ValTay0607

Doing this for the first time in April, taking grandkids 11 & 14. I will be using a 5 door 1.4 hatch-back.
Can anyone who has done this give me detailed advice on duration, costs for fuels, toll roads/non-toll roads, B&B/motels (don't intend night driving), safety issues. I've had a look at relevant websites but would prefer benefit knowledge of 1st hand experience. Greatly appreciated

ValTay0607

Alternative advice on taking ferry to santander/bilbao and driving from there. Understand the Bay of Biscay can be rough. Advice on this would also be appreciated.

1sexsmith

In event of no deal you may need a green card. Mind you in event of no deal fuel could cost a fortune. Worth considering

bxpuser24710519

I now use the tunnel, ferry crossing was normally rough at least one way and disgusting French food at extortionate price. 3 nights 4 days central Scotland to Southern Spain. Toll roads about 100 euros each way, accom. average 50 euros Spain and France. Never had any safety issues. The various levels of Ibis Hotels have variety of room sizes and prices. Ibis Styles are fine. Fuel average 50 euros a day. I think I have remembered it correctly.

VFR

Yes the best route IMO what with all the trouble if France of late.
Yes it can get rough but those big boats they use nowadays seem quite stable.

Dxf

Hola

Plan for a break every two hours with a maximum of eight hours driving per day. Have lots of drinks & snacks and "things to do" for fractious little people. the aires in France are good for picnics and those that like French food - I stop at the first café / motorway services station on the way into Spain for a decently made cup of coffee

Davexf

Retired in Euskadi

It's an awful lot of driving from Calais to Torrevieja with 2 grandchildren in the back. I'd suggest taking the ferry to Santander; the Bilbao crossing forces you to book a cabin, always expensive, whereas the Santander one means you can opt for a reclining chair & sleep on the floor, usually more comfortable!
I can pick out a route for you that means that the grandchildren learn something of Spain if you wish.
Roads in Spain are pretty good & generally less traffic-bound than British ones. From Santander you could virtually arrive in Torrevieja without having paid tolls.

bolton wanderer

We've done both and this is the one I would recommend. We've done the Portsmouth - Bilbao route many times with no problems in bad weather, the ferries are very stable.
The ferry will cost more than the Dover - Calais route but once you factor in the extra fuel, tolls & overnight stops the difference isn't that great and it's a lot less stressful. It's possible to drive from Santander or Bilbao to Torrevieja in the same day if you get your ferry timings right and arrive early morning. These routes do tend to get booked up quite quickly though.
See https://www.viamichelin.co.uk/web/Routes to plan your route. It will provide a choice of routes, calculate fuel, tolls and estimate time for your journey. Have fun.

Re driving in Spain...https://www.spain.info/en_GB/informa...cir_en_espana/
google is your friend :-)

BTW You can get 10% off your fare with Brittany ferries (fare only, not accommodation) if you provide a club voyage membership number when booking. Many club voyager members are happy to oblige as they also get money for each referral.

Retired in Euskadi

In April it's perhaps pot luck in the Bay of Biscay, but winter time is worse.
I'll give you a possible route from Santander. The Bilbao crossing has no reclining seats, like I said, so you're forced to take a cabin. Also, until you reach the A1 (autovia, or dual carriageway) you'll pay around €11. Since 1st January the Vitoria-Burgos A1 road was tolled. Now it's free!
From Santander, take A67 (A = Autovia = Dual carriageway toll free; AP = autopista= motorway, with toll) to Aguilar de Campoo, which has a nice plaza / square for a coffee stop. Carry on to Fromista, with its famous church of St Martin & also on the Camino de Santiago, a fact worth explaining to your grandchildren. Carry on to Palencia, which isn't anything too special, then on to Valladolid.
My next part takes you through Castille, with its marvellous castles, which helped keep the Moors out. More history! Take N122 to Peñafiel, a castle perched on a hill, looking like a ship. Then on to Cuellar & A601 to Coca, a castle to blow your mind. From there, SG342 to Segovia and its Roman aqueduct. More history to relate.
Head for Avila, which both avoids confusing ring roads round Madrid & allows you to see its famous walls, then on to Toledo, the former capital of Spain. Worth a stop.
Then, the CM42 south towards Ciudad Real, deep in La Mancha & Don Quixote country via Consuegra, with its windmills (there aren't many otherwise). Get back on the N401 towards C Real & then the CM45 to Almagro which has a unique plaza/square for a beer.
Then south towards Valdepeñas & Bailen on the A4. Now you have a choice:
head for Cordoba to visit the unique mosque/cathedral or directly south on A44 to Jaen (olive country) & Granada. Granada is unique with a visit to the Alhambra, but better to book in advance.
From Granada to Murcia by autovia A92N is 220km. You're nearly in Torrevieja.
Yes, not exactly direct as such, but:
no tolls
lots of Spain & its history
better than racing down the boring carriageways.
Horses for courses.
Best wishes

Bridie55

Brittany Ferry gets my vote especially with youngsters, plenty entertainment on the ferry and a pool if weather is fine. I've done the France to Spain and it us a long tiring and expensive journey and add children into this, definitely not my choice.

bobd22

I would say in April it's pot luck crossing Bay of Biscay. I have done both routes Santander/Bilbao a number of times between May and September with no issues. Last year we did Santander late March and it was pretty grim wife never left the cabin.

earlyoap

Brittany Ferries gets our vote to Bilbao/Santander. In fact this year a little disappointed we have to miss the 2 night crossing to Bilbao. We look at the ferry as part of the hols.Not drove in France but the roads in Spain are great. in fact we now tell the Sat nav to avoid toll roads and highways. But saying that we use the drive to Tarifa as part of the hols as well and split this over a few days.

On a bit of a downer be careful in service stations near the port wife had her handbag robbed last year. it was snatched out the car. The car was unlocked while she walked the dog and I went the rest room.

ValTay0607

Thanks very much for all your replies and advice;truly appreciated.

newpower

I have just drove back to UK from almeria to Calais and it was a enjoyable journey stopping one night in France, downside is the cost of fuel in France, very expensive.

suziqqq

hi can you take dogs on this ferry please