Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Europe
Expensive Alps.....? Expensive Alps.....?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



Like Tree11Likes

Reply
Page 2 of 2 1 2
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #16  
Old 14 Mar 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,104
Quote:
Originally Posted by pauljt73 View Post
My fear was riding through terrible weather all day and then when we're cold, tired and hungry, the only digs we can find is gonna stiff us for £200 for a night in a room that resembles Anne Frank's attic.
I visited Anne Frank's attic a few months ago and believe me I've stayed in £200 / night hotels that were much worse - one in Brooklyn comes to mind straight away!

Where did you hear that alpine prices had rocketed? We have a flat in the French alps so I suppose we're kind of "demi-resident" and yes, like everywhere else, prices have gone up over the years but probably no more than they have here in the UK. You might get that sort of impression if you've bought your lunchtime baguette et brie from a supermarket one day and a small shop in the mountains the next.

Our French local one man and his dog shop is probably 50% more expensive than LeClerc's in Grenoble but that reflects the reality of having to haul his stock a mile up a mountain and the shopkeeper knows perfectly well I'm not going to drive 20 miles down into the valley and back to save €0.20 on my baguette.
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 15 Mar 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leicestershire/Warwickshire border.
Posts: 15
Why the Alps??
In your position.....
I would change my destination to the Spainish Pyrenees.
Overnight ferry to Santander on towards Pamplona then pick up the N240/260 towards the Med until its time to head back.
Spain is cheaper than most other european countries. Lots of campsites and nice hotels along this route.
Dont forget a little luxury helps!
Paradores Spain - Spanish Paradors - Parador hotels - Spanish hotels - Spain hotels

Seajay
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 17 Mar 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 10
.
I've already looked into that option and the ferry from England to Spain was working out at well over £600 so that was that decision made.

BOB, cheers for the input, it's friends that have been skiing that were talking about the prices being so high and thats why i was wondering are these costs kinda relative to ski resorts and seasons.
The info i'm getting from here seems to be relatively positive so happy days.
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 18 Mar 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 1,232
If you want soemthing specific to do I would say the Route Des Grande Alps is well worth it. Starting from Evian in the North it runs to the South to near Nice over some of the highest passes in the Alps, it's awesoome. There are plently of campsites enroute. I did it a few years ago and absolutely loved it and was able to do it relatively inexpensively using campsites and cheap hotels.
We travelled down avoiding the motorways and it was a lovely run through the French countryside. We used a lot of Formula one hotels. Basic but cheap and clean, unlike a lot of far more expensive french hotels! Camping is ok but it's nice to have a hotel every now and then!

Even in Evian, which is switzerland, we were able to find a campsite near the start of the route and feasted on take away pizza!

Boom Boom after days of riding a scooter, I love an optimist
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 19 Mar 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
Quote:
Originally Posted by moggy 1968 View Post

Even in Evian, which is switzerland,
France actually, being west of St Gingangooly where the border is on the south side of Lac Leman.

+1 for the Route de G A; I've just taken a Prado on some of it over the last few days and it is worth the trip.

I'm now in Switzerland, which continues to be expensive if only because of the exchange rate to the £.
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 20 Mar 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 1,232
DOH! sorry, of course it is, hence the water! the border runs up the middle of the lake
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 4 Apr 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 5
dear pauljt

i ride across the alps so often and so i may give you any tips

usually in summer you'll spent less than in winter (ski season)

switzerland is NOT cheap to eat end sleep, but in italy and austria you could spent less, a lot less....

u've to find b&b, zimmer frei is the signboard u've to look for in dolomiti and austria

u'll find cosy & clean rooms and superb breakfast

the most interestings road for a biker

all passes in dolomiti

in austria

hoch tauern

nochalm strasse

silvretta strasse


gross glockner


in switzerland

furka, grimsel nufenen and saint gotthard are a classic tour
Last edited by joesimpson; 5 Apr 2013 at 16:01.
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 5 Apr 2013
venture's Avatar
Gold Member
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: NornIron
Posts: 12
Your Trip
Pauljt,

(Just an alternative thought)

I do the Alps every year from NornIron. That's Cairnryan through Dover and on one occasion N'Castle IJmuden etc. It's all good but a long way from the destination you've chosen (and the temptation is always gonna be expensive toll roads) for your two week jaunt. (I go across to Aneccy-du-lac and on to Manigod) It's not a marathon by any means but maybe, as suggested earlier, you might consider again that Pyrenees raid. It's scenic and warmer (a little) and access is really easy and the route is very do-able on a budget. I last did the crossing some years back, but it was excellent from Bournemouth to Cherborg. Then down the coast (cross straight over/ past Caen/ Rennes/ Nantes/ Bordeaux or head up through Andorra which is also fabulous. I'm not sure it's shorter at all - but access to budget accom is more frequent and the campsites are very good also, even though you're actually headed south at summer season. As I say it's just a thought - but at any point you're already in a nice place to stay no matter how far you get.

What ever you choose have a ball.

Cheers.

Moss.
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 2 of 2 1 2

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
From UK to the Alps with my kids scott.l. 4 Wheels Travel Reports 4 18 Dec 2012 02:47
Riding the Alps in November AdventureScot Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 12 16 Nov 2012 17:46
Scandinavia, the alps, the riviera, Morocco and back waga95 Route Planning 20 29 Sep 2012 22:32
Europe - Through the Alps duive01 Ride Tales 20 22 May 2012 17:34
Why are Acerbis Tanks so expensive ! geordie_e The HUBB PUB 19 30 Nov 2011 22:22

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 00:38.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top