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  #1  
Old 19 Jan 2016
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Ferries from UK to Spain
I'm planning to take a ferry from UK to Northern Spain in April, one bike, one rider, one way. Have not done this route for eight years and I'm seeking any advice about which operator to use? I understand Brittany ferries have a few boats; is there an alternative? Is it best to book direct with the ferry company or through an agency?
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Old 19 Jan 2016
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I believe it's Brittany Ferries only now the competition didn't last long

They have the normal or economie service which is a little more basic and cheaper. Not used it myself thoug
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Old 19 Jan 2016
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We have used Brittany ferries. Not cheap, but think think it as part of the holiday. Plan your food to save money-there are microwaves and hot water for free. In some senses the expensive ferry is almost free, if you compare with the cross channel ferry plus fuel plus tolls.
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Old 20 Jan 2016
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Originally Posted by Mark hadley View Post
...the expensive ferry is almost free, if you compare with the cross channel ferry plus fuel plus tolls.
Absolutely, especially when you factor in a share of vehicle servicing, tyre and chain/sprocket costs.

Brittany Ferries are the only operator now, I use them four or five times a year. There's four boats, all of which I have used multiple times.

Two are mini-cruise standard and are the Pont-Aven and the Cap Finistère, the other two are 'economy' service and are the Etretat and the Baie de Seine. Personally I now go only for the economy boats as they are fine and in fact I reckon the food on the Baie de Seine is the best. I will be using it again in three weeks time, all being well.

I will PM you with my Club Voyage number which gives you 10% discount off bike and passenger fees (nothing off the cabins).

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Old 20 Jan 2016
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Two are mini-cruise standard and are the Pont-Aven and the Cap Finistère ..
I ferried across from Santander to Plymouth last October (2015) aboard Brittany Ferries' flagship cruise ferry, The Pont-Aven.

The food in the self-service restaurant was of the highest quality. Remarkably good cuisine. Top marks to the French [I assume] chefs that prepared the excellent lineup of dishes.

All-in-all, a very pleasant Biscay crossing.
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Old 20 Jan 2016
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Just go on the Brittany Ferries website, from the UK they sail from Plymouth or Portsmouth to Santander or Bilbao. You have more options from the UK to Northern France.
Really you need to weigh up whether you want to cut yourself out a load of riding or not. Like Keith1954 said the crossing from Plymouth to Santander on the Pont-Aven is like a mini cruse, the boat is lovely.
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Old 20 Jan 2016
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I went on Pont Aven last year, April I think. It was about £350 return with a month in between.

in my opinion, it was money well spent. Comfortable, nice staff, tolerable entertainment, not too expensive food and and really good presentation by the whale watchers.

Dolphins on the way back too!

If you haven't got time to give France the justice it deserves, then it really is a good option to let Captain xxxx do the driving. Also a little less Vibration Clear Finger when riding a big single!
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Old 20 Jan 2016
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Given the choice I would use the Economie service every time as you are not paying for a lot of things that I have no need for. In reality the boat you go on is more likely to be determined by the dates and route you can travel on. Although I love riding through France if you take this route in April you are also less likely to run the risk of having to do the miles in some poor weather.
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Old 21 Jan 2016
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This one come's up so often.


It all depends. Where you are starting from. If the Portsmouth ferry is on your door step then take that. If Dover is closer use the Dover crossing. Crossing at Dover will get you in to Spain in less than 24 hour's. So that one cheap over night stay. And the petrol money down. I live in King's Lynn. So Dover is the best one for me.


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Old 21 Jan 2016
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Thank you everyone for your advice; it seems there is no choice so I'll be sailing with Brittany.
I'm planning one way UK to Spain to keep the mileage down reducing tyre/chain/sprocket wear and avoiding potentially bad weather through France in April.
Returning in May when hopefully it'll be warmer and drier, I'll ride through Spain and France to Calais, approx 6 weeks away
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Old 24 Jan 2016
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...Crossing at Dover will get you in to Spain in less than 24 hours. So that's one cheap over night stay. And the petrol money down
These are the comparative figures I researched for my last Morocco presentation at 2014 HUBBUK. These are actual figures based on the return trip prices for October 2014. Obviously if you have an old bike then depreciation on excess milage might not come into it.

riding 700 miles each way through France
return cross channel ferry.........................£65
overnight hotel each way @£25 ............... £50
1400 mile share of servicing/tyres/depr... £140
1400 miles @ 45mpg ............................ £140
total (assuming no toll roads)................. £395

return ferry Portsmouth to Santander
solo with cabin ..................................... £340
two sharing cabin ..................................£275
four sharing cabin .................................£255

I haven't checked how the prices have moved for 2016, perhaps the gap has closed. But if you chill out for 24 hours on the Santander ferry, take in a movie, have a few drinks and relax, you are more inclined to make good progress through Spain on the way to Algeciras.
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Old 19 Feb 2016
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Def the way to go, could not get a return from Spain last year as I didn't book a return and they were all full. The costs of tolls alone travelling back through Spain and France
will seriously dent the old wallet, the Spanish charge bikes at car rates and I think I personally paid for the construction of the peage once I crossed the border never again. If you could leave your trip till October I have a spare bunk in my cabin you could have for free
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Old 19 Feb 2016
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There is also the budget no frills ferry that Brittany Ferries pulled out of the the hat last year that has a no frills boat. But way cheaper.


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Old 20 Feb 2016
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The initial 'economie' boat that Brittany put on the route was the Etretat which was OK, now they have allocated a better economy boat, the Baie de Seine. The economy boats are cheaper for vehicle and passenger, cabins are about the same price.
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Old 21 Feb 2016
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I've booked a one way from Portsmouth to Bilbao sailing on 3rd April. The Cap Finistere departs at 22:30 arriving at 0745 on 5th April. One bike, one rider and a cabin for two nights £210 (thanks for your help Tim).
It's a longer crossing but I like the late departure as it gives me all day to get to the port and the early arrival in Spain means I should be able to get to southern Spain, close to Algeciras in a day.
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