Average cost of ferry with moho to spain?

[Hamish the highland hymer]

What is the average cost of ferry crossing in a moho
Ive searched online and have thought some quite costly? I didnt know what i was expecting but it doesnt sound cost effective to me, am i a tight ass

 

[Lanerboy]

I have never done it but some say it's worth it some say it's not when I was lorry driving to Spain every week my boss always booked us on a ferry to cherbourge and we drove down the West coast of France he worked it out to be cheaper that way in a truck than paying the huge cost to Santander or bilbao on the over night ferry

 

[clanjones]

Hmm without wanting to appear facetious how long is piece of string!

It depends on the crossing, time of year, length of motorhome level of cabins etc.

If you could be a little more specific I am sure you will get loads of info.

We have traveled overnight from Amsterdam to Newcastle in April for £170.00 which I think is a good price. July you are talking £400 plus. This for an 8.0 metre vehicle.

End of July, Dover Calais £90.00.

It also depends how far in advance you book.

 

[jollyrodger]

Plymouth -Roscoff for me and drive down ,non toll and pretty good roads

 

[clanjones]

DOH didn't see Spain in the title! Apologies!

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[PhilandMena]

The most cost effective route (Unless your a big gas guzzling R V) is to take the Dover- Calais crossing and then take the N10 Route which I have detailed below. (This does not take into account the cost of getting to Dover).
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 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.

Broken Link Removed

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

 

[wiljoy]

Have used the Portsmouth to Bilbao for many years but to expensive now. We've always had very turbulent crossings and earlier this year had trouble with the so called immigrants at Bilbao. Decided to drive down and save hundreds.

 

[Lanerboy]

@PhilandMena That is a superb reply

 

[mikebeaches]

We've got a 6.4m pvc and a single crossing last September for two in the most expensive cabin on the Pont Avenue (suite with private balcony) was just over £600 including a 10% discount on the fare. Coming back in March this year on the Cap Finisterre, in a slightly less expensive (but still large) luxury cabin circa £500.

 

[PhilandMena]

We've got a 6.4m pvc and a single crossing last September for two in the most expensive cabin on the Pont Avenue (suite with private balcony) was just over £600 including a 10% discount on the fare. Coming back in March this year on the Cap Finisterre, in a slightly less expensive (but still large) luxury cabin circa £500.

It might help members if you say where you were crossing from and to where

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[Steve and Denise]

We have not done anything out of the UK yet but do find your guide very informative @PhilandMena thanks for taking the time to post this.

 

[Hamish the highland hymer]

The most cost effective route (Unless your a big gas guzzling R V) is to take the Dover- Calais crossing and then take the N10 Route which I have detailed below. (This does not take into account the cost of getting to Dover).
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 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.

Broken Link Removed

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

My goodness so much detail, wow thankyou ill need some time to digest it all thanks again
Mark kingston

 

[Nosmo King]

Portsmouth / Bibao / Santander return cost us £1100 return for June / July. The responses above are excellent and do show that it can be significantly cheaper doing a Calais or Roscoff crossing.

However...

We felt it was worth the extra to get us where we wanted to be, letting someone else take the strain of the journey - over 1600 miles return (Calais / Santander) - that would be around £330 in fuel and over 30 hours driving! Instead we'll hopefully have a relaxing mini cruise.... hopefully!

The thought of the 800 miles back through France at the end of the holiday... no thank you.

Everyone is different though so you need to decide what's important to you!

What ever you choose - enjoy the journey!

 

[Mikeco]

Have done the calculation every year for the last 14 years and you can make it stack up either way. The drive through France especially in Winter is a pain and the pain is greater if you go for a non toll route.
The easy way is the ferry directly to Spain and having done the drive through France and the long ferry I know which I prefer.

 

[Stewart J]

7 metre moho, we are Club Voyage members so ferry fare discounted 30% but not cabin, £845 return with an outside 4 berth cabin late August returning mid November later this year. Have done the drive through France several times factor in expensive fuel, site fees in August and the mileage it’s Portsmouth to Bilbao or Santander every time, works for us but will not suit others.

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[mikebeaches]

It might help members if you say where you were crossing from and to where

We went out on the Pont Aven from Plymouth to Santander; and returned from Bilbao to Portsmouth. We came back before the Santander - Plymouth route had started for the spring, otherwise we'd have gone on it - it's a shorter journey time 18 hours, rather than 24-36 hours to Portsmouth.

 

[busby]

We've got a 6.4m pvc and a single crossing last September for two in the most expensive cabin on the Pont Avenue (suite with private balcony) was just over £600 including a 10% discount on the fare. Coming back in March this year on the Cap Finisterre, in a slightly less expensive (but still large) luxury cabin circa £500.

5.2 mtr motorhome with outside cabin,Club Voyage member usually about £300..Cheaper on the economee but would rather pay the extra.BUSBY.

 

[Lenny HB]

Us being tight arses as well we always cross Newhaven, Dieppe. Enjoy the drive through France even more enjoyable knowing we are saving £200 each way.

Brittany Ferry prices appear very high to similar length crossings in Europe. The one from Italy to Greece the 22hour crossing we did £400 return less than half the price of the ones to Spain

 

[mexican pete]

8metre plus bike rack and outside cabin each way was £1010. (With 10%discount). Well worth the £200-£250 premium over driving through France and the extra 4-5 days in Spain was a bonus.

 

[mitzimad]

I still see dover calais as the best for us we love the meander down through france and see it as part of the trip if i just wanted to get to spain and sit somewhere for six months i would rent an apartment or caravan and fly. I thought traveling was the aim of owning motorhome.
From a financial view santander may give you 4 extra days in spain but £400 gives us another months holiday

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[Chris]

You cannot put a price on completely avoiding France.

 

[Lenny HB]

You cannot put a price on completely avoiding France.

Only someone bordering on insanity would want to avoid France.

 

[mfw]

Us being tight arses as well we always cross Newhaven, Dieppe. Enjoy the drive through France even more enjoyable knowing we are saving £200 each way.

Brittany Ferry prices appear very high to similar length crossings in Europe. The one from Italy to Greece the 22hour crossing we did £400 return less than half the price of the ones to Spain

Newhaven - Dieppe can be very expensive compared to early morning Dover - france a lot shorter/cheaper crossing - reason you like it is it is only 20 mls down the road - so not being tight arse you take easy option

 

[jongood]

One of the points that it usually missed here is the cost of being on board, Dinner breakfast and sometimes lunch at BF prices?

The other missing factor here is time of year. The Bay of Biscay in anything but flat calm is a no no for my wife. We ve tried to go on it 3 times now; 1st time January 2013 , Britanny ferries cancelled the sailing and we had to change to Caen
2nd time January 2015 we cancelled it because the forecast was awful.

3rd time September 2017 we couldnt get a booking but relatives who were pre-booked did and spent the night feeling sick.

I'm always open to choices but have to say we tend to make a holiday of going through France, There are great aires, and in a MH you can eat where and what you want.

I tend to view the tolls regarding how much of a hurry we are in. this years Morocco trip (weather in Northern France not good) we used the tunnel frequent traveller, 1st night Le Crotoy, 2nd night St celle ( had lunch with ex pat friends on the way) 3rd night dax into Spain morning 4, mixture of roads tolls

so tunnel £55
Fuel 4.5t A class £174
Tolls £82
Aires £13
Total £324 plus some wat on the MH.

 

[Lenny HB]

Newhaven - Dieppe can be very expensive compared to early morning Dover - france a lot shorter/cheaper crossing - reason you like it is it is only 20 mls down the road - so not being tight arse you take easy option

Over the last year it has been cheaper than Dover/Calais sometimes and saves us 400 miles on a return trip, it's a no brained for us and crossings at sensible times.
Last year I paid £89 for return, last crossing was £156 about the same as Dover.

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[Gaston aires]

Last year we used the Portsmouth Santander crossing Bilbao Portsmouth return. It was £900 approx, under 7 meters, but after many years of France it worth it just for the change of scenery. More time in northern Spain and Portugal too.
Don’t do it very often though. This year it’s GB all the way, so far excellent.
Horses for courses.
Phil

 

[mfw]

Over the last year it has been cheaper than Dover/Calais sometimes and saves us 400 miles on a return trip, it's a no brained for us and crossings at sensible times.
Last year I paid £89 for return, last crossing was £156 about the same as Dover.

Yes same as me being just west of you it is cost vs fuel getting somewhere newhaven can be a lot more costly if travelling from north of london - i've saved a lot more on costs mixing the crossing though using dover for a leg saved me £150 which does cover a lot of fuel

 

[olley]

Being a gas guzzling RV, for the first time we went Portsmouth-Santander last week, about £650 one way, 4 people plus outside cabin.

Sea was a mill pond, had a good night's sleep and breakfast was cheap, worth doing.

 

[PhilandMena]

Yes same as me being just west of you it is cost vs fuel getting somewhere newhaven can be a lot more costly if travelling from north of london - I've saved a lot more on costs mixing the crossing though using dover for a leg saved me £150 which does cover a lot of fuel

A valid point. This year we used Newhaven-Dieppe with pensionardos discount, for the first time and although benefited from a different route and different scenery, there was no cost benefit saving as apposed to crossing between Dover - Calais. Still, its always an alternative option.

 

[Hagstrom]

For me, the journey down through France is tolerable but only in good weather.

We normally travel down on to southern Spain on 1 November, when driving through rain and low cloud through France can be purgatory. The weather is usually miserable again when we come back in March.

Setting off a month earlier though, say, early October, and you can float down through France on the tail end of an Indian summer and it can be dry, bright and charmingly French. Again, driving back through France in late-April weather can be a pleasure.

So given our Nov-March dates, we usually book Portsmouth-Bilbao every year and to hell with the cost - £1150 return for an 8.5m van with two on board.

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