Blog 3: Road Trip:

 What have I learnt from driving all across Europe?

It's no secret that living your life on the circus, you drive a fair few miles... I have no idea how many miles I have driven over the years, but I would guess it would be in the hundreds of thousands. We have travelled across a total of 12 countries between working in the UK, Finland and recently Germany. So surely all those miles, country experiences and ferry experiences, must have allowed us to picked up some hacks and tricks? Well we definitely have and I'm about to go over a few topics: 2 Routes: Which is cheaper and why? What is the process like with a dog? Tips on how save money when travelling and more. 

Route 1: Finland to UK via Estonia + 8 countries; 

After 5 years, we have found the route that works best for us and that's the slightly longer, but cheaper travel From Finland to the UK. Across 8 countries. (Finland-Estonia-Latvia-Lithuania-Poland-Germany-Netherlands-UK). This takes about 4 days of driving (30 hours total time) and costs us around a total of 1,500 euro. That includes the ferry from Finland to Estonia (around 300 euro) 400 euro in total fuel costs and the ferry from Hook of Holland to the UK. (300 euro). This is the cost for our trip most recently, so prices have gone up from Covid. We drive with 2 vehicles and both pull trailers. Costs will differ depending on the size of the car and or trailer you have, but not by much. The time of travel will also differ on how much driving time you choose to do. We do about 10 hours a day and this is more of a higher drive time than those who would be choosing to take a more leisurely drive. We found we could get through Estonia, Latvia and half of Lithuania in one day. We will usually drive from about 10am and stop at around 11pm. Because, we have a camper and or caravan and a generator with us, we will always have our own amenities. This mean we choose to stop in truck stops over night. Others may choose to stop in camp sites, this is something I would not be able to recommend on, as we've never actually used them on route. However, it would be an easy thing to google for yourself, or I'm sure there are apps too. Truck stops costs us an average of 8 euro a night. These did not include any electric or shower facilities, but because we have the option of our own (generator if needed for a shower and electric), or often the batteries are always charged for light and we have gas for cooking and heating, this was not something we were concerned with. Having our own amenities, saved money as I do know truck stops with showering facilities and electric cost more. Each truck stop was easy to find and they are every where across Europe. In Lithuania they were all gated and those not, or in the other countries, were still very safe. One thing we did noticed, was always a police member in the truck stops. They would be there for safety and security. Knowing and seeing this gave us an extra sense of safety.

Once we had parked up, we would set about dinner. We often opted for pasta and soups or pot noodle. They're quick and easy to cook and they fill you up well. Not to mention pretty cheap to buy. The other thing to save money on the road, fill our cars up. Fuel is the cheapest by a large amount in Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania. We always make sure to fill up the cars too full, when passing through. As soon as you hit Germany the prices jump. 

So, onto Poland, Germany and Netherlands. Poland was the biggest area to drive through. We did Poland in a day, but we really do limit our stops and breaks. We try to get into Germany, or at least near the boarder for the night. Again paying about 8 euro to park. 

Now the last leg... Germany to Netherlands and on the boat to the UK. 

We would do Germany easily and into the Netherlands in a day. Then the last part of driving through Netherlands on day 4. We make sure to get to the ferry with a minimum of 12 hours before boarding. Often its 24 hours. This just allows for time to relax at the port and any room if something go wrong on the road. EG tyres exploding or engine faults that could cost you a few hours. Never plan a route down to the exact hour. Always give yourself a day or so extra. Especially, if its your first time doing the route and driving such a length. You never do it as quickly as you expect to. Anyway, once at the ferry port we park up over night. They will all have a long or short stay parking area to park in. We get some sleep and then wake up early and start too board. Once on the boat we can relax, take a shower and wait to arrive in the UK. 

So Ferry's and dogs? Its really easy to travel with a dog on a ferry. Ours has a EU pet passport which is valid in the UK and Europe, but you will need too check whether your dog is valid with a passport or needs a certificate. Dogs coming into the UK need a worming tablet treatment (among the usual travel requirements) between 1-5 days of arriving. We get that done here in Finland. She will have the tablet on the day we start to travel. This means the tablet is still valid by the time we enter the UK. Before you bored, they will check the passport and ask you to record the microchip on a device. This is all that happens. It takes about 5 minutes and we have never had any issues. The Ferry's will either offer onboard kennels, a pet room or alternatively, they can stay in the vehicles. We differ. Using a kennel and pet room costs more money, where as the vehicle is free. The Estonian boat is only 6 hours. We choose to leave the dog in the camper van on this occasion. On the Estonian boat, they only offer kennels. If they're in the kennel, it's a small cage and often they're bunked with other animals. You are allowed access to the kennels, but only to take the dogs out on deck for a toilet. We prefer on short voyages, to keep her in the camper. She is allowed to roam freely and has access to her food and water. She does better since she is in a familiar setting. We are lucky our dog does well travelling and easily can go 6 hours without needing to be taken out. Most of the travel she will just sleep. We of course make sure she goes to the toilet before getting on the boat and shortly after getting off again. 

The best option for us though, is a pet room. This is where you are allowed to have them in the cabins with you on board. This does cost extra, but this is always a no brainer. The boat from the Netherlands to UK does not offer pet rooms though. If its a day boat they can stay in the vehicles, if its a night boat (due to the length of the trip) then they have to go in the kennels. Depending on which boat we choose to take, we will either leave her in the vehicle or put her into the kennels provided.

All of the boats are pretty good and we have never had any reason to feel unsafe or any complaint's. I just wish they all offered a pet room over a kennel. 

Route 2: Finland - Germany - Netherlands. Easiest route but more expensive. 

This is actually my favourite route, but due to covid the prices for boats have gone up to a premium. It used to cost us around 400 euro for the Finland to Germany Boat. Now it would cost us around 900 euro. We are hoping, now travel is more accessible, the price will fall again. This is the cost for the same 2 cars and trailers. If you can afford this route it is definitely better. This boat does offer pet rooms so we always opt for this. In a pet cabin or room, we have access to her at all times. They are not allowed up on the boat common areas, but they do offer a large area outside where you can take them to exercise and toilet. The rooms are a nice size too, so they have plenty of room to move about freely. We often find our dog is better when she can be with us and of course we feel better having her with us too. You can opt to bring a small crate into the room too. This is just so they can be locked away safely, when leave to go out on deck for dinner etc. However, this is is only really for puppies or dogs who may get destructive. We don't bring ours and she has always been fine. We do bring her food and water and a toy, chew bone and blanket. Just so she has familiar smells and it helps the transition. The boat goes from Finland to Germany and is about 3 days. The 2 routes are the same in time, but one is less driving time and cuts out more countries to cross through. The Germany boat is expensive for food and is in no way a cruise. They have one main restaurant, a café and bar. The price for dinner is about 30 euros each and a little less for breakfast. Times that over 3 days... It is not cheap. While the food is buffet and unlimited drink and food it still isn't worth that price. This is where we learnt to cut corners! We took this boat once when we had a very tight budget and definitely didn't have 300 euros to spend on food. We made sure to pack our own food and drinks. We packed my straighteners, which we used to toast bread and cook bacon. We packed throw away cutlery, plates, bowls and cups. We boiled hotdogs in the travel kettle we took with us and eggs. We also packed things like biscuits and ready made sandwiches for lunch plus a few yogurts. Drink was just bottled water. This was enough to keep us full and saved us a lot of money. We did only do this once, but it was a fun experiment and interesting to see we could do it. TIP: Cover the kettle spout with a tea towel to stop steam setting off the alarms in the room. Or use it in the bathroom. I would like to state this isn't illegal or against the rules. They do not check your bags coming on to the boat and you are allowed to bring any of your own food and drink onto the boat with you. Of course they would not be too happy, because they aren't making money, But needs must. Right? Like I said, we don't do this every time. We almost always pay for onboard food. 

Now to the last bit: Once we are off the ferry and into Germany, we drive into the Netherlands and get the same boat from Hook of Holland to the UK. This drive takes about a day too. This route is definitely more relaxing and feels quicker, but will always cost more money.

So, that is a bit of an insight into what our travel can look like. As always, thank you for taking the time to read my blogs and for your support. If you have any comments or questions feel free to leave a comment and I will do my best to answer them. 

I have uploaded some images of our first ever travel on Ferry's to Finland back in 2018 below. Enjoy.

Lia x

A selfies from the Ferry deck. Coming into and out of a dock can often give some stunning sights.

Vienna is always locked in by a seatbelt clip. This keeps us and her safe. 
It is European law that dogs are either caged or secured in the car when moving.

This is how Vienna spends most of the travel.

Vienna Checking out the view on the exercise deck.

Seb Relaxing on Board.

A look at the hallways on the cabin deck.

The windows in the Cabin are very large and sometimes it is nice to sit and watch the open ocean. You can slightly see a bed each side. Most basic rooms are twin rooms.

All rights to these images are reserved and copyrighted to Lia.