Hi all we’re leaving Portsmouth this Sunday evening for Bilbao , this is our first ferry crossing so any advice or tips are most welcome? How early do people arrive at the port ?
Many thanks
Many thanks
First time ferry
- Thread starter bells67
- Start date
Some motorhomes with a big overhang at the back can struggle if there is a steep boarding ramp (up or down) as the rear end can catch the ramp. Probably not such a problem in UK but have seen a few motorhomes do some damage to themselves on Adriatic ferries and around Greece. It's usually because they have ignored the boarding marshals and just driven straight off instead of at an angle. I've never used the Portsmouth ferry (We are tunnellers) but I live quite near. Just be careful that you don't miss the turn off as if you end up driving into Portsmouth you'll be in a low emission zone. I don't think its a problem if you are under 3500kg but others on here will know/advise. The ferry terminal is well signposted from the A27.
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Good morning. There should be boarding instructions with your ticket that tell you when the latest you can arrive is - normally 2 hours before departure time. If you want to get to Portsmouth earlier, consider parking at Port Solent https://www.portsolent.com - it's free and has much more to offer than the ferry port and is about twenty minutes away along the A27.
If you go in to Portsmouth via the M275 you'd have to be driving with your blinds down to miss the ferry signs. Should be no problem with loading ramps etc., it's a big ferry! Bon voyage.
If you go in to Portsmouth via the M275 you'd have to be driving with your blinds down to miss the ferry signs. Should be no problem with loading ramps etc., it's a big ferry! Bon voyage.
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Our complication with arrival time is our dog. 90 minutes before departure is the minimum but there is nowhere of much use to our choosy girl so we visit the New Forrest first. Also don't want to be too early on her account.
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We’ve sat on the dock side for hours, wondering why some vehicles are being boarded and we’re standing still. Just make sure you are there on the correct day and sort your time as you see fit.
Once we were delayed for 2 hours by an accident on the motorway, so don’t cut it too fine. We usually stop at Tesco at Port Solent for last minute stuff and fuel (last time we went prices were similar in Spain so we didn’t need to find something quickly after disembarking)
Enjoy the trip and watch the wildlife in the Bay of Biscay
Gordon
Once we were delayed for 2 hours by an accident on the motorway, so don’t cut it too fine. We usually stop at Tesco at Port Solent for last minute stuff and fuel (last time we went prices were similar in Spain so we didn’t need to find something quickly after disembarking)
Enjoy the trip and watch the wildlife in the Bay of Biscay
Gordon
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AlunandFelicie
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Are there any complications in taking a dog out of the UK?
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AlunandFelicie
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We have EU passports for the dogs.
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Not that I know of if you have an EU passeport. The AHC is another matter completely and presents endless opportunities for things to go wrong it seems. We bought our own scanner, the same make as the chip, years ago and always checked the chip was working before we left home. Also Brittany Ferries own scanners were rubbish back then and I obtained their agreement to accept our scanner reading if theirs could not find it. We now have a Halo scanner which is the same as they use. It doesn't stop your mouth going dry each time though!
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DBK
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Get your dog used to wearing a muzzle as they need to wear one moving between the vehicle and the cabin or kennels. It will be a little less fraught if they have worn one before. Take bedding and favourite toy. Bowls not needed if using a kennel as they have them attached to the door.
Get an EU pet passport when in Spain but ideally one lasting three years. In some regions you only get a one year one.
Ask at the Information desk about the whale watching talk, it is worth going to. They do make an announcement about it but easy to miss.
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You won't have any problems with a fully legal EU passport.
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Jonno1103
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You have to be at PIP 60 minutes before departure, aim to get there for around 8pm, don't cut it too fine.
If your heading down the M1 come off at 15a then along the A43 to the M40... 1 junction then down the A34 to the M3. There are extensive road works passing Winchester although it tends to move ok. At the end of the M3 stay right for Portsmouth which seems counter intuitive the first time as Portsmouth is left, Southampton right. You want M27 east.
The port is well signposted as you approach the M275 turn off and again along the short distance to the port turn off.
You'll be on one of BF's newest ships, Galicia, one of the 3 largest in terms of size meaning the vehicle decks will be easy to negotiate whether you're sent up the ramp or one of the lower vehicle decks.
This is the ship guide.
Once at Zierbena the roundabout has a clear sign which direction to take towards either Bilbao, 25 mins away, or Santander.
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