Driving to Beziers

[Capra]

We're currently here and travelling to Montpellier in the next few days. We flew here, but I've always wanted to drive. Has anyone driven here, and if so roughly how long does it take? Google maps say 15.5 hours.

 

[LostKiwi]

We drove three years ago and again the following year. We didn't do it in a single run though but 15 hours would be a bit on the long side (but then we don't use Calais so it could be right via Calais).

From our preferred port of Cherbourg its about 11 hours. Portsmouth - Cherbourg is 3 hours.

 

[Chrishazle]

I guess it depends on whether you want to motorway/toll it or take your time on A roads and enjoy the ride. I've done both in France, and the A roads are lots more interesting - but slower of course, and you have to know the rules about speed limits. Also speed camera alerts on your satnav are not allowed, the flics will confiscate the satnav if you're caught - so my TomTom has something like "problem areas" rather than camera locations! We drove through the Pyrenees to Lourdes, Millau Viaduct, Puy de Dome then north to Epernay and Calais and barely used the motorways, but planned on no more than 250 miles per day (in the 968 cab with the roof down, fantastic!). Equally, we've done Calais to Epernay and back on the motorway, it's quick, not much traffic, but boring.

 

[LostKiwi]

I guess it depends on whether you want to motorway/toll it or take your time on A roads and enjoy the ride. I've done both in France, and the A roads are lots more interesting - but slower of course, and you have to know the rules about speed limits. Also speed camera alerts on your satnav are not allowed, the flics will confiscate the satnav if you're caught - so my TomTom has something like "problem areas" rather than camera locations! We drove through the Pyrenees to Lourdes, Millau Viaduct, Puy de Dome then north to Epernay and Calais and barely used the motorways, but planned on no more than 250 miles per day (in the 968 cab with the roof down, fantastic!). Equally, we've done Calais to Epernay and back on the motorway, it's quick, not much traffic, but boring.

Totally agree on the A roads being more interesting!

 

[V6Matty]

Did Grindlewald in Switzerland to home in about 18 hours, boring as mainly toll roads but montpellier would be doable in a day. That said we much prefer to take a couple of days to get anywhere in Europe and do something one of the days.

 

[AnthonyUK]

I’ve driven down from Calais and St.Malo a few times. We normally stopped over in Bordeaux as there is a lovely hotel, the Burdigala. It is a lot better since the autoroute goes down to Foix as we stay west of Carcasonne.
My niece now lives in Nice so we might be due another trip down.

 

[umblecumbuz]

We've driven a similar route a number of times to catch a ship - either at Fos or Marseilles. Lovely run if avoiding toll roads. Cherbourg has usually been the French stating point. Problem is, we take our time, find a Novotel or similar, and dawdle.
Not a lot of help, except to say that the route is great and the whole drive is enjoyable.
We've also taken the overnighter from Paris, putting our car on the train. Not recommended at all!

 

[jp williams]

We're currently here and travelling to Montpellier in the next few days. We flew here, but I've always wanted to drive. Has anyone driven here, and if so roughly how long does it take? Google maps say 15.5 hours.

Been doing it for 12 years at around 400/450 miles each day.
Use this https://www.viamichelin.com/ and decide for yourself.

 

[Capra]

Been doing it for 12 years at around 400/450 miles each day.
Use this https://www.viamichelin.com/ and decide for yourself.

Apart from tolls you have to include Chanel tunnel in these prices?

 

[Capra]

Thanks all for the input. Looking at doing this at some point.

 

[LostKiwi]

Apart from tolls you have to include Chanel tunnel in these prices?

The viamichelin can calculate estimated mileage and toll costs as does another site called mappy (also available as an app for your phone).
I've found the Cherbourg route pretty much the same cost as Chunnel when you factor in mileage and tolls. Just depends how much driving you want to do and how interesting you find northern France.

 

[Gkinghorn]

We've also taken the overnighter from Paris, putting our car on the train. Not recommended at all!

Done that once .... never ever again.. horrendous...




Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Capra]

The viamichelin can calculate estimated mileage and toll costs as does another site called mappy (also available as an app for your phone).
I've found the Cherbourg route pretty much the same cost as Chunnel when you factor in mileage and tolls. Just depends how much driving you want to do and how interesting you find northern France.

I'm in the south west, so Portsmouth is better for me. Apart from calais and some local areas I've not seen much of northern France.

 

[jp williams]

Apart from tolls you have to include Chanel tunnel in these prices?

Yes, about £90 each per car inc passengers for a 35 min journey under the Channel.

 

[Paul1948]

WE regularly do Cherboug to Sete or the other way, if my wife is with me it is a stop half way, if on my own tank of fuel, no stopping not even for fuel, I like driving. The best cross Europe run was Milan to Bournemouth in 12.5 hrs. Long trips are personal preference and time you have. Enjoy yourself is the main thing. good luck with your holiday.

 

[LostKiwi]

I've found our best trips have been where we make the journey the destination...

 

[Capra]

I've found our best trips have been where we make the journey the destination...

This is what I was thinking, but I might be in my own as my wife would probably fly, whereas I would be happy driving, as long as my mb is reliable enough. I would look at making the journey in one go with shirt breaks.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Yep - I used to change my shirt on the motorways too. Saved time, but I stopped doing it when cameras became commonplace!

 

[Capra]

Yep - I used to change my shirt on the motorways too. Saved time, but I stopped doing it when cameras became commonplace!

If you're quick enough you can get away with it.

 

[Ricardo_e220]

Did this several times in the mid 90s when I lived and studied down there... I love driving in Europe in general and especially France, you can either take your time on the routes nationales or pay and hammer down the motorway

Depending on when you drive it I’d say it’s more comfortably a 2 day drive... I remember the drives with parents too in cars without air con, and 40c heat...that was energy sapping!

I live in the north so most euro car journeys almost require a whole day just in the uk!