Driving from Calais to Coimbra
May 2nd 2021, 3:17 pm
#16
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Joined: Apr 2017
Location: Greater Lisbon
Posts: 263
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
And that is, considering 2 days full rest in Fr after the first leg of the journey.
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
And that is, considering 2 days full rest in Fr after the first leg of the journey.
May 2nd 2021, 3:41 pm
#17
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 185
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!
May 2nd 2021, 4:43 pm
#18
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 26,319
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.
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.
May 2nd 2021, 6:07 pm
#19
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 84
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.
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.
May 2nd 2021, 6:31 pm
#20
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Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2012
Location: Lincolnshire uk
Posts: 33
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.
May 2nd 2021, 9:10 pm
#23
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,148
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.
May 2nd 2021, 10:59 pm
#24
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Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 657
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.
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.
May 3rd 2021, 6:50 am
#25
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Apr 2008
Location: Hérault (34)
Posts: 8,890
Re: Driving from Calais to Coimbra
Surely the ferry to Spain from the S of England makes more sense.
Arrive ( I think ) early morning and make it into Portugal on the same day.
I doubt if the extra cost of the longer ferry plus cabins would be greater than all the faffing around in France with overnights and what not.
In addition, you exclude one whole country and its Covid rules which may change in a way which does not suit you.
Arrive ( I think ) early morning and make it into Portugal on the same day.
I doubt if the extra cost of the longer ferry plus cabins would be greater than all the faffing around in France with overnights and what not.
In addition, you exclude one whole country and its Covid rules which may change in a way which does not suit you.
