Christmas Markets Abroad - Must we change tyres?

esperelda
esperelda Forum Participant Posts: 3
edited October 2016 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

We are thinking about going to a christmas market abroad this year but have heard conflicting advice about whether we have to have winter tyres fitted on our motorhome. I know that these markets are popular, does everyone that attends buy a new set of winter
tyres to make the trip?

Comments

  • Lutz
    Lutz Forum Participant Posts: 1,564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited October 2016 #2

    The requirements vary from country to country. You don't say which ones you will be visiting.

  • H B Watson
    H B Watson Forum Participant Posts: 183
    edited October 2016 #3

    Depends on the country.

    oops, just beaten to it.

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2016 #4

    I think you  will get away with it at Boulogne Christmas market -  weekend of 16 to 20 December 2016 in the old town at the top of the hill. In fact no need to take the motorhome really. 

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited October 2016 #5

     In fact no need to take the motorhome really. 

    That I do not understand.

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2016 #6

    You don't understand a day trip to Boulogne via the tunnel?

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,311 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2016 #7

    It's a fair way from Lanarkshire.

  • DianneT
    DianneT Forum Participant Posts: 521
    100 Comments
    edited October 2016 #8

    We have been visiting the Christmas markets in Germany many times and never fitted winter types.  Only once saw snow    but as we were staying with friends did not use our car once we were there.  Lutz will give you the guidelines for Germany.  Austria winter
    types have to be fitted from October to April whatever the weather.  Look at AA website for other countries.

    DianneT

  • Grumblewagon
    Grumblewagon Forum Participant Posts: 246
    edited October 2016 #9

    Sorry if I go aff at a slight tangent...  We're planning to visit some German Christmas markets.  We do most years, but never go in our van.  There are a number of reasons such as finding a site, but the cost is a major factor too.

    Living in N.Scotland, it's a long and fairly expensive trek to Germany. We can however, fly from out local airport, stay in a modest hotel, use the excellent public transport for  a comparable price.  No need to worry about winter tyres!

    This year we hope to stay in Koblenz and Mainz and visit several markets in the smaller towns on the Rhine and Mosel valleys.  

     

  • DianneT
    DianneT Forum Participant Posts: 521
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    edited October 2016 #10

    We only go by car at that time of year and do a 5 day return on EurotunneL. We leave on a Friday before 6 am arriving Bernkastel around 3ish in afternoon, spend 3 nights in a lovely hotel right in center of town and travel back on the Monday.  I prefer the Mosel town and village markets of Bernkastel, Cochem, Traben Tarbach, Zell and the larger one of Trier.

    Once visited Rothenburg and Heidelberg they were lovely too. we did fly to München on  one occasion and that was superb. Visited the Neuschwanstein and an Linderhof in the snow.

    Well worth visiting Germany for the markets but wouldn't take MH or Caravan.

    DianneT

     

     

     

  • flatcoat
    flatcoat Forum Participant Posts: 1,571
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2016 #11

    We drove to aachen a couple of years ago (about 500 miles each way) to visit the Xmas market and in also in Koln. As suggested public transport is very good so you can leave the car once you are there. I run winter spec all-weather tyres, we live on t'pennines
    so need them!  

  • jakeontour
    jakeontour Forum Participant Posts: 63
    edited October 2016 #12

    Hi Esperalda

    For motorhomes there is a relatively simple answer.

    If your tyres carry an 'M&S' rating on the sidewall (that's mud and snow, not to be confused with a popular retailler), then you will be fine and legal for the vast majority of the markets in western europe.

    Some manufacturers fit them as standard, some don't.  Often owners will specify M&S tyres when they change to a new set.

    There are additional requirements regarding chains, dedicated winter tyres, etc if you are considering using any of the mountain passes or big tunnels.  But I doubt your route would involve them.

    The xmas markets are great but very busy so you will need to organise where you are staying in advance.

    Enjoy

  • meecee
    meecee Forum Participant Posts: 304
    edited October 2016 #13

    We've been to Nuremberg Christmas market by air/hotel, Ghent market by car/hotel and this year we're going to Alsace with the m'home end Nov, beginning Dec and have booked a couple of sites. I have done some research re winter tyres which seems to indicate
    they are not compulsory in France and their use would depend on weather, destination etc.  We have planned our route to avoid high altitude roads,cols and hairpin bends and don't intend to visit the ski resorts so hopefully we'll be OK.  It's worth a look
    round the internet for info.

  • jeffcc
    jeffcc Forum Participant Posts: 430
    edited October 2016 #14

    Try here for correct info

    http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/snow-chains-winter-tyres.html 

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,607 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2016 #15

    Try here for correct info

    http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/snow-chains-winter-tyres.html 

    Write your comments here... Great link, Jeff, and very useful. Thanks

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