Christmas travel through Spain (1 Viewer)

[dixieland]

Good afternoon everyone,
We are thinking of going from SW France to the Almeria on christmas and boxing day. Can anyone see any issues ? Will fuel stations be open?

 

[Lot lover]

In France definitely, in Spain probably though I would expect them to be un-personned. Not that it matters anyway, I am English so do not speak Spanish.

 

[The Nomad]

No issues at all.
Motorway fuel stations in Spain are open every day of the year.
Although of course it's a LOT cheaper to find a fuel station away from the motorway if you can.

Christmas day is very quiet on the roads in Spain, most people stay at home with their families. It's Christmas Eve that's busy.
"Boxing Day" isn't a public holiday in Spain, although many office/factory people take a days annual leave to have holiday that day.
Shops, and the big hypermarket stores (with their much cheaper fuel stations) will be open on the 26th December.

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[Littlewheels]

One of the best things about Spain !! Christmas starts on Christmas Eve and it’s all over at Midnight on Christmas Day unlike the UK where it Starts in October and ends in January

 

[dixieland]

That's good then ok for fuel. Next thing to consider is snow in the Pyrenees. We are thinking of going over to the west of Andorra and then Barcelona and down the East coast. Good idea or no ?

 

[jumar]

Tad safer if there is a cold snap in Spain, stay on Med coast, use Autovias and some Autopistas..choose camperstops/campsites..........enjoy the trip, if conditions are mild then inland routes are more interesting, shorter and well provided for regarding camperstops...and free motorways (Autopistas)...Fuel is normally not a problem, roads should be quiet.
Get up to date weather forecasts and plan as you seem fit....ask more if you want...we are just nearing our 19th Christmas in Spain...not had many bad ones.

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[busby]

One of the best things about Spain !! Christmas starts on Christmas Eve and it’s all over at Midnight on Christmas Day unlike the UK where it Starts in October and ends in January

Xmas goods have been in Spanish supermarkets since early oct,,BUSBY.

 

[busby]

That's good then ok for fuel. Next thing to consider is snow in the Pyrenees. We are thinking of going over to the west of Andorra and then Barcelona and down the East coast. Good idea or no ?

You will have no bother if you cross into Spain on The Med,,BUSBY.

 

[The Nomad]

You will have no bother if you cross into Spain on The Med,,BUSBY.

So long as you're in a boat not a motorhome....

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[gus-lopez]

It is snowing heavily in Pamplona. Called off the televised Osasuna game earlier that I was going to watch.

 

[Badknee]

We're arriving Santander on 20th Dec and are watching the weather forecast closely and it's not looking great at the moment I must say. It seems there are ten major routes closed, four on our journey.

 

[busby]

We're arriving Santander on 20th Dec and are watching the weather forecast closely and it's not looking great at the moment I must say. It seems there are ten major routes closed, four on our journey.

Time for it to change,,BUSBY

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[Badknee]

Time for it to change,,BUSBY

Yes your right, not worrying too much at the moment

 

[Welsh girl]

We're arriving Santander on 20th Dec and are watching the weather forecast closely and it's not looking great at the moment I must say. It seems there are ten major routes closed, four on our journey.

That's my major worry. What do you do when they are closed? Plus do you need winter tyres for traveling this time of year?

 

[2657]

We're arriving Santander on 20th Dec and are watching the weather forecast closely and it's not looking great at the moment I must say. It seems there are ten major routes closed, four on our journey.

Where did you find the traffic reports?

We drove from Santander to Palencia on Thursday afternoon, there was some snow on the high sections but none on the roads, lots of gritters/ploughs about.

The Spanish are excellent at keeping roads open and I doubt that when closed they will be closed for long periods very often, there are large parking areas set aside at strategic places for stranded vehicles.

If you are on your way down you will get there eventually, think of it as part of the holiday

More worrying is if you are returning for a ferry, I have to return mid January so would be interested in a good web site for Spanish traffic conditions, a google search has not come up with much.

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[busby]

I have travelled up to Bilbao in heavy snow in previous years,,as Matamoris says its not like UK,,the Spanish keep their roads open,,,,BUSBY,,

 

[Mrs Badknee]

Hi @matamoros, the information was from a Facebook page called N332. It is a Spainish page which gives information about the road conditions covering the whole of Spain. I'm pretty sure there will be a website too.

 

[grumps147]

Extract from N332 page...


Right now, more than ten roads are closed on the north due to the adverse weather conditions.

If you are going to travel north during the weekend, please check the dgt map to find alternative routes.

Have a look on the map, black points mean that the road is closed, red that is difficult to pass through it.
http://infocar.dgt.es/etraffic/

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[Badknee]

That's my major worry. What do you do when they are closed? Plus do you need winter tyres for traveling this time of year?

Park up and turn the heating up
France require snow chains but I'm told not Spain
The roads are very quickly cleared I believe

 

[EuroTrotters]

Over the last 15 years or so, we have travelled all across Western Europe and Scandinavia. Never had an issues with Fuel, anytime inc getting LPG in Norway on Christmas day.

My Wife panicked in Alcampo Supermarket 4pm on Boxing day. It was open Until 8pm.

Spain celebrate 3 Kings. But you will always find fuel.

 

[jumartoo]

If you stick to the major routes, ie motorways and dual carriageways, the Spanish plough teams will be on the ball. If the snow is deep you will be channelled into huge parking areas alongside the roads until they get you moving again.

Spain require snowchains or 4WD for you to continue on untreated roads if the snow is bad but if you're on major routes they'll soon clear them and you'll be on your way.

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[busby]

Park up and turn the heating up
France require snow chains but I'm told not Spain
The roads are very quickly cleared I believe

Not positive but i think snow chains in France are only compulsary in certain areas,,i.e. ski resorts and mountains which are usually the same thing..BUSBY..

 

[busby]

I

Extract from N332 page...


Right now, more than ten roads are closed on the north due to the adverse weather conditions.

If you are going to travel north during the weekend, please check the dgt map to find alternative routes.

Have a look on the map, black points mean that the road is closed, red that is difficult to pass through it.
http://infocar.dgt.es/etraffic/

I bet the main road from Bilbao to Burgos and Madrid isn't closed,,BUSBY..

 

[2657]

Extract from N332 page...


Right now, more than ten roads are closed on the north due to the adverse weather conditions.

If you are going to travel north during the weekend, please check the dgt map to find alternative routes.

Have a look on the map, black points mean that the road is closed, red that is difficult to pass through it.
http://infocar.dgt.es/etraffic/

That's a tremendous resource, thanks very much

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