REALISTIC cost of a small trip to the Alps?

[Promazine]

Apart from trekking over to Oregon, USA to see my dad last year, i havnt been on a holiday for about 6 years. Ive never seemed to ave the time - and if ive stumbled into some free time - i havnt had the money.

With a new job, my holidays are much more flexible and i can actually plan something now - and since i have a lanny! i was considering a little trip somewhere pretty with the missus.

My big question is, How much REALISTICLY would it cost me? is the saving of driving to your destination yourself, with your own accomodation strapped to your roof, with everything you need in the back HUGE? or does it infact cost more than a week on a beach somewhere hot and sunny?

I would be more than willing to spend the same, possibly more on a trip in the lanny - the missus is less convinced. Only if there is a significant monetary saving, and the condition that we HAVE to go to france (hence the Alps) will persuade her that its a good idea.

I know there are a lot of things to consider, IE - i havnt got a roof tent (yet), my landy is pretty much boggo standard apart from a snorkel and mud terrains (does this matter when its only a "short" trip?) We will need GOOD camping equipment, cooking facilities ect.


I suppose what i am basically asking is what the hell do i need, and how much am i going to have to lie to the other half to get her to go??:D

[wadams20]

We have traveled all over Europe this past year and a half, mostly in a Kia Sephia and a clapped out BMW. Depending on what you mean by "camping" you could be staying anywhere from a small grassy area with toilets and running water, to the side of a mountain with no facilities. A standard LR is very capable and honestly if you are using it as a "home" you probably wont be doing anthing extreme like fjording rivers. If you need a place to stay for the night in Bavaria (and for a hot shower and a home cooked meal) let me know. We probably aren't on your planned route but we are 2 hours east of Strasbourg and 3 hours to Switzerland. The drive to the Alps is not a bad one although we did it in a car and would have prefered the LR. Keep in mind all the vignettes you need for various countries.

[Promazine]

I havnt got a planned route! literally only just started even considering it :)

Ive been looking through this section of the forum, and im honestly in awe of some of the guys and gals here. To just jump in your lanny and drive to the other side of the world seems inconceivable to me - what is something went wrong! :) suppose im just a scaredy cat!

BUT as with everything, money has the say so on this, if its going to cost too much i doubt it will happen.

Thanks for your offer btw, never know - if the missus says yes to the trip and schedule allows - might pop in to say hello!

[kevinrbeech]

If you start now, at your age, by the time you're as old as me you'll either have sold the "Landy" and become really boring, or you'll have travelled a lot further than most on here.

Have a look at my site www.4x4-travel.co.uk (http://www.4x4-travel.co.uk), the story is all there.

So, from Dover to Calais can cost as little as £35 each way, driving through France, diesel, about the same as here. If you use the toll roads it'll cost a little more but you'll get to the destination quicker, if you're "touring" then speed won't matter too much so you can use the main roads, and probably get lost a bit.
There is plenty of cheap accomodation if you don't wish to camp on the way south, F1, B&B Hotels (many used to be Villages Hotels), Ibis or Novotel (bit more expensive).
Does your insurance give you FREE European cover? If you have the cheapest insurance that you can buy in UK, you may find that you'll have to buy extra cover for Europe, if you upgrade by a few quid next time it comes around and ensure that you are covered for Europe, it won't be an additional cost to add when pricing a holiday, the same goes for breakdown cover. I purchased breakdown cover for about £110 including Europe, this followed an enquiry to the RAC for the price of 2 weeks in France for which they quoted £60, I already paid them about £70 pa for UK breakdown.

Camping can be cheap, there are many accepted "overnight" stops, but the sites will cost similar to here.

But the big bit......
......the feeling of achievement of having driven your own car to somewhere like the Alps, and bought it home again is far more rewarding than booking a package deal and sitting on a beach for a week.

I would start with a short weekend away in France, if you can afford to spend a couple of hundred quid, to see if it works for you both. Don't commit loads of money on kit until you know it is for you.

To answer another part, How much? For my trips to Tunisia, about 3500 miles, 24 days away, hotels in France for normally 5 nights and then 17 in Tunisia, for 4 people, I usually allow about £3000.

Kevin

[Stumpy Doofleer]

I did a trip to the top of Norway in 2003 with a 1992 1.4 Mk2 golf which I still have. It cost a fair bit about £800 each for me and my mate, that was food fuel and the ferry from Dover to Dunkirk. We only planned the ferry, everything else was just done on the day, as I didn't know how far we would travel in a day, covered 6214 miles in 16 days, and me doing all the driving. I just had a tent a stove,and pots and pans, and the usual stuff you need for traveling abroad like spare bulbs warning triangle fire extinguisher. Also made sure I was covered by me insurance for accidents and breakdowns. I have posted up some pics of the trip on the Planning an expedition page of the forum. As said earlier, you'll have a great sense of acheivement when you get back home, I still have the Artic Circle stickers from the trip, on the back of the golf:D.

[Promazine]

Thanks for the advice guys!

Bin speaking to the missus about a "test" trip, and after a bit of explanation of some of the finer points of camping, she seems surprisingly up for it :)

She even suggested some destinations - over the alps to Turin seemed to get her excited!
The Norway idea though stumpy is great - did you go north enough to see the northern lights? Its one of the things on the list of things to do before i die - just never considered the posibility of driving there in a londrover!

[Stumpy Doofleer]

The northern lights are a bit hard to see in the summer, went right to the top of Norway to Nordkapp the furthest north you could go in mainland europe, though it's actually an island with an underground tunnel connecting it to the main land. Have a look here http://forum.landrovernet.com/showthread.php?t=133032 for some pics from my trip.

[mmgemini]

A camping trip can be as good and expensive as you make it.

Why would you need a roof top tent. I've not had a problem with ground tent.....
I can more or less as you say jump in and go. I think Kevin can as well, as well as some others.

I've not been to the Alps. Neither have I camped in europe for 30 odd years. Maybe more...

If you'd like to see how my Defender is prepared go to

http://www.landroveraddict.com/smf/index.php?topic=358612.0

For a bit more up to date info

http://www.landroveraddict.com/smf/index.php?topic=369337.0

For cooking we use a fire or a BBQ...Both the same really...
For a stove we have the good old Trangia converted to gas but we carry meths as a backup. A Kelly kettle is also good where wood can be gathered.

HTH

[Snagger]

Don't buy a roof top tent yet - they're very expensive and they also mean you have to pack up camp even just for a drive to the local supermaket. Go to Decathalon and buy a "Quecha 2-second pop-up" tent. They are cheap, take literally two seconds to erect and less than thirty to put away in their carriage bag. Tesco's self inflating double airbeds fit the Quecha perfectly, inflate and deflate in under a minute, and the pump can be run from the car battery. You can then use ordinary pillows and a duvet instead of sleeping bags.

Jusdging by your avatar, you'd be much better spending your money on a set of standard steel rims and some AT tyres - you'll need them for the Aline roads and trails, but MTs will be too aggressive, noisy and poor on fuel.

If you do it all cheaply, then the trip itself will cost about £400 in fuel, £300 in equipment (unless you have a lot of it already). The ferry costs shouldn't be bad if you keep the vehicle height below 2.4m (after which you'll pay upto £200 more for commercial rates). The camping and food will be relaively cheap - about £20-30 a day.

[Promazine]

Don't buy a roof top tent yet - they're very expensive and they also mean you have to pack up camp even just for a drive to the local supermaket. Go to Decathalon and buy a "Quecha 2-second pop-up" tent. They are cheap, take literally two seconds to erect and less than thirty to put away in their carriage bag. Tesco's self inflating double airbeds fit the Quecha perfectly, inflate and deflate in under a minute, and the pump can be run from the car battery. You can then use ordinary pillows and a duvet instead of sleeping bags.

Jusdging by your avatar, you'd be much better spending your money on a set of standard steel rims and some AT tyres - you'll need them for the Aline roads and trails, but MTs will be too aggressive, noisy and poor on fuel.

If you do it all cheaply, then the trip itself will cost about £400 in fuel, £300 in equipment (unless you have a lot of it already). The ferry costs shouldn't be bad if you keep the vehicle height below 2.4m (after which you'll pay upto £200 more for commercial rates). The camping and food will be relaively cheap - about £20-30 a day.


Well, its funny you should say that :),

My avatar is a bit behind the times - ive got proper wheels now, but they are currently wearing bfg muds. Wonder if someone will do a swap? :)

I have a nice big ground tent, sleeping bags airbeds ect (i used to do alot of festivals :) )
The reason i wanted a roof tent though, is ive had a look at a mates hanibal roof tent, and it was mighty impressive! Ive read a couple of the threads here - you know the RTT Vs GT ones, and i can honestly see the benefits of both.

Getting let down by a tent at glastonbury isnt exactly the end of the world, your muddy and wet anyway, and if your drunk enough - you can last it out ok. If a tent fails me half way accross france though - ill be stuck untill i can find somewhere to buy a new one from. My mates hannibal seems VERY well made, and i just cant see it letting us down the ways my previous tents have.

I dont know :( Its a hard decision "risk" another tent, and potentially save alot of money? or buy a RTT, and sleep well knowing that noone/nothing is going to rip the side of the tent open when running through the guide ropes!

[mmgemini]

I see both sides of the RTT v's ground tent debate.

We use a ground tent because Margaret will not climb a ladder.
She also needs to be able to stand up to get dressed.

While we were on our firts trip to southern Africa. Our european frame tent didn't like the waether or the ground. I hadn't realised that pegs wouldn't go in at some sites.
We bought out there. A Greensport Caprivi. Single skin heavy canvas 3m X 3m and 2.9m high in the center. One of the downsides we find is no porch over the door....Price in this country puts them nearly into the RTT price range....Bought in 2004 and well used, six months on the last trip, and it's still fine. Have a look at Trekoverland. They sell some tents like that one.

The Hanibal is well made. However take a look at Eezi-Awn or Howling Moon.

If you think about an awning. Get a LONG one...That way you can make it self standing to the vehicle, something I can't do with mine. Great for cooking undr in the rain as well as eating.

As I said earlier I can't help you on european costs.
What I can say is out firts trip odf ten weeks cost us 6,000 including flights and shipping the car there and back.

HTH

[Snagger]

The Quecha tents cost about £40-50, and since they don't have guy-lines, you're unlikley to pull it apart. I have seen one fail, but it had been well used. Decathalon exchanged it without fuss, and they're a huge chain store (the size and frequency of the UK's Halfords, but dedicated to camping) throughout France, so you'll find stores near the Alps.

[mmgemini]

Decathlon have stores in the UK. The nearest one to me is Sheffield....:(

[bananahead]

hey!
Me and gf went to alps (austria) this year. We didnt camp, we were gonna camp week two but stayed in the apartment for the second week cos it was so cool. I think it cost about 150 quid in diesel to get there (1000 miles) but we took it steady. We went on grossglockner pass and a few other places, walked up some mountains and stuff. pretty cool. Turned out quite cheap. The apartment was about 500 a week but we booked through some agency, we got second week cheaper, just paid the proper owner cash. We did no offroading but it was still a cool holiday. As long as you have insurance/breakdown/EHIC) youll be fine! If you want details of the place we stayed pm me... the gf organised all that, but it was a cheap deal on a ski resort place, very beautifull.... much dearer in winter.

[Chasealex]

I drive to the alps every summer for the mountainbiking, usually in my Diesel Mundaneo.

This summer it cost me 120 euro in road tolls. 200 euros in fuel. £100 ferry.

[Widget]

I went for 10 days last month - it was BRILLIANT! Linky here to the fred...http://www.landrovernet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=132732

Accommodation was mountain refuges and farmhouse type B&Bs. Cost about £800 for food and accommodation. I drove 2000 miles in total + channel crossing + French Autoroute tolls.

Next time we'll make it 2 weeks and combine it with Eurocamp (http://www.eurocamp.co.uk/). The first week laning and the second week Eurocamping. A couple of years ago we stayed a week in the Verdon Gorge, then crossed the Alps (in a road car) to spend the second week at Lake Maggiore to chill, sightsee and bomb around in a boat on the lake (which suits my Mrs need for a 'proper' holiday) pics here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/v890/sets/72157607490133755/) For example the Maggiore site costs £330 for 7 nights including the channel crossing in the price.
Also you can have overnight camp stops on the way down and back, all set up, just get your sleeping bag out of the car and put the kettle on:)

[kzycnn]

Briefly on the tent issue, if you were interested in the sort of ground tent that Mike mentioned, I happen to have one for sale - much cheaper than new (obviously) and in excellent condition. See trekoverland site for pics - it's the 3.0 metre one they sell, so same size as Mikes.

As for a trip to the Alps, you probably have enough stuff anyway (except, perhaps for a good heavy duty ground tent...;)). I wouldn't even worry about the tyres. I took a Disco 2 down to the Pyrenees a couple of years ago on Goodyear Wrangler MTRs with no bother at all. Same trip, last year, but in a Defender running on Cooper STTs. Again no bother at all.

Just go for it, you won't regret it.

Tony

[mmgemini]

Actually Tony the tent you have could be better than mine.
You's I think will have a porch over the door. Mine hasn't, although we are going to make one out of lightweight material.

Hopefully my tent in the snow. Kielder April this year

http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/7934/dsc00044cy6.th.jpg (http://img76.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00044cy6.jpg)

[kzycnn]

My tent does have a porch over the door and individual rain shelters for each of the (three) windows.

It's been a fantastic tent but, oweing to a bout of weakness, I bought an OzTent earlier this year - hence the dome is for sale. Hope it wasn't an expensive mistake!

Might be easier than manufacturing a porch....

Tony

[horacebat]

Briefly on the tent issue, if you were interested in the sort of ground tent that Mike mentioned, I happen to have one for sale - much cheaper than new (obviously) and in excellent condition. See trekoverland site for pics - it's the 3.0 metre one they sell, so same size as Mikes. <snip>


The tents do look great it must be said, I've got a 2 second tent (which as it happens, I bought in the Alps a couple of years ago from Decathlons sister company Quecha). Spent 2 seconds putting it up .. about 3 hours putting it away for the first time!. For a tent that you want to just put up for one evening, you really can't beat it (if it is windy, it does have guy ropes by the way). But for something a bit longer term, something a bit more substantial is required. Quecha do some larger tents these days, all based on teh same idea, if your interested I'd suggest you go and have a nose.

As for the tent for sale .. I've always liked these!, how much do you want for it? (and what was the specific model ?)

thanks

PB.

[horacebat]

PS Forgot also to say there is a great campsite in St Gervais (we get a Xmas Card from them!). Its got a lovely view of the mountains, the owner has a 110, and the best bit, will give you a map to go green laning (which you can do in the summer after 6pm!).

[mmgemini]

My tent does have a porch over the door and individual rain shelters for each of the (three) windows.

It's been a fantastic tent but, oweing to a bout of weakness, I bought an OzTent earlier this year - hence the dome is for sale. Hope it wasn't an expensive mistake!

Might be easier than manufacturing a porch....

Tony

Tony the porch will be easy. Our good friend Velcro will help. Al we intend doing is a piece across the Jews hat thing at the front. Then two side pieces clipped onto the frame......All we need is a week of fine weater to do the job. Oh and some material ....

[kzycnn]

Tony the porch will be easy. Our good friend Velcro will help. Al we intend doing is a piece across the Jews hat thing at the front. Then two side pieces clipped onto the frame......All we need is a week of fine weater to do the job. Oh and some material ....

Mike

The small second piece of fabric that effectively creates an airgap at the top of the tent is extended to create the porch on mine. It might be easier, and more robust, to do that rather than velcro some extra fabric on. Look at the link below for what I mean.


As for the tent for sale .. I've always liked these!, how much do you want for it? (and what was the specific model ?)



PB

My dome is the 3 metre version as supplied by trekoverland. It's this one http://www.trekoverland.com/dome.htm . Only difference to the pictures is that each window on mine (three sides) has the same cover, as in the picture (the front view of the dome shows the 2.5 metre model that has a slightly different cover for the rear window. I'm looking for around £250. The tent is in superb condition - if you're interested, pm me. I can dig out piccies, but they're at home - I'm not...

Tony

[mmgemini]

PB if you can grab that tent now. That is a very good price. You will not regret it.

Tony.
Yes I know, we both had a good look at Peterborough....The porch isn't that important to be solid. It's just to try to keep the floor of the tent, and the bottom of the bed, dry on entering......

[uk_vette]

Don't buy a roof top tent yet - they're very expensive and they also mean you have to pack up camp even just for a drive to the local supermaket. Go to Decathalon and buy a "Quecha 2-second pop-up" tent. They are cheap, take literally two seconds to erect and less than thirty to put away in their carriage bag. Tesco's self inflating double airbeds fit the Quecha perfectly, inflate and deflate in under a minute, and the pump can be run from the car battery. You can then use ordinary pillows and a duvet instead of sleeping bags.

Jusdging by your avatar, you'd be much better spending your money on a set of standard steel rims and some AT tyres - you'll need them for the Aline roads and trails, but MTs will be too aggressive, noisy and poor on fuel.

If you do it all cheaply, then the trip itself will cost about £400 in fuel, £300 in equipment (unless you have a lot of it already). The ferry costs shouldn't be bad if you keep the vehicle height below 2.4m (after which you'll pay upto £200 more for commercial rates). The camping and food will be relaively cheap - about £20-30 a day..
.
Fully agree with Snagger regarding the roof tent.

Simply buy 2 x 2 man tents from Tesco or the alike.
Use one, keep one as spare.
The blow-up mattras, and a 12v pump from the ciggie lighter, use your own duvet& pillows.
It can be done very cheap.
How about 2 sets of standard roof bar sets (4 bars total) and bolt on a sheet of 10mm plywood. using 8 "U" bolts from under the roof bars, through the plywood, 4 for the left side, 4 for the right side.
Cut to the size of the 2 man tent you just bought.
Ply wood could be 2 meters long, 1,5meters wide or some thing like.
Even store some basic goodies up on the top during the day, not so much that it's a pain to throw off every night.

[thebiglad]

Don't buy a roof top tent yet - they're very expensive and they also mean you have to pack up camp even just for a drive to the local supermaket. Go to Decathalon and buy a "Quecha 2-second pop-up" tent. They are cheap, take literally two seconds to erect and less than thirty to put away in their carriage bag. Tesco's self inflating double airbeds fit the Quecha perfectly, inflate and deflate in under a minute, and the pump can be run from the car battery. You can then use ordinary pillows and a duvet instead of sleeping bags.

Jusdging by your avatar, you'd be much better spending your money on a set of standard steel rims and some AT tyres - you'll need them for the Aline roads and trails, but MTs will be too aggressive, noisy and poor on fuel.

If you do it all cheaply, then the trip itself will cost about £400 in fuel, £300 in equipment (unless you have a lot of it already). The ferry costs shouldn't be bad if you keep the vehicle height below 2.4m (after which you'll pay upto £200 more for commercial rates). The camping and food will be relaively cheap - about £20-30 a day.

I bought one of these tents and have just used it for 3 weeks doing a trip to and around Morocco. It was perfect - easy to erect, entirely waterproof and just did the job - all for 70 euros.

BTW the trip to the Alps will blow your mind !!!! I've done it often on my bike. You may find it costs a bit more but the memories and experiences will be soooooh much more valuable than a week on a beach.

Cheers
Dave

Cheers
Dave