Driving to spain (1 Viewer)

[nicklu]

We are travelling to South spain Torrevieja , first time ! Any advice would be very much appreciated pleaseèèèeeee. Look forward to hearing from you

Linda

 

[Mikeco]

It depends where from and when.

 

[pappajohn]

Best advice I can offer is.........

Drive on the right !!!.

Seriously though, if you haven't driven in Europe before make a card with the words 'DRIVE ON RIGHT' and put it on the wheel or instrument pod at night when you stop.
So easy to forget if the roads are empty next morning.

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[hilldweller]

Any advice would be very much appreciated
Linda

It's really is very simple, click the link below, top left click the Directions box and ask Google. Never know to fail.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.8382004,-2.3278149,6z

Lovely town, a huge number of FUNsters ended up there one night a few years ago.

 

[f6c]

Agree with pappa john. In the morning give yourself a few minutes just watching the traffic and enjoy

 

[nicklu]

Hi we are leaving Dover 12/6/17 late afternoon I think!

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[Mikeco]

It's around 1250 mile so now you have to decide,

Tolls or no Tolls
How far to drive in a day
How long do you wish to take

 

[nicklu]

Hi we are hoping not to use tolls where possible and I don't like heights! !!! We have 3 weeks holiday. We have a Peugeot boxer motor home and hoping to get a ferry monday/Tuesday but haven't booked yet as not sure if this would be the best way. Any advice very much appreciated !!!!!! Linda

 

[nicklu]

Best advice I can offer is.........

Drive on the right !!!.

Seriously though, if you haven't driven in Europe before make a card with the words 'DRIVE ON RIGHT' and put it on the wheel or instrument pod at night when you stop.
So easy to forget if the roads are empty next morning.

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[nicklu]

Thank you just bought the sign from halfords yesterday as I have never driven on the right. My husband has as he used to drive a broad many years ago. Cheers linda

 

[jumartoo]

Once you get the hang of driving on the right it's a doddle. Much less traffic generally and wider roads!

 

[nicklu]

Thank you. ..its me that's not too sure about the driving .my husband has done it before, I have bought a sticker from halfords yesterday and put it on the windscreen to remind me what side, it is eu one side and turn it over and it's back to UK lovely idea. So if I have to drive this will be a godsend! !! Cheers linda

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[Two on Tour]

We set our satnav to avoid toll roads and avoid motorways so we can enjoy the countryside and villages we go through from the higher driving position we have in our camper. No need to book any campsites on the way as a campsite signboard will come into view normally every few mile on the journey. Most minor roads have frequent picnic area that we use for a quite relaxed lunch on the way south then we do the same on the way back taking a different route. For us, we like to make the getting there and getting back a nice enjoyable part of our holiday rather than a mad rush to get the journey there and back over and done with.

 

[DBK]

If you are happy to raid the family piggy bank the Portsmouth/Bilbao or Santander ferry would allow you to make the most of your three weeks - but it isn't cheap.
However, this route through France has been used by a few on here. I haven't used it myself as we generally start from Plymouth and use ferries from there. How long it takes you depends of course and how far you want to travel each day. There are lots of aires in France you can use for halts.
https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/resources/tonkas-western-route-to-spain.99/
You just need to put in a swerve towards the end otherwise you will end up in Benidorm.

 

[aztecannie]

Just don't use Florantilles campsite near San Miguel...awful place mostly statics. .some in a disgusting state...and very expensive! Also nothing within walking g distance and on a busy road. No shop on site as advertised. Our neighbour had tv going from 8 am til 11. Only stayed there as nearest site to relatives we wanted to see..never again! And it's recommended in Alan Rogers!!

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[Welsh girl]

And book your ferry onlne before you get to the Port they usually. Charge you more if you just turn up.

 

[nicklu]

Ok will do thank you linda

 

[deleted-member02]

Hi we are hoping not to use tolls where possible and I don't like heights! !!! We have 3 weeks holiday. We have a Peugeot boxer motor home and hoping to get a ferry monday/Tuesday but haven't booked yet as not sure if this would be the best way. Any advice very much appreciated !!!!!! Linda

It's a bloomin' long way to Torrevieja and back, don't underestimate how much driving is involved.
The round trip is approaching 2,500miles, or 120miles every day.
Quite a journey in three weeks but perfectly doable
https://www.viamichelin.co.uk/web/R...wance=0&corridor=&departureDate=&arrivalDate=

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[WynandJean]

It's around 1250 mile so now you have to decide,

Tolls or no Tolls
How far to drive in a day
How long do you wish to take

Hello and welcome from West Midlands.

Don't underestimate France. It is vast (and is more intersting than you might expect) so will be a long drive. If your route includes the Millau Bridge don't worry about the height, you won't know about it. It's just another stretch of motorway and you cannot see over the side. It would be worth getting off the motorway after the bridge and doubling back to see it from below and appreciate the amazing structure (if you have time)


Wyn

 

[nicklu]

Thank you Wynne I feel a bit better now Cheers linda x

 

[Bill_OR]

I used the 'minimal tolls' route last year - fairly easy drive - http://about-france.com/tourism/no-tolls-routes.htm

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[treetops1]

Enjoy you trip you may find you are happy to join the toll roads on the way back ,if you manage to stick to non toll on the way there .Above all Enjoy lol

 

[nicklu]

Thank you to all of you for all the advice given , i have found it very helpfull and reassuring and I feel a lot better about going now. Don't know what ferry crossing to use at the moment!!!!!! I have been looking for the discount codes someone told me about last year but seems they must be finished now. We Plan on booking the ferry Sunday as we have family staying over the weekend and a wedding on Saturday.
Will post again soon, linda and nick

 

[Two on Tour]

Are you really planning to book a ferry this Sunday to travel the day after ???

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[nicklu]

Hi I was just thinking may book it sooner perhaps Thursday! Looks like we will be going Dover to Calvin. Linda

 

[Geejay]

I think I would have booked the ferry by now, but never travelled Dover - Calais so maybe not a problem.

Re driving, we try to work as a team, especially in towns and particularly at roundabouts (where you go round the opposite way and traffic comes from the left) and junctions where you join a main road from a side one, or some slip roads on autovia, a few of which are very short and you often have to stop. Nothing to worry about though, as long as you stay alert.

Our personal preference is to use motorways in Spain, including tolls, superbly built, very little traffic, lots of stopping places - it makes for a quick and relaxing journey. But everyone has their own preference.

 

[The Nomad]

Just to mention that is will be hot on the southern Costa Blanca by late June.
By hot I mean HOT. Very HOT. Day and night. Be prepared.

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[Stonemags76]

Try to treat the journey as your holiday, and don't be too set on getting to torrevieja, unless you have an appointment? be prepared to linger where the weather is good, or you find something interesting. We have travelled Calais to torrevieja in 24 hours, but using tolls and motorways, and missing everything on the way there! Much better to wander down and enjoy the more temperate weather on route! as someone said - its REALLY hot in Southern spain at this time of year - particularly in a motorhome! Enjoy your trip!

 

[jumartoo]

Just to mention that is will be hot on the southern Costa Blanca by late June.
By hot I mean HOT. Very HOT. Day and night. Be prepared.

And that's why we leave until October!!!

 

[denisejoe]

We used to have 3 weeks each year and travelled Dover- Calais, usually by tunnel and never made it beyond Bordeaux! Decided we'd leave Spain until after we retired and had more time! Still haven't made it that far. France has so much to offer and it's a huge country.

Denise

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