Driving To Hanover From Uk

[black_cat51]

has anyone done it? how long does it take? DO you have to saty in your car in the channel tunnel?

[jomifl]

You can get out of your car in the shuttle but there is little point other than to stretch your legs or have a pee..

[VHG]

>>>DO you have to stay in your car in the channel tunnel?

NO

[jomifl]

Your starting point may influence the journey time.

[jomifl]

just over 6 hours from boulogne to hanover according to google earth

[Buenchico]

Quote:
"You stay with your vehicle throughout the journey in bright, air-conditioned carriages.
Sit back and relax, or get out and stretch your legs.
In 35 minutes simply drive off at the end of the crossing and be on your way."

Source:
http://www.eurotunnel.com/uk/traveller-info/about-my-journey/

Anyone contemplating European road travel (which is unfamiliar to them) needs this route planner (and definitely no other -there's nothing to match it!):
http://www.viamichelin.co.uk/
(Enter 'Eurotunnel' into the 'from' field to be shown relevant options. The journey from the French terminal is estimated at around 7 hours)

[black_cat51]

i am planning a journey that involves a two year old that i'd rather not strap into her seat for long stretches of time :) Anyone attempted the journey with a baby and have recommendations? I don't mind stopping overnight on the way.

[sddsddean]

In my truck I could do Calais to Koln in just under 4 hrs. Its about the same distance again to Hanover...about 400 miles total, so you should allow best part of 6 hours (I assume you are in a car).
Best route is E40 past Dunkirk, Ostend and Bruges. Left at Ghent onto the E17 for Antwerp. At Antwerp follow signs for E34 past Eindhoven, Venlo (into Germany),toward Dortmund. In Germany it is easier to use their motorway numbers. From Dortmund just follow the '2' all the way to Hanover.

[sddsddean]

Another 34 posts since I started mine!!

Just to let you know, Dutch and German 'motorway services' are miles better than ours. You can get out and walk around easily and the food is much better and cheaper, most with waitress service. If you need to stop , its not the chore it is over here.

[sddsddean]

"4 not 34"!!!

[Buenchico]

It's difficult to suggest where you could break your journey because you've not told us where you're starting from. (If you're travelling from Kent you'll probably want to travel quite some distance on the continent before making an overnight stop. If you're travelling from Scotland you might want to stop rather closer to the French coast!).

However Antwerp lies along your route. It's a lovely city, with plenty to see, so it might be worth stopping there overnight, exploring the city the following day and then completing your journey in the evening:
http://www.visitantwerpen.be/bze.net?id=1470

[black_cat51]

thanks, i am in Bucks
can you stay on the channel tunnel car wise until belgium, or is it just the passenger train?

[sddsddean]

Le Shuttle is just that...takes you from Folkestone to Sangatte (near Calais)...no other options.

[sddsddean]

Just thought of another option. When my family used to go to Berlin, we used to get the overnight ferry from Harwich to Hook of Holland. Google "harwich hook of holland ferries" and you'll get loads of info. Its a few years (like 20!) since I've done it, but you used to get evening meal, cabin and breakfast in the price...don't know if thats still the case. Depending on where you are in Bucks, you could get to Harwich in 2-3 hours.

[Buenchico]

>>>can you stay on the channel tunnel car wise until belgium, or is it just the passenger train?

Eurostar (for passengers only, ex St Pancras, Ebbsflleet or Ashford) and Eurotunnel ( for vehicles, ex Folkestone) are two totally separate services. Eurostar serves Calais (infrequently) and then goes on to Lille, Brussels or Paris. Eurotunnel simply takes vehicles and their passengers to the terminal in Coquelles, and no further.

>>>i am in Bucks

Antwerp would still be a good place to stay overnight if you wanted to get most of the journey out of the way first. If you wanted somewhere a little earlier in your journey (but which is still well worth exploring), Bruges is the obvious choice:
http://visitbruges.be/

[black_cat51]

thanks for all your help so far. i'd never even considered that ferries go from other places that aren't on the south coast!

[royfromaus]

http://www.stenaline.co.uk/ferry-to-holland/fares?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=harwich%20ferry%20crossings&utm_campaign=Generic+Departure+%28Harwich%29+-+Exact&utm_content=suNDt6xIR-dc_pcrid_39441421671_kword_harwich%20ferry%20crossings_match_e_plid_

You don't get the breaky and evening meal anymore.

[Buenchico]

Harwich (which is close to me) is very easy to get to from Bucks. If you're near to Milton Keynes it's A421>A428>A14>A12>A120. If you're in south Bucks it's simply M25>A12>A120.
http://www.stenaline.co.uk/ferry-to-holland

[boxtops]

OH drives this route quite often in his truck. If you do the Harwich ferry option to Hook of Holland, he says to follow the E30 motorway from the docks straight to Hanover. He reckons no more than 3 hours in a car (depending on how fast you drive).

[ChillDoubt]

Been a while since I've done it but when I was based not far from Hannover with HM Forces it used to take me roughly 4 hours from my barracks to Calais, then the short (1 hour 15 minures) crossing to Dover.
The alternative was to sail from Ostend to Dover, usually a 4 hour crossing.
From Ostend to Hannover would be roughly 4 hours, with a short break.
Colleagues of mine who lived in the Midlands/N. East would cross from Harwich to Hook of Holland.
Very long crossing, but a shorter drive the other side.
You have plenty of options, just got to weigh up which is the best for you.