Independent Travel

      Have you already booked your own flights?

      Do you live somewhere other than the UK?

      Do you want to drive to your destination? 

Although most of the holidays featured on our website are shown as a package price, including flights and transfers, you may prefer to organise your own transport.   Many companies now offer discounts to guests who arrange travel independently.  Please ask for more details when making an enquiry or alternatively tick the 'Independent Travel' box when making a QuickChaletSearch. 

 Self-Drive

Many of our clients choose to drive themselves to their chalet.  If you opt for self-drive then we are more than happy to provide maps and driving directions.  Many chalets have parking spaces available for use by guests.  Please be aware that driving laws vary from country to country and many are far stricter than those in the UK. Please read the information at the bottom of this page for full details.

 Transfers

There is a wide range of cheap flights readily available these days but don’t forget you will still need to organise transfers to and from the resort which can add significantly to the cost of your holiday.  You may wish to get an idea of charges before booking your own flights.  

                                               Transfer Intelligence are a leading transfer supplier, with routes to all our European resorts.  They cover all types of pick-ups with a full range of vehicle options. Their website provides complete online quote and reservation services, offering transfer solutions to suit a range of budgets.  

Please click on the logo for more details and quote ‘chaletline’ when making an enquiry.

Alternatively some companies are happy to provide or arrange transfers, even if you do not require their flights.  Please ask for details when enquiring about a holiday. 

For more advice on travel options please call on 0845 200 0375 or complete our enquiry form.

Self Drive Ski Holidays In Europe

Make sure you Drive Alive! Drive on the right!

• Be especially careful when setting off from service stations or restaurants on the left side of the road.

• Take care when overtaking - allow more space between you and the car in front so you can see further down the road ahead.

• France has strict drink driving laws, blood alcohol levels being stricter than in the UK (0.5 mg/ml rather than 0.8). Rather than present you with meaningless figures relating to blood/breath alcohol levels, our advice is if you're driving, don't drink.

• Seat belts front and rear are obligatory everywhere.

• Speed limits, shown below, are implemented rigorously. Radar traps are frequent. In France, anyone caught travelling at more than 25km/h above the speed limit can have their licence confiscated on the spot.

• Remember - Speeding and other traffic offences are subject to on-the-spot fines.

• Be aware that urban speed limits begin at the town or city sign (not always where the first 50km/h sign is situated), usually denoted by a white name panel with a red border, and the limit ends where the name panel has a diagonal black bar through it.

A full UK driving licence is required. As in the UK, seat belts should be worn front and rear. Below are motoring regulations relating to France.

Take care in built-up areas where the old rule giving priority to traffic coming from the right (Priorité a droite) still applies unless a yellow diamond indicates you have priority. On roundabouts you generally give priority to traffic already on the roundabout, in other words, coming from your left as you enter the roundabout.

Children in cars: children under 10 are not allowed in the front. In the rear they must use a proper restraint system appropriate to their weight, which means a child seat if they weigh between 9 and 15 kg. Over this weight they can use seat belts with a booster cushion.

Documentation: always carry your driving licence, vehicle registration document (V5), and certificate of motor insurance. If your licence does not incorporate a photograph ensure you carry your passport to validate the licence. If the vehicle is not registered in your name, carry a letter from the registered owner giving you permission to drive.

Drinking and driving: Don't do it. Over 0.05 per cent and you could face anything up to imprisonment.

Fines: On the spot fines are issued. Ensure an official receipt is issued by the officer collecting the fine.

First-aid kit is advised, but not compulsory.

Fuel: All grades of unleaded petrol and diesel are available. As in the UK, LPG is only available at some stations. Leaded no longer exists. It is allowed to carry petrol in a can. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, although they probably won't work at automatic pumps, which are often the only pumps in rural areas open out-of-hours, which also means lunch-time from noon to 3pm. It's a good idea to let your card issuer know you will be travelling abroad. This ensures they don't suspend your card if they spot it being used in unfamiliar places, which they sometimes do as an anti-fraud measure.

GB sticker: UK registered vehicles displaying Euro-plates (circle of 12 stars above the national identifier on blue background) no longer need a GB sticker  when driving in European Union countries.

Headlamp converters are compulsory.

Lights: dipped headlights must be used in poor daytime visibility. Motorcycles over 125cc must use dipped headlights during the day at all times.

Minimum age for driving, provided you hold a full UK licence, is 18 for a car and a motorcycle over 125cc and 15 for a motorcycle under 125cc.

Motorcycle drivers and passengers must wear crash helmets.

Motor insurance: third-party insurance is compulsory. A green card is not required but your insurer should be advised of your trip.

Replacement bulb set recommended.

Seat belts are compulsory for front and rear seat occupants, if fitted.

Snow chains are recommended during winter. Winter tyres are recommended but not compulsory (as of January 2008). Snow chains are recommended to be carried in mountainous regions, especially the Alps, during winter, and if you do not carry and fit them when conditions demand the police can prevent you continuing your journey.

Supermarkets: Most supermarkets are closed on Sunday.

Vests are compulsory in France from July 1st 2008, and in Austria, Belgium, Italy, Norway, Portugal and Spain (and likely to become compulsory throughout the EU). The rules vary from country to country concerning number of vests required and whether they should be carried in the car or boot. Common sense suggests that there should be a vest for every occupant, and that the vests should be carried in the car, and put on before getting out. Do this and you will not have a problem.

Warning triangle is compulsory as from July 1st 2008. The triangle can be used in conjunction with hazard flashers.