How far in advance to book return-only ferrry? (1 Viewer)

[ToBoldlyGo]

I'm just starting to plan our first tour of continental Europe. I've not driven a car on the wrong side of the road before and initially I thought we'd have a trial tour of say down to the Loire and back, but life being short and sense not one of my strong points, I thought we'd instead drive to Calais and then Loire, Spain, finishing up in Portugal. I don't know if we will then drive back or if we would get the ferry (eg I may have gone off driving / motorhoming by then). I think we will start the tour September and probably finish Oct/Nov, how far in advance should we think of booking a one way ferry back from Santander to the UK?

 

[Flamenca]

I believe that the ferries from Santander/Bilbao to UK for next summer are not available to book until around this November.

 

[sallylillian]

I believe that the ferries from Santander/Bilbao to UK for next summer are not available to book until around this November.

If the OP means this Nov, then the winter schedule comes out sometime this month, June.

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[Flamenca]

If the OP means this Nov, then the winter schedule comes out sometime this month, June.

Silly me

 

[ToBoldlyGo]

Yes I do mean this year, but my question is really how *late* could I book the trip back, ie I want to see how frazzled I am by going down before I decide how we're going to get back ... orperhaps it's not practical to book with only 1-3 weeks eg notice ...

 

[vwalan]

just turn up and you get the next available ferry.
sometimes you turn up last minute and there is a place you might get a reduction in price .

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[sallylillian]

Yes I do mean this year, but my question is really how *late* could I book the trip back, ie I want to see how frazzled I am by going down before I decide how we're going to get back ... orperhaps it's not practical to book with only 1-3 weeks eg notice ...

As this is a once a week ferry it's not too practical to wait for the next ferry! But in answer to your question space for your MH will likely be OK but it's cabin availability that will be a control factor. But I would say 2 weeks gives you a margin, in high season they can be full to the gunnels.

 

[ToBoldlyGo]

just turn up and you get the next available ferry.
sometimes you turn up last minute and there is a place you might get a reduction in price .

Great, thanks

 

[vwalan]

As this is a once a week ferry it's not too practical to wait for the next ferry! But in answer to your question space for your MH will likely be OK but it's cabin availability that will be a control factor. But I would say 2 weeks gives you a margin, in high season they can be full to the gunnels.

santander to portsmouth is three a week.
santander to plymouth is another one .
best use plymouth then you can very often just pay for a seat.

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[Mikeco]

Most of the ferries going from the UK to Spain during October and November will be quite busy as those of us who Winter there will be on one so by contrast they will not be as busy going back so you could leave it until the last minute. However if you do pick a ferry and book online it's very easy to change the sailing to another one .

 

[vwalan]

Most of the ferries going from the UK to Spain during October and November will be quite busy as those of us who Winter there will be on one so by contrast they will not be as busy going back so you could leave it until the last minute. However if you do pick a ferry and book online it's very easy to change the sailing to another one .

op asked about ferries from santander .
i would say that way they are quiet .
at that time of year not that many want to come to uk .
but if towards end oct ,begining november it is school holidays .

 

[Mikeco]

op asked about ferries from santander .
i would say that way they are quiet .
at that time of year not that many want to come to uk .
but if towards end oct ,begining november it is school holidays .

That's what I said.

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[vwalan]

That's what I said.

yes. i agree with you . just thought the school holidays might mean some coming back etc could busy it up so best avoid school holiday time . i just worded it badly . sorry.

 

[Mikeco]

yes. i agree with you . just thought the school holidays might mean some coming back etc could busy it up so best avoid school holiday time . i just worded it badly . sorry.

Never considered school holidays as I thought that they went back in early September.

 

[vwalan]

half term bonfire night hoildays . some squeeze a short break in before winter sets in .
still nice in northern spain and can be quiet . ideal for wilding .

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[Jandc]

Remember that any insurance, house, health etc may require proof of length of holiday if you need to claim at all. I always book flexible return so I have evidence of return plans within the time limit.