Also very lovely.

Original poster
AveEldon · 26/01/2017 15:36

Thanks for the suggestions of places to stay
We need a big car as there are 6 of us

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gardeningsarah · 27/01/2017 20:59

In 2012 we took the ferry from Harwich to Hook of Holland (overnight). You arrive about 8am following day and got Denmark - LEGOLAND about 5pm and that included a couple of stops both in Germany.

Original poster
AveEldon · 01/02/2017 11:45

Thanks

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InspirerooMonika · 07/02/2017 15:00

Are you still looking for tips? I drove this last year - just me with 3 kids 8 and under. Cheapest option DFDS ferry, then it's a looooooong drive, though Bilund, aka Legoland is enroute if you are heading to Gothenburg via Frederikshavn.

Alternative is taking ferry from Travemünde or Rostock.

Original poster
AveEldon · 10/02/2017 11:00

Yes still looking for tips thanks

Is the tunnel quicker than the ferry?
Which ferry route did you take?

We will take the Oresund Bridge or possibly the Rostock - Trelleborg ferry

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Want2bSupermum · 14/02/2017 01:16

Try flying to Hamburg and driving up. The flights and car rental in Germany can be a lot cheaper.