Are Brittany ferries the only way of getting from UK to Spain avoiding the drive through France?

 Are Britanny ferries the only ferry company that you can use to get from the UK to Spain or are there other less advertised ones?

We obviously do not want to drive through France and want to make our journey to Southern Spain via car as short as possible. Any ideas?

Hi Emjharts,

                       yes Brittany Ferries are the only operator from UK to Spain. Obviously look on their website for sailing schedules but basicly it sails Plymouth to Santander or Portsmouth to either Santander or Bilbao. Depends on the route you choose but something between 18 hours and 24 hours crossing time

We have done the Plymouth -  Santander crossing around eight times now and always find it a good ship with good food and cabins. Much better than the long haul down through France . It saves you fuel and hotel costs and you arrive in Spain fully relaxed.

Regards  Broph

 When are you planning to come to Spain ? A lot of companies will not operate in the bay of Biscay during the winter but later in the year you will find they sail to Santander and other ports that are not available in the winter due to weather conditions.

The drive through France is really not a problem, we drove to Granada with a dog and cat in January 6 years ago never having driven on the continent before and armed only with a large up to date map, no sat nav etc , and it was snowing when we arrived in France but the motorways are excellent,  well sign posted, and the motorway service stations all alloiwed dogs and cats in the rooms which was great as we had not pre booked the accomodation. It took us 3 days but we were only meandering and it gave us chance to see the scenery and allow our pets time to do what pets have to do and not get too stressed in the process. It was all part of the adventure.

LD Lines have a slower alternative - ferry to France, shortish drive, then ferry from France to Spain.

http://www.ldlines.co.uk/horaires.php

I hear they're cheaper than Brittany but I've never reckoned the extra inconvenience is worth the saving.

I once did the trip from weymouth to St malo, France, near the spanish boarder much faster and cheper, you sail out on a fast cat and have a short stopover in the Channel Isles which was very pleasant the countryside you drive through is stunning so enjoy the trip whichever way you go.          St Malo- Malaga 1800Km

Condor ferries:  http://www.condorferries.co.uk/

By the By if you would like to know what the Bay of Biscay can be like read this article on this site

http://www.eyeonspain.com/spain-magazine/plain-sailing.aspx

I know this is an old thread and it's likely a lot of you will already be aware of what I am about to say but for those of you that dont;-

LD Lines Ferry Company are operating a new route from Pool to Santander and have some very good introductory offers.

I have always travelled with Brittany Ferries but their prices are going to be VERY competitive.At this time (JAN 2014) a single trip from Pool to Santander is £199,2 adults and car compared to £275 with Brittany Ferries Portsmouth run,both include cabin.

I did a comparison for 2 weeks in June 2014 8-21st for 2 adults car and cabin Brittany Ferries came out at £735 compared to LD Lines at just over £500,what a difference,that is probably the fuel for your journey paid for.

On the down side LD LInes are not transporting dogs/animals just yet on this route.

We didn't know about LD Lines so will take a look as we travel by Brittany Ferries twice a year. They could certainly do with some competition!

Thanks for the info.

Their opening offer for this month "Xetog" is Return fare,car and 2 passengers with cabin £399* inclusive but check out their web site

ldlines.co.uk/offers/santander-poole

LD lines also operate a ferry from St Nazaire to Gijon, but that would probably leave you too far north west in Spain for heading south.

LD Lines also go from UK -look up their web site

Marlowjen.

I would be happy to stay in the bar all night so long as their prices are good!

Seriously.I know you are right.I have sailed with LD before from France and had no complaint about their cabins or kennels for that matter !

They will be aware that they are up against a long time contender so they should know they have certain standards to maintain.

If you look at their web site they have pictures of the ship they will be using on that route and it looks fine to me.It seems to be smaller and I dont think their is a swimming pool but then again every time I have travelled,usually in winter,the pool has always been closed!

We can only try.

Brittany's MV Pont Avon at 40,859 tons v LD's Norman Asturias at 27,414 tons

I know which one I would prefer on a stormy winters night in the middle of the Bay of Biscay

Bring out the rum me lads,batton the hatches and put yer head under the duvet !!! aarggh

has been long time since this forum

but just to let the members know about the "apparently" rip off of that company BF, depending which port or who check you in, you pay more or less ,specially in Portsmouth, as they dont have a"rule" for everyone the same , depending who you are or who checks you, you will pay extra or not. Crazy!

and...data protecction?? sure??

Please expand more on your gripes about BF. I am about to use them and would like a heads up about any 'problems'.