Car advice for switzerland

[youngy]

Going to Switzerland in august to magic wood
gonna be drivin there so just wondering a few things from people who have drove either there or somewhere abroad before
is it worth gettin the european breakdown cover? if so does anyone know any good cheap ones
also does anybody know where i can download a tomtom one european map of france and switzerland? without payin the stupid amounts tomtom want

cheers

[Bubba]

is it worth gettin the european breakdown cover?

Yes definitely - if you have a crash or major breakdown then the costs of getting you and your car home will be pretty nasty. Check with your current breakdown provider - they will often do a holiday cover package that will cover you for the time you're away.

also does anybody know where i can download a tomtom one european map of france and switzerland? without payin the stupid amounts tomtom want

http://www.ipmart-forum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=774

http://www.gpsunderground.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=38

You have to patch maps to your device - those sites will have instructions.

[bobkatebob]

If people are going to Europe for more than one trip in a year, or the trip is longer than usual  have a look at European coverage breakdown insurance specialists.

 The major UK breakdown specialists seem to be either expensive and/or put a lot of restrictions on their European breakdown coverage

[SA Chris]

I think you would be daft not to.

Have always just taken out a short term policy with breakdown company i was with at the time.

And be aware about having to buy a permit sticker if you want to use motorways in switzerland.

[SteveM]

And be aware about having to buy a permit sticker if you want to use motorways in switzerland.

If you don't have one, the border police stop and divert you off to one side to sell you one.

Which is slightly disconcerting when you're sneaking a friend who's lost their passport back to Geneva airport so that he can fly home. Especially when the police have an alarming habit of gesturing with gun barrels and you've just seen a bmw z-something with bullet holes stitched across it's boot on the side of the road about 50m back!

[dave]

And be aware about having to buy a permit sticker if you want to use motorways in switzerland.

If you don't have one, the border police stop and divert you off to one side to sell you one.

...unless you cross at a minor crossing point up a high mountain pass.

[SA Chris]

...unless you cross at a minor crossing point up a high mountain pass.

What I was about to say. They still tried to sell us one when we went over the border at Barberine, but we managed to convince them otherwise. The only person who was fluent in French in the car was pissed and kept telling them we were going to Eldorado. I think they though we were looking for a lost city of gold.