How is the driving in Germany at Christmas?
 

Hi all!
My husband and I are planning a trip going to London and Glasgow for about three weeks (daughter living in Glasgow) and then flying to Berlin early December and hiring a car to travel to Prague, Munich and anywhere else that is suggested as worthwhile. We will end up in Geneva on Dec 21st and meet our daughter and sons and spend a week in Morzine in France for a white Christmas and some skiing.
Any suggestions on these plans and particularly the roads in winter would be appreciated. We would like to visit some ww2 sites and of course Christmas markets.
Thanks in anticipation
Rosie ((R))

ttt

I find driving in Germany in winter really no different than driving in the northern US. When it is actively snowing roads will be slippery and best to avoid. If it's just a snow shower - say an inch or less accumulation normal traffic will keep roads clear.

After it stops highways and main local roads are well cleared and really no issue. You'll be driving on bare road surface, not on snow or ice. Local/more remote roads may not get cleared as frequently/quickly.

Make sure your rental car is equipped with snow tires - they increase grip on slippery roads.

December isn't peak snow season yet anyway. Just be sure you can be flexible if a bigger storm disrupts your plans.

Thanks J62
Comin g from Australia we don't do much snow driving ...only in the snowy mountains once a year! We love to get a car as you can see the nicest places as you go along!
Rosie((R))

If you're as big a woose as me about driving in snow (we rarely get get it here either), it might be wise to plan your routes with some caution.

Neither I nor the car have quite recovered from the trauma of about a decade ago, when I decided to drive back to Germany from Prague the scenic route. Not noticing either the hills or the weather forecast, I was unprepared for driving a normally-tyred car, as night fell, along twisty mountrain roads in the snow.

Stick to Germany's excellent motorways if you can. East of the former Iron Curtain, where there are still few all-motorway routes but lorry traffic has soared over the past 15 years, I try to avoid night driving in the winter altogether. Snow's rare in December - but temperatures can still drop sharply even at sea level (the curse of a continental climate) and ice can be treacherous away from motorways.

Ensure that your car has winter tires. It is my understanding that these are required in Germany during snowy weather and that you risk a fine without them.

thanks all...think we will give it a go ...revert to trains if all else fails but I think we'll be fine!
Rosie((RR))

Travelgourmet is correct. You can get a hefty fine if you are on a road that is covered in snow and you don't have snow tires. More relevantly perhaps, if you get into an accident in a situation where you ought to have been using snow tires, your insurance will be void. That being said, I cannot imagine a German car rental company providing you with a car that would not be legal to drive. I guess you should ask to be sure. Further, you might ask if your rental includes snow chains since they make things much more manageable.

If you do get snow chains and anticipate using them at any point during your trip, I highly recommned taking the time to learn how to hook them up BEFORE you actually need them. I cursed myself when I sat on the side of a Swiss motorway, fumbling my way around the instruction manual in a slushy-blizzard. The chains were simple to attach..so long as you've done it once ;)

>You can get a hefty fine
40€ for obstructing traffic, 20€ in other cases, however it's only peanuts.

An accident is a totally different story.

In Germany, winter tires are mandatory when driving conditions make them necessary.

The fine for not having winter tires when necessary is 20 Euros, twice that amount if you obstruct traffic due to that. Much more plus loss of insurance when you cause an accident.
Some/most rental car companies have now made winter tires a compulsory option during the winter months. But you will have to check their terms and fine print if or how that option is included.

Usually, December is not a month of much snow, if any. Driving on snow is not much of an issue, regular winter tires get that job done.

Icy road conditions from dusk to dawn are more common during December. The traffic sign warning of typical icy spots like bridges is a white triangle shaped sign with red border depicting a snowflake.

Snow chains are more suitable (and required when posted) for steep mountains roads (maybe your trip to Morzine), but are not a regular necessity for traveling from Berlin to Geneva.

You will have probably already found out that you will pay a hefty surcharge for dropping off the car in Switzerland.

In winter, the German weather service runs a helpful web site identifying places of known or potential black ice (glatteis). So if you have access to a computer while traveling, simply check the site for up to date info before heading out on the road.

In western Germany (NRW, most of BW, etc.), on cold days you're far more likely to run into black ice than snow. If the car you're renting displays the outside temp, pay close attention to it--if the temp drops to 3 degrees C or below, adjust your driving because you could hit icy patches on shady spots or won overpasses, esp. on secondary roads.

With snowy conditions, it's much easier to drive at a slow but steady pace than to try and drive at normal speeds and then have to brake suddenly. Stay in the slow lane, take your time, pull into a rest stop if you're feeling too stressed.

And yes, if you've never put cables or chains on tires, learn how to do it before you hit the road in wintry conditions.

(Last year, there were some surprisingly heavy snows in December in parts of Germany; the year before, very little--so who knows what this year will bring.)

We rented a car in Germany last Feb. and snow tyres (tires)and or chains can be an extra 20 euros a day. We got a holiday ski package which included the tires saving us a lot of money.

We experienced two winters in southwest Germany and had some snow in December both years. We found that even a minor snowfall could cause major slowdowns on the Autobahns.

We rented a car (Audi A4 Avant through EuropCar) for a December 2005 family road trip and were surprised that snow tires were not automatically included, given the laws. You should definitely request them and then make sure that your car is equipped with them before you leave.

The only tip I can give is to be sure it is "front wheel drive". I had reserved an economy car in Frankfurt but was offered an upgrade to a BMW! (no, not because of my handle!)

I loved it until the ALPS where I met some ice and snow. The car was dangerous! I had to stop and pick up chains in order to continue the journey.

Have fun!

)

Do keep close track of road conditions, including the Autobahnen. You can come upon black ice suddenly, and it's scary as heck. I'd second the suggesting that you not drive at night.

To be sure, I've driven on some nasty icy roads in the States and had the devil scared out of me also.

The car rental companies will take care of the snow tires, so you have no option OR concern. We HAD to pay the extra, even into the end of this past April.....companies vary as to the exact cutoff.
Of course this is good thing. WE didn't happen to need the snow tires (well, One time on a pass in SWitzerland that was "closed" but no signage at the bottom!)
I feel you will be fine in Dec....what a wonderful time to travel! Sounds like a great, fun trip.