Ferries; Europe -> Morocco. The lowdown?
 

Hi All,

A group of us are driving VW Syncros down to Morocco from UK for a 6 week trip beginning end of December.

I have been looking into ferry prices, and am a little shocked!

So far quoting

£240 return for Algerciras -> Ceuta

£1240! return for Séte (France) -> Tanger

Anyone have any tips, I think the French route is prohibited by cost and we will take the Portsmouth -> Bilboa route then go from the Southern tip of Spain, but at £240 for a 30 min crossing seems ridiculously overpriced.

What have other people paid in similar size (110 Landy / 101 Ambi) sized vehicles?

Is there a good ferry agent in the UK for booking as so far Southern Ferries have been about as helpful as a second belly button.

Cheers

Jake

You pick up tickets in Spain without a problem. Algeciras - Tanger or Ceuta is the cheapest option. There's a lot of ships running back and forth so I wouldn't bother with reservations, but maybe others have different opinions.

Agreed
 

Mercedes 190 is right...

Sam.

ferries to Morocco
 

Your quoted ferry prices for Algeciras to Ceuta sound a bit high. I 'll check my notes tonight if I have any exact info on car rates. However this past summer I went by motorcycle from Algeciras to Ceuta and the cost for me AND the motorcycle together was only 95 Euro for a RETURN trip.
and I can't imagine a car being that expensive.
The Algeciras - Ceuta route is the shortest and quickest transit. The ferries are operated as a pool, you buy a ticket for a transit and regardles of which of the several companies operating ferries is listed on the ticket you can board whatever vessel that happens to be at the dock and loading when you arrive.Tickets are sold by various agents and the handiest I found was on the north side of the westbound motorway as you approach Algeciras from Gibraltar and Malaga in the industrial and commercial subburbs in the vicinity of the Carrefour superstore which is on the south side.There are signs to it giving ample notice when to leave the motorway.
At this agent there was a 10% discount off the total price if the return voyage was booked at the same time .The return trip can be made at any time of your choosing, you are not locked into any particular date of sailing. Consider that when you buy your ticket since you are only planning to visit Morocco for six weeks.

Tarifa (west of Algeciras) 45 minutes to Tangier by fast ferry, about £60 each way incl 2 people and car. Get tickets in travel agent in main street Tarifa. Better than any lumbering ex British Rail ferry from Algeciras.

Ferries to Morocco
 

Algeciras to Ceuta ferries are of different types, the BUQUEBUS and the like are huge highspeed catamarans hauling lots of cars and trucks and zip across in 45 minutes, but have only very limited outside deckspace , if any, to enjoy the trip from. The older single hulled vessels are slower but give a great chance to enjoy the scenery from the open decks.

Feryy cost
 

Two days ago, so quite up to date!

I block book in excess of 200 return vehicle crossings a year ahead for clients.....Open return Algeciras-Ceuta is now around 340 euro. Big jump from just a few months ago. Also the go and return on any ferry has been stopped. For how long who knoews. Name on ticket is who you sail with.

Ferries are as aways fast and clean.

Ray

PS. Diesel fuel in Morocco is now around = 1 euro ltr, bit more for the better "Euro" stuff.

Hi,

we will go next week Genua Tanger and return. It is a special Comnav Camper fare having not all possible ships available but you find still a reasonable schedule.

2 Persons (double cabin with full board) + Landcruiser
Return ticket 900 ,- Euro

Best regards
Bernd

Ferries to Marocco
 

Wow, quite a boost in prices since July Ray, seems I hit it in the "good old days".Nice to hear the most recent info.
Jake might want to try these websites for more details , hopefully current policy.:
www.buquebus.es and click on tariffs and schedules
www.transmediterrana and click on cargo ,then routes etc.
www.directferries.co.uk/euroferry.htm

each of these deal with Algeciras to Ceuta as well as other routes.

Thanks All!

So it would seem the fares I'm being quoted are about right then! Damn, best stop

It would seem the popularity of our particular chosen passions is starting to drive prices up!

Thanks Sjoerd for the web details - I shall look them up.

We are travelling Late December thru to Early Feb - so anyone sees 3 Camper Syncros - come and say hello!

Ferry costs
 

I have a meeting with the ferry ops next week. As a heavy business user [ex Trailmasters and now Desertdetours] cost has a serious effect as I pre-advertise all inclusive tour prices and don't need to get hit with huge jumps after bookings.

Pre-summer I was getting open return for 175 euros [vehicle + 2 persons]. Just today I had to fork out 650+ euro for an RV and trailer/smart car..........

It could be that this is a temp thing after the high summer sailings and that the "specual offers" will kick back in soon. I hope so!

I have a feeling that the sailing with company shown on ticket will stay with us.

Whatever, I will post news as I get it.

Ray

Thanks for the info Ray - I'm not looking forward to paying those new prices.

Do you know if the ferries to Melilla and Nador from Malaga/Almeria have also jumped up by a large amount? I was hoping to do this route in a few weeks.

If fuel in Cueta/Melilla is the same price as in Spain, then may as well go straight to Nador I guess...

Hi

No idea about the other routes [Melilla or Nador] as I never use them. Noted that Algeciras-Tanger and Terifa-Tanger were slightly cheaper by around 30/50 euros though.......But I very rarely go via Tanger.

Ray

tarifa-tanger with FRS

29€ per person
95€ per car higher than 1.80m no longer than 6meters

special rates for groupes

www.frs.es info@frs.es
www.frs.ma info@frs.ma

and it only takes 35minutes from Tarifa to Tanger

prices are return based.:thumbup1:

Went to Morocco in April. FOund out that the ferry from Malaga was quite a lot cheaper than from Almeria. Also a lot cleaner and less crowded.
Malaga - Melilla return was 340 Euro's in April for a Nissan Pickup and stil is about the same price now. One Passenger, 6 meter, no cabin (just a chair) fixed return date.
Almeria - Nador/Melilla was about 400 Euro's.
Border in Nador was quite easy with less than half an hour.

I used www.aferry.com to book. All went very smooth.

Peter