Fodor's Travel Talk Forums

Fodor's Travel Talk Forums (https://www.fodors.com/community/)
-   Europe (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/)
-   -   driving tips (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/driving-tips-958150/)

dwillie1 Dec 2nd, 2012 07:49 AM

driving tips
 
I am flying into hamburg Germany and driving to Brussels Belgium,is that a difficult drive?

Alec Dec 2nd, 2012 07:52 AM

All on motorway but why drive? Train is much more convenient and you can also fly (one-hour flight).

adrienne Dec 2nd, 2012 07:54 AM

Are you returning the car to Germany? If not did you check the drop off charges which can be substantial.

hetismij2 Dec 2nd, 2012 09:34 AM

I hope you aren't planning in doing it straight after a Transatlantic flight. It is a 6 hour drive with no stops, or jams. If it is a one way drive with a rental you will pay a heft one-way drop-off fee.
Fuel for the trip will be about €90 for petrol and €65 for diesel.

It's only an hour or so longer by train, and a lot more relaxing.

If you decide to fly and aren't planning on returning to Hamburg it could be cheaper to book a return and throw away the return leg.

nytraveler Dec 2nd, 2012 09:55 AM

Um, if you want to go to Brussels why not fly there - instead of to Hamburg?

Or do you need to be in both places?

ParisAmsterdam Dec 2nd, 2012 07:00 PM

Looking at Google Maps and ViaMichelin.com would also be a good idea...

spaarne Dec 2nd, 2012 07:25 PM

<i>
driving tips
Posted by: dwillie1 on Dec 2, 12 at 11:49am
I am flying into hamburg Germany and driving to Brussels Belgium,is that a difficult drive?</i>

"Difficult" is a relative term. Have you driven the Autobahnen at 120 MPH before? The shortest route will take you through the Ruhrgebiet. Get good maps. Plan your route carefully. If you miss a turn you are toast. Buy some driving gloves before you hit the road.

It is far better to take the train.

Cowboy1968 Dec 2nd, 2012 11:18 PM

It's as easy as driving on a motorway network anywhere.
You don't have to drive 120 mph , most locals don't drive that fast as gas is very expensive and traffic won't allow that speed on most legs of your drive anyway.
But the route is not scenic and will take you thru the busiest sections of the German Autobahn system so it also will not be a leisurly relaxing drive but more like driving on the busy LA freeway system once you hit the Rhine Ruhr metroplex.
Plus driving into Brussels and on the Brussels orbital is more or less a nightmare.

Any other way to go from Hamburg to Brussels will be more convenient and usually less costly.


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 04:14 AM.