2020 From Calais to Portugal Via Madrid advice please

[Tony50]

We intend going to Portugal in Mid January next year, driving about 4 hours a day to get to Portugal Via Madrid plus Seville advise on travel time to Spains border ,sites , Aires on the way ,through France , Spain and sites , aires in Portugal would be appreciated. Also is Calais a safe Port now ! and how do you pay for Toll Fees in Portugal.

 

[PhilandMena]

Here you go.
Firstly, routes and route maps for France and Spain. This first link is an award-winning database, ‘about France.com’. It has a host of information on best routes to many locations. I have selected the famous N10 route from Calais to Irun which is used by many motorhomes when travelling to Spain. It’s almost all Toll free (more on that a little later) and almost all duel carriageway from start to finish with the exception of about 100 K. This route is great for motorhomes small, medium and large. Note: (HGV’s are not allowed on French roads, Sunday’s, so plan your journey over a weekend if possible).
https://about-france.com/tourism/no-tolls-routes.htm
Tolls: Avoid the toll road from Calais to Abbeville and save 12.50 Euros. The non-toll route is quite scenic and fairly straight forward, between Boulogne-sur-Mer and Abbeville.
At Abbeville, join the A28 and cross the river Sein at Rouen. We take the second exit immediately after crossing the bridge (about 50 m past the first exit at the end of the bridge), swing down and under the bridge you have just crossed and continue on this road and join the A13 motorway until the N154 which takes you down to Evreux. (Note: there are a number of different options for getting through Rouen and no doubt other members will have their own preferences. We find this very straight forward on both outward and return legs). Approaching Tours on the D910 join the A10 toll road at Jct. 19 and exit at Jct. 23. This will take you through the city via the toll road, (€1.80). At Jct. 23 take the exit lane for Montbazon which returns you to the D910. (Reverse for the return leg). That’s the last toll to pay until you hit the bottom of the A63 after Bordeaux.
To save toll fares on the A63 south of Bordeaux please read the route recommendations in the above link. Do not come off the A63 near the bottom as all roads will be heavily congested and it’s worth paying the last few tolls. (From Jct 6 €9.70 in total) (Fuel costs approx. €153.12 (Based on 1056 K @10K per Ltr. @€1.45 per ltr. 3.5T motorhome)). This route is also recommended during winter, due to its proximity to the Atlantic ocean, which means little to no problems with ice and or snow, unlike using the A75 to cross the Massif Central. Although the A75 is quickly cleared, it is advisable to have winter tyres fitted and there may be some small delays due to snow ploughs clearing this route.
If heading to the Mediterranean side of Spain, it’s worth taking the N121-A to Pamplona after crossing the Spanish boarder on the A63 at Irun. It’s clearly sign posted (Large white sign) about 300 m after passing through the last toll booth and crossing the river. Also here are Repsol fuel stations and shopping opportunities. You will find more details in this link for the N121-A and how to navigate Spain toll free.
https://about-spain.net/travel/no-tolls.htm
If you decide to pay Tolls in order to save time getting to Spain, your best route options are in this link.
https://about-france.com/tourism/routes-to-spain.htm
Should you choose to plan your own routes anywhere in Europe and also establish Toll costs, (or toll free costs) use this link. Under route options, select caravan then select toll roads. Toll costs for a class 2 motorhome will be calculated for the whole journey. You can also choose Non toll routes and other options. This is currently one of the best online free route planers.
https://www.viamichelin.co.uk/
As for stop overs on routes, you can’t go wrong using the App below which is free but I would recommend getting the paid version for about £6.00 which you can then use off line. You will find numerous places to stop along the above route and I have deliberately not made any recommendations so drivers can make their own choices. This app is also brilliant for finding other places too and highly rated by many users.
https://www.campercontact.com/en/content/app
There is another popular app/website that is used which you may also find useful if you’re doing a lot of wilding and looking for free overnight stops. It too is used by many motor homers in Europe. Get the paid version to use off line for around £9.00
https://www.park4night.com/
One of the best off line MAP ‘App’ and used by many. It also includes a sat-nav function which is quite good and can also be used off line. Again many motor homers use this, especially in Morocco.
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Finally, for those looking for a data sim card for their ‘Mifi’ unit or tablet (WiFi) this is the best deal in the UK and possibly the best deal in the whole of the E.U. at this moment in time. A massive 50GB of 4g data for only £30.00 a month on a monthly rolling contract. Cancel the contract after two months to get the full 3 months usage throughout the whole of the E.U. Other options also available.
(Tip!) (Go on their online ‘Web Chat’ and ask them to confirm the contract starts when you activate the sim and if they agree (they did with me) keep a copy of the Web Chat that they will email to you, otherwise the contract will start from the day your order the sim card). After two months contact customer services by phone and cancel the contract by giving them 30 days’ notice. This prevents their fair play usage kicking in after 3 months and you paying through your nose for Wi-Fi. If they say the contract started from when you made the order contact the complaints number and they will honour the agreement made with the Chat agent! (UK number is 03333 041 524 (standard call charges apply, they will even call you back if you ask them and they are very helpful)). The Wi-Fi coverage is exceptional.
https://www.vodafone.co.uk/shop/bundles-and-sims/sim-only-data-bundles/
Vodaphone APN settings for an unlocked MiFi.
https://search.vodafone.co.uk/search?proxystylesheet=default_frontend&q=APN+settings&x=0&y=0

 

[Tony50]

Thanks very much, a great help.

 

[PhilandMena]

Thanks very much, a great help.

As for paying toll fees in Portugal, when you cross into Portugal (main motorway routes) you stop in designated bays at the boarder crossing where your motorhome registration is photographed and your debit card details taken. After that it's all automatically deducted from your account via toll road camera's.

 

[TerryL]

As for paying toll fees in Portugal, when you cross into Portugal (main motorway routes) you stop in designated bays at the boarder crossing where your motorhome registration is photographed and your debit card details taken. After that it's all automatically deducted from your account via toll road camera's.

I think it should be pointed out that not all motorways in Portugal are automatic - but you still need to register for them.

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[2657]

As for paying toll fees in Portugal, when you cross into Portugal (main motorway routes) you stop in designated bays at the boarder crossing where your motorhome registration is photographed and your debit card details taken. After that it's all automatically deducted from your account via toll road camera's.

Only on the electronic toll motorways, many still have toll booths and do not use the via verde lanes, they are for tag users only.

 

[Allanm]

Portugal toll info here.
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We used the Tollservice. ( Buy now button at the bottom of that section) We opened an account and bought toll credits online

 

[EllF]

We got the tag. bip and go from emovis in the uk. Worked well for us paid bill each month via direct debit easy

 

[Top Hat]

As for paying toll fees in Portugal, when you cross into Portugal (main motorway routes) you stop in designated bays at the boarder crossing where your motorhome registration is photographed and your debit card details taken. After that it's all automatically deducted from your account via toll road camera's.

It is worth noting the above registration only lasts for 30 days.