Lenny's on the road to Portugal (4 Viewers)

[Lanerboy]

Lenny HB
Would you be able to post a picture of the route you took to get to Portugal please

How much of the route was using toll roads

?in advance ?

 

[gus-lopez]

How much of the route was using toll roads

Are you serious?? Toll roads???

 

[PhilandMena]

Lenny HB
Would you be able to post a picture of the route you took to get to Portugal please

How much of the route was using toll roads

?in advance ?

I trust @Lenny will not object to me answering your question. The answer you are seeking is below, a bit long but its there.
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).

(Note: Toll costs for a class 2 Motorhome. Calais – Irun. €149.40). (Fuel €151.62 Based on 1083 K @10K per Ltr. @€1.40 per ltr. 3.5T motor-home). N10 Calais - Irun. Using partial Toll = €11.50). (Fuel €147.84 Based on 1056 K @10K per Ltr. @€1.40 per ltr.)).

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 Motorway 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. 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) Immediately after the Spanish border crossing on the motorway at Biriatou, Spanish Exit 1 (not French exit 1 before the border), clearly marked as the exit for N121a for Pamplona. 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

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Lenny HB]

I trust @Lenny will not object to me answering your question. The answer you are seeking is below, a bit long but its there.
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).

(Note: Toll costs for a class 2 Motorhome. Calais – Irun. €149.40). (Fuel €151.62 Based on 1083 K @10K per Ltr. @€1.40 per ltr. 3.5T motor-home). N10 Calais - Irun. Using partial Toll = €11.50). (Fuel €147.84 Based on 1056 K @10K per Ltr. @€1.40 per ltr.)).

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 Motorway 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. 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) Immediately after the Spanish border crossing on the motorway at Biriatou, Spanish Exit 1 (not French exit 1 before the border), clearly marked as the exit for N121a for Pamplona. 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

Sorry Phil you have got it all wrong.
He asked for the route I used, I HATE the N10 and do not use it apart from a few km in the north where it is a single carriageway road.
I will put a pic of my route up later after dinner.

 

[PhilandMena]

No Problem Lenny ! On the up side, he will more options to choose from.

 

[Lenny HB]

No Problem Lenny ! On the up side, he will more options to choose from.

The N10 probably OK if you are under 3500kg but horrible if you are over.

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[Lenny HB]

Lenny HB
Would you be able to post a picture of the route you took to get to Portugal please

How much of the route was using toll roads

?in advance ?

Only used tolls to get across the French/Spanish border but have used a few in Portugal.

The French bit.

The Spanish bit.

 

[Northernraider]

I trust @Lenny will not object to me answering your question. The answer you are seeking is below, a bit long but its there.
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).

(Note: Toll costs for a class 2 Motorhome. Calais – Irun. €149.40). (Fuel €151.62 Based on 1083 K @10K per Ltr. @€1.40 per ltr. 3.5T motor-home). N10 Calais - Irun. Using partial Toll = €11.50). (Fuel €147.84 Based on 1056 K @10K per Ltr. @€1.40 per ltr.)).

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 Motorway 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. 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) Immediately after the Spanish border crossing on the motorway at Biriatou, Spanish Exit 1 (not French exit 1 before the border), clearly marked as the exit for N121a for Pamplona. 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

I know that's meant to be helpful and well done for working all that out.

But my head hurts just looking at that lol .

I just picked a location for each day and selected no toll roads on satnav

 

[Lenny HB]

A bit of a detour today to look at some old rocks, Pedra Bolideira.

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[Northernraider]

Only used tolls to get across the French/Spanish border but have used a few in Portugal.

The French bit.
View attachment 336248

The Spanish bit.
View attachment 336250

Handy that as that's the way I'm going back

 

[Northernraider]

A bit of a detour today to look at some old rocks, Pedra Bolideira.

View attachment 336252

View attachment 336253

View attachment 336254

View attachment 336255

Speaking of pedra have you tried pedra soup in Portugal yet ?

 

[Lenny HB]

Now at Amarante.

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[Lanerboy]

Lenny thanks for your route, how much have you spent in tolls since leaving the UK a rough price will do but I expect you will know to the nearest £1 ?

 

[Lenny HB]

Lenny thanks for your route, how much have you spent in tolls since leaving the UK a rough price will do but I expect you will know to the nearest £1 ?

About €22 on French & Spanish but €10 of that was because we missed the turn off onto the free motorway in Spain we forgot to reset the satnag to NonTolls.
Spent about €10 in Portugal will know when they update the virtual toll card normally takes 5 or 6 days.

 

[Lanerboy]

Loving the thread lenny can't wait to do this type of trip when we retire in January

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[Lenny HB]

Speaking of pedra have you tried pedra soup in Portugal yet ?

Nope.

 

[Northernraider]

Nope.

Find somewhere that does it ....really good

 

[Lenny HB]

Find somewhere that does it ....really good

As long as it's nothing like the squid stew, once was enough with that.

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[Northernraider]

As long as it's nothing like the squid stew, once was enough with that.

Nah it's really good honest

 

[busby]

Lenny HB
Would you be able to post a picture of the route you took to get to Portugal please

How much of the route was using toll roads

?in advance ?

Toll roads,,LENNY???BUSBY.

 

[busby]

About €22 on French & Spanish but €10 of that was because we missed the turn off onto the free motorway in Spain we forgot to reset the satnag to NonTolls.
Spent about €10 in Portugal will know when they update the virtual toll card normally takes 5 or 6 days.

Your getting very careless.Think of your reputation.BUSBY.

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[Lenny HB]

A wander around the town this morning.

The Peddleos look homemade

.

 

[Lenny HB]

And a few to keep John DBK happy.

 

[Lenny HB]

Now at Venda Nova, right next to the tram stop to get to Porto. Nice clean free services.
Transport is a bit confusing what thay call trams is the old fashion tourist ones down in the city. What we call trams they call either light railway or metro.

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[Northernraider]

Now at Venda Nova, right next to the tram stop to get to Porto. Nice clean free services.
Transport is a bit confusing what thay call trams is the old fashion tourist ones down in the city. What we call trams they call either light railway or metro.

View attachment 336395

View attachment 336396

Man that sure looks busy .when I was on that last year only 2 of us.
In the end I actually drove in to Porto and parked on a spot overlooking the bridges ....2 mins from historic centre

 

[Norman Jones]

We've been heading due south from Campirama since the weekend, showers all the way, so in search of sunshine ended up at 1300m ski area in Aveyron so beer needed fast. We will try to avoid you in Portugal if at all possible!!!!

 

[Lenny HB]

showers all the way, so in search of sunshine.

Must make you feel at home.
We have been away for just over two weeks I think we might have had an overnight shower just the once. ?

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[busby]

Must make you feel at home.
We have been away for just over two weeks I think we might have had an overnight shower just the once. ?

Same here,,left uk on 12 th of Sept.. In Isla Plana now,,other than one afternoon and night of rain near Bergerac it's been wall to wall sunshine.Been high 20s low 30s since we hit Spain.BUSBY.

 

[Lenny HB]

Home cooking tonight.

Dam, that's a give away left the price label on the wine.

 

[Lenny HB]

Porto - Yuck, dirty, tatty smelly city. The boss has lost a lot of brownie points by dragging me there.
Started off on the wrong foot, the ticket machine for the Metro/Tram did me out of €5.50. I was getting a 24hr ticket had the instructions in English, asked if I wanted 1 or 2 Titles. I assumed it meant 2 tickets/persons, nope it was 2 x 24hr on one ticket.

Went into one of the smaller port houses, they said we are the smallest so our Port is cheaper.
Cheapest bottle €25 up to €150, no thanks I'll stick to Lidl at €3.99.

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