“UK to the Alps: worth the drive vs flying and renting?”
Discussion
I’ve been going back and forth on this, and I’m curious what fellow petrolheads think.
A few winters ago, I drove from the UK down to the French Alps in my own car, and while it was a long haul, it turned into part of the adventure. Rolling through France, watching the landscape shift from flat countryside to the rising silhouettes of the Alps, was honestly unforgettable. Stopping off in small towns for proper food (rather than airport fast grabs) gave the trip more depth. The real kicker was once I arrived—having my own car felt liberating. No adjusting to an unfamiliar rental, no last-minute paperwork. Just my own machine ready to tackle mountain passes.
On the flip side, the practicality of flying is hard to ignore. A mate of mine flew into Geneva last season, rented a decent diesel estate for a fraction of the stress, and was already halfway up the slopes while I was still working my way down the Autoroute du Soleil. There’s also the cost: ferries/tunnel, fuel, tolls, and wear-and-tear add up quickly. Sometimes, even if you love the drive, the maths just doesn’t work in your favour.
That said, for those who enjoy the journey as much as the destination, the road trip really can’t be matched. A well-planned route with a solid driving partner can turn the Alps run into a story in itself.
So here’s the question to the Pistonheads crowd:
If you were planning an Alps trip this season, would you put in the miles from the UK for the sheer experience of it, or save time and just fly in and rent?
A few winters ago, I drove from the UK down to the French Alps in my own car, and while it was a long haul, it turned into part of the adventure. Rolling through France, watching the landscape shift from flat countryside to the rising silhouettes of the Alps, was honestly unforgettable. Stopping off in small towns for proper food (rather than airport fast grabs) gave the trip more depth. The real kicker was once I arrived—having my own car felt liberating. No adjusting to an unfamiliar rental, no last-minute paperwork. Just my own machine ready to tackle mountain passes.
On the flip side, the practicality of flying is hard to ignore. A mate of mine flew into Geneva last season, rented a decent diesel estate for a fraction of the stress, and was already halfway up the slopes while I was still working my way down the Autoroute du Soleil. There’s also the cost: ferries/tunnel, fuel, tolls, and wear-and-tear add up quickly. Sometimes, even if you love the drive, the maths just doesn’t work in your favour.
That said, for those who enjoy the journey as much as the destination, the road trip really can’t be matched. A well-planned route with a solid driving partner can turn the Alps run into a story in itself.
So here’s the question to the Pistonheads crowd:
If you were planning an Alps trip this season, would you put in the miles from the UK for the sheer experience of it, or save time and just fly in and rent?
It partly depends on what car you have.
My last Alps trip was a flight to Stuttgart where we collected a Z4 M40i from Sixt, for 8 days, to drive through Switzerland and Southern Germany, it was the perfect car and made a great trip.
That was because I don't currently own a sporty cabriolet, if I did I'd probably have driven my own down.
My last Alps trip was a flight to Stuttgart where we collected a Z4 M40i from Sixt, for 8 days, to drive through Switzerland and Southern Germany, it was the perfect car and made a great trip.
That was because I don't currently own a sporty cabriolet, if I did I'd probably have driven my own down.
I drove to Italy this year whilst my family flew into Milan.
Even though I love driving and the adventure of the trip, it's pretty pointless compared to flying.
Their total trip was about £500, including all transport and connections. I'd estimate mine to be double that (2 nights accommodation, tunnel, food and fuel)
Even though I love driving and the adventure of the trip, it's pretty pointless compared to flying.
Their total trip was about £500, including all transport and connections. I'd estimate mine to be double that (2 nights accommodation, tunnel, food and fuel)
Amateurish said:
Did you write this with ChatGPT?
I've done this many times, plane train and car. In most circumstances, plane is cheaper faster and easier.
I’m not convinced of this at all, ie cheaper, faster easier. It all depends on how many travelling, of course, but I travel extensively in europe and have tried flying and driving, done both, for 30 years, (at least monthly). I've done this many times, plane train and car. In most circumstances, plane is cheaper faster and easier.
I am based in midlands, 160 miles to the Tunnel.
For Germany, area say Dortmund to Düsseldorf, door to door, driving is quicker, and normally cheaper but depends on booking, airline etc. but cheaper using mainstream carriers for sure.
Frankfurt it is about the same time wise. So much can depend on time you fly, Monday am, first flights of the day, car hire places are carnage, it can take 2 hours to clear the airport and get a rental car, at places like Frankfurt, schipol etc, that’s a lot or miles on autobahn.. cologne, Bonn, etc, all,quicker door to door in the car, Munich, similar to Frankfurt, it’s borderline, but if I am going to the north of Munich, I tend to drive, too far S or into Austria, flying may be quicker.
France, I drive to Rheims, Lyon even down to central France, it’s faster and easier via tunnel. Alps, it depends where you’re going, and where flying options are. S Alps, I fly to Italy and rent a car, but in via the top, Val,Cenis, a Tignes etc, driving is quicker, unless it is peak ski season and tolls get jammed up.
I've driven lots of times when we lived in East Anglia.
New girlfriend and I drive down one year, her in my 330d.
I woke up about 4 hours in with her driving, her turn, she was gripping the wheel quite hard and very intense
Why at we going so fast darling?
Well the signs say 130 limit, so I'm pushing on.
Umm, that's kmh.
New girlfriend and I drive down one year, her in my 330d.
I woke up about 4 hours in with her driving, her turn, she was gripping the wheel quite hard and very intense
Why at we going so fast darling?
Well the signs say 130 limit, so I'm pushing on.
Umm, that's kmh.
Only having one set of chains made for heroic oversteer on the road up the mountain. 
poo at Paul's said:
Amateurish said:
Did you write this with ChatGPT?
I've done this many times, plane train and car. In most circumstances, plane is cheaper faster and easier.
I’m not convinced of this at all, ie cheaper, faster easier. It all depends on how many travelling, of course, but I travel extensively in europe and have tried flying and driving, done both, for 30 years, (at least monthly). I've done this many times, plane train and car. In most circumstances, plane is cheaper faster and easier.
I am based in midlands, 160 miles to the Tunnel.
For Germany, area say Dortmund to Düsseldorf, door to door, driving is quicker, and normally cheaper but depends on booking, airline etc. but cheaper using mainstream carriers for sure.
Frankfurt it is about the same time wise. So much can depend on time you fly, Monday am, first flights of the day, car hire places are carnage, it can take 2 hours to clear the airport and get a rental car, at places like Frankfurt, schipol etc, that’s a lot or miles on autobahn.. cologne, Bonn, etc, all,quicker door to door in the car, Munich, similar to Frankfurt, it’s borderline, but if I am going to the north of Munich, I tend to drive, too far S or into Austria, flying may be quicker.
France, I drive to Rheims, Lyon even down to central France, it’s faster and easier via tunnel. Alps, it depends where you’re going, and where flying options are. S Alps, I fly to Italy and rent a car, but in via the top, Val,Cenis, a Tignes etc, driving is quicker, unless it is peak ski season and tolls get jammed up.
The car normally costs £1k for a return journey, more in peak season. This year the tunnel was £500 return for the summer hols.
Journey time is 13 hours best case using the tunnel, more if you use the ferry or there is traffic. My outbound journey this year was 16 hours.
Flying is normally £100-£200 return pp. Journey time 6 hours door to door.
Train is normally 14 hours door to door and more expensive that flying. Eurostar costs have gone up massively in recent years.
We go to the Alps each winter, at least once, sometimes 4 times between October and April, depending on work.
I've flown and driven from the north of Scotland.
Flying - we can't do EasyJet or Ryanair as this requires a trip to EDI or GLA - then there are the bags. Number one child now needs 6 pairs of skis, So we're taking a total of 9 or 10 pairs away with us (depending if child number two wants their freestyle skis or not, then there is the waxing table....) Skis are 3 or4 hard cases, boots and helmets go in hand luggage and then all the winter clothes go in the cases.
Driving - take the over night ferry from Hull or Newcastle to the Netherlands then drive from there. Europoort is my reference as you are off the vessel earlier. The car has all season tyres and I've got chains in the boot.
Last year we flew to Munich and drove to Italy then back up to Austria, as the ferry prices were astronomical.
This year the prices are:
BA holiday- flights and hire car £2600 (we need an estate once we get there to fit all the kit)
KLM + Enterprise - £2700
Ferry plus fuel - £1600
So we'll be driving.
I've flown and driven from the north of Scotland.
Flying - we can't do EasyJet or Ryanair as this requires a trip to EDI or GLA - then there are the bags. Number one child now needs 6 pairs of skis, So we're taking a total of 9 or 10 pairs away with us (depending if child number two wants their freestyle skis or not, then there is the waxing table....) Skis are 3 or4 hard cases, boots and helmets go in hand luggage and then all the winter clothes go in the cases.
Driving - take the over night ferry from Hull or Newcastle to the Netherlands then drive from there. Europoort is my reference as you are off the vessel earlier. The car has all season tyres and I've got chains in the boot.
Last year we flew to Munich and drove to Italy then back up to Austria, as the ferry prices were astronomical.
This year the prices are:
BA holiday- flights and hire car £2600 (we need an estate once we get there to fit all the kit)
KLM + Enterprise - £2700
Ferry plus fuel - £1600
So we'll be driving.
Suspicious_user said:
We go to the Alps each winter, at least once, sometimes 4 times between October and April, depending on work.
I've flown and driven from the north of Scotland.
Flying - we can't do EasyJet or Ryanair as this requires a trip to EDI or GLA - then there are the bags. Number one child now needs 6 pairs of skis, So we're taking a total of 9 or 10 pairs away with us (depending if child number two wants their freestyle skis or not, then there is the waxing table....) Skis are 3 or4 hard cases, boots and helmets go in hand luggage and then all the winter clothes go in the cases.
Driving - take the over night ferry from Hull or Newcastle to the Netherlands then drive from there. Europoort is my reference as you are off the vessel earlier. The car has all season tyres and I've got chains in the boot.
Last year we flew to Munich and drove to Italy then back up to Austria, as the ferry prices were astronomical.
This year the prices are:
BA holiday- flights and hire car £2600 (we need an estate once we get there to fit all the kit)
KLM + Enterprise - £2700
Ferry plus fuel - £1600
So we'll be driving.
6 pairs of skis, I recognise that packing . . . how many FIS points is he on? I've flown and driven from the north of Scotland.
Flying - we can't do EasyJet or Ryanair as this requires a trip to EDI or GLA - then there are the bags. Number one child now needs 6 pairs of skis, So we're taking a total of 9 or 10 pairs away with us (depending if child number two wants their freestyle skis or not, then there is the waxing table....) Skis are 3 or4 hard cases, boots and helmets go in hand luggage and then all the winter clothes go in the cases.
Driving - take the over night ferry from Hull or Newcastle to the Netherlands then drive from there. Europoort is my reference as you are off the vessel earlier. The car has all season tyres and I've got chains in the boot.
Last year we flew to Munich and drove to Italy then back up to Austria, as the ferry prices were astronomical.
This year the prices are:
BA holiday- flights and hire car £2600 (we need an estate once we get there to fit all the kit)
KLM + Enterprise - £2700
Ferry plus fuel - £1600
So we'll be driving.
As has been said when I was going back and forth a lot with tons of skis with my dad 3 up car over flowing it just wouldn't have been particularly sensible to fly. But if you are just flying out with a normal amount of stuff to Geneva you can be in Chamonix, Meribel etc very quickly.
Fun petrolhead story though as its PistonHeads. I was racing for 10 years and boarding school in Switzerland so my parents have a house out there. We were doing the trip so much that my Dad decided he needed a car for the trip which had to be 4wd. He did want any normal sane man does in that situation. He bought a green Bentley Continental GT and completely stopped using French motorways.
We had some proper heroic trips in that car (still got it 130,000 miles). It will do 200 and it will take off over those lovely rolling roads in France if you're stupid enough. Not at the same time I should add
My favourite though was the time I was talking to my Dad about picking me up from school in the morning when he realised that he got the dates wrong he thought it was the day after. Cue much swearing and a "see you in the f
king morning!" he literally jumped in the car drove straight door to door arriving 9am with the whole car ticking. Cant remember how fast now but it was under 10 hours. He must have been dark side of 150 a lot. God I miss those days. Sorry getting wistful of much less stressful times.
A lot depends on how many people and when.
Peak season, especially school holidays, with a full car, and especially with own skis:
- Cheaper
- Lower CO2, etc emissions
- Slower (as a single shot) but leaving after school/work Friday and getting back Sunday can be part of the holiday rather than just a chore.
Flying, especially off peak, especially solo:
- Cheaper
- Emission about the same (solo)
- Quicker door-to-door IF you're near an airport AND your resorts near an airport.
I'd never drive for the SnowHeads PSB, opening week in Tignes as I'd be driving solo (in a 1970s classic car getting about 23mpg, all be it one on all season tyres!) vs. £200 return flights and shared transfers coach so more expensive (personally I'd have to break the drive each way for a start).
But I've done half term with friends/their children and mich cheaper to drive Fri/Sun, even with hotels - vs £800pp flights, plus €100pp transfers.
Peak season, especially school holidays, with a full car, and especially with own skis:
- Cheaper
- Lower CO2, etc emissions
- Slower (as a single shot) but leaving after school/work Friday and getting back Sunday can be part of the holiday rather than just a chore.
Flying, especially off peak, especially solo:
- Cheaper
- Emission about the same (solo)
- Quicker door-to-door IF you're near an airport AND your resorts near an airport.
I'd never drive for the SnowHeads PSB, opening week in Tignes as I'd be driving solo (in a 1970s classic car getting about 23mpg, all be it one on all season tyres!) vs. £200 return flights and shared transfers coach so more expensive (personally I'd have to break the drive each way for a start).
But I've done half term with friends/their children and mich cheaper to drive Fri/Sun, even with hotels - vs £800pp flights, plus €100pp transfers.
Edited by //j17 on Saturday 6th September 20:19
I suppose it depends on how much value you put on the journey as part of the experience.
Same applies when people ask if it's worth flying long haul business vs economy.
I'm doing Portugal for some golf next year and 4 of us will be going in a Bentley GTC and a 488 Spider. The journey IS part of the holiday.
Wouldn't do it with the wife and kids in tow as they wouldn't appreciate it and the whole journey would be a total PITA.
Same applies when people ask if it's worth flying long haul business vs economy.
I'm doing Portugal for some golf next year and 4 of us will be going in a Bentley GTC and a 488 Spider. The journey IS part of the holiday.
Wouldn't do it with the wife and kids in tow as they wouldn't appreciate it and the whole journey would be a total PITA.
Tulgablake3030 said:
...
If you were planning an Alps trip this season, would you put in the miles from the UK for the sheer experience of it, or save time and just fly in and rent?
I'd say one factor to consider is the length of your trip.If you were planning an Alps trip this season, would you put in the miles from the UK for the sheer experience of it, or save time and just fly in and rent?
Anything less than 10 days, I'd generally say to fly. If you are going for longer, I'd generally say to drive, as the cost of a reasonable hire car starts to get expensive, and the extra time in getting there is offset by the benefit of having your own car.
Of course, if you do drive, don't forget to factor in the costs of getting chains and checking if you need winter tyres beforehand.
Also depends on where in the Alps. You've specifically referenced the French Alps and those are the most 'competitive' vs. flying. Start to get into the Italian or Austrian Alps and it gets more flying-biased. And if we include the Japanese Alps, well a 13hr flight + transfer vs 6,000 mile drive (as the Crow flies, which is across some active front lines and at least 2 ferries)... 
We do it every year on the family ski trip in a Disco 5. Roof bars and roof box for skis / snowboards boots etc.
Then all the other stuff piled into the boot. The destination is always the same place, a chalet we rent between Les Gets and Morzine.
We live in Essex, so head to the Tunnel on a Friday afternoon and usually drive to around Reims or Troyes. Stay in a hotel for the night and then do the rest of the journey Saturday. We usually arrive late afternoon.
For the last 5 years, we have done the drive, but did fly before that.
Getting through the airports with skis / snowboards etc isnt fun and we had a few trips with absolute chaos at Geneva with planes cancelled etc. It's what pushed us towards driving.
The French motorways are amazing, on the way home I usually drive all the way through. Generally we see no delays until we hit the English roads.
Then all the other stuff piled into the boot. The destination is always the same place, a chalet we rent between Les Gets and Morzine.
We live in Essex, so head to the Tunnel on a Friday afternoon and usually drive to around Reims or Troyes. Stay in a hotel for the night and then do the rest of the journey Saturday. We usually arrive late afternoon.
For the last 5 years, we have done the drive, but did fly before that.
Getting through the airports with skis / snowboards etc isnt fun and we had a few trips with absolute chaos at Geneva with planes cancelled etc. It's what pushed us towards driving.
The French motorways are amazing, on the way home I usually drive all the way through. Generally we see no delays until we hit the English roads.
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