We travelled down from Rotterdam,so a bit different. For Venice it is best to travel through Austria. All the roads are good so either choose whatever is the most direct route, or go past places you want to see.From Innsbruck You can take the Brenner into Italy and either through Bolzano/Verona/Padova, or over to Cortina and down past Vittoria Veneto and Treviso. The latter is more twisty and steeper. Either way you cannot approach Innsbruck on the road from the north (no caravans allowed on the Zirlerberg, too steep). Approach via the Fern Pass or from the east.
Coming back from Florence you could travel via Genova and Torino back into France and past Lyon, or via Milano and north through Switzerland. For Austria you will need a Motorway Sticker (buy at border, 14 day ones are available) and for Switzerland you will need 1 for the car and 1 for the caravan and you have to pay for a full year (13 months actually I think). The only way to avoid these extra costs is to cross directly from France into Italy and back again by a similar route.
The last time we went to Venice we travelled across Belgium and joined the German autobahn system at Aachen. Then down through German, Rudesheim a good stop over, to the Austrian border at Reutte. As Jennifernn say you need a vignette to use the motorways. From Reutte we went over the Fern Pass and dropped down to the Inntel Motorway at Imst and then onto Innsbruck. Good stopover Camping Natterersee. From Innsbruck take the Brenner motorway into Italy, this is a really lovely route. This takes you down the eastern side of Lake Garda and then make your way to Venice. If you are going to venice to spend time exploring Venice I can recommend Camping Miramare.
Via Luxembourg and Switrzerland 854 miles. Via Germany, Austria and the Brenner pass 910
Florence to Calais via Switerland and Luxemborg 871 miles Via Turnin and France 910 miles.
Brenner Pass and any of the routes into France attract fairly heavy tolls as do the French motorways. The Swiss Vignettes for car and caravan work out at around £37 (40 SF each) For speed and cost, the Swiss route wins hands down.
I can't argue in terms of distance but I did not think the tolls+vignette in Austria came to anywhere near £37, mind you it was about 5 years ago we last did the journey. I appreciate that if you travel down through France that you will pay tolls if you use the autoroute.
We always treat the getting there and the coming back as part of the holiday and try to use a different route each time and see as many new places as possible. The cheapest/most direct route may therefore not be the best. It really all depends on how long you can be away. For us getting to the other side of the Channel or North Sea is relatively expensive as we have a fair distance to travel to/from the ferry so if going to Europe make the holiday as long as possible and see as much as possible. Before you can decide on the best route you need to sort out your priorities.....speed or scenery.
I agree with David Klyne's route recommendations, and also with the Camping Miramare one. We turned up there out of the blue towards the end of May last year, and it was lovely! Very friendly, spotless, excellent shop, and 500-yard walk from the ferry terminal. We didn't use the car at all in 8 days.
We stayed at Camping Michelangelo which was also excellent and only a 20-minute walk from the Cathedral, Uffizi, etc (but only 2-amp electricity! ; we managed.) Came home via Genoa, Aoste, Mont Blanc Tunnel, Chamonix (Camping Isle des Barrats is lovely), and back up through France to Calais.
Best options across the channel if you're going to Italy are either Norfolkline to Dunkerque or Transeuropa to Ostend. The former is cheaper, the latter avoids France
We went direct through France to Turin via the Frejus Tunnel as this route avoids Switzerland and the necessity to buy a car pass for the motorways there. This route is also very direct and easy.
Avril, if I were you I'd cross Dover to Dunkerque with Norfolk Line if you're taking a caravan - they are currently quoting £59 each way, for car, caravan, and up to nine people. We booked yesterday - for an August crossing, and all the slots are offered at this price, not just middle of the night, middle of November!! You'll certainly save the cost of a couple of meals for two, with win, over any of the other quotes around at present (P and O £160, Eurotunnel £217, SeaFrance £ridiculous!!!!!). If no caravan, then you can't beat Speed Ferries, with a double offer of £17.50, some crossings and £19.50 others, Dover to Boulogne.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
We went direct through France to Turin via the Frejus Tunnel as this route avoids Switzerland and the necessity to buy a car pass for the motorways there. This route is also very direct and easy.
Paul
Frejus Tunnel£28
A43 toll£13.50
Extra Mileage 85£12.50 Fuel
Total £54
Plus French Motorway tolls
How does £37 outlay for the Swiss motorway Vignette compare to the above cost each way?
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Route to Italy
