ninjakitteh

Hi all, newbie here!

I've been browsing other posts, but haven't managed to find the info I was after so thought I would register in the hope some of you knowledgeable people can help me

Me and my partner are taking a 7 day driving trip from the UK to Europe next week (starting 4th Feb) and the only place I was really interested in was Germany. However, I've been reading that my car will need winter tyres for icy and snowy conditions, and it doesnt currently have them... Does anyone know what sort of weather conditions we are likely to experience in West Germany, North East France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Netherlands(south) in the next couple weeks??

Also, any ideas on the best places to visit given only a short time would be gratefully received!! We aren't into beaches, fancy hotels or shopping though - we love history, culture and picturesque villages

Thanks in advance!

klondiketoo

It doesn't really matter what the weather is like because it is the law, and you run the risk of hefty fines if you keep your regular tyres on instead. That being said, snow is a possibility and it would be safer with them.

Where were you planning on crossing over? Ferry or Chunnel? Had you considered looking into Ryanair that has flights to major cities i.e. Brussels, Karlsruhe-Baden Baden, Frankfurt Hahn, etc.? We were just in Metz for a weekend and the colder weather really cut into our sight seeing enjoyment. You could either just stay in larger cities, where they have lots of museums and activities, or perhaps rent a car in Germany to avoid having to buy tires you don't want or need.

quokka

Nobody knows. The weather is impossible to predict beyond the next couple of days, sorry. It may be wintery, it may be not. However, driving with summer tyres on black ice (very likely that time of year and more dangerous than snow) is not a wise thing to do.

ninjakitteh

Thank you for your reply! The whole point of this trip is to drive, though i'm starting to think ive taken the wrong week off!!! I dislike ferries and planes so much so, that the only option left is the eurotunnel - which is how we will be crossing.

Yes, i've just been on the RAC site, and apparently the law in germany was passed last november with regard to winter tyres. So, if not germany (i dont wish to cause accidents or incur fines!!), where is advisable and driveable? A family member suggested Amsterdam, but I fear this may be too far from Calais?!?

nytraveler

I think you should check a map. How can Amsterdam be farther than Germany? (And where would you put a car in Amsterdam?)

But I thnk you've missed a point. Germany has that law since they do get snow and it's unsafe to drive without proper tires. What makes you think that Belgium or Luxembourg or Netherlands (excet right on the coast) will be a lot warmer or less snowy or safer to drive with regular tires.

I would assume you may well see snow anyplace unless you head south - instead of north or east. And if you're not used to driving in snow - it's not safe anywhere. And besides snow tires you will need a shovel, ice scraper, something to use if you get stuck in ice (sals ot sand or ?)

ninjakitteh

Yes - I'm a numpty...Amsterdam is indeed much nearer than Germany! It isn't that i'm not used to driving in snow - we also have a landrover, and get lots of snow up in the peaks where we live. We aren't taking the landy however, as it isnt very economical for the distance we were assuming! I stupidly assumed that the weather would be much similar to the weather here, and its been fairly mild for the last couple weeks. Back to the drawing board methinks

logos999

If the roads are dry, there's no law that forces you to have winter tires fitted. Fines are 40€ or 80€ in Germany. They may be much higer elsewhere. If you plan to have an accident, (do you?) however, the insurance will hold it against you.

A the moment it look like there'll be winter weather, but who can tell, it's still more than a week. In northern Germany there may well be no snow and dry roads too.

ninjakitteh

Thanks logos999 - I wondered whether it was a timescale type law ( like Austria's Oct til Mar) or a conditions type law. Still, law or not - no I don't plan on an accident (i did laugh at that part of your reply!!) and would like to think having lived in the peak district for 6 years now (and had to put chains on just to drive to a supermarket some mornings!) that my winter driving would be pretty safe. I realise no-one can predict the weather though, and the original question was more geared towards what experiences any of you have had in early Feb in the middle of Europe weatherwise. Having never been to Germany before, I'm also not sure which parts have less snowy climates. Nasty cold temperatures dont bother me, but the chances of having an accident or being stuck in solid ice for 2 hours does!!

hetismij

The long term forecast (next two weeks) for the Netherlands is for 3C and showers, with light frosts at night. Maastricht (the south) in fact will be colder than that, because it is away from the sea.

You will also need a hi viz jacket per person in the car for France, and a first aid kit and fire extinguisher for Belgium.

The chance of snow is small - but winter tyres are none the less compulsory in Germany.

If you decide on Amsterdam (about 4 hours drive from Calais) look at hotels out by the WTC or Zuid As rather than in the centre, or look at Haarlem or around Schiphol - they are more likely to have parking. You can then get the bus/tram/train into the centre.

logos999

>less snowy climates
The closer to the sea you get the less snow you can expect. The east has more snow than the west, esp. the Rhine valley has less snow. When there's any snow, upper Bavaria south of Munich has lots of snow. But who knows.
At this moment, no or only little snow anywhere.

logos999

Nope, winter tires in Germany only in winter conditions i.e. snow or ice on the road. The sticter law was scrapped.