So off to SSEC in May. Slightly worried about booking the tunnel, as if we get delayed on the way out, it would be a b*gger. Thoughts? Plus are there any good deals out there on Dover / Calais or tunnel???
Ta
I'm flying to Trieste then driving from there.
Does your sat nav cover Slovenia? Ours doesn't and I'm struggling to find updates or free maps that will cover it.
Drove there last summer. Ended up swapping the ferry to Newhaven/Dieppe because of the port strikes.
Camped in the black forest on the way. It's a long way!
Sat Nav - I bought CoPilot for android a little while ago, you just download the countries you need. Whatever satnav you use, it'll probably try to take you the boring way into Slovenia from Austria, but make sure you head over the Wurzen pass, through Kranjska Gora and over into Slovenia from there. hardly any more time, and a lot more interesting!
Also downloaded openMTB maps for eastern Slovenia and northern Italy for the Garmin.
Enjoy, the Soca valley is beautiful. And swim in the river.
I was tempted to use my phone as a sat nav but last time I did that I had problems as I wasn't really wanting to use data abroad as it cost me a fortune the time before.
Always go for the tunnel, not only is it cheaper but if you arrive late/early they have always been very accommodating and let me on - no promises if you try this at peak times though
Drove there in 2012, via France, Switzerland and Austria. It is a long way.
We caught a ferry at stupid o'clock because it was cheaper than the ferry to get to the mainland from the Isle of Wight. Served possibly the worst full English I've ever encountered, but then we weren't on it for the food.
I was tempted to use my phone as a sat nav but last time I did that I had problems as I wasn't really wanting to use data abroad as it cost me a fortune the time before.
If you've got the maps downloaded already, it won't use any data at all when navigating. GPS and stored maps. It'll work with data and networks switched off.
There might be better nav. apps than co-pilot (I bought 4? years ago), but it's very handy, especially if you drive abroad every now and then. Certainly cheaper than hiring a satnav with a hire car for a week.
tim - tunnel cheaper? I've never paid more than about 30-40 for a Dover Calais ferry crossing, sometimes more like 22.
Maps.me is free, does navigation and has maps for Slovenia. Just download the map on WiFi at home.
nedrapier - If you've got the maps downloaded already, it won't use any data at all when navigating. GPS and stored maps. It'll work with data and networks switched off.
I've not used that app before, I was using offline maps or something, the maps were brilliant but searching for your destination offline was slow and not very good, searching while connected to the internet was dead easy and accurate but that kind of defeats the object.
I'm told I can load additional maps on to our Garmin Nuvi via the SD card slot but I cant find the maps to start with.
I'll take a look at maps.me, thanks
tim - tunnel cheaper? I've never paid more than about 30-40 for a Dover Calais ferry crossing, sometimes more like 22.
Ours was something daft like that. Dover - Dunkirk to get the cost down even more if memory serves, on DFDS. This was also in a small camper (over 2m high) with bikes on the back.
I take the ferry when I head back to UK. Cheaper, and they don't price discriminate against mainland EU residents as much as the tunnel, who are obviously going the "wrong" way. But 3:1 Tesco vouchers apparently make the tunnel not bad value.
My ancient SatNav (Garmin NuVi something) that complains about the M74 extension not being there (it's been there a few years), has Slovenia mapped more than well enough, including all the country tracks up to a village near Kobarid and that MTB place in Jamnica that was featured again recently in the mag. But it'll be an EU map version rather than the cheaper UK+Ireland one I guess.
Don't recall any navigation issues on my eTrex either, when MTBing, with the free OSM maps.
Other better to get a longer ferry over to Holland? Cut some driving out?
On our Nuvi you have to select the country specifically (which is annoying when you're just driving to Wales or Scotland) and Slovenia isn't listed.
I thought we had the full Europe package on it last time we updated but obviously not.
Depends where you are and your drive to Harwich/Dover.Other better to get a longer ferry over to Holland? Cut some driving out?
Distance is similar from both on the other side - 25 mins quicker from Hook of holland. ferry times and your drive this side are going to make more difference.
Google maps let you download areas now, then you can use it offline.
Dont drive through Switzerland, you can only buy a yearly Toll stcker.
When I drive to Austria I can do it in a day if I get a very early tunnel crossing, I think driving to Slovenia will be too far so you will need to split it over 2 days, therefore the extra time on the Ferry does not make much difference IMO.
Used Maps.me ap all round Japan, works a treat, no Wi-Fi needed and good road maps, just download the country map when you have free Wi-Fi 😉
Get one of these. I have one for our motorhome and its has taken us round france and into the wilds of spain a few times. Easy to use and never had a problem. Guiding on it is really useful re: which lane I need to be in etc.
It's a long way, no further than you're thinking right now, IT'S A REALLY LONG WAY.
Did it kayaking a while back, drove out to Briancon for a week then across the top of Italy which was unpleasant enough. Coming back was truly painful, ended up dossing in an Aire just after the German border as we'd been driving solidly for 12 hours, scenery isn't that great once you're out of Austria either. I'd fly, absolutely no doubt.
I had a business trip to Ljubljana a few years back. I flew from UK but met up with two colleagues who drove down from northern Germany.
It was quite a trip for them from what I can gather, because they were in the car long enough to decide that the best course of action on arrival was to check into the hotel and spend all night shagging.
A messy divorce followed for him and then she dumped him.
So, in conclusion.
1. Try and get to Ljubljana, it is very nice.
2. Don't shag your colleagues.
All this has no relevance to the OP. Sorry.
tick
Ravelled around Slovenia about 12 years ago using nothing but a Europe road atlas, it wasn't that difficult to do. Technology just lets you down.
teamslug - Get one of these.
Thanks, I'll have a look at that but considering how many old smart phones we have I think I'll try the free maps first.
zero cool - Technology just lets you down.
Technology takes the blame instead of me when we go wrong.
Dont drive through Switzerland, you can only buy a yearly Toll stcker.
Good point. Had forgotten about that. Cost us 40 Swiss Francs. Which was still cheaper than the toll road coming back up Croatia...
Its a bloody long way and Germany seems to go on forever.
You will need motorway vignettes for both Austria and Slovenia , however you can buy these for much shorter time periods than Switzerland .
Both were available at the last services before the Germany/Austria border .
We were able to buy day ones for Austria and purchase the one for the return journey in advance .
In Austria there are extra charges for some of the bridges and tunnels .
I've never driven in mainland Europe before, any likely problems hiring a car in Italy and driving over the border to Slovenia?
You will need motorway vignettes for both Austria and Slovenia , however you can buy these for much shorter time periods than Switzerland .
We bought a weeks worth in Slovenia for €15 from a garage. A LOT faster than doing the more minor roads going cross country. We accidentally evaded the fuzz in Austria and didn't pay - we didn't realise a toll was required. By all accounts the police check at popular sliproads off the autoroutes. Switzerland we were charged as we entered the country.
I've never driven in mainland Europe before, any likely problems hiring a car in Italy and driving over the border to Slovenia?
I'd check with the rental company, but as it's all EU that should help smooth the way.
There will be a list of countries you are allowed to drive a hire car in, just check Slovenia is on the list before you hire.
Where in Slovenia is the event ?
Had a very quick look at the excluded countries list and we're safe but not booked the car yet so thought I'd ask here while were on about it.
SSEC is in Kobarid / Soca valley this year
hmm - I rode through Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia on way to Hungary last September. I don’t even remember stopping at the border, never mind being asked to buy a vignette.
Rachel
Soca valley is where we went, it's beautiful.
Try and find burek in one of the bakery's, it's a but like pizza but with flaky pastry instead of a dough base and the toppings are folded through. It's awesome.
Beware the sell soured milk that looks a lot like normal milk in the packets but does not taste good on cereal or in tea. It also stinks if it gets sprayed on tents, in a moment of genius Mrs hoppy put the (full) bottle under the van wheel so we wouldn't forget it when we left the campsite. She didn't tell me and forgot it herself so I drove over it as we were leaving for the day causing it to explode across our friends tents, camping chairs and assorted drying kit. We were not popular that day.
You don't get stopped at the Austrian or Slovene borders as they are "open" .
However , if stopped by the rozzers on the motorway they will fine you for not having one.
The Slovenian Police regularly setup check points to monitor cars for vignettes
hmm - I rode through Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia on way to Hungary last September. I don’t even remember stopping at the border, never mind being asked to buy a vignette.
This:
You don't get stopped at the Austrian or Slovene borders as they are "open" .However , if stopped by the rozzers on the motorway they will fine you for not having one.
The Slovenian Police regularly setup check points to monitor cars for vignettes
We didn't pay in Austria and apparently left the autoroute just before a policed exit. Switzerland we were charged as we entered the country, but we were on a motorway/autoroute/autobahn - I assume it's different on 'regular' roads.
Depends when that was. Austria now police from the point where the autobahn crosses the border, and have done for about 2 years now, and not the first junction (used to be 2nd junction for cars and motorbikes at Kufstein). So you need the vignette affixed by the last junction or services before the border. They do police the first exit, and they do also have checkpoints along the autobahn (I've been routed thru them 4-5 times).
Or you have to cross on a normal road, and buy the vignette at a petrol station before using the autobahn once you're there.
€8 for 10 days is not bad, compared to the fine.
Slovenia, I did buy one at the Kara****en tunnel toll booth once.
When you stop for tolls in Austria, you can buy them for Slovenia at the same time. You could where we stopped anyway.
I was contemplating this trip as the Slovenian SS folk were ace in Northern Ireland but I decided (like Sicily) it was too far/expensive.
OP I hope you get sorted and have a good trip.
When you stop for tolls in Austria, you can buy them for Slovenia at the same time. You could where we stopped anyway.
Worth knowing - thanks.
Currently the plan is we're leaving after work Tuesday (Bristol), driving to Dover, hotel, ferry / tunnel, driving, France, Germany, hotel, drive, Austria, Slovenia. I rode my Harley through Switzerland on the way back from Greece, without a vignette, spent the afternoon panicking, but nothing happened, this time I'll get them in advance........
Been to Slovenia twice, it's a beautiful country. First time flew to Trieste and drove in, no issues with driving the car into slovenia from Italy. Second time just flew to Ljubljana and picked up a car from there. Why are you driving are you taking bikes? There's plenty of places to hire bikes....
I just did that journey thus last summer. It's far. I did pretty much nothing but drive and even then it was two whole days from the Croatian coast to Dover. Don't drive unless there's a really good reason. You can fly to Ljubljana, Trieste, Zagreb and Graz very cheaply
There may be border controls or checkpoints due to the refugee crisis. There are still poor bastards trekking through Slovenia en route to the north.
You can buy vignettes for Austria and Slovenia at loads of petrol stations.
Slovenia's lovely but it can be surprisingly expensive.
tbh, I'd fly too, and rent a car. EZY STN/LGW-LJU is cheap, and they take bikes too.
Driving from Frankfurt to Ljubljana is ca. 8-9 hours, which is not so bad, but I've also thought it'd be convenient to leave after work on a Friday and stop over in Munich (about half way for me), only to find the Munich traffic and then A8 roadworks traffic, and then Tauern tunnel traffic meaning the short 4 hour drive on Saturday am turned in to 9 hours. If I do that again, I'm not doing an overnight stop until at least Salzburg.
Border crossing coming back into Germany - could be 0-10 minutes delay, or could eb a 4km queue depending on time of day and which crossing you intend to take. There are non-autobahn shortcuts that locals can advise. My delay last weekend was about 2 minutes for an Austrian police vignette check, 0 minutes autobahn border crossing, and coming back took the Fernpass which had no checks at all.