Comments on: How to… drive in the Alps

By: Erica

Erica — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 19:22:57 +0000

“Just because there’s a road on the map doesn’t mean you can use it in winter.” - This is by far the best tip.

And I agree that autumn is a fabulous time for driving in the Alps. We drove through France and Switzerland in October a few years ago. It was amazing!

By: zooeyibz

zooeyibz — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 00:20:40 +0000

Stunning photos. If only snow weren’t so cold…

By: Gemma

Gemma — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:02:24 +0000

Some good tips Jim, thanks. I work for a car hire company called Auto Europe, and we get a lot of questions from people wanting to know whether they need snow chains, special tyres etc, when driving in the Alps. Some regions require winter driving equipment to be used by law and some don’t, so it’s worth checking up before you travel.

In regions where you’re required to have snow tyres, a compulsory winter season fee will apply whenever you hire a car, which covers the cost of the equipment.

We’ve put together a guide about the regulations for all main skiing destinations, so check it out if you get the chance: http://www.auto-europe.co.uk/showspecial.cfm?specid=649

By: Jessie V

Jessie V — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 15:15:47 +0000

what lovely photos!

By: kat

kat — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 22:12:43 +0000

I love driving and taking trains through the Alps, it’s just so beautiful! Your photographs are beautiful!

By: DeliciousBaby

DeliciousBaby — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 19:57:16 +0000

We drove around the Italian & French alps during the summer (on our honeymoon). It was absolutely beautiful, and of course there were very few tourists. I’d love to return during winter time… thanks for bringing me along virtually.

By: soultravelers3

soultravelers3 — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:48:09 +0000

Found you though this submission to DeliciousBaby’s photo Fridays! Love the snow shots!

We have really enjoyed driving in the Alps on our open ended world tour as a family, but we actually avoid it in winter time and ski the mountains close to our warm winter home in Spain.

I think it is a Californian thing, we like swimming at the beach in winter & just driving to skiing in mountains nearby.

Stunning scenery though, we’ve seen the Alps in spring and fall, perhaps we should try winter before leaving the European continent!

By: Dominique

Dominique — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 17:25:38 +0000

Love the winterscapes! I really wish we had more time to travel in the winter because I love snow.

By: Lucy

Lucy — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:30:41 +0000

Jim – I’d love to see a picture of a surprised-looking Tyrolean brass band in their lederhosen if you have one!