If you go to France you will no doubt at soe stage go on the toll roads, these are very good and an effective way of getting across the country quickly. They also offer good stop over points for the night. However when you come to pay there are different routes to take the cash option or via credit card, the latter usually does not have as many ques, however if you go via the credit card route, your costs will be calculated automatically based on your vehichle size/ wieght. If you have a MH this works out much more expensive, however if y go tot he cash desk, then present your card, you will get the same rate as per a car. I have recently come back from a trip to Strassbourge and tested both options, the differnece was alarming, on one section it was only € 11 with cash, whereas it was nearer € 35 for credit card.
So be warned, use the cash desks - they classs a MH as a car and you get that tarrif and not the commercial rates
We always pay cash at the peages. The disadvantages of using a credit card include - having your card "eaten" by the machine if it cannot recognise it, and - credit card companies in general are now charging a lot more for foreign currency transactions.
Another tip is always to try to use a "ticket gateway" that you have seen in use. We pulled up at one last year, my wife grabbed the ticket from the machine, and the barrier failed to open. Mayhem ensued, as a queue developed behind us (3 caravans, 2 motorhomes, and several private cars) all of which had to reverse out. It's very difficult to reverse a motorhome with a trailer within the close confines of a peage alley!
im am sorry to disagree - but the peage does not class a motorhome as a car, or at least not all the time. i believe it depends very much on the operator - for example we have a twin axle, on the same stretches of road we have been charged as both a car and class 2 - much more expensive. i think if you are lucky you will be charged as a car, so dont rely on it. also i have recently been down a short stretch of the A28, from near rouen to just above alencon, it was almost £20.00, the most expensive toll i have ever come across.
------------- we are where we are - where are we ?
If you go via the cash/maned desk then they will put you through as a car, my MH is 8m long and a twin rear axle. One of the gates that I went upto on my recent visit automatically came up with a price, but the cashier looked at it hit a few keys and reduced the level down to that of a car.
WRT credit cards, do not use them, get a Nationwide FLEX account, they do not charge you for using it abroad and give a very good exchange rate, got something like 1.265 Euro to £ last week
Please note this only applies if you travel in Italy and use motorways, before you get on a motorway be sure to purchase a VIACARD its a lot cheaper than paying cash and you have the benefit of gates specifically for their users, 2 years ago i bought one as soon we were over the ST. Bernard pass a 100 euros took me all the way to Pompei and almost three quarter of the way back into Tuscany, best of all the machine does not recognise what you are driving?
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Toll Roads - France
best of all the machine does not recognise what you are driving?
