ilkaykay_123

we want to do a car trip starting from Nijmegen- Netherlands where we live. we will only stop in the capitatals mentioned in the title. car is the only option because it is the cheapes(we are using a ompany car).

the main concern is, we want to do it in CHristmas time! 12 days in total. but what if it snows? highways are open in that seosan? how are the roads?

please share your experiences/advises

thanks a million!

ilkaykay_123

anyone has any experience about this?

hetismij2

First things first. Can you take the company car abroad - not all contracts allow it, or even allow personal use. Are you paying the tax on the car to allow personal use? Do you not have to pay for fuel outside the Netherlands?

Do you normally fit winter tyres to it? If not you must do so this year - they are compulsory in Germany and many other countries. Sometimes they are leased with the vehicle, otherwise you will have to buy a set, which will be useless once the car's lease is up. If your car only has say a year left on the lease then that is an expensive option.

It is doubtful you would need chains, but you could hire a set, and learn how to use them, just in case. Also make sure you have all the safety items in the car that are required by the different countries, and warm blankets some food and drink, just in case. The ANWB site has lots of useful information on driving outside the Netherlands.

I expect, as in the Netherlands, if it snows the highways are ploughed and treated, but that snow can cause delays.

You will need vignettes for driving on the motorways - you can buy them from the ANWB.

Allow extra time for driving, in case the conditions are not good, whether due to snow, rain, ice or fog - all possible in December as I am sure you are aware.

hetismij2

You need also to exercise some patience - many posters on the forum are in the US, so won't have seen your question yet.

ilkaykay_123

thanks a lot for the reply. well noted about patience yes we are paying tax for personal use allow us to drive outside Netherlands.

i will do winter tyres, and chain to just in case, even if it is not included in the lease.

hetismij2

Make sure you also get the vignettes you need. Whilst you can buy them on route it is easier, and possibly cheaper to get them at the ANWB.

fourfortravel

Make sure you are aware of the different vehicle safety equipment requirements for each country, too. Some require a fire extinguisher, others at a minimum the basic safety kit of reflective vest and triangle.

We have driven to Berlin and to Prague from Vienna over the period between Christmas and New Year's (to just after) on two occasions. Once year the stretch between the Austrian/Czech border and Prague was moderately snowy and visibility was only fair through the higher elevation, but the roads were maintained well. The second year our entire drive from Vienna to Berlin offered nothing but blue skies and dry pavement--you never know.

Also, as an FYI for planning, there is extensive road construction between Prague and the Brno (halfway to the Austrian border) that slows traffic considerably. Given the state of the roads a couple of weeks ago on this route, I would not bet that the work will be finished by December.

ilkaykay_123

great tip! thank you very much