Quickest, cheapest, easiest way to drive to Spain in a motorhome or caravan
What is the quickest, cheapest and easiest way to drive to Spain with a motorhome, caravan or campervan
Three choices from the south of England:
- Catch a Plymouth or Portsmouth ferry.
- Catch a Dover Ferry.
- Chanel tunnel in a Euro Star le Shuttle.
The following calculations are for winter crossings lowest priced option with vehicle up to 6m. Driving times were calculated on both Google maps and Via Michelin.
Ferry: Portsmouth-Bilbao £400 one-way (32.5hrs). Overnight ferry. obligatory booking of seats at £9 or cabin at £100
Ferry: Plymouth-Santander £496 one-way (20.5hrs). Overnight ferry. obligatory booking of seats at £9 or cabin at £100
P&O ferry Dover-Calais (1.5hrs) one-way £97
Eurotunnel Folkestone-Calais (30mins) one-way £92
How much, how long, how far to drive from Calais to Barcelona? Routes and expenses suggested by Via Michelin and Google: £200 in diesel (at 25 mpg), €100 tolls, Total: €300 plus channel crossing. 14 hours driving 1325km/866m.
How much, how long, how far to drive from Calais to San Sebastian? Routes and expenses suggested by Via Michelin and Google: €150 of diesel (at 25 mpg), €107 tolls, Total €257 plus channel crossing. 11 hours driving 1106km/687m.
Take the train, hire a camper in Spain
Same day London to Barcelona. Eurostar Departs hourly from 06.00 to 18.00hrs then the last train at 20.00hrs. London St Pancreas to Paris Gare du Nord, £49pp (2.19hrs). SNCF train from Paris Gare de Lyon to Barcelona Saints at £59pp, (6.45hrs). " trains daily departing and arrival times: (09.42 - 16.31hrs) or (14.42 - 21.27hrs). Camper hire, a lot per day and too many variables.
What is the quickest way to drive to Spain? Ironically all 3 routes take about the same amount of time.
What is the cheapest way to drive to Spain? Ironically all 3 routes cost about the same.
What is the easiest way to drive to Spain?
We have used all options to drive to Spain, but our preferred choice by far is through the Chanel Tunnel. Meli has been sea sick before leaving Plymouth harbour. Chris gets bored on cross channel ferries. We live in Folkestone so there is no point driving the wrong way to take an even longer ferry.
Make you journey a tour not a chore, and meander from aires or campsites of your choice.