So I did a crazy thing a few weeks ago. I have a brand new hybrid SUV and took the ferry from Dover to Calais. And then I drove to Nice!
I’ve just returned from a 750-mile road trip from Dover down to the Promenade des Anglais, and I wanted to share a few tips for anyone else looking to reach the South of France without blowing the budget. Most people just default to budget airlines or pay a fortune to sit on the grey, boring motorways, but I took my hybrid SUV on a detour through the "Route Nationale" lifestyle to see if I could save some serious cash.
The big win was timing the Dover crossing for the early hours—specifically the 04:45 or 05:30 slots. Not only are the fares consistently £30 to £40 cheaper than the midday sailings, but you also hit the French coast right as the bakeries are opening up. Instead of following the A6, I headed east toward Troyes and Dijon, which saved me about €115 in toll fees one way. It turned a monotonous drive into a scenic crawl through Burgundy that actually felt like a holiday. If you're interested in the specific route and the cost breakdown, I've put the full trip report here: Travel to Nice France.
Some photos along the route:
I’ve just returned from a 750-mile road trip from Dover down to the Promenade des Anglais, and I wanted to share a few tips for anyone else looking to reach the South of France without blowing the budget. Most people just default to budget airlines or pay a fortune to sit on the grey, boring motorways, but I took my hybrid SUV on a detour through the "Route Nationale" lifestyle to see if I could save some serious cash.
The big win was timing the Dover crossing for the early hours—specifically the 04:45 or 05:30 slots. Not only are the fares consistently £30 to £40 cheaper than the midday sailings, but you also hit the French coast right as the bakeries are opening up. Instead of following the A6, I headed east toward Troyes and Dijon, which saved me about €115 in toll fees one way. It turned a monotonous drive into a scenic crawl through Burgundy that actually felt like a holiday. If you're interested in the specific route and the cost breakdown, I've put the full trip report here: Travel to Nice France.
Some photos along the route:
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