Lospacoshombre

Hi Everyone,
I have done a search through the forum topics but not found what I really need.

Basically, I have driven down from Calais to CDS, but would like to travel back via Santander.

Has anyone any tips on this journey.

ie

What sailing to take
How long to get there
cabin to hire

or anything else you think may be relavant

Regards
Al

Dick Dasterdly

I would think most of the info you need is on the Brittany web site.
Which destination and sailing you choose will be mainly dependant on your UK destination.
Take care not to arrive in the UK during a bank holiday if you have far to drive. Made that mistake myself once and ended up having to make an overnight stop on the way back to the N.E.

Retired in Euskadi

It's pretty expensive I've always thought. Just check they are sailing, because in winter they have stopped in the past.
You can choose sailings from Santander or Bilbao landing either at Plymouth or Portsmouth.
Last time I looked (Sept) there weren't any reclining seats on the Bilbao crossing, so you HAD to take a cabin, which jacked up the price enormously.

bxpuser24710519

Hi, been a few years since I did the trip from half hour west of Sevilla to Santander to Plymouth and Portsmouth on different trips on a motor bike and by car.

By car can be done under 8 hrs by bike 10 but we prefered to do an overnight about Burgos. There is choice of hotels and prices around there plus a lovely short trip to ferry. We stayed off toll roads and throughly enjoyed the trip.

We always took an inside cabin for four ( only two of us but my husband was over 6ft) last trip we upgraded to outside cabin which we did enjoy.
As my husband did all the driving he was glad of any little extra comfort.

We also prefered the Paradors for big beds and baths but not for the food which is normally expensive and not worth the money. They do welcome bikers which is good. He had done trips up through France also but much prefered the Santander trip.

Mitzyboy

If you work out the cost against driving all the way through France for two days with tolls and a hotel as well as the ferry then you will find it's not that expensive by comparison

I used to go through France, but now I only go via Santander

bxpuser24710519

The other thing you need to take into account is the the length of drive you have on the UK side as well. The 24/26 hrs on the ferry can be a very welcome break from driving. The buffet was always the best food, don't have them cook you anything, we were always disappointened, more than enough choice to make a good meal.

I would not consider booking a reclining seat I prefer a half decent bed and not to be where others are if anyone is seasick.

Cazzy1

We used to drive to France, but weighing up the costs it works about the same to do the long crossing. It takes us about 8 hours to drive up from the Sevilla area. We always take a cabin, so that we can arrive refreshed. The food on board is not the best, we always take some snacks with us. We also take a travel kettle so that we can make tea in our cabins. We had the fortune of having a club class cabin once, this had tea making facilities and a TV with English channels.

Retired in Euskadi

What you say is true, but for us, we were driving towards Irun, on the western side of France, for which there was no real need for Motorways until the short stretch from Bayonne to the frontier.
We also used to sleep on the floor in preference to a reclining seat, which is the worst thing to sleep in, but you had to buy a seat even if you didn't sleep in it!!!

Mitzyboy

Thats what used to do me in, because on the second day you do a full days drive and then arrive at the ferry early / mid evening. Then you're in the tunnel / on the ferry and you arrive in the UK and still have a 4 hour drive to make when, frankly, you are knackered.

battlezone123

We always take microwave food and use the microwaves which are situated either side of the main bar. There is a tesco about 10 mins from Portsmouth and we usually stop there for our return journey and buy some microwave food.

And if you have an early return crossing from Portsmouth just along from Tesco's is Mother Kelly and they do a wonderful full English.

VFR

Just checked Via Michelin as to cost/mileage from Valencia to Calais


261.31 EUR
Peaje 83.60 EUR | Carburante 177.71 EUR | Impuesto EUR
Tiempo15h41 14h59 por vías rápidas
Distancia1673 km 1643 km por vías rápidas
Need to add an overnight, say 50eu
Need to add P+O ferry, listed as 35eu
Need to add additional food/refreshment stops, say 50eu

Total of 400eu
.................................................. .....
Just checked to Santander

Coste104.48 EUR
Peaje 26.55 EUR | Carburante 77.93 EUR | Impuesto EUR
Tiempo07h10 06h48 por vías rápidas
Distancia711 km 700 km por vías rápidas

Need to add ferry to Portsmouth at 557eu
Need to add food/refreshments on board, say 40eu ?

Total 700eu


So to Calais its going to save about 300eu, but driving another 900K's or so.
BTW this is all ish!

Rotor

Brittany Ferries -Pont Aven - Santander to Plymouth , nice cabins , very good restaurant, a relaxed journey.

Mitzyboy

I'm not sure where you are getting your figures from .... Santander Ferry has been around €260 one way, the €557 is roughly what we pay return. Of course it depends on the time of year. That would make the Santander trip under or around €400

Rotor

3 X Foot passengers RTN , Aug `12, best part of £700 with a cabin!!!!

Mitzyboy

If I booked now for an immediate sailing with a car and with a cabin for 2 people its just over £300 one way before discount and you can get a discount by joining the holiday club. Iirc the sailings from Bilbao have been slightly cheaper