How would you get to the Nurburgring?

rossk26 · 20 Dec 2011 at 15:33

Just having a quick browse as this is a definite future journey.

I'm aware a few people on this forum have made the trip before, just wondering how you got there?

I live near Newcastle so 2 options really:

1. Ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam, then a 250 mile drive to the 'ring'. Looking at prices though the ferries seem quite pricey (£350 return). And the trip quite long, which I wasn't expecting....

2. Drive to Dover (361 miles), ferry to Calais (£80?), drive from Calais to the 'ring' (291 miles).

Option 1 would only involve 500 miles of travelling = £115 in fuel
Option 2 would involve 1304 miles of travelling = £300

Both options seems to be similarly priced after ferry costs/tolls have been included. Option 1 would be the cheapest if a good deal were to come along, but can't seem to find one...

lordrobs · 20 Dec 2011 at 15:52

Downside of the ferry is if there is bad weather but I quite enjoy getting the ferry over to Calais rather than taking the tunnel if I'm not doing loads of travelling either side.

We did from Norwich to the Nurburgring and it wasn't too bad really but you will be looking at another 200 odd miles in the UK on top. Ouch!

In your shoes I would get an early ferry crossing, chill out for the trip on the boat and then drive the 250 to the ring. EDIT - overnight ferry as above makes much more sense

If you do end up going for option 2 save yourself an hour and get the tunnel.

rossk26 · 20 Dec 2011 at 15:59

lordrobs said:
We did from Norwich to the Nurburgring and it wasn't too bad really but you will be looking at another 200 odd miles in the UK on top. Ouch!

Yeh the 360 mile drive to dover (which I will also have to do coming back). Is what is putting me off that option. UK motorways don't offer me very much, done enough driving of them already. The ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam is ideal, but the price just seems very steep.

Begbie · 20 Dec 2011 at 16:06

The cheapest route, if not much in it the ferry. Driving to get some where with nothing but motorway is boring.

Mucky_Pup · 20 Dec 2011 at 23:11

I'm hoping to be going next year, and we'll be going for the Newcastle to Amsterdam route.

ChrisD. · 20 Dec 2011 at 23:19

Definitely option 1 from Newcastle.

Liquidfox · 20 Dec 2011 at 23:52

Booking far enough in advance I found that the ferry from Newcastle was around £160pp iirc. I always planned on taking a mate along with me so it wasn't too bad. Try changing the days you leave and come back on, they can make a massive difference to price!

Fuzz · 21 Dec 2011 at 01:01

If you don't like the slog of driving there and back, the cost of getting someone else to take a large lump of that burden away from you is money well spent in my opinion.
The last thing you want to do is arrive so spaced out you just want to sleep!

I can just about manage Tewkesbury to Dover (197 miles) in the evening after work, £50 night time ferry, Calais to Nurburg (bruges,Brussels,liege,achen) 285 miles over night/ the next morning and arrive for breakfast.
That's pretty hard work to stay focused in one hit (even with copious coffee breaks).
I don't even want to think about driving 350 miles from Newcastle! **** that!

Mucky_Pup · 21 Dec 2011 at 03:17

Just to add, if you're going with multiple people on the trip it works out a lot cheaper if you share a 4 bed cabin on the ferry to Amsterdam, costs the same fare for the cars, but if you've got a group of 4 cars going with only 1 person in each car, a 2 bed cabin is around £200 there and back, and a 4 bed cabin is about the same price. Even if there's only 4 people going in 2 cars, and you don't mind sharing a room, you cut your costs down by £100 by sharing a cabin with them.

Sagalout · 21 Dec 2011 at 07:40

We always get the Hull > Zebrugge ferry. Overnight ferrys are awesome - all you can eat buffet and a bar - basically a good night out, then wake up early morning ready for the drive.

Can be dodgy if you get bad weather though - last time we did it (in October) we got a force 8 crossing. Didn't bother me as I dont ever get ill on boats, but my mate didnt enjoy it at all (and he used to be in the Navy haha)

rossk26 · 21 Dec 2011 at 08:14

Mucky_Pup said:
Just to add, if you're going with multiple people on the trip it works out a lot cheaper if you share a 4 bed cabin on the ferry to Amsterdam, costs the same fare for the cars, but if you've got a group of 4 cars going with only 1 person in each car, a 2 bed cabin is around £200 there and back, and a 4 bed cabin is about the same price. Even if there's only 4 people going in 2 cars, and you don't mind sharing a room, you cut your costs down by £100 by sharing a cabin with them.

This sounds promising!! It will probably end up being around 4 people, possibly with 4 cars, but definitely a minimum of 2 cars...

Guess I will just need to shop around when a date is decided. Ferry from Newcastle > Amsterdam is the best option for sure, then it's a brief journey to the ring, with new and exciting roads along the way!!

sovietspybob · 21 Dec 2011 at 11:18

I'm looking to do the Hull > Zebrugge crossing when i try and go next year as i've done the ferry from dover and that really sucks

Drove from nurburg to north wales in 1 day, MAN that day was hard work

Only gamble is the weather as i really woulnd;'t fancy a whole night being sick on a boat, but if the gamble pays off you arrive nice and fresh with only a 3 hour drive on the other end instead of a 15 hour slog