driving in Europe

Has anyone driven from UK into the European continent?
I've heard that certain items need to be brought like First Aid Kit, High Vis jacket, bulbs, etc.
Also, some sort of modifications to lights and, of course, European Breakdown Cover.
Does anyone know all the details of this?

If departing from Southeast England, does it take very long to get across to Luxembourg/Swiss/German border area?  Could it be done in 6 or 7 hours from Channel Tunnel or is it much longer than that?

How about from there to Ligurian/Tuscan coast?  Maybe that distance again?
I was thinking a day per leg but maybe that's too ambitious?

According to Googlemaps, it will take 7:09 minutes from High Wycombe to the middle of Luxembourg (and you can take the A4 all the way apparently!)  Then it looks like it will take more like 9 hours to get to Liguria and of course futher to Tuscany.   I've easily driven 12 hours to Las Vegas in a day, so I dont think its too ambitious. 

Sorry I can help with the rest. 

Thanks, yeah I went on a map site and they do give estimated travel times and mileage.  But I imagine that this could vary quite a lot from the actual trip, especially when going hundreds of miles.  Maybe someone has done some driving before to European countries?

For taking your car through EuroTunnel, does the car go on a train and transported through tunnel?  I assume you don't actually drive through the tunnel?

Thats right - you dont drive through the tunnel.  Your car is put on in a seperate shuttle train.

Yes, you will need things like High Vis Jacket, First Aid Kit, Triangle etc - you can by kits with most of this stuff in them.  Also in most European countries you need spare light bulbs etc and all your paperwork.  You should take your full paper driving licence as just the card won't do on the continent.

The RAC and AA websites both list items needed in different countries - it varies in each one!

Good luck.

Probably doesn't help you much but....Frankfurt to London (via Dover to Calais ferry) was 16 hrs in a bus (with 1hr stopping break).  I would imagine a car would be maybe around 12-13 hrs.

Thats right - you dont drive through the tunnel.  Your car is put on in a seperate shuttle train.

The car carrier trains have wagons for road vehicles and passenger coaches. You drive the car onto a wagon and it is secured then you go and sit in the passenger carriage in the same train for around half an hour while the train goes through the tunnel. Then you drive off the train and away.

 

In order to drive in Europe you have to keep international valid license than you can drive car over there.If you are above 50 years than you keep medical letter as well with you.

If you are taking the eurotunnel, you will simply drive your car on to the train, and then sit in your car until you arrive in France, about 35 minutes later.  You can get out and walk around, and there are toilets available (not very nice) but no food or drinks for sale.

driving from UK to the Continent is very easy.  We always cross the channel via the tunnel, it is more expensive than by ferry but much faster and in my opinion easier.  The roads on the continent are not as busy as in the UK so the driving is less stressful.  The driving times indicated on google maps and such are pretty accurate.

You can find out all the info you need to drive in the different countries if you just google 'driving in _______'.  Also I believe there is a link on the eurotunnel website as well.  You do not need an international license, a valid UK license is fine.  Beware of speeding in France, they look out for cars from the UK, and have on-the-spot fines, so have some Euros with you just in case.  Also beware of the type of gas/petrol you use in France.  They have a bio-fuel/petrol mix that will not work in older cars from the UK.  I can't remember the details as it was almost  a year since we were there.  Generally if you stop at an Esso or Shell you should be ok.