Driving from the UK                                                 

Driving time from Calais by our recommended route is normally max. 10 hours - obviously traffic jams and roadworks can increase the time. Extra time needs to be allowed for breaks. It can be done in one day but this is only advisable if you really like long drives and have tolerant passengers.

We recommend the following route: Calais - Reims - Metz - Saarbruecken - Mannheim - Heilbronn - Nuernberg - Regensburg - Deggendorf- then country roads to Bayerisch Eisenstein (signposted from Deggendorf).

This route has the least traffic and is therefore usually faster in spite of being marginally longer than the route recommended by all SatNavs and navigation websites (through Belgium).We drive regularly between the UK and Bayerisch Eisenstein and always drive through France rather than Belgium. There are tolls of approx €30 to pay on the French section of the route but the cost is well worth it because of the lack of traffic.

If you bring your own car from the UK, your UK insurance will normally cover you for driving in the Czech Republic with no extra cost or restrictions.

Overnight stops

An alternative idea is to have at least one overnight stop in each direction and make the journey part of the holiday - there are plenty of nice towns and other places to visit on the way, for example: Heidelberg, the motor museum at Sinsheim, Nuernberg, Regensburg

Remember, you do not have to book exact weeks with us (Saturday to Saturday) - you can arrive and depart on any day and stay any number of days.

For overnight stops, we recommend

Driving from France

Hostellerie du Chateau, Neuville St Amand
(Approx 1.5 hours from Calais, 8 hours from Bayerisch Eisenstein).

5-10 minutes from the autoroute, on the edge of the village, surrounded by spacious gardens. Very peaceful. We stayed in the main house where the bedroom and bathroom had distinctly eccentric decoration but were comfortable, if basic and old fashioned. The food and wine in the restaurant were superb. Rooms cost €72 per night plus €9 for breakfast.

Manoir De Maffrecourt, Nr. Sainte Menehould

(Approx 3 hours from Calais, just under 7 hours from Bayerisch Eisenstein)

Grant and Sandra are doing up the Manoir in traditional French style so there is still an element of 'shabby chateau'! Their 2 gites offer an interesting, good value alternative to hotels, especially for families. As it is self catering accommodation, you can bring your evening meal and breakfast with you or order meals cooked by Sandra. The Mirabelle apartment sleeps 6 (€117-137) and the Cerise cottage sleeps 4 (€105-123 per night).

Hotel Rosenthaler Hof, Nr. Kaiserslautern

(Approx. 5.5 hours from Calais, 4.5 hours from Bayerisch Eisenstein)

We have to admit that this hotel is a bit of challenge to get to but it is only a few kilometres off the motorway and well worth the effort. The hotel is a converted monastery. It is a very quiet location, with a pond and a lovely terrace for eating outdoors in summer. At other times of year there is conservatory or a vaulted indoor room for eating. The bedrooms are pleasant and spacious although not all have good WiFi reception. The staff are friendly and pleasant and the food and wines are excellent and not expensive. Double rooms are €76-93 per night including breakfast.

Near Heilbronn - Schlosshotel at Neckar-Bischofsheim

(Approx 6.5 hours from Calais, 3.5 hours from Bayerisch Eisenstein).

In the centre of a small town, but very quiet, overlooking a park where the (small) castle is. Very elegant but also very comfortable and casual. Excellent service and food. The restaurant can be a bit pricey - the traditional part of the menu is excellent value. Double room with park view €145, without park view €135. Special rates have been negotiated for Bavarian Forest Holidays customers - please email us at for details.

This hotel has the advantage of being close to the Motor and Technology Museum at Sinsheim (right next to the motorway and 10 minutes from the hotel). The museum has a huge range of planes (including a French Concorde and a Konkordski), trains, cars, motor bikes etc. It is open every day of the year 09.00 to 18.00

Driving from Belgium/Netherlands

We recommend the E45 to bypass Frankfurt, then Wuerzburg - Nuernberg - Deggendorf and country roads to Bayerisch Eisenstein, (It looks like a bit of a detour to get to, but the traffic is much lighter on the E45 than on the Rhine autobahns).

For overnight stops on this route, we recommend:

Zehntkeller, Near Wuerzburg

(3 hours from Bayerisch Eisenstein)

In Ipfhofen: a former prince-bishop's palace, the rooms are up to date and comfortable, the restaurant is traditional with good food and the wines are Zehntkeller's own production. Double rooms from €118 including breakfast.3 hours from Bayerisch Eisenstein.

Hotel Burg Colmberg, near Nuernberg

(3 hours from Bayerisch Eisenstein)

This is a real medieval castle with lots of atmosphere, fantastic views, excellent food and close to the autobahn. Double rooms from €79 including breakfast. ]

Getting Here | Trains | Driving | Flights | Car Hire

Contact us

Bavarian Forest Holidays
Hans-Watzlik-Strasse 8
94252 Bayerisch Eisenstein
Germany
Tel. (Germany) +49 (0)9925 90 32 04 (UK) 07976 403434
Email: