Are you in the mood for an adventure? If you want to get away from it all and try something completely different, a European road trip could be exactly what you need. Driving from Ireland to France is easier than ever with the Hibernia line from Cork to Boulogne-sur-Mer, and we’ve put together an essential guide to help you with your planning.
Whether you want to take your camper van or your car on the ferry, you will find some of the best European road trips starting in Boulogne-sur-Mer. Boulogne is a great location, packed with fascinating places to visit and the perfect gateway into continental Europe. Let’s take a look at what you’ll need for your trip of a lifetime and how we can help you to make the most of the experience.
Driving from Ireland to France: Your Step-by-Step Guide
Driving from Ireland to France may sound like a challenge, and it is easier if you can break it down into manageable steps. Here’s our step-by-step guide to help you in your planning:
- Ferry routes. Finding a ferry route to suit you is the best place to start, and travelling from Ireland to France has traditionally meant following routes such as Cork to Roscoff or from Rosslare to Cherbourg, landing in Western France. This means it is easy to explore west and central France but involves a great deal of driving to explore Belgium, Germany or further afield. The new Hibernia Line transforms the process, with a ferry line directly from Cork to Boulogne, opening up convenient, easy driving routes into continental Europe and beyond.
- Choosing a crossing. Once you have found the ideal route from Ireland to France, you can choose the sailing that best suits you and your family – and the Hibernia Line offers year-round evening sailings. Here, you’ll select your luxurious cabin accommodation, choosing whether you would prefer an inner or outer cabin, with two or four berths. We offer deluxe cabins, pet-friendly cabins and wheelchair accessible cabins, and these are well equipped with private bathrooms to ensure comfortable travel for everyone.
- Your itinerary. When you’ve booked your ferry, the next step is to plan your itinerary. You will need to decide whether you are planning to visit one, two or more countries during your road trip, and the scale of your plans will depend on your personal preferences and the time you have available to travel. The options range from visiting Paris and the South of France to exploring Scandinavia or making your way through Belgium and across Germany. The sky is the limit, but remember that trying to pack too much into your trip may leave you feeling stressed, and slower travel often allows for more enjoyment.
- You can keep it flexible and simply research the areas you wish to stay in, or plan each night and book your accommodation to suit. Read on for tips on choosing the type of accommodation that will work best for you and your companions on your trip. We recommend choosing one or two places to focus on, giving yourself plenty of time to explore these at a relaxed pace and perhaps making day visits or overnight stops on the way in order to break up the journey and see more. You can keep amending your itinerary as you discover new options, and it is a good idea to stay flexible to accommodate unexpected changes in the weather or local situations.
- When you know where you’re going and what you’re likely to be doing, you can think about your packing and ensure you have all the essentials for your road trip. You’ll find our packing list later in this article, so make sure you’ve ticked off everything you need to ensure your trip runs smoothly.
- Finally, don’t forget to take out a good insurance policy so that you will be covered for any driving or medical incidents while you are abroad. You should check with your insurers that you are covered for driving in continental Europe and ensure that your road trip does not exceed the number of days you are covered for. Your medical cover will depend on your status, and you should check before you leave the country that you will be able to get emergency medical care and repatriation if required.
Accommodation Options for Road-Tripping in Europe
Finding the best accommodation options to suit yourself and your travelling companions will help you to enjoy your road trip in comfort. Options include:
Camping. You might take your own tent and stay at campsites along the way or travel in a camper van, whether this is your own or hired. Camping gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace and cater for yourselves or eat out as you wish, and it can be a more cost-effective way to travel. However, it can be time-consuming to put up and take down your tent so frequently, and many people prefer to choose a couple of areas to explore and stay longer at campsites in these areas.
Bed and Breakfast. Staying in bed and breakfast accommodation on your road trip will probably require research and booking ahead of time to ensure you don’t get caught out in busy periods. You can find accommodation to suit your route and your preferred travel pace, and you may be able to book activities at the same time if you wish to do so.
Aires or Stellplatz. If you are travelling in a camper van or motorhome, you will be able to take advantage of the rest stops across France, Germany and Austria. These are known as Aires in France and Stellplatz in Germany, and they provide essential amenities such as waste disposal and water as well as overnight accommodation for self-contained vehicles. These are cheaper than traditional campsites, and you can find them using an app on your phone.
Rented accommodation. If you want to embrace slower travel and take your time to really enjoy exploring an area, it is a good idea to rent a holiday home and discover the surrounding area gradually. You may need to plan a couple of overnight stops, perhaps at bed and breakfasts along the way, and then stay for a few days or a week in the area you have chosen. We recommend the Black Forest as a fabulous area to base yourself in.
Essential Road Trip Packing List
When you’re planning a road trip, getting your packing right can save you a lot of time and stress. Your own list will depend on who you are travelling with – you will need additional items if you are travelling with very young children, for instance – but the following is a good place to start. Here’s our essential road trip packing list:
- Clothing for all weather. When you’re travelling with your vehicle, you don’t need to pack as lightly as you would for air travel, but you still need to be selective with the clothing you take. Wherever you are going, the weather may be unpredictable in Europe, and you’ll need to ensure that you have layers for covering up on cooler evenings or if the temperature drops. A waterproof jacket is helpful all year round, and if you are travelling during the colder months, you’ll need to ensure you have plenty of warm, comfortable outer layers. You can wash undergarments and light outer layers as you go, – in your accommodation, on a campsite or in a launderette – and you can always pick up an emergency outfit locally if you need to!
- Comfortable shoes. Aching feet can take the fun out of a holiday experience, and making sure that you have comfortable shoes is essential. When you are road tripping, you will probably explore several locations, including towns and cities, and this can mean a lot of walking. Don’t spend your days wearing shoes such as flip-flops that can’t support your feet properly, as these are only suitable for wearing around the pool. Make sure you have shoes with good cushioning and support such as trainers or walking sandals – your feet will thank you!
- Local maps. Whether you use maps on your phone or rely on paper versions, a road trip is an excellent opportunity to discover a new area and you will get more from the experience if you understand where in the world you are. You can explore local literature and artworks too, to make the most of the cultural experience.
- First aid kit. In Europe, you’ll never be far from a pharmacy or medical centre, but it is a good idea to have a comprehensive first aid kit that you can rely on in emergencies. You should ensure that you have a wide range of plasters and dressings, as well as pain-relieving medication and cool packs so that you can deal with minor injuries or illnesses while you are away. If you are concerned about your health, you should seek advice from local medical professionals and remember that you can use online translation services to bridge the language barrier.
- Home comforts. While you can probably find most of your daily essentials in Europe, you will appreciate the familiarity of your tried and tested favourites while you are on the road. It is a good idea to pack the products you like to use for your personal care and even some of your favourite food items – especially if you have small children – as these can ease homesickness and help you to feel comfortable if you are having a difficult moment.
Driving in Europe: What Irish Drivers Need to Know
Driving in Europe is usually a positive experience, with good road networks and a choice of scenic or more direct routes. It is important to take the correct documentation with you, so that you can produce these at any time if you are stopped and asked to do so. This includes your driving licence, passport, a copy of your car insurance and travel insurance, including breakdown cover, and your vehicle registration documents.
By law, in some European countries such as France, you must carry reflective jackets for everyone in the vehicle, a warning triangle and a first aid kit. You will also need a sticker to show that your vehicle is registered in Ireland, if your license plate does not include this information.
It is also highly recommended to carry practical items such as a torch, blankets, replacement bulbs and a fire extinguisher in your car, as well as water and food in case of emergency.
It’s vital to ensure that your vehicle documentation is valid and up to date, and that you check for any additional local requirements before you travel.
Many of the fastest roads in France and Germany are subject to tolls, and you can decide whether to use these or whether to take the slower, more scenic routes. A combination approach will allow you to make the most of the time you have available for travel as well as ensuring that you enjoy the ride!
The Hibernia Line: Passenger Ferry from Cork to Boulogne
The Hibernia Line is the most convenient way to travel from Ireland to France with your own vehicle, and you also have the option to travel as a foot passenger if you fancy exploring Europe by train. You can choose from year-round sailings, offering comfortable, flexible travel in well-appointed cabins with en-suite bathrooms.
It’s easier than you might imagine to plan a road trip adventure in Europe, and you can explore the options with our essential guides. Whether you’re road tripping alone, with friends or with your children, you’ll find a host of wonderful opportunities to discover France, Belgium and Germany at your own pace, and we’ll help you to make the most of them. Call us or find more information on our website to start planning your road trip!