Getting to Spain is it cheaper to get the ferry to France and drive down?

 
 
 
 
 
 
StrandCampingDoonbeg
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Getting to Spain is it cheaper to get the ferry to France and drive down?

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Posted: 20.06.2022  ·  #1
I was talking to @tommy S this morning about going to Spain and the benefits/negatives of a crossing to Cherbourg or Bilbao.
Cherbourg to Spain border 1000km if you stick to a straight line. So based on fuel costs that’s around €240 then add tolls if you use them and then price the difference in ferry crossings and a direct trip especially out of peak holiday season is looking better going direct.
P.S I don’t work for Brittany Ferries.
Nice to meet up with Tommy by way.


Albert the Talbot
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Re: Getting to Spain is it cheaper to get the ferry to France and drive down?

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Posted: 20.06.2022  ·  #2
And on top of that if you want to be in Spain on holiday the travel thru France and back is eating into your holiday days. So days lost in my opinion but each to there own.
I’m also led to believe they have some new strange speed limits with a lot of speed traps.
Not for me regardless of savings

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Re: Getting to Spain is it cheaper to get the ferry to France and drive down?

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Posted: 20.06.2022  ·  #3
Jamie, Anne and I discussed it for a couple of hours after we left your place and you may be right. She even checked the prices. Great to meet you and Amanda and stay at your wonderful site. The toilets and showers got an A+ from her for cleanliness and that's not easily obtained. Dont know if she has ever handed that out.


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Re: Getting to Spain is it cheaper to get the ferry to France and drive down?

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Posted: 20.06.2022  ·  #4
I booked the ferry from Rosslare to Bilbao for myself and the wife in August. Think it was 1,400, I wasn't expecting it to be that much. It's my fist time on a ferry with a motorhome.

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Re: Getting to Spain is it cheaper to get the ferry to France and drive down?

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Posted: 20.06.2022  ·  #5
It’s about €600 with a cabin in Oct/Nov in a MH 2 people.

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Re: Getting to Spain is it cheaper to get the ferry to France and drive down?

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Posted: 20.06.2022  ·  #6
From November Brittany Ferries is supposed to be putting the Galicia on the route which should make for more comfortable crossings to Bilbao

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Re: Getting to Spain is it cheaper to get the ferry to France and drive down?

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Posted: 20.06.2022  ·  #7
I just don't like boats, 28 hours stuck on one seems like pure torture. But yes I get it if you want to get south especially when the drive across France can be cold and grey in the winter it make sense ,we will probably go that way in the further unless the cost is really restrictive ......... god help me !!

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Re: Getting to Spain is it cheaper to get the ferry to France and drive down?

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Posted: 20.06.2022  ·  #8
Paid 460 € return, rosslare cherburg, last October stena lines 300€ on diesel through France I would think saving of 500€ going by prices I was quoted for Bilbao


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Re: Getting to Spain is it cheaper to get the ferry to France and drive down?

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Posted: 21.06.2022  ·  #9
How do you guys manage to book winter trips on Brittany Ferries to Spain?....When I go online its just taking bookings up to booking 4th November depature with nothing after that ???


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Re: Getting to Spain is it cheaper to get the ferry to France and drive down?

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Posted: 21.06.2022  ·  #10
John
They haven’t released the winter timetable yet and I don’t know when they do!

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Re: Getting to Spain is it cheaper to get the ferry to France and drive down?

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Posted: 21.06.2022  ·  #11
Quote by Albert the Talbot

John
They haven’t released the winter timetable yet and I don’t know when they do!


Thanks Brian....As simple as that!....I'll just have to keep checking so..


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Re: Getting to Spain is it cheaper to get the ferry to France and drive down?

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Posted: 21.06.2022  ·  #12
John I booked my 4 Nov date for this year’s crossing in July 2021 over a year ago. Brittany were meant to be updating their winter crossing in March then April then May now when I last spoke to them they said end of June or July.

No idea what the hold up is as the uk sailings still haven’t been released either.

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Re: Getting to Spain is it cheaper to get the ferry to France and drive down?

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Posted: 21.06.2022  ·  #13
Jamie...Just read above mentioned a new boat coming into service so that might have a bearing on it....I'll just have to keep an eye on the website


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Re: Getting to Spain is it cheaper to get the ferry to France and drive down?

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Posted: 21.06.2022  ·  #14
I personally prefer the landbridge crossing and driving through France to Spain. I dont consider it lost days as I get to see parts of France so its just part of the holiday. The prices for the boat and availability of cabins/kennels can be very prohibitive for July as I cant book until close to the time of travel due to work commitments.


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Re: Getting to Spain is it cheaper to get the ferry to France and drive down?

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Posted: 21.06.2022  ·  #15
Quote by panda

Quote by Albert the Talbot

John
They haven’t released the winter timetable yet and I don’t know when they do!


Thanks Brian....As simple as that!....I'll just have to keep checking so..


John here is a link that I saw on another forum, it lets you sign up and they will inform you when the timetable is released although you might need the Irish version

https://www.brittany-ferries.c…3-sailings

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Re: Getting to Spain is it cheaper to get the ferry to France and drive down?

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Posted: 21.06.2022  ·  #16
British ferry winter timetable now live


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Re: Getting to Spain is it cheaper to get the ferry to France and drive down?

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Posted: 21.06.2022  ·  #17
Just had a look...leave mid December 549e....return mid January 399e... have to book 2 dog friendly cabins as we now have 3 dogs at 120e each...so another 480 there and back... 1379e return...not cheap for winter break. Seriously considering the Chunnel as we done it before and it's brilliant especially with dogs....plus I don't mind driving...its all part of the hols to me....have friends in Belgium so may pay them a new years visit also 🙂

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Re: Getting to Spain is it cheaper to get the ferry to France and drive down?

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Posted: 21.06.2022  ·  #18
Salamanca ferry for after 4 Nov crossing now available on line.


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Re: Getting to Spain is it cheaper to get the ferry to France and drive down?

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Posted: 21.06.2022  ·  #19
Quote by panda

Just had a look...leave mid December 549e....return mid January 399e... have to book 2 dog friendly cabins as we now have 3 dogs at 120e each...so another 480 there and back... 1379e return...not cheap for winter break. Seriously considering the Chunnel as we done it before and it's brilliant especially with dogs....plus I don't mind driving...its all part of the hols to me....have friends in Belgium so may pay them a new years visit also 🙂


John I have not booked a pet friendly cabin on my amended crossing on Salamanca instead I put him in the kennel as you get 24 access and decent dog walking areas.

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Re: Getting to Spain is it cheaper to get the ferry to France and drive down?

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Posted: 21.06.2022  ·  #20
Quote by panda

Just had a look...leave mid December 549e....return mid January 399e... have to book 2 dog friendly cabins as we now have 3 dogs at 120e each...so another 480 there and back... 1379e return...not cheap for winter break. Seriously considering the Chunnel as we done it before and it's brilliant especially with dogs....plus I don't mind driving...its all part of the hols to me....have friends in Belgium so may pay them a new years visit also 🙂
is it true you need winter tyres after a certain time of year panda

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Re: Getting to Spain is it cheaper to get the ferry to France and drive down?

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Posted: 21.06.2022  ·  #21
Quote by relay racer

Quote by panda

Just had a look...leave mid December 549e....return mid January 399e... have to book 2 dog friendly cabins as we now have 3 dogs at 120e each...so another 480 there and back... 1379e return...not cheap for winter break. Seriously considering the Chunnel as we done it before and it's brilliant especially with dogs....plus I don't mind driving...its all part of the hols to me....have friends in Belgium so may pay them a new years visit also 🙂
is it true you need winter tyres after a certain time of year panda


Have a look at this Post Jason.
forum/topic.php?t=23612


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Getting to Spain is it cheaper to get the ferry to France and drive down?

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Posted: 21.06.2022  ·  #22
Quote by panda

Just had a look...leave mid December 549e....return mid January 399e... have to book 2 dog friendly cabins as we now have 3 dogs at 120e each...so another 480 there and back... 1379e return...not cheap for winter break. Seriously considering the Chunnel as we done it before and it's brilliant especially with dogs....plus I don't mind driving...its all part of the hols to me....have friends in Belgium so may pay them a new years visit also 🙂


I was looking for a trip September / October, Ireland /France. There is some RipOff. Motorhome , cabin with window + 2 people.
IF. 2018 = €367
IF. 2019 = €438.
IF. 2022 = €710
BF.2022 = €848
SL.2022 = €893
BF Ireland to Spain = €1090
From the UK.and you have to get there SL Ross /Fish €540
BF Port/Bilb £1513
BF Ply /Sand £1291


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Re: Getting to Spain is it cheaper to get the ferry to France and drive down?

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Posted: 21.06.2022  ·  #23
Quote by relay racer

Quote by panda

Just had a look...leave mid December 549e....return mid January 399e... have to book 2 dog friendly cabins as we now have 3 dogs at 120e each...so another 480 there and back... 1379e return...not cheap for winter break. Seriously considering the Chunnel as we done it before and it's brilliant especially with dogs....plus I don't mind driving...its all part of the hols to me....have friends in Belgium so may pay them a new years visit also 🙂
is it true you need winter tyres after a certain time of year panda


That Hadn't occurred to me...Yes..more than likely


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Re: Getting to Spain is it cheaper to get the ferry to France and drive down?

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Posted: 21.06.2022  ·  #24
Brittany ferries are not cheap their prices are gone up , bear in mind you will be 28/30 depending on weather conditions the bay of Biscay can be rough,i. Ferry leaves rosslare Friday eve you get off in Bilbao Sunday morn at 8am 7€ a pint on board and meals are expensive so depending on how many in the family it’s going to add up same on way back if u use this route , if u use national roads in france no tolls but will take longer again u navigate towns and villages motorways are faster but will cost a bit , Spain has a lot of autovia
Dual carriage way they are free , motorways u pay , , also u have to get a cabin on Brittany ferries they won’t allow u to book without one on Cherbourg route u don’t u can get you head down on couch , both of these ferries are very basic Notting much to do on board for children , for example if u can book you camper on as commercial through a haulage company you pay vat but they might claim it back for you , the benefits of that are your cabin and all meals are included in your ticket so one needs to sit down and think things out hope this helps a bit 🍺


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Re: Getting to Spain is it cheaper to get the ferry to France and drive down?

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Posted: 21.06.2022  ·  #25
Just to put things in perspective my recent 3hr crossing to Ireland cost £380 with MHC discount. Compare that to the distance travelled on a Spanish crossing which this year cost me £1100.
I think the Irish crossing is by far the biggest rip off.
Pints were £4.00 on the Spanish crossing and not €7.00


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Re: Getting to Spain is it cheaper to get the ferry to France and drive down?

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Posted: 21.06.2022  ·  #26
Well after the 4 Nov sailing Brittany will be running with the Salamanca before switching to the Galicia this is nothing like the Connemara, lots of cabin choices basic to commodore suite class. Much better kennels and pet friendly cabins. Basic sailing approx 27 to 30 hrs in a MH upto 8m and 3m high in January €399 plus cabin etc. I’ve booked and looking forward to it. Leaves Bilbao at 12 noon arrives in Rosslare at 3.30 next day.

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