Driving to Costa Del Sol

I am going on ferry from Portsmouth to Bilbao in April and then driving down to Costa Del Sol.

This is the first time I have done this.

Does anyone have any words of advice?

It's easy we do it on a regular basis, only a couple of roads once you are out of Bilbao. It takes us about 9 hours.

What are the costs for such a trip? Me and the other half have been thinking of doing the trip just for a change of jumping on a plane.

Paul

Hi, Just came back from murcia yesterday, via driving we did the murcia to Bilbao and it was quite easy nothing to worrie about the drive will take 8hours with small stops at a speed of 80Mph the limit on the spanish roads is 70mph and the roads are excellent. we by the drove all the way back to Manchester from Murcia via Bilbao.

Thanks for the replies.

Wardy. I can only tell you that the return ferry crossing for 2 adults and a car with P&O on Pride of Bilbao is £498.( P&O are stopping this route after Sept 2010.) Then there is fuel and and toll road costs.

What about toll costs or can you get there ok without using toll roads?

Also does can anybody recommend a hotel near Bilbao as on the way back we will travel up the day before as ferry leaves Bilbao at 13.00pm 

Thanks again

I stayed at the Sercotel Gran Bilboa a week ago. Fabulous joint. Huge modern room and the biggest bathroom I've ever been in.

They opened two months ago and obviously need the business badly. A double was 52 euros. Breakfasts were 10 euros each - but a huge buffet. Very secure underground parking in the hotel basement was 11 euros. The hotel is very easy to find, huge signage. It is a five minute walk from light railway stop - which takes you right through the town, (and stops outside the Gug) and buses stop outside the front door. It is a ten minute stroll to the old town.

I just checked their website and see the price has gone up in the last week from 52 to 55 euros. It's still a steal.

http://www.hotelgranbilbao.com

Hi Rob,

It is a great experience to drive down, it's even better if you have a comfy car..

Don't forget the headlight converters, warning triangle and safety jackets for all people travelling in the car etc

My advice is get a up to date easy to understand road map, specific to the region in which you are travelling, and it will help if your co pilot can map read a little...sat nav is worth taking as a back up guide as well.

It is a fun trip providing you take your time chill out and enjoy the ride.  Forget the motorway on the 1st section down to Madrid its so boring instead go through the Cantabrian mountain range  and villages it really is worth doing.  It will take considerably longer but who cares, you are on your hols.

No problem with the hotels an b&b there are plenty to suit, normally I start having a look about 6.00pm and you may find somewhere you like  after a few stops.  Dont leave it to say  9 at night as some of them do get booked up depending on the days etc.

Good luck with the drive down.

Hasta luego

According to the Michelin site, Bilbao to Malaga should take about 9 and half hours if you don't have breaks.  The tolls work out about 30 euros.  The "pretty" route takes about 14 hours with no tolls.

The "economical" route about 11 hours, again with no tolls.

This is a good site to do your initial planning 

Far better to sail from Plymouth to Santander then drive down through the country west of Madrid staying off at as many plces that you have time for, Zamora, Salamanca, Avila, Toledo, Granada or Cordoba, wonderful.

 My husband and I have driven down to our home in Mijas Costa several times and make a 'road trip' of it.  We take the Channel Tunnel train from Folkestone to Calais (very cheap and only 35 minutes crossing).  Then we stop off one night in France and one night in Northern Spain - our favourite place is Buitrago a lovely, old walled town north of Madrid.  Diesel costs us about 300 euros and, of course, hotel costs to factor in.  It makes a wonderful start to our holiday!

We're driving from the Bilbao port to Gibraltar in August with 2 kids, ages 6 and 3. We want to take it easy, maybe 2-3 overnight stops each way. With having the kids, is it best to book the overnight stops in advance to be certain of getting somewhere, or are there plenty of places and we shouldn't worry?

Does anyone have any favourite hotels/hostals on this route?