Ferry To Spain

 Hoping to go for whole summer this year, Flights have gone up on last years prices. Has anyone experienced driving from UK using an overernight ferry to spain. Wondered how good or bad and expensive you found the trip and who was best to use and from what port

We travelled about 4 years ago (when we were first setting up home on CdA). We used P&O and travelled Portsmouth to Bilbao HOWEVER they have since shut down this route... I think the only choice you are left with is Brittany Farries (unless someone else knows better).

Our trip: 24hrs in a small cabin but there were plenty of activities/bars/cinema on the ship. We arrived in Spain first thing in the morning which was perfect for the 8hr drive to CdA (we were at the apartment by 5pm) - the worst bits were skirting past Madrid and some of the more mountainous roads we travelled (we travelled in the winter). Toll roads were lovely and quiet and made up a reasonable portion of the drive. We literally stopped for about 30 minutes in total for breaks.

Our return trip we booked a hotel in Bilbao the night before as we didn't want to risk missing the ship the following day. We also caught a big storm in the Bay of Biscay (quite common) and that knocked most people about (to be polite).

The boat that we travelled on was old and the cabins were basic... think jail cell :) however, I think the new Brittany Ship may be better.

Based on our trip you need: Plenty of cash for tolls, spare pillows and food/snacks/media for cabin, satnav, seasick tablets as well as all the basic car requirements when travelling in EU (triangles, yellow vests, GB sticker etc)!

All in all, I would definitely repeat this trip, however next time we are considering travelling via Euro Tunnel across France & Spain to see which route we prefer.

Did it 3 times last year, its  along drive from north 2 south try and get the boat that gets you in Spain in the morning NOT night time its a killer driving in the dark for hours if your not going to grt a hotel, i will not stay in a hotel if my car is full of my gear, share the driving if you can. Fill your car up with fuel at the port in Bilbao if you sail to there 1.20 euro a lt  3 weeks ago. cheapest place i know for petrol.

Hi,

We have done the Portsmouth- Santander route a few times. One rough crossing so take sea sickness pills.

We take our dog with us so book a pet friendly cabin which is basically a four berth with vinyl floor as opposed to carpet.

Arriving at lunchtime in Santander we have done the full route to Southern Spain in one day arriving about 11 at night with regular stops for the dog. We have also stopped over South of Madrid to break the journey up. I prefer to do this,

It can be a bit boring so take a book and we also take our travel kettle with us as no tea making facilities on board and can spend a fortune at the bar. (we drink gallons of tea).

We are going to try the Eurotunnell route in March travelling through France as cannot get a pet friendly cabin on dates we want to go.

Good luck and enjoy!

It is a very long drive from the UK to CDA but if you take your time and stop off twice it is a worth while experience as France is a wonderful country to visit off the beaten track. It is not cheap though and the fuel and tolls will cost a lot more than a cheap flight even at 2013 prices. However, for stays over 3 weeks the car hire charges will be where you will start to gain.

Travelling from a Spanish ferry port can be a good idea but the comments about rough sea crossings and limited timings are valid. We got cancelled at last minute from Bilbao in Septtember due to industrial action forcing us into an additional 600 mile journey to Calais. The journey from CDA to Bilbao and Santander is much easier than you imagine. The roads are superb and going round Madrid is not a problem at all. A comfortable 8 hour journey.

If you want a fantastic little hotel in Bilbao try www.hotelartetxe.com . It is very safe, in a great location over the city with great views and a cable car down into the city which is a must visit place in Spain. Not easy to find initially but worth the effort.
Jon Faulkner

We have used both routes..Spanish Ferry and drive through France. My preference usually is the ferry as the 22 hour trip is both enjoyable and restful, a good start to a holiday whichever direction you are coming from / to but I have no hangups about driving distances so the drive through France is also enjoyable especially if you turn it into a small tour.

The cost is greater via the ferry and we almost always teake a hotel north of Madrid going upt there for the Ferry to UK, coming back usually make it in the same day.

The English and Continental ( yes you get both for the price)  breakfast on the Ferry is delightful and whilst a little expensive at almost a tenner a very enjoyable experience before landfall in the UK and the food is excellent. If you travel on the Cap Finistere the dining options are limited to restaurant food with not much choice and quite expensive,  except of course for the breakfast which is the same on both ships but on the Pont Avon there is also a self service frershly cooked food option which is good and much more realistically priced than the restaurant fare.

Try the Ferry, you will enjoy it

Barry

We traveled by ferry from Portsmouth to Santander last year with a family of 5 all kids under 9. If you travel
With Brittany ferries it pays to become a member as you get 30% off your crossing, and money towards your breakfast.
Which works out to be free.

Ok the cabins are a bit small and showering becomes a military operation! But it's part of the fun. Plenty to do on the boat
and films etc for the kids. The ferry has a pool!

We usually doc about midday and down to Condado about 8-9pm ish the roads are great so easy to drive on hardly any
traffic. Also try to avoid toll roads as the old roads run to the side of them and they are perfect and free!

We usually split the journey back and stop just north of Madrid at hotel Campoline. Last year 2 joining rooms cost 90 euros.

Good luck
Phil

Any body got any discount codes for Brittany ferries trying to book for this October bloody expensive

TRY THIS ONE I THINK PEOPLE ARE STILL USING IT IF YOU BOOK ON LINE:

DROP DOWN MENU:

Are you a member of the travel club:    YES

Property Travel Club Number : S91197

Lead Persons Name (Your name)

The booking is for: a GUEST of the member.

IF YOU BOOK BY PHONE AND THEY ASK FOR MEMBERS NAME:  MOORHOUSE

Happy sailing and if any problems e mail me

Regards

It knocks £78 off so good saving!

 

We have done the ferry to Bilbao/Santander with 2 young kids and we all love it! It's like a mini cruise! The kids love the cabin so no problems getting them off to bed. We get to sit on deck in the sunshine enjoying a few drinks while the kids play in the kids play area. We catch a movie too! All in all I think it's our preferred way to come over especially when you are here for a month and its great to have your own car here. We also have the member card and it gives a really good discount on the booking, free breakfasts which are excellent and a discount on buying stuff on the ship. We did the one night crossing this time but last year we took the 2 night crossing (there's one crossing they do that is a 2 night as they do a crew change in France in the middle of the first night). The kids preferred the 2 nights and were a bit disappointed this year that we only had 1 night in the cabin. Either way suited me.

Cheers chaddy worked a treat many thanks I owe you one
Cheers again Des