driving through france to spain
 

hellooo

need to drive to Spain through France as none of the ferry crossing to Spain fit in with our schedule. Any info. re. best routes to take, where to stop, how long etc. greatly appreciated.

many thanks:p

Lock your car doors and don't stop for anyone even if they try and convince you your car's about to explode. ;)

Try the AA, they used to do a route service with all the tolls etc listed.
They will probably direct you across to Bilbao and then down, but you can drive down France and along the coast, but further and petrol etc is dearer in France.
Not quite as bad as sibsie says, but dont stop for anyone, exept Police. Sometimes robbers fake a breakdown or accident, and while you help they unload your car, they prey on foriegn plates.

PS you would find the ferry to Bilbao more relaxing ...:beer: :beer:

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jdr
Try the AA, they used to do a route service with all the tolls etc listed.

Te AA still do a route service, check the website, it may well be free too!!!! If you are only going one way you can't get European breakdown cover through them (recommended as it can cos around £2000 to get your vehicle back to the UK if you don't), apparently Green Flag do one way cover. Although if you are coming back to the UK (within 90days) the AA's is the most comprehensive.

I've driven from London -> France -> Spain several times...

My advice is plan it yourself, do some research and have think about it.. Normaly I don't know i'm going until the day before hand, I just jump into the car to Dover and get on with it.. Make sure you have the following:

1> Up to date maps
2> At least 300 euros in cash (if you end up using it, then get your debit card out at the next big city and get more cash, as a lot of the petrol stations in small towns do not have visa/debit machines in my expereince... not forgetting money for any associated toll roads.
3> Stick as much as possible to major motorways, as then you're pretty safe that the petrol stations have a visa/debit machine to pay with.
4> If you get out and have lunch etc _always_ take your passports with you.
5> European law dictates that you need different things in your car for breakdowns.. Some countries you have to have 2 warning triangles, but no-one does it.. make sure you have one just incase.
6> Get breakdown cover in the UK if you have a car is of an age where this could be a concern.
7> If you're hiring a car for the drive, it might be worth paying the extra for a car with Sat-Nav (make sure it has the right cdroms for the countries) as it takes SO MUCH of the hassle out of it.
8> If you're going one way by ferry do not tell Seafrance or P&O get a cheap day return for about 25 quid and obviously do not show up for the return leg.. Otherwise you are gonna get charged at least 90 quid for a single.
9> Driving in europe is very different than the UK, so take it easy at first, you may feel that their way of driving on the motorways is aggressive, but once you've done it a hand full of times you notice just how bad drivers we are in the UK..
10> if you are hiring a car for the journey try and get one that is LHD (Left hand drive, ie steering wheel on the other side) most big hire companies have these, especially if you use one near a port or airport.
11> Always make sure you have plenty of water, not just for you, but to top up the radiator if anything happens.


You will also find that a lot of europe has decent motorway stops, even if theres not a shop or garage there, there will for most times (on the motorways) have tiolets and a place to stretch your legs and sit..

If you get caught speeding by the local police, if you have UK plates on the car normaly its a on the spot fine, they escort you to a cash machine if you do not have the money. Remember police cars/designs/logos/lights are different in every country :) so keep a look out!

Hope this has helped.

thanks all for info. much appreciated. 1st choice was ferry to spain but unfortunately the timing for these crossings was no good for our requirements. will be travelling this sunday via the channel tunnel - hubby driving, me map reading so expect to be their around easter!:scared:

Have a great time, let us all know how it went and if you took our advice!!!!!!

Ferry leaves 10 o/c Sat night,...not a lot of difference from Sunday....

hi jdr

phoned P&O and britanny and ferry times for spain for one was fridays only, the other didn't start until march. removal men coming saturday and delivering wednesday. wanted to be there on the saturday for that reason. this has to be the most disorganised move ever - never again!!:beer: :beer: :beer:

Never mind you will soon be dis-disorganised and supping a few
:beer: on the terrace laughing..:cool:

cheers! I'll raise a glass:beer: or 2 :beer: :beer: to that!!

Try "mappy" (google just that) for routes through France and throughout Europe. Shows tolls, petrol stations and a whole load of other stuff...it's in French, but perfectly clear.