I’ve only sone the sailing to Santander. Anyone done both? Which is better and why?
What are you going to do when you get to Spain?
We've done both and each has their own merits. Via Santander is, in good weather, like a mini cruise and we have seem wales on the trip, likewise to Bilbao. In the Bay of Biscay the ship can become a floating vomitarium. We much prefer the Portsmouth Ouiestram because it's a shorter route, we get 30% off and a free cabin (10% off the Spain one too) and for us it's a nice but long journey down into Spain. But it's really what you want out of your trip, weigh up the ticket price versus the fuel costs, add the time that you wish to be driving and what you want out of the trip in to the equation and you'll get your answer. For us it's more the pleasure in the trip rather than the destination, and because we are not tied to time we are able to see far more of the villages and towns en route (and the free aires too) and then gently amble into Spain-------if we get that far. Mind you, once you get into Spain the red wine is much cheaper, especially the Rioja
Head to Portugal eventually. Just wondered if arriving in Bilbao was better than Santander, which I’ve done a few times. Santander is easy to get out of but when I was in Bilbao, many years ago, I wasn’t doing the driving.
We've done both and each has their own merits. Via Santander is, in good weather, like a mini cruise and we have seem wales on the trip, likewise to Bilbao. In the Bay of Biscay the ship can become a floating vomitarium. We much prefer the Portsmouth Ouiestram because it's a shorter route, we get 30% off and a free cabin (10% off the Spain one too) and for us it's a nice but long journey down into Spain. But it's really what you want out of your trip, weigh up the ticket price versus the fuel costs, add the time that you wish to be driving and what you want out of the trip in to the equation and you'll get your answer. For us it's more the pleasure in the trip rather than the destination, and because we are not tied to time we are able to see far more of the villages and towns en route (and the free aires too) and then gently amble into Spain-------if we get that far. Mind you, once you get into Spain the red wine is much cheaper, especially the Rioja
Thanks Oppy, because I usually go in January I get the ferry to Spain but drive back through France in March when it’s (usually) warmer. As I said earlier, just wondered if arriving/ leaving one port was better than the other ... I’ve actually booked my ferry to Santander for mid December but am thinking of changing it November and have the option of Bilbao.
Is it the same ferry or the Economy where you could end up on a open deck
I hope you relise that if is is a hard Brixit both these dates will take you over the 90 day limit to stay in the EU and although the Spanish may not be botherd your insurance may not not be valid should you have a accident
I’ve been on the Economie twice but never ended up on an open deck.
I think insurance is the least of the worries, for instance if arriving back in Dover & one has strayed 30 days over the limit, what would happen?, get arrested?, slung in clink?.
Anyone given this any thought?, I’m very interested.
I think insurance is the least of the worries, for instance if arriving back in Dover & one has strayed 30 days over the limit, what would happen?, get arrested?, slung in clink?.
Anyone given this any thought?, I’m very interested.