Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North Africa
portmouth - bilbao ferries 2009. portmouth - bilbao ferries 2009.
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

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


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Trans Sahara Routes.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 27 Jun 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: london
Posts: 22
portmouth - bilbao ferries 2009.
hi all,

a friend and i are touring round morocco next easter. does anyone know when the P&O ferry timetables for next april are coming out?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 28 Jun 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Logie Coldstone, Scotland
Posts: 70
I recall that when we were planning our trip to Morocco, it was nearer October before we saw visibility of the timetables. A quick call to P&O will ease your mind. 08705202020 is the number in my mobile. Don't know if it's current though!!
__________________
Fraser
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 28 Jun 2008
stuxtttr's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Lutterworth,Midlands, UK
Posts: 574
Dont know about the timetables but thats a great crossing, really gets you in the holiday mood. I did Plymouth - Santander the year before and it wasnt as good over to quickly and too many cold miles to do in the UK.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 28 Jun 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Logie Coldstone, Scotland
Posts: 70
Quote:
Originally Posted by stuxtttr View Post
but thats a great crossing, really gets you in the holiday mood.
I'd like to agree, but I spent the whole crossing being sick due to rough seas and the return leg in my cabin with Moroccan tummy.

I'm hoping Marseilles to Tunis will be smoother next February!
__________________
Fraser
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 28 Jun 2008
BruceP's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: St Helens
Posts: 763
Quote:
Originally Posted by reggwensie View Post
I'd like to agree, but I spent the whole crossing being sick due to rough seas and the return leg in my cabin with Moroccan tummy.

I'm hoping Marseilles to Tunis will be smoother next February!
I'd have to agree, my wife was bad on the way back on the Santander crossing at the beginning of this month, and I was bored bored bored both ways.

We both reckon we may as well just do a short channel crossing in future and tonk through France. For us to do the Santander or Bilboa crossings we have to stop overnight near the port on the way out, so it adds a day as it is.
__________________
--

http://www.ytc1.co.uk
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 29 Jun 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
Wink
Only go to sea as a last resort! And even then, think twice about it - you can't get off, once you've started.
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 29 Jun 2008
bikerz's Avatar
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: portugal
Posts: 75
we have done bilbao - portsmouth, santander - plymouth, and driven through france on numerous occasions.
the santander ferry is by far the nicer ship, the crossing time is quicker than portsmouth, so no hanging about on a ship if you are not keen. If you get sea sick do not go across the bay of biscay in winter!
I f you want to make 3-4 days each way thru france part of the trip then ok but if you are just 'going thru' then dont bother.by the time you've got ferry/train across channel, driven 800 miles worth of fuel, tolls, overnight stop unless 800 miles a day is ok etc the cost difference to taking a ferry is negligable.
take a book, sit back relax and take the santander - plymouth ferry.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 29 Jun 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
Wink Do you want to ride a bike, or be a matelot?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Walkabout View Post
Only go to sea as a last resort! And even then, think twice about it - you can't get off, once you've started.
Just to qualify that; in the depths of winter - definite lack of daylight hours and probably crap weather - then the boat is attractive to get south "as soon as" (despite the Mal de Mer).In summer, it is a no-brainer, on cost alone - ride, ride and ride.
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 29 Jun 2008
BruceP's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: St Helens
Posts: 763
Quote:
Originally Posted by bikerz View Post
we have done bilbao - portsmouth, santander - plymouth, and driven through france on numerous occasions.
the santander ferry is by far the nicer ship, the crossing time is quicker than portsmouth, so no hanging about on a ship if you are not keen. If you get sea sick do not go across the bay of biscay in winter!
Winter ! It was summer ! :-)

Quote:
Originally Posted by bikerz View Post
I f you want to make 3-4 days each way thru france part of the trip then ok but if you are just 'going thru' then dont bother.by the time you've got ferry/train across channel, driven 800 miles worth of fuel, tolls, overnight stop unless 800 miles a day is ok etc the cost difference to taking a ferry is negligable.
take a book, sit back relax and take the santander - plymouth ferry.
3 -4 days.... 2 :-)

And yes, we have done the maths, which is why we did the long crossing this year, but for the extra at least we would be on the move, and that *is* relaxing for us.
__________________
--

http://www.ytc1.co.uk
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 29 Jun 2008
BruceP's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: St Helens
Posts: 763
Quote:
Originally Posted by Walkabout View Post
Just to qualify that; in the depths of winter - definite lack of daylight hours and probably crap weather - then the boat is attractive to get south "as soon as" (despite the Mal de Mer).In summer, it is a no-brainer, on cost alone - ride, ride and ride.
I can only agree
__________________
--

http://www.ytc1.co.uk
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 30 Jun 2008
stuxtttr's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Lutterworth,Midlands, UK
Posts: 574
Hey dont get me wrong if you suffer sea sickness then this crossings not for you. I just found the ease of returning into Portsmouth meant I was home in 2 hours. From Plymouth its a slog. Both times Ive left the UK in Jan to escape the cold. 36 hours goes pretty quick I slept alot and arrived refreshed and able to hit the med the same day. If you enjoy lots of cold miles then ride through France no worries. Id sooner be having fun on the boat.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 30 Jun 2008
stuxtttr's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Lutterworth,Midlands, UK
Posts: 574
The boat to morocco thats a different story. I left Almeria and arrived in Milila in the morning. The worst ferry Ive ever been on shity stinking boat. I slept in a cuboard I found because the weather was fowl and below deck was discusting. I slept with my helmet on and visor down to cut out the noise. Next time I would do the miles in spain to make use of the shorter crossing.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 30 Jun 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Walsall, UK
Posts: 251
I did Portsmouth - Bilbao once, never again. It's basically a floating pub, as a non-drinker I was bored out of my mind! Take a short Channel crossing and ride through France the timings are exactly the same, two days and one night, and it works out so much cheaper.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 30 Jun 2008
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,932
Viva Las Vegas!
The worst ferry Ive ever been on shity stinking boat....

Before anyone freaks out at taking the longer crossings to Mk I have to say this is not my recent experience going to Nador; from Melilla; to Tangiers from Sete.

They may not be on the likes of the Ports-Bilbao 'SS Las Vegas' but I like using the quieter and quicker ports (Tangiers was a detour) - something that first timers to Mk may appreciate.

Ch

I've never thought of sleeping in a full face - sounds like a good way to get high and wake up with a headache ;-)
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 30 Jun 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: West Yorkshire UK
Posts: 1,785
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tourider View Post
I did Portsmouth - Bilbao once, never again. It's basically a floating pub, as a non-drinker I was bored out of my mind! Take a short Channel crossing and ride through France the timings are exactly the same, two days and one night, and it works out so much cheaper.
I'd tend to agree. The Bilbao run is a PITA as instead of keeping up a steady speed while you enjoy your food and and get a good nights sleep, it wastes an extra day messing with the tides etc. The food is very average and the "cruise" idea seems to amount to Bingo and rubbish lager or overpriced brasseries serving pizza. Not reccomended.

Bikes and locations in the UK are a factor to me. My outfit is happier at 50 than 80 and Leeds-Plymouth is probably as awful a days run as Leeds-Dover. Once I hit the coast I prefer to keep moving and so would tend to go for the ferry. I don't get sea sick. If I lived within 75 miles of London and had a 100 mph bike I can see the advantages of riding across France, and I would take that route over the Bilbao ferry. That said, if I was riding across Europe I'd go Hull-Zeebrugge and gain time that way.

Andy
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
Bilbao to Calias marksmith1708 Europe 20 1 Dec 2008 14:14
Dakar 2009 - January 2009 Walkabout Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 3 6 Mar 2008 14:40
Bilbao to Calais Andy9 Europe 6 5 Feb 2008 02:06
AT Ferries Portsmouth(UK)-Bilbao(ESP) & vv WARNING rob_hutch North Africa 2 26 Jan 2007 12:19
Portsmouth to Bilbao Ferry rigsby Travellers Seeking Travellers 5 12 Nov 2006 19:41

 
 

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 02:44.

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