Yes, Brittany Ferries have several routes & also LD Lines which will probably be cheaper. Check websites for prices, they will vary a fair bit depending on what time of yr you sail & how far ahead you book.
I used the Poole to Santander Ferry in November, I have never been so board in all my life, it took 26 hours but if we went from to northern France and drove down it was around 10 hours but the other 2 drivers who was with me didn't want to drive down, It is a basic ferry which is used by a lot of lorry drivers, if you do use it take food and drink as it is quite expensive on there aswell
Portsmouth to Santander including a cabin for 2 will cost between £700 & £800 depending on who you book with.
It can work out cheaper if you book with the CC & purchase 7 camping cheques But do do your research
We went Portsmouth to Bilbao last December we paid just over £700. When we go again in December we are going Portsmouth to
Caen anD driving through France.
It doesn't seem to make a lot of sense financially or time wise to use those routes if travelling to Costa Brava or anywhere really north of Valencia as you have 400/500 miles trek across from Bilbao/Santander anyway once you have "landed"
using Le Havre or Caen as a base to start from can make more sense depending on where you are based in UK
Quote: Originally posted by les + june on 19/6/2014
We went Portsmouth to Bilbao last December we paid just over £700. When we go again in December we are going Portsmouth to
Caen anD driving through France.
Les
You must have booked very late in the year , we booked in September 2013 for january 2014 returning in March and with the car and 7.2 meter van and cabin both ways it worked out at £359 going out and £410 coming back.
Total cost £769 return which cheaper than driving both ways to Spain add the diesel , site fees , tolls and wear and tear on your car .
Quote: Originally posted by sunshinetours on 19/6/2014It doesn't seem to make a lot of sense financially or time wise to use those routes if travelling to Costa Brava or anywhere really north of Valencia as you have 400/500 miles trek across from Bilbao/Santander anyway once you have "landed"
using Le Havre or Caen as a base to start from can make more sense depending on where you are based in UK
Quote: Originally posted by neil and lena on 19/6/2014
Quote: Originally posted by sunshinetours on 19/6/2014It doesn't seem to make a lot of sense financially or time wise to use those routes if travelling to Costa Brava or anywhere really north of Valencia as you have 400/500 miles trek across from Bilbao/Santander anyway once you have "landed"
using Le Havre or Caen as a base to start from can make more sense depending on where you are based in UK
Have you ever made the journey ?
we have for the last 6 years since I retired early at 50 and believe you me its cheaper taking the boat .
We made the big mistake of driving the whole way in 2012 January and its bloody miserable trekking through France in Snow and Ice , added to the fact that there are few sites open and the ones that are have next to useless 6amp electric which in the heart of winter is no good .
Time you pay fuel from Calais to La Manga (over 1200miles) £400-450 typically and site fee's , food , tolls ,and the extra wear and tear on you car its not worth it
As I said, anywhere north of Valencia you would need to do sums carefully
La Manga is best part of 200 miles south of Valencia
Planning the trip next year towing for first time to Spain (driven it solo before) and the costs do not work out for us looking at Costa Brava, hence my post
Quote: Originally posted by sunshinetours on 20/6/2014
As I said, anywhere north of Valencia you would need to do sums carefully
La Manga is best part of 200 miles south of Valencia
Planning the trip next year towing for first time to Spain (driven it solo before) and the costs do not work out for us looking at Costa Brava, hence my post
Understand it works for you which is great
Portsmouth to Caen overnight is expensive even in the winter , if your intending driving down I would plan carefully and use non toll routes as much as possible .
The Somport tunnel route is ok and its nearly possible to get from Calais to Pau virtually toll free.
If you going to overwinter anywhere North of Valencia during January / February it can be cold .
Far better going a further south and you better chance of warmer temperatures
Quote: Originally posted by neil and lena on 19/6/2014
Quote: Originally posted by les + june on 19/6/2014We went Portsmouth to Bilbao last December we paid just over £700. When we go again in December we are going Portsmouth to
Caen anD driving through France.
Les
You must have booked very late in the year , we booked in September 2013 for january 2014 returning in March and with the car and 7.2 meter van and cabin both ways it worked out at £359 going out and £410 coming back.
Total cost £769 return which cheaper than driving both ways to Spain add the diesel , site fees , tolls and wear and tear on your car .
We did book very late it was in November we paid about £729 with a car and a 7.35m Caravan. It would have been another £200 but I had some avios.
The boss said she wouldn't go that way again as we had a rough trip both ways.
Quote: Originally posted by neil and lena on 20/6/2014
Quote: Originally posted by sunshinetours on 20/6/2014As I said, anywhere north of Valencia you would need to do sums carefully
La Manga is best part of 200 miles south of Valencia
Planning the trip next year towing for first time to Spain (driven it solo before) and the costs do not work out for us looking at Costa Brava, hence my post
Understand it works for you which is great
Portsmouth to Caen overnight is expensive even in the winter , if your intending driving down I would plan carefully and use non toll routes as much as possible .
The Somport tunnel route is ok and its nearly possible to get from Calais to Pau virtually toll free.
If you going to overwinter anywhere North of Valencia during January / February it can be cold .
Far better going a further south and you better chance of warmer temperatures
Good few years yet before we can go over winter! Thanks
Quote: Originally posted by les + june on 20/6/2014
Quote: Originally posted by neil and lena on 19/6/2014
Quote: Originally posted by les + june on 19/6/2014We went Portsmouth to Bilbao last December we paid just over £700. When we go again in December we are going Portsmouth to Caen anD driving through France.
Les
You must have booked very late in the year , we booked in September 2013 for january 2014 returning in March and with the car and 7.2 meter van and cabin both ways it worked out at £359 going out and £410 coming back.
Total cost £769 return which cheaper than driving both ways to Spain add the diesel , site fees , tolls and wear and tear on your car .
We did book very late it was in November we paid about £729 with a car and a 7.35m Caravan. It would have been another £200 but I had some avios.
The boss said she wouldn't go that way again as we had a rough trip both ways.
Les
If your unlucky it can be rough but in 14 crossings we have only had one bad experience .
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: ferry. England to Bibao, N Spain
