Driving to Amsterdam

[Tokermon]

i want a weekend away in amsterdam but the flights seem to have tripled in price since i last went so i thought i'd look into driving there. i'm in the uk so i can either catch a ferry from dover or hull or wherever is best (i'm in the midlands), or i can drive through the euro tunnel thingy through france, belgium and onto holland. obviously i won't park my car in amsterdam as it's likely to get broken into. i'm just looking for feedback from people who have driven to holland and back, i'm hoping to go on friday night after work and come back on sunday. any tips? and how long would it take if it just drove? i estimated 10 hours.RIVING TO aM

 

[oldpink]

I've done the journey a few times
count on 10 hrs minimum from the midlands, ferrys take a couple of hours plus waiting time at either end
I doubt that you'll get much done if you plan on leaving on Fri night and leaving on the Sun
you'll get 1 day in the dam and then have to get up early to do the return leg
you may be quicker heading north for a ferry direct to holland rather than dover to france

yeah flights are bloody expensive these days, I used to fly there very often for around £60 - 70
these days its closer to £180 return

 

[Tokermon]

hmm cheers yeah it's gonna be a bit tight, we just want a quick mad one. i should've booked friday off, i think i feel a sickie coming on. we're looking mainly at the cheapest option, looked at hull to rotterdam but it's at least £150 each way i think. i'm sure a dover to calais route plus the petrol money though the three countries would still be cheaper than that?

 

[limey]

Try the Harwich to the Hook (Hoek van Holland) ferry and if you want to save time (and maybe cash), check out some coffeeshops in Rotterdam and other towns in the south instead. Check out the High Life cup winners for good tips on coffeeshops down south. It's an interesting alternative to the 'Dam...

(though I have to admit, I thought you could still pick up cheapish flights to the 'Dam from non-London airports). Booking last minute is always going to be pricey though.

Happy trails!

 

[British_Bulldog]

Hi there,

I've driven from the UK to the Netherlands several times:

- Harwich to Hoek van Holland ferry no longer in operation (due to lack of demand, apparently).

- No more cheap flights from Coventry (also lack of demand?)


The cheapest route by car is: Dover to Dunkirk, www.norfolkline.com/ferry

Well the really cheapest is Ramsgate to Ostend, but you need to return within 48 hours to get the return journey free, and the journey itself is VERY long! www.transeuropaferries.co.uk


Cheap flights can still be had if you look around. I recently took a flight from Bristol to Amsterdam for £35 including taxes, one way.


I would check out all the possible flights, and book as much as possible in advance, and maybe you'll get a good fare, as fuel prices are high, and it may well be cheaper than driving, unless you've got a very efficient 50+MPG car or something.


Peace

 

[Gypsy Nirvana]

Best time I did it in was 4 and a half hours from south London to Amsterdam.....via the Channel Tunnel.........totally lead footed averaging speeds waaay in excess of the speed limits though.......

 

[limey]

- Harwich to Hoek van Holland ferry no longer in operation (due to lack of demand, apparently).

Hi, Bulldog!

don't know where you heard that, the ferry is definitely still running.

Info on Stena ferries from Harwich to the Hook here http://www.stenaline.co.uk/ferry/routes/harwich-holland/

Info on train routes London to Amstrdam on the fabulous "man in seat 61" site here
http://www.seat61.com/Netherlands.htm

Keep it green, in more ways than one!

Peace

 

[rawheineman]

Hi, Bulldog!

don't know where you heard that, the ferry is definitely still running.

Info on Stena ferries from Harwich to the Hook here http://www.stenaline.co.uk/ferry/routes/harwich-holland/

Info on train routes London to Amstrdam on the fabulous "man in seat 61" site here
http://www.seat61.com/Netherlands.htm

Keep it green, in more ways than one!

Peace

i think bb is referring to the fast ferry that used to get u there in 3 and half hours ,was great ,it doesnt run now ,,,

dont bother with cheap airlines cause when u add the extras on you end up paying lots more ,
,bmi and eazyjet charge for checking in at the airport £5and charge to put baggage on the plane ,currently $12.50 each way ,,,

best rip off i saw was bmi ,,when u book it asks if u would like to check in online free ,obviously we all do ,so we tick yes ,,but hang on i want to put a case on the plane ,not allowed to check in online and then put the bag in hold ,u must pay the extra and check in at the airport ,then pay to put the bag on ,wtf !!!!!!!!!!

best buy is KLM ,,everything is included in price an if u check in online u can grab the extra legroom seats free, if your quick ,drinks and snacks are included too , ,,i have a frequent flyer card with them and they normally upgrade me to first class free if theres any spare seats ,,biggest + is they have their own departure lounges at most uk airports and the planes are never normally delayed

 

[British_Bulldog]

i think bb is referring to the fast ferry that used to get u there in 3 and half hours ,was great ,it doesnt run now ,,,

Yes, sorry, I should have been more clear, it was the high speed hovercraft that's been stopped; used to take 3h40m.

All that's left is the slow boat to China.....taking about 6h30m.....and having just checked the price for a typical weekend away (leaving Fri 26 Sep at 23:45 (=after work), and coming back Mon 29 Sep afternoon at 14:30), the cheapest quote was £198 return!......plus fuel costs = no thanks!


Regarding flights, for a weekend away, you don't need hold luggage, and can easily get by on hand luggage, so you can avoid all the extra fees, and do an online check-in.

> This also avoids the check-in queue, and means you can either get to the airport a little later, or enjoy the extra time to relax before your flight


Peace

 

[rawheineman]

Regarding flights, for a weekend away, you don't need hold luggage, and can easily get by on hand luggage, so you can avoid all the extra fees, and do an online check-in.



Peace

try telling the mrs she cant take the white shoes cause you only taking handluggage ,,see how quick u check in that hold luggage

 

[whiterabbit9]

try telling the mrs she cant take the white shoes cause you only taking handluggage ,,see how quick u check in that hold luggage

quicker than you can shit your pants

 

[British_Bulldog]

Well Rawheineman, that depends on how under the thumb you are.. ;-)

 

[ChaosCatalunya]

BB is spot on about Norfolk Lines, nice people, less screaming kids....less ferries and not as "fancy" as P&O of SF ... it is primarly aimed at truckers.... but you just turn up, pay 40 odd quid and sail, no BS.....

I have done it on a bike, a real laugh, leaving Dampkring monster stoned, trying to keep a bike pointing straightish on wet cobblestones, dark falling, totally lost trying to get out of town..... and still 300k to Assen, tent still to be put up.

My fave hotel RHO has parking for E25 a day [12 for bikes] .... just off dam square with an excellent buffet open till stoner friendly 10.30am

 

[Fingaz2]

My Girlfriend used to work for an airline,we used to get 3 free flights a year to the dam, just for the duty frees, Unbelievably we never went to a coffee shop in all that time, but we had a great time checking the flea markets, herring stalls canals & stuff. Dont Norfolk Line run from Harwich to Hook?
cheers.

 

[ChaosCatalunya]

My Girlfriend used to work for an airline,we used to get 3 free flights a year to the dam, just for the duty frees, Unbelievably we never went to a coffee shop in all that time, but we had a great time checking the flea markets, herring stalls canals & stuff. Dont Norfolk Line run from Harwich to Hook?
cheers.

Norfolk Line is Dover to Dukerque....cant remember any other routes.