We were going to ship our cars to Europe, drive thru the Alps and on the Autobahn. I guess the Mustang commercial makes it seem a lot easier than it is. I think the Swiss club encountered a lot of difficulties and perhaps underestimated the time and vast amount of effort required to make this trip a reality. Better for it not to happen than turn into a bad dream.
Actually - it's not that difficult to drive Viper through Alps and autobahns. Here is what it takes based on my experience:
- ship your car to Bremerhaven - one way is ~ $800/$1200 from East/West coast ports. Takes 1/4 weeks from East/West coasts.
- buy an insurance from ADAC (german auto club) @ $130 per month (this and US passport and current registration is required to clear the car through customs as tourists). you can buy the insurance at any ADAC outlet - these are in every city.
- get ready to pay $5 per gallon of gas
If you go outside of the main season you don't have to reserve the accomodation - the best way to go through the Alps is to sleep at B&B/small hotels @ $55-$100 per room and night with breakfast. Most of tourist towns in Alps have central information board with list of local B&Bs/hotels with phone numbers. Of course this can be pre arranged with the group.
The main problem is really logistic - how to get to your car from the airport. You can fly to Frankfurt and rent a car one way for example and do the same on the way back in reverse.
Now - if there is a group then you can further optimize to help the shipping (4 vipers fit one 40ft container for example), lodging, Etc.Etc.Etc.
I did this (shipping, driving through the Alps) and it was (and is) fantastic (driving obviously
. Because shipping car overseas is a major event (time and expense) you may consider to leave the car in Europe for the whole summer and fly in several times for 1-2 weeks trips. If you are looking for a local anchor I want to do some driving in May/June
.
All in all you should budget ~ $4000 + airfare and food for the whole trip per couple with car shipment being a major cost.
... and here is small teaser
Almost forgot - once there you can drive the
Nordschleife...
