Getting to the Alps.... any stories?

[Steve Wylie]

Just looking for any stories from people who've ventured over to the sunny Alps and how you got there. We went over last year and drove (seventeen hours from Newcastle to Les Gets) which was alright, and thinking of going over again this year but undecided wether to drive or fly. The concern with flying is that there seems to be a lot of stories about of dubious handling from baggage workers (met a bloke out there who's hub had been wrecked in the bag?! not sure how this happened but saw it first hand)
Has anyone had good/bad experiences either way? Is there another way of travelling other than car/plane?

[Tonylem]

I have drove the past 2 years and am again this year. It's not really that bad and it enables you to take a lot more gear and spares than you could if you were flying.
if you dont fancy the drive all in one go, try breaking the journey into a couple of days. You can get a Campanile or Formule 1 motel for around 40 euros a night per room which will take 3 people, (or more if no one is looking).
The only other option is the train, but good luck trying to organise a route to the Alps in the summer, you will probably be looking at 2 or 3 tranfers (in the winter the snow train goes direct from Waterloo).
I have never considered flying due to the sheer amount of gear we usually take. If money is no option and you can afford to buy all your consumables and spares over there then it maybe wouldn't be so much of a problem.

[Steve Wylie]

to be honest i didnt mind the drive too much as we hired a nine seater torneo and took the back seats out so there was plenty of bike space and still enough room for five lads inside as well. This year though theres two lads who get say they get travel sick so are looking to fly but im not to sure its the best way, and although the flight is quick the time lost at checking in and then the airport transfer as well means its not as fast at they probably think. plus your bikes safe in the van/car as well

Tonylem said:

I have drove the past 2 years and am again this year. It's not really that bad and it enables you to take a lot more gear and spares than you could if you were flying.
if you dont fancy the drive all in one go, try breaking the journey into a couple of days. You can get a Campanile or Formule 1 motel for around 40 euros a night per room which will take 3 people, (or more if no one is looking).
The only other option is the train, but good luck trying to organise a route to the Alps in the summer, you will probably be looking at 2 or 3 tranfers (in the winter the snow train goes direct from Waterloo).
I have never considered flying due to the sheer amount of gear we usually take. If money is no option and you can afford to buy all your consumables and spares over there then it maybe wouldn't be so much of a problem.

[DaveO]

You're going have to drive at least as far as Leeds Bradford / East Midlands since the demise of the summer Newcastle - Geneva flights. I don't think flying is that bad once you know how to work the system (carefully packed bike BOX up to your maximum weight allowance and as much weight in your hand luggage as you can lift). Don't forget to factor the cost of transfers to/from Geneva into the equation. We've talked about driving every year but for 3 or 4 of us flying has always won out on cost and convenience. You have to consider stupid things like does it cost more to take a spare tube than to buy one in resort? and the bin at our hotel was full of worn out tyres and trainers at the end of the week with people trying to pare their weight down for the return leg.

One option I've considered is to take the overnight ferry from Hull, doesn't save any time, but at least you could get down there after work, and hit the continent fresh the next morning...

Who's going when - I am the only definate taker out of our gang this year as people have been spending their money on engagement rings and pushchairs...

[Steve Wylie]

At the minute theres five of us who are up for going but one lads just gotten engaged and ones just moved in with his lass, and im getting married in October so this years trip is looking like ending up wishful thinking i think. Shame really as it was really good last year as well.
The drive between five of us for the van hire and diesel and ferry only worked out at about £280 each, which compared to a flight and then the cost of getting to the airport as well isnt that bad, if this year comes off i think a drive will be the way to go again.


DaveO said:

You're going have to drive at least as far as Leeds Bradford / East Midlands since the demise of the summer Newcastle - Geneva flights. I don't think flying is that bad once you know how to work the system (carefully packed bike BOX up to your maximum weight allowance and as much weight in your hand luggage as you can lift). Don't forget to factor the cost of transfers to/from Geneva into the equation. We've talked about driving every year but for 3 or 4 of us flying has always won out on cost and convenience. You have to consider stupid things like does it cost more to take a spare tube than to buy one in resort? and the bin at our hotel was full of worn out tyres and trainers at the end of the week with people trying to pare their weight down for the return leg.

One option I've considered is to take the overnight ferry from Hull, doesn't save any time, but at least you could get down there after work, and hit the continent fresh the next morning...

Who's going when - I am the only definate taker out of our gang this year as people have been spending their money on engagement rings and pushchairs...

[**recklessabandon**]

Ive flown with Dave O 3 of the last 4 years. the flying can be painless with careful planning and packing. yur biggest enemy is getting caught out with overweight baggage which is obscenely expensive now!!!! Id fly every time for convenience, even if i have to drive to LBA or EMA for the flights.