Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Europe
Santander Ferry Santander Ferry
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 24 Feb 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 37
Santander Ferry
Has anyone used either the Portsmouth or Plymouth to Santander Ferry?

I'm thinking fo going down to Portimao on the south coast of Portugal for the final round of the World Superbike championship in October. But wondered whether to ride down through france, spain and portugal or get the ferry to spain and ride down through spain and portugal?

cheers
Iand
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 24 Feb 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,116
I've used both of them - P&O and Brittany quite a few times over the years. The experience is roughly akin to spending two days in the motorway services. You can do it but it becomes a bit of an expedition in its own right. You can also do it both ways as a sort of four day mini cruise but I think you'd have to into training for that one.

For where you're going it's probably just about cost effective though. You've got to get across the channel somehow and by the time you've factored in the cost of the other ferry / tunnel, fuel, hotels, motorway tolls (particularly if you do Dover / anywhere), tyre wear etc the price of the Spain ferry starts to look a bit better.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 24 Feb 2009
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Bucks, UK
Posts: 642
I've done both ways and it would be the ferry everytime if your just looking to blast through France to get to Spain. The Portsmouth- Santander is 18 hours. Everytime i've been it's been on a sportsbike to hack around Spanish mountains for 3k mls so tyre life would be an issue adding 1.5k to the journey.
__________________
Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand 2016
Buenos Aires to NYC 2012-2013: www.facebook.com/curryhunt
India and back 2009-2010:
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 24 Feb 2009
Tim Cullis's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: London and Granada Altiplano
Posts: 3,124
The Brittany Ferries is only one night on the boat so it's viable to book a reclining seat rather than a cabin and kip on the floor of the recliner lounge.

Rates from around £85 one way bike and rider which is an absolute steal compared to cross channel ferry, motorway tolls, petrol, hotel.............

Tim
__________________
"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 25 Feb 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 37
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim Cullis View Post
The Brittany Ferries is only one night on the boat so it's viable to book a reclining seat rather than a cabin and kip on the floor of the recliner lounge.

Rates from around £85 one way bike and rider which is an absolute steal compared to cross channel ferry, motorway tolls, petrol, hotel.............

Tim
thanks tim, the prices dont look too bad, i just got a quote of £118 return for the dates i wanted in October.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 25 Feb 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Barnsley (Tarn)
Posts: 126
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim Cullis View Post
The Brittany Ferries is only one night on the boat so it's viable to book a reclining seat rather than a cabin and kip on the floor of the recliner lounge.


Tim
Hi Tim,
is it possible to get any sleep in this lounge, havn't used a reclining chair before usually share a cabin but this time i'm travelling alone so a cabin is too expensive. always had the idea it would be full of people snoring,farting and kids messing about.

cheers Dave
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 27 Feb 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London
Posts: 36
With regard to sleeping in the louge, i've found it always very quiet and normally half empty (this was May 08 and July 08) meaning most people looking for real sleep slept on floor in sleeping bag

Sleeping in the actual chair i never managed - they do not seem to stay reclined on their own, so if you lean forward a bit they come forward and wont go back unless you push button.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 27 Feb 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Staffordshire. uk
Posts: 766
I just checked the price on their website for a trip Portsmouth/Santander for Aug/Sept £277 and Oct £190 both with reclining seat. Did you use another site to get the £118 deal? That's quite a difference.

The Aug/Sept trip with a cabin is £449!
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 27 Feb 2009
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Powys, Cymru, U.K.
Posts: 94
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flyingdoctor View Post
I just checked the price on their website for a trip Portsmouth/Santander for Aug/Sept £277 and Oct £190 both with reclining seat. Did you use another site to get the £118 deal? That's quite a difference.

The Aug/Sept trip with a cabin is £449!
There are TWO companies running ferries on TWO different routes:-

Brittany Ferries - Plymouth~Santander - 18 hours (ie. 1 night on boat)

P & O - Portsmouth~Bilbao - 36 hours (ie. 2 nights on boat)
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 27 Feb 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 37
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flyingdoctor View Post
I just checked the price on their website for a trip Portsmouth/Santander for Aug/Sept £277 and Oct £190 both with reclining seat. Did you use another site to get the £118 deal? That's quite a difference.

The Aug/Sept trip with a cabin is £449!
i dont know off the top of my head, but i saved the page and printed it out at work, i'll have a look and see if i can find it. i was looking for the around the 22nd of october, not sure if that makes it cheaper?

it was definitely portsmouth to santander too.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 28 Feb 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Staffordshire. uk
Posts: 766
Brittany ferries now run a new service from portsmouth as well as their plymouth service. Portsmouth is easier for me.

the dates I tried were early Oct maybe it changes later in the month.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 7 Mar 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Warrington UK
Posts: 703
Quote:
Originally Posted by dave08 View Post
Hi Tim,
is it possible to get any sleep in this lounge, havn't used a reclining chair before usually share a cabin but this time i'm travelling alone so a cabin is too expensive. always had the idea it would be full of people snoring,farting and kids messing about.

cheers Dave
.
.
I once saw a couple in the recliner lounge, Pireas to Iraklion, Crete, set up a small 'igloo' type pop up tent in the corner. !
They only weigh in about 3 kg, and i imagine do give you a little more of your isolation for a few hours sleep.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Portsmouth to Santander ferry - prices out!!!! patchlewis Trip Transport 8 9 Feb 2009 17:14
Portsmouth to Santander - NEW ROUTE! patchlewis Trip Transport 3 21 Sep 2008 20:34
St. Mallo to Santander. adrian74 Route Planning 13 16 Mar 2008 20:59
Santander to Alicante circuit? Bronze Europe 0 1 Jul 2007 15:49

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 15:32.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top