Ferry Booked to Spain

[Hymerbell]

We use Brittany ferries to save time and often, money.

A subject that’s been beaten to death on here many times. I have always given my unbiased opinion from both sides.

When we take my Sprinter Van or car over. We usually get a good price with Brittany ferries.

From Javea in Spain to Manchester, it’s around 700-800 miles and takes around 40 hours, door-door.

Compare that to the Eurotunnel option. That’s more like 1200 miles, 2 hotels and 3 days driving.

However, Despite usually taking the biscay route for the same trip in the motorhome. I would take the Eurotunnel route if BF gets too expensive.

I think the reason it’s so expensive now is that it’s down to supply and demand. Everyone is getting shuffled along.

I always take into consideration wear and tear plus depreciation on high miles. Depending what I am driving of course. I’ve a 150,000 mile Toyota that can’t depreciate along with other vehicles that will. I don’t want rack up 60,000 miles in my top motor.

We take the trip up to six times a year.

Yes it’s all about time...if one has 2 or more months and meanders through France on the Route Nationals or “D” roads and thinks of it as part of the trip then going by road is a no brainier. If one needs to get there quickly for whatever reason then the Ferry to Spain makes sense. I prefer to travel slowly. And if one brings into the equation a car and hotels the ferry makes even more sense. And if as in your case I made the journey six times a year I’d just buy a place in Spain and fly

 

[EuroTrotters]

Yes it’s all about time...if one has 2 or more months and meanders through France on the Route Nationals or “D” roads and thinks of it as part of the trip then going by road is a no brainier. If one needs to get there quickly for whatever reason then the Ferry to Spain makes sense. I prefer to travel slowly. And if one brings into the equation a car and hotels the ferry makes even more sense. And if as in your case I made the journey six times a year I’d just buy a place in Spain and fly

I have a place in Spain, but I am not too keen on flying, but we mix it up.

 

[Hymerbell]

I have a place in Spain, but I am not too keen on flying, but we mix it up.

Fair enough....I was really just talking about if one were travelling to Spain with plenty of time in hand. Mind you I’d hate to pay for Britanny ferries too often. I did it once in my camping days 20 years ago with young children as I had to go during school holidays and only had three weeks....remember putting the big tent up and down in 35 degrees of heat across Spain. Bought a Motorhome the next year .

 

[EuroTrotters]

Fair enough....I was really just talking about if one were travelling to Spain with plenty of time in hand. Mind you I’d hate to pay for Britanny ferries too often. I did it once in my camping days 20 years ago with young children as I had to go during school holidays and only had three weeks....remember putting the big tent up and down in 35 degrees of heat across Spain. Bought a Motorhome the next year .

Your Hymer in the Avatar looks similar to ours
B654

 

[Hymerbell]

Your Hymer in the Avatar looks similar to ours
B654

Nearly...B674.....just got it from Germany 1 week before lockdown....was after a B644, B654 or B674...having had a B544 for 20 years...plumped for B674. Looking forward to actually using it .

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[jongood]

Compare that to the Eurotunnel option. That’s more like 1200 miles, 2 hotels and 3 days driving.

You do need to bear in mind that most of us are using Motorhomes and are doing a round route.

 

[carolyn]

Just out of interest I looked at the BF crossing we took on the Pont Aven to Spain last year . They now have this new 3 tier system. The basic fare is the same as last year but the fully flexible one which is the only one we would consider is £50 more. The midrange only allows free changes online up to two weeks before you travel. We live only 2 hours from Portsmouth and Plymouth, enjoy the crossing, so really don’t see the point in going all the way to Dover or Folkestone.

 

[Emmit]

I noticed that on BF there is an Economy Ferry (The Connemara) is leaving Portsmouth on 30th June for Spain for £330 (+cabin etc)
The following day, the price jumps on a non economy ferry to over £500.
Allowing for the journey, one could arrive in Spain on July 1st when they are apparently allowing movement in that Country.

 

[Hymerbell]

I noticed that on BF there is an Economy Ferry (The Connemara) is leaving Portsmouth on 30th June for Spain for £330 (+cabin etc)
The following day, the price jumps on a non economy ferry to over £500.
Allowing for the journey, one could arrive in Spain on July 1st when they are apparently allowing movement in that Country.

I’m losing track of which borders are opening and when...are the Spanish opening their borders on 1st July then ? Wasn’t it 15th July or was that somewhere else ?

 

[Emmit]

I’m losing track of which borders are opening and when...are the Spanish opening their borders on 1st July then ? Wasn’t it 15th July or was that somewhere else ?

Tourists can visit Spain from 1 July with no quarantine

Spanish foreign minister calls for common EU policy on cross-border movement

www.independent.co.uk

You won't of course have travel Insurance courtesy of the FCO warning but your EHIC Card would still be in operation.

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[Hymerbell]

Tourists can visit Spain from 1 July with no quarantine

Spanish foreign minister calls for common EU policy on cross-border movement

www.independent.co.uk

You won't of course have travel Insurance courtesy of the FCO warning but your EHIC Card would still be in operation.

But Brits are excluded because our government in all their wisdom are saying anyone coming to UK from 8th June will have to quarantine for 14 days.

 

[Emmit]

But Brits are excluded because our government in all their wisdom are saying anyone coming to UK from 8th June will have to quarantine for 14 days.

True, BUT (there's always a BUT)

Those are the rules that apply now.

Who is to say that, after you come back from Spain, obviously some time after the 1st July, there may not be a 14 day quarantine in force, and, even if the quarantine was in place, a 14 day moratorium in my home would be no hardship. Apart from a few trips to my local shop, I've effectively been in 'Lockdown' since the beginning of March.
PS I have a relative that would keep me in milk.

 

[jumar]

I’m losing track of which borders are opening and when...are the Spanish opening their borders on 1st July then ? Wasn’t it 15th July or was that somewhere else ?

I will also depend on all Regions of Spain coming through all phases of lockdown, the President said that all of Spain will need to achieve this and come out together...some regions are behind by a whole phase....here in Murcia we are one of the leaders in the field, having just entered phase 2.....in two weeks time we can enter phase 3....this will be beneficial to us as we will be allowed to go inter regional for the first time since mid March
Any sudden increase in Covid 19 cases could see some form of lockdown returning, what effect that might have on the July 1st return to tourism I couldn't say...
Residents of Spain are being encouraged to start taking their holidays from mid June. we will not be doing so, we prefer to hang on a little longer......the Government is without doubt under great pressure to Open Up, but at what cost to life we need to wait and see.

 

[busby]

Makes me wonder why do it. I reckon Channel Tunnel £125...petrol £150 so £275...don’t do Toll roads. Save £500 to spend in restaurants .....and you get to see France as well.

But not much to see in Dec and Jan Feb.BUSBY.

 

[busby]

True, BUT (there's always a BUT)

Those are the rules that apply now.

Who is to say that, after you come back from Spain, obviously some time after the 1st July, there may not be a 14 day quarantine in force, and, even if the quarantine was in place, a 14 day moratorium in my home would be no hardship. Apart from a few trips to my local shop, I've effectively been in 'Lockdown' since the beginning of March.
PS I have a relative that would keep me in milk.

It will be quarantine with no enforcement so pointless.BUSBY.

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[Hymerbell]

True, BUT (there's always a BUT)

Those are the rules that apply now.

Who is to say that, after you come back from Spain, obviously some time after the 1st July, there may not be a 14 day quarantine in force, and, even if the quarantine was in place, a 14 day moratorium in my home would be no hardship. Apart from a few trips to my local shop, I've effectively been in 'Lockdown' since the beginning of March.
PS I have a relative that would keep me in milk.

I’m not bothered about quarantine coming back...as you say 2 weeks in the back garden is fine. And as busby says pretty unenforcible. What I’m saying is that Spain arent opening up to UK residents because we are imposing quarantine from 8th June. On 29th it is being reviewed. So one would arrive in Santander or wherever and not be allowed in if the UK government keeps the quarantine in place. Then what would happen ?

 

[gus-lopez]

But Brits are excluded because our government in all their wisdom are saying anyone coming to UK from 8th June will have to quarantine for 14 days.

What I’m saying is that Spain arent opening up to UK residents because we are imposing quarantine from 8th June.

I haven't read that anywhere here? I know the French are but by all accounts that isn't legally enforceable the French courts have said. It's only Cyprus that has stated categorically no Brits & that was before the Uk quarantine was proposed.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Apparently you are OK to travel through France into Spain with no quarantine in France.

 

[Hymerbell]

That’s what it said in the link Emmit just sent.

“It remains unclear whether British holiday-makers will be able to visit Spain this summer. The government is bringing a 14-day quarantine for arrivals to the UK from 8 June — yet transport secretary Grant Shapps has said “air bridge” arrangements could be established to allow trips to low-risk countries“

or does that mean they can’t visit because of the 14 day quarantine in the UK. If its that rather than Spain excluding the UK then that’s fine with me as I don’t care about quarantine when I return..

 

[Hymerbell]

Apparently you are OK to travel through France into Spain with no quarantine in France.

Eh who said that ? Can’t seem to find definitive statements. So I can get on Eurotunnel now and drive across France. Not sure if that is the case at all.

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[EuroTrotters]

You do need to bear in mind that most of us are using Motorhomes and are doing a round route.

See above post re the motorhome trip I mention.

I do bear that in mind, as I also take the motorhome too. We rent the house in summer and use Spanish Campsite’s like playa Montroig. Taking our grandchildren backwards and forwards.

I had actually booked and paid for storage at Alicante this year to fly out rather than use BF, never got that far. Had to drive a car back as easyJet cancelled our flights.

Anyway, as I have said before. Brittany Ferries were too slow in expansion of the fleet for the Spanish routes. Passenger numbers had already increased by 80%.

I think with regards to what’s happened. Even more people may choose to use ferries. Just a Shame they don’t have capacity.

Hopefully, when BF’s four new vessels arrive, things may get better and hopefully, a little easier and cheaper to book.

 

[gus-lopez]

Hopefully, when BF’s four new vessels arrive, things may get better and hopefully, a little easier and cheaper to book.

I doubt it if they are still under French rules & running at half capacity.

or does that mean they can’t visit because of the 14 day quarantine in the UK. If its that rather than Spain excluding the UK then that’s fine with me as I don’t care about quarantine when I return..

Yes that is what it means. No quarantine here but when you return.

 

[jessthedog]

This is interesting. I wonder if the other Islands follow suit?

(From the SUN newspaper)
Holidaymakers heading to Ibiza this summer will have to prove they are free of coronavirus before they are allowed onto the island.
Ibiza president Vicent Mari said authorities would use 'Covid-19 Free' certificates to ensure there is not a new outbreak.
Earlier this week, Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez committed to allowing foreign tourists back into the country from July 1.
Mr Mari said Ibiza would play a “fundamental” part in rebuilding the tourism sector when it opens up again.

Ibiza calls for tourists to be asked for proof they are coronavirus-free

HOLIDAYMAKERS heading to Ibiza will have to prove they are free of coronavirus before they are allowed onto the Spanish island. Ibiza President Vicent Mari said today that ‘Covid-19 Free’ certifica…

www.thesun.co.uk

 

[pepper386]

We have booked Santander to Portsmouth 29 June hope this one runs, 3rd time lucky, but safe where we are no virus where we are

 

[jumar]

Lots of conflicting stories, reports and statements coming from the UK and here in Spain...I know it's from the Daily Mail, however its in Spanish newspapers this weekend too. The Spanish President has also been saying that freedom of movement may be allowed from 21st June.....confused, so are we.

UK must 'improve' its Covid record before Brits allowed in Spain

Maria Reyes Maroto delivered a massive blow to British tourists, stating German and Nordic countries are most likely to be the first holidaymakers to return to the country in tourism 'test-run'.

www.dailymail.co.uk

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[The Coops]

Is it okay to say my head hurts? Why not a simple Yes or No and go with it!

 

[Vipar]

They say everything comes to those who wait.. I’m sitting on my fat arse. I’m in no rush.

 

[bobandjanie]

Spain’s PM puts final stage of coronavirus deescalation in hands of the regions

During a televised address on Sunday afternoon, Pedro Sánchez said that the last period of the state of alarm “would be different, lighter”

english.elpais.com

We go into phase 2 tomorrow, we can use our pool , use the beach and swim in the sea, and exercise any time we want. Bob.

 

[gus-lopez]

We go into phase 2 tomorrow,

By all accounts Murcia could have gone it to phase 3 tomorrow, a week early, but the regional government declined -

 

[jumartoo]

Spain’s PM puts final stage of coronavirus deescalation in hands of the regions

During a televised address on Sunday afternoon, Pedro Sánchez said that the last period of the state of alarm “would be different, lighter”

english.elpais.com

We go into phase 2 tomorrow, we can use our pool , use the beach and swim in the sea, and exercise any time we want. Bob.

You can exercise anytime if you're over 70!!!

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