Re: Driving from Calais to Coimbra
 

Greater London/Kent border - Bordeaux - roughly 14 hours or so, with breaks. Around €70 in toll charges. Fuel up before leaving UK, and, if possible, avoid refueling at the petrol stations at the highways, as too expensive.

Bordeaux - Lisbon - good 16 hours, with enough rest, which may not be manageable if you are not an experienced driver, in which case take an extra day. At least €30 in toll charges in Fr, and another €30 in the Basque Country only, the rest of Spain is free, then around €40 in charges in Pt.

Petrol cheaper in Spain than in both Fr/Pt.

Two people, four cats and a dog. Nothing short of SUV could suffice.

Would never ever do it again. Fortunately, would never ever have to :thumbsup:

And that is, considering 2 days full rest in Fr after the first leg of the journey.

Re: Driving from Calais to Coimbra
 

We used to do that journey, but with dog not children so used F1 motels or Ibis/Novotels as we signed up to the Accor group for discounts. Tours is a good first stop from Calais, then Valladolid. Used Emovis tags for tolls in France and Spain and closed my eyes for the bill, so not sure how much? Fuel? Who knows. Motorway snacks in Spain are pretty rubbish too!

Re: Driving from Calais to Coimbra
 

There are 3 ferry options with Brittany Ferries.

Portsmouth - Bilbao (dep MWSa 23:00, trip time 31h 45m, arr 07:45)

Portsmouth - Santander (dep TuTh 22:15, trip time 32h 45m, arr 08:00)

Plymouth - Santander (dep SuW 15:45, trip time 20h 30m, arr 13:15)

From my point of view, although the Portsmouth sailings are much longer, it has 2 overnights and a nice early start for the trip south in Spain.

Re: Driving from Calais to Coimbra
 

Yep, and you are effectively awake for more or less the same amount of time, and arrive in PT by late afternoon.

Re: Driving from Calais to Coimbra
 

Thanks for your comments ,i think that flying into Lisbon and hiring a car maybe more practical , a lot quicker and less stressful.

Re: Driving from Calais to Coimbra
 

Flying to Porto may be an equally sensible option.

Re: Driving from Calais to Coimbra
 

There is that...

Re: Driving from Calais to Coimbra
 

I suppose it just depends on your view and if you see the stops as a holiday, then it won't be stressful. If you just want to get somewhere as quickly as possible then flying will probably be easier.

Re: Driving from Calais to Coimbra
 

Sgttroy, if you use the old motorway through the Basque country (runs parallel to the new tolled one) it is still free..

Re: Driving from Calais to Coimbra
 

As said, the travel restrictions were lifted today (although the 19h00 curfew continues and will be gradually phased out by 30th June). Many believe that, unless every one takes the basic precautions in their new-found freedom, this will cause a 4th Covid wave by mid-Summer. Not being pessimistic, but realistic, knowing the French mindset, and I have to agree that it would be better to avoid France....