European Road trip

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In a few weeks time, I'm going to be driving to The Hague and back via France and Belgium, with my 14 and 9 year olds.
I have checked my car insurance, got a UK sticker for the car, booked the ferry and accommodation. I have tried to see what else I need for driving in those countries, but it's not very clear.
Do I need Crit Air sticker? If so, how do I know which one I am. I have tried many times to figure it out, but the links seemed to be cyclical and I was trapped in a spiral until I cried!

Please help!

Also, for anyone living in North France/Belgium or who has been there recently, groceries etc. Am I better off bringing cupboard basics with me, or buying when we get there? Have to be very mindful of budget at the moment.

Thanks.

Hi,
You need an emergency kit for the car if driving in France (high vi vests, warning triangle - can't remember it all but have a google). Also, it's quicker to get through the french tolls with a sensor on the car (we use emovis). Hope that helps.

Critiair depends on where you will be driving in France. If you are going past some bigger cities such as Paris, you will need it. However f.e. you do not need it when going to Lille etc.

Groceries, it depends on what you use. In general I find a lot of French items quite good for their price. I cannot compare proces as do not live in the UK, but I often combine France and UK for work. I always stock up in France and only for items such as tea and hot chocolate in the UK.

Not sure about your route but if you are driving in France via Roncq,the hypermarche there is definitely worthy of a visit.

When we lived in the Netherlands, we would drive once of twice per month to this hypermarche and do our groceries. Compared to the Dutch supermarkets we found it better value for money overall. It was not always cheaper but the quality was much better and fresh produce kept fresh for longer.

There aren't any tolls between Calais and NL. You need to take your car registration and MOT doc with you. Antwerp has a ULEZ so if you plan on entering the city you should register your car in advance. https://www.milieuzones.nl/english This website gives details on the ULEZ in NL - I don't think you need to register but you should check your car is allowed. Rotterdam/Den Haag have schemes in place. The ring around Antwerp is quite confusing so you need to keep your eyes peeled for signs/getting in the right lane.

You can't bring any meat or dairy into the EU. Dutch supermarkets are not that bad - cheaper than Belgium. Jumbo is good, or Albert Heijn.

Thank you all.
We're doing Calais to Bourbourg, then Gent, then The Hague, then Herzeele then Calais again.
I have ordered a Eurpean emergency car kit, and will check out the ULEZ info x

Don't you also need a breathalyser in France?

No, since 2020 an alcohol analyzer is not obliged anymore. It is recommended

We’re going to Gent by car too. I’ve had to register the car to drive in the city in the low emission zone.

Yes watch out for the ULEZ in Ghent

European breakdown cover?

Have a read of their Highway Code too. Not sure about Europe, but in USA you can turn right at a red light (as long as there isn't a sign to say you can't). Those little tips are helpful to know before you go, instead of being beeped at 😀

In Belgium, if there are no road markings on a junction, traffic coming out from the right has priority. Some people look before pulling out and some don't. This is more the case for residential areas. Main roads tend to have Give Way signs.

Same in Netherlands. Traffic from the right has priority, unless markings or signs show otherwise.