Driving to Amsterdam Tomorrow..

ChocolateStarfishRammer · 27 Apr 2012 at 12:48

Ladies,,

So me and some mates are off to Amsterdam tomorrow and decided it would be more fun to drive.

Now, other then booking the euro-tunnel, In a true manly way, I've done absolutely no preparation for this.

TomTom knows all right?

So was after any tips, recommendations, things I should do to the car to get it ready..

Anything you can advise.. Try and keep it clean lol

Spuj · 27 Apr 2012 at 12:51

RichMawdsley said:
Ladies,,

So me and some mates are off to Amsterdam tomorrow and decided it would be more fun to drive.

Now, other then booking the euro-tunnel, In a true manly way, I've done absolutely no preparation for this.

TomTom knows all right?

So was after any tips, recommendations, things I should do to the car to get it ready..

Anything you can advise.. Try and keep it clean lol

Leave the car at the border to Holland and jump on a bike, the dutch love that.

mattyprice4004 · 27 Apr 2012 at 12:51

Ha, read this half asleep and had a proper WTF moment... my dad is called Richard Mawdsley (spelt the same) so thought he was going away for a 'good weekend'

TommyV · 27 Apr 2012 at 12:57

I'm going there next week, flying into AMS next Friday evening for a stag.

**** driving, I'd rather get there in a couple of hours and crack on getting mashed!

ChocolateStarfishRammer · 27 Apr 2012 at 13:01

mattyprice4004 said:
Ha, read this half asleep and had a proper WTF moment... my dad is called Richard Mawdsley (spelt the same) so thought he was going away for a 'good weekend'

....Awkwarddd..

Haha! Where about's are you from? assuming your a mawds too?

TommyV said:
**** driving, I'd rather get there in a couple of hours and crack on getting mashed!

Ahh it will be a great laugh I reckon!

JayMax · 27 Apr 2012 at 13:05

Cyclists have right of way in Amsterdam. If they don't legally they sure ride like they do.

Rotty · 27 Apr 2012 at 13:07

don't even boither trying to drive into the city, terrible to get round and parking makes London look cheap, park at the Rai convention centre and get the tram in

just got back on Tuesday and managed to spend 600 euro in 48hrs :eek:

pepsilol · 27 Apr 2012 at 13:08

I promise you it will be way more fun if you stop looking at this thread, and just turn on the ET with a TomTom ....and just go from there..

ChocolateStarfishRammer · 27 Apr 2012 at 13:10

Rotty said:
don't even boither trying to drive into the city, terrible to get round and parking makes London look cheap, park at the Rai convention centre and get the tram in

just got back on Tuesday and managed to spend 600 euro in 48hrs

Oh nice!,

Yeah were staying with a mate's dad and he's got parking sorted so that'll be alright!

pepsilol said:
I promise you it will be way more fun if you stop looking at this thread, and just turn on the ET with a TomTom ....and just go from there..

Sweet.. ET?

albert · 27 Apr 2012 at 13:14

I drove there last year. Tom Tom will get you there no problem.

Advice .... trying to park in the centre of Amsterdam my Tom Tom guided me to a Euro carpark. Only thing was I had a roofbox on my Scenic and my car couldn't fit through the entrance. Had to reverse and ended up getting lost in the city centre. What a nightmare. Bike lanes everywhere, tram lines and just all round crazy driving. How I didn't bump my car is beyond me.

Ezah · 27 Apr 2012 at 20:27

The first time I went was on a Vespa, with a tent and zero preparation.. and the next couple of times was much the same other than my Saab breaking down in a cloud of smoke on Dam square

. But you will be absolutely fine.

My only advice, have some sort of international recovery service available (AA should do it), and as has been said ^ do not bother trying to park downtown. Last time I was there it was 5 euro an hour there is hardly any availability of street spaces. Either park outside the ring road (free parking), and get a tram, or north of the river and go to central station on the free ferry. Hotels downtown may charge you 50 euros a day parking.

Other than that just watch out for trams, bikes & wasted people while you are driving, and avoid shady characters trying to sell you aspirins in the red light district.

edit: of course tell your motor insurance provider

ElliottJames · 27 Apr 2012 at 20:53

Anything to prepare? Okay I suggest put petrol in the tank

cainer · 27 Apr 2012 at 21:41

you got a hi-vi jacket in the car and reflective warning triangle? you need these things for driving in france

pingwing · 27 Apr 2012 at 21:44

Rotty said:
just got back on Tuesday and managed to spend 600 euro in 48hrs

Are midget hookers really that expensive?!?! :eek:

BDEE · 27 Apr 2012 at 21:44

I would suggest making sure your Tom Tom has the latest set of European map data installed.

cainer · 27 Apr 2012 at 21:53

BDEE said:
I would suggest making sure your Tom Tom has the latest set of European map data installed.

and if its a sat nav that flags up where speed cameras are leave it at home, 1500 euro fine for those in france :eek:

http://driving.drive-alive.co.uk/driving-in-france.htm

Twirlywoos · 27 Apr 2012 at 21:55

RichMawdsley said:
Ladies,,

So me and some mates are off to Amsterdam tomorrow and decided it would be more fun to drive.

Now, other then booking the euro-tunnel, In a true manly way, I've done absolutely no preparation for this.

TomTom knows all right?

So was after any tips, recommendations, things I should do to the car to get it ready..

Anything you can advise.. Try and keep it clean lol

Just remember to drive on the wrong side of the road when you reach continental Europe

Have Fun and try out the waffles when you pass Belgium they are fantastic.

Number_25 · 27 Apr 2012 at 21:55

My father drove to Brussels on a Suzuki GSXR-750 without any problems getting there.

Shouldn't have an issue to be honest, just make sure you're safe and you buy all your stuff from a trusted person.

Also suit up, I know of a boy who came back with a few itches and niggles down there, if you know what I'm saying.

Twirlywoos · 27 Apr 2012 at 21:58

ElliottJames said:
Anything to prepare? Okay I suggest put petrol in the tank

When we drove last time my mate put on some EU thing on the reg plate and masking tape on the front headlight so the light reflected correctly on the right side of the road.

albert · 27 Apr 2012 at 22:07

cainer said:
and if its a sat nav that flags up where speed cameras are leave it at home, 1500 euro fine for those in france
http://driving.drive-alive.co.uk/driving-in-france.htm

I've drove around France on holidays many many times with my trusty Tom Tom and never had a problem :rolleyes:

Just to add the speed cameras in France are very sneaky. Not like over here where they are 8 foot high and bright yellow with signs giving you plenty of warning. Over in France there are no warning signs and the cameras are about 2.5/3 foot and they are hidden in bushes or behind trees. Basically you can't see them.