Madrid to Paris by car in January 2016
May 23rd, 2015, 03:35 AM
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Madrid to Paris by car in January 2016
Hi there,
We are a family of 4 who will be travelling to Europe for the trip of a lifetime with our 2 girls aged 11 & 13 in January 2016. We are planning to hire a car for 2 weeks (mid Jan) and drive from Madrid to Paris. We would love some advise on (1) if we are crazy to do this in Winter?? (2) What is best route to take and where should we stop to make the most of the doing the trip at that time of year. (1) any advise for an Australian family who just want to make the most of it.
many thanks!
Cath
We are a family of 4 who will be travelling to Europe for the trip of a lifetime with our 2 girls aged 11 & 13 in January 2016. We are planning to hire a car for 2 weeks (mid Jan) and drive from Madrid to Paris. We would love some advise on (1) if we are crazy to do this in Winter?? (2) What is best route to take and where should we stop to make the most of the doing the trip at that time of year. (1) any advise for an Australian family who just want to make the most of it.
many thanks!
Cath
May 23rd, 2015, 04:43 AM
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I expect you understand about the extra fees for renting a car in one country and dropping off in another.
One of your children may need child seat too. Plus they should not sit in the front of the car.
This is in English and is European law adopted by all counties.
https://www.gov.uk/child-car-seats-t...r-booster-seat.
You will need an IDP for Spain.
Winter can be hard. Some roads may be closed due to poor weather ie snow and ice. Sometime the police will only let you through roads if you have snow chains or snow socks.
The rote you take will be down to you interests and what may be open at that time of year.
use viaMichelin to plan your trip.
One of your children may need child seat too. Plus they should not sit in the front of the car.
This is in English and is European law adopted by all counties.
https://www.gov.uk/child-car-seats-t...r-booster-seat.
You will need an IDP for Spain.
Winter can be hard. Some roads may be closed due to poor weather ie snow and ice. Sometime the police will only let you through roads if you have snow chains or snow socks.
The rote you take will be down to you interests and what may be open at that time of year.
use viaMichelin to plan your trip.
May 23rd, 2015, 04:48 AM
#3
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Are you into skiing, snowboarding, hiking etc. Or just love mountains and long stretches of being in a car? There are, of course, wonderful stops you could make along the way, but drive time alone will be a couple of days with unpredictable weather. One summer, I was part of a group that did that drive in reverse. Right away, I knew it was mistake, would never do it again, even in good weather.
What is it that you wanted to see or do between Madrid and Paris?
My advice. If you want winter activities, just go someplace that has them. If you want to see great sights, go to those places. If you want to go to Paris, go to Paris. IMHO, I do not think driving from Madrid to Paris in the dead of winter will be a trip of a life time, especially for your two girls.
What is it that you wanted to see or do between Madrid and Paris?
My advice. If you want winter activities, just go someplace that has them. If you want to see great sights, go to those places. If you want to go to Paris, go to Paris. IMHO, I do not think driving from Madrid to Paris in the dead of winter will be a trip of a life time, especially for your two girls.
May 23rd, 2015, 05:10 AM
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Thanks for the replies so far. The things we are hoping to do include hiking, seeing some lovely towns, beautiful countryside and soaking up the French/Spanish atmosphere. We are not locked into anything yet during the 2 week period so happy to hear anyone's suggestions. We finish a tour in Morocco on the 2nd Jan and need to arrive in Paris on 19th Jan. Whatever happens between those dates can be basically anything that will logistically work.
May 23rd, 2015, 10:19 AM
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Well you're not going to see a lot of beautiful countryside in January since it's winter. No flowers, trees leafless and grass often brown and crunchy.
Madrid is on a high plateau and has a real winter - not a lot of snow but not unknown and you are likely to run into bad weather on the way - possible snow, sleet or ice - plus short daylight hours grey skies. Average temp is around 40 with lows down into the 30s.
I don;t think hiking will be fun if it's 40 and raining. If you get a couple of warmer days - 50 with some sun - it might not be bad - but who knows when that will happen.
Granted you will most likely not be heading into a deep winter (temps in the 20s and heavy snow) but this is really not the time for the countryside except for winter sports in the mountains.
Although we are proponents of road trips - and have done more than 20 in europe - it's been between May and Oct - not mid winter. Instead I would focus on cities and towns with sights you would like and consider train versus car.
Madrid is on a high plateau and has a real winter - not a lot of snow but not unknown and you are likely to run into bad weather on the way - possible snow, sleet or ice - plus short daylight hours grey skies. Average temp is around 40 with lows down into the 30s.
I don;t think hiking will be fun if it's 40 and raining. If you get a couple of warmer days - 50 with some sun - it might not be bad - but who knows when that will happen.
Granted you will most likely not be heading into a deep winter (temps in the 20s and heavy snow) but this is really not the time for the countryside except for winter sports in the mountains.
Although we are proponents of road trips - and have done more than 20 in europe - it's been between May and Oct - not mid winter. Instead I would focus on cities and towns with sights you would like and consider train versus car.
May 23rd, 2015, 10:29 AM
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Oh dear.. for the things you want.. I think January is not a very good choice .. its winter.. hiking in rain.. countryside dormant and dried up.. er.. its not like Australia in January at all...
I think I would skip the fantasy of lovely long drives through scenic countryside.. it won't be lovely.. lol
I would suggest you take trains.. plan a route ..include some cities where there are actual sites to enjoy that are not weather dependent ( like not hiking and countryside) etc..
The sort of trip you are envisioning.. well I would move it to late April or later myself.. you say its "once in a lifetime"( which btw I never believe.. unless you are very elderly or have a terminal illness ) .. its only two weeks.. do the kids get a break later in year( I realize they are on a summer break in January right?) .
Also.. I am not a huge fan of long car trips.. they are expenisve in Europe.. maybe plan a base.. explore by car.. trains netween big cities.
Ps Have you winter driving experience. ?
I think I would skip the fantasy of lovely long drives through scenic countryside.. it won't be lovely.. lol
I would suggest you take trains.. plan a route ..include some cities where there are actual sites to enjoy that are not weather dependent ( like not hiking and countryside) etc..
The sort of trip you are envisioning.. well I would move it to late April or later myself.. you say its "once in a lifetime"( which btw I never believe.. unless you are very elderly or have a terminal illness ) .. its only two weeks.. do the kids get a break later in year( I realize they are on a summer break in January right?) .
Also.. I am not a huge fan of long car trips.. they are expenisve in Europe.. maybe plan a base.. explore by car.. trains netween big cities.
Ps Have you winter driving experience. ?
May 23rd, 2015, 10:35 AM
#7
January can be okay or terrible. There is no way to know ahead of time, but you are unlikely to face ice and snow as long as you stay out of the mountains.
My main recommendation is to change cars at the border to avoid the international drop off charges. This is quite easy to do, but you may want to take a short train trip to make it easier, for example, San Sebastian to Saint Jean de Luz or Biarritz or something like that.
My main recommendation is to change cars at the border to avoid the international drop off charges. This is quite easy to do, but you may want to take a short train trip to make it easier, for example, San Sebastian to Saint Jean de Luz or Biarritz or something like that.
May 23rd, 2015, 02:13 PM
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Such a road trip in January is not something I would do. It can be beautiful in Catalunya, along the coast, but cold and wet or snowy inland and at higher elevations. Road conditions can be hazardous.
I don't know where you're from, but you'll only average a little over 9 hours of sunlight in mid-January in the south of France/northern Spain, with the sun setting before 5:00 (17h00), and before 4:30 (16h00) as you approach Paris. You'll end up driving in darkness, mornings and late afternoons, which can be daunting when out in the dark countryside, or worse if on a heavily traveled highway.
And expect snowy conditions in the countryside, which only adds to the stress on such a road trip.
I don't know where you're from, but you'll only average a little over 9 hours of sunlight in mid-January in the south of France/northern Spain, with the sun setting before 5:00 (17h00), and before 4:30 (16h00) as you approach Paris. You'll end up driving in darkness, mornings and late afternoons, which can be daunting when out in the dark countryside, or worse if on a heavily traveled highway.
And expect snowy conditions in the countryside, which only adds to the stress on such a road trip.
May 23rd, 2015, 04:07 PM
#10
>>hiking, seeing some lovely towns, beautiful countryside<<
Then you need to go in the Spring or Fall -- not deepest winter.
How long is your entire trip? Are you spending time in Barcelona and Paris in addition to the two weeks in between . . . or do you want to see Barcelona, Paris, and the bits in between in two weeks?
Then you need to go in the Spring or Fall -- not deepest winter.
How long is your entire trip? Are you spending time in Barcelona and Paris in addition to the two weeks in between . . . or do you want to see Barcelona, Paris, and the bits in between in two weeks?
May 25th, 2015, 06:06 PM
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I am finding all your responses very helpful. It is certainly making us think it all through to make sure we are making the most of the time that we have. What about Southern France along the coast at that time of year? And other parts of Spain/Portugal? Someone mentioned that Madrid is on a high plateau so what about the rest of Portugal and Spain would it be better to spend most of our time there instead of driving up to Paris? We are coming over from Morocco so would it be better to pick up a hire car in Southern Spain and then travel around Spain & Portugal, drop the car off in the same country where we picked up the car and then go by train to Paris. If we hired a car in Spain could we also include Southern France for a couple of days and then return the car back to Spain. It is so close to Spain.
May 25th, 2015, 07:07 PM
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January is a difficult time for traveling in Spain, Portugal and the south of France, but if you plan it well, it's worth the time and effort. Actually, we plan on being in northern Spain/southern France at the end of the year, ending up in Paris in late January. It's something we haven't done for a few years, but we are looking forward to it.
We'll be in Madrid for New Years, then up to Pamplona for the Three Kings Day celebration, and exchange a few presents. After that, it's over to San Sebastián-Donostia for the Tamborrada before finally heading up to Paris to relax after a long year.
Yes, you can pick up a car in southern Spain (Sevilla) and tour around. You can easily do the south of France, returning the car in Spain. It's a great time if you are into skiing, or just celebrating the season.
We'll be in Madrid for New Years, then up to Pamplona for the Three Kings Day celebration, and exchange a few presents. After that, it's over to San Sebastián-Donostia for the Tamborrada before finally heading up to Paris to relax after a long year.
Yes, you can pick up a car in southern Spain (Sevilla) and tour around. You can easily do the south of France, returning the car in Spain. It's a great time if you are into skiing, or just celebrating the season.
May 25th, 2015, 09:09 PM
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IMHO, coming from Morocco into Southern Spain and renting a car to drive all the way to Northen Spain, then into Southern France and back to Spain to turn in the car is really not practical. It certainly does not sound like any kind of enjoyment for 11 and 12 year olds. It is roughly a solid 9 hours plus drive time without stopping.
It would be so beautiful if there is any possible way you could delay your trip until at least early April.
Consider these possibilities:
1. Rent a car and stay in Southern Spain, visiting Seville, Cordoba, Granada, etc. Fly from Granada or Seville to Paris.
2. Fly directly from Morocco to Barcelona. Stay four or five days. Fly to Paris.
3. Fly directly to London from Morocco. Stay five or six days. Take the train to Paris. Even in cold weather, there is lots to do in London that would be fun for the whole family.
It would be so beautiful if there is any possible way you could delay your trip until at least early April.
Consider these possibilities:
1. Rent a car and stay in Southern Spain, visiting Seville, Cordoba, Granada, etc. Fly from Granada or Seville to Paris.
2. Fly directly from Morocco to Barcelona. Stay four or five days. Fly to Paris.
3. Fly directly to London from Morocco. Stay five or six days. Take the train to Paris. Even in cold weather, there is lots to do in London that would be fun for the whole family.
