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Hi all
I'm hoping to take my car over to spain to stay for a few months. I'm trying to find the easiest route for someone with no experience of this sort of driving. My starting point is Rosslare in Ireland, so not sure if I should do Cherbourg or Bilbao. I'm Irish with irish passport. Any advice gratefully received.
Posted: Thu May 12, 2022 1:06am
Very helpful member
Search with www.viamichelin.com
It gives you some options: When the map comes up play around with it......
If you fancy some interesting towns on route like Pamplona and/or Zaragossa or the fastest drive...
cheapes route, check out the toll charges versus ferry fare......
which ferry, stop overs (we always used Ibis Hotels)
Posted: Thu May 12, 2022 10:00am
eraser wrote on Thu May 12, 2022 1:06am:
Search with www.viamichelin.com
It gives you some options: When the map comes up play around with it......
Read more...
If you fancy some interesting towns on route like Pamplona and/or Zaragossa or the fastest drive...
cheapes route, check out the toll charges versus ferry fare......
which ferry, stop overs (we always used Ibis Hotels)
That's great information. Thank you very much!
Posted: Thu May 12, 2022 7:46pm
Helpful member
Kerley wrote on Wed May 11, 2022 7:38pm:
Hi all
I'm hoping to take my car over to spain to stay for a few months. I'm trying to find the easiest route for someone with no experience of this sort of driving. My starting point is Rosslare in Ireland, so not sure if I should do Cherbourg or Bilbao. I'm Irish with irish passport. Any a...
Read more...
...dvice gratefully received.
Just a note of caution there are operating on some quieter stretches of motorway scam people who try to flag you / flash you to stop as if something is wrong with your car ...don't stop ...continue onwards and / or to a legitimate stop place with lots of other genuine people around..sorry to say this but I know people who have stopped and the seeming good samaritans will attempt a distraction theft of phones / ipads etc...they are very plausible and very adept....don't worry about it just be aware ..
Safe trip
Posted: Thu May 12, 2022 9:20pm
jorge1306 wrote on Thu May 12, 2022 7:46pm:
Just a note of caution there are operating on some quieter stretches of motorway scam people who try to flag you / flash you to stop as if something is wrong with your car ...don't stop ...continue onwards and / or to a legitimate stop place with lots of other genuine people around..sorry to say ...
Read more...
...this but I know people who have stopped and the seeming good samaritans will attempt a distraction theft of phones / ipads etc...they are very plausible and very adept....don't worry about it just be aware ..
Safe trip
Thanks for that.....def be more aware of things like this!! Thank you.
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I guess it's up to you to decide based on cost and what you enjoy doing...
I don't know the cost of a ferry from Rosslare to Cherbourg. From there you got 2 long days driving (maybe 3, depending on when you arrive at Cherbourg) to cover approx. 1,200 miles to this area, so depending on your vehicle, etc, say £300 in fuel, plus 1 or 2 nights hotel stay and maybe £100 in tolls (and, if you are calculating costs, then double this to include the return journey). However, you'll see lots of France (albeit from a motorway or main road, while travelling at 70 mph!). This is a long journey for anyone and if you are not feeling confident or competent about driving that distance 'on the wrong side of the road', then it could be stressful.
Alternatively, you could get the ferry from Rosslare to Bilbao, which will take about a day and a half and will cost £1,000+ for a return and then you have a long day's drive to this area (say 550 miles). I haven't taken this crossing, but I understand the ferries are quite nice, you can get fresh air, meal, sleep in a cabin overnight, etc. - but then how are your sea legs? It's a relatively long time on a ferry across the Irish Sea and the Bay of Biscay and if you are ill or don't sleep well, then you won't feel great for a long drive when you arrive...
Posted: Fri May 13, 2022 3:57pm
Helpful member
We took the Galicia from Portsmouth to Santander twas a beautiful ship and due to do the Rosslare route. Its run by Brittany Ferries so very french in a lot of ways. Strict timings n good food.
We then drive Santander to Bilbao then down towards Zaragoza. The motorway south of Bilboa is stunningly good. Takes you thru alpine like mountains to start with with super views .. then you hit the plains and the road is dead straight. I think its approx 30e in toll between Bilbao and Zaragoza.. you pick a ticket entering motorway and then push it in on exit and pay what's due. The motorway was in mint condition and loads of top quality service stations ith modern restaurant, some with accommodation . Would definitely do it again. We left boat at 09:00 and arrived in San Pedro at 19:00 The worst part of journey was after we hit valencia n drove down by coast road was busy .. Next time id stick to inland roads.
Posted: Fri May 13, 2022 4:00pm
Helpful member
Austinwrk wrote on Fri May 13, 2022 3:57pm:
We took the Galicia from Portsmouth to Santander twas a beautiful ship and due to do the Rosslare route. Its run by Brittany Ferries so very french in a lot of ways. Strict timings n good food.
We then drive Santander to Bilbao then down towards Zaragoza. The motorway south of Bilboa is stunningly good. Takes you thru alpine like mountains to start with with super views .. then you hit the plains and the road is dead straight. I think its approx 30e in toll...
Read more...
... between Bilbao and Zaragoza.. you pick a ticket entering motorway and then push it in on exit and pay what's due. The motorway was in mint condition and loads of top quality service stations ith modern restaurant, some with accommodation . Would definitely do it again. We left boat at 09:00 and arrived in San Pedro at 19:00 The worst part of journey was after we hit valencia n drove down by coast road was busy .. Next time id stick to inland roads.
And pics from Galacia
Posted: Fri May 13, 2022 4:10pm
RichT wrote on Fri May 13, 2022 10:11am:
I guess it's up to you to decide based on cost and what you enjoy doing...
I don't know the cost of a ferry from Rosslare to Cherbourg. From there you got 2 long days driving (maybe 3, depending on when you arrive at Cherbourg) to cover approx. 1,200 miles to this area, so depending on your vehicle, etc, say £300 in fuel, plus 1 or 2 nights hotel stay and maybe £100 i...
Read more...
...n tolls (and, if you are calculating costs, then double this to include the return journey). However, you'll see lots of France (albeit from a motorway or main road, while travelling at 70 mph!). This is a long journey for anyone and if you are not feeling confident or competent about driving that distance 'on the wrong side of the road', then it could be stressful.
Alternatively, you could get the ferry from Rosslare to Bilbao, which will take about a day and a half and will cost £1,000+ for a return and then you have a long day's drive to this area (say 550 miles). I haven't taken this crossing, but I understand the ferries are quite nice, you can get fresh air, meal, sleep in a cabin overnight, etc. - but then how are your sea legs? It's a relatively long time on a ferry across the Irish Sea and the Bay of Biscay and if you are ill or don't sleep well, then you won't feel great for a long drive when you arrive...
Thank you for your tips. Very helpful!!
Posted: Fri May 13, 2022 4:12pm
Austinwrk wrote on Fri May 13, 2022 4:00pm:
And pics from Galacia
That's super information.....I have a lot of planning. Thank you so much!
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