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Hi Guys and Ladies Hope you are all keeping safe.
My wife and I are planning on driving from uk to Spain later In the year with the Dog.
This will be our first time by Car through France.
Knowing that many of you would have done this many times, I am asking what is the best way and most cost effective.
Planning to stay for at least a month.
Any input would be appreciated.
After a stress free trip !!!!!!!
Cheers
Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2021 4:07pm
Helpful member
Hi Frazer,
Stress free and most cost effective are probably difficult to achieve with first time travel. It would depend on your time factors regarding travel and return. If you both drive with one overnight stop then you can at a push do it in 2 days.
Toll roads are by far the easiest, safest and quickest, with many stop off points and service areas to exercise yourselves and the dog. Plenty of dog friendly hotels on route. All Ibis are dog friendly, reasonably priced and many close to the highways. You've just got to factor the costs of tolls, I am not sure of the exact amount but its north of 100 euros, depending on your route. A lot of previous posters have linked routes, costs etc, a quick search in the archives will give you specifics.
The alternative is no tolls, which is inevitably a longer journey, in time, although arguably more enjoyable, however driving through towns on route is not without its problems. This would probably mean a second nights stay which is increased cost.
So I don't see a huge difference overall in costs between the two it just depends on your preferred timings and route. The routes are pretty straightforward choices between crossing the border in Northern Spain (San Sebastian area) or Southern Spain (Perpignan area) There are others, a lovely route is from Toulouse over the mountains by Andorra and down to Barcelona. there are many crossings along the border but the first two seem to be the most popular.
Hope this helps.
Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2021 4:15pm
the ashes 40 wrote on Thu Feb 25, 2021 4:07pm:
Hi Frazer,
Stress free and most cost effective are probably difficult to achieve with first time travel. It would depend on your time factors regarding travel and return. If you both drive with one overnight stop then you can at a push do it in 2 days.
Read more...
Toll roads are by far the easiest, safest and quickest, with many stop off points and service areas to exercise yourselves and the dog. Plenty of dog friendly hotels on route. All Ibis are dog friendly, reasonably priced and many close to the highways. You've just got to factor the costs of tolls, I am not sure of the exact amount but its north of 100 euros, depending on your route. A lot of previous posters have linked routes, costs etc, a quick search in the archives will give you specifics.
The alternative is no tolls, which is inevitably a longer journey, in time, although arguably more enjoyable, however driving through towns on route is not without its problems. This would probably mean a second nights stay which is increased cost.
So I don't see a huge difference overall in costs between the two it just depends on your preferred timings and route. The routes are pretty straightforward choices between crossing the border in Northern Spain (San Sebastian area) or Southern Spain (Perpignan area) There are others, a lovely route is from Toulouse over the mountains by Andorra and down to Barcelona. there are many crossings along the border but the first two seem to be the most popular.
Hope this helps.
Hi The ashes.
Thanks very much very helpful I will search those posts.
Take Care
Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2021 9:05am
Helpful member
Frazer77 wrote on Wed Feb 24, 2021 5:15pm:
Hi Guys and Ladies Hope you are all keeping safe.
My wife and I are planning on driving from uk to Spain later In the year with the Dog.
Read more...
This will be our first time by Car through France.
Knowing that many of you would have done this many times, I am asking what is the best way and most cost effective.
Planning to stay for at least a month.
Any input would be appreciated.
After a stress free trip !!!!!!!
Cheers
Hi Frazer77
I have driven the route a number of times, see route below this is what we normally do driving down from Newcastle in the North East, we either stop Ashford and start early next day or at Poitiers which is roughly half way in a Camponile there nothing flash but clean and safe. If your starting from Calais then I would suggest Pau area or Bayonne depending which route you take.
Calais-Abbeville-Rouen-Le Mans-Poitiers-Bordeux-Pau-Somport Tunnel-Jaca-Huesca-Zaragoza-Tereul-Valencia down the A7 to N332 or stay on motorway and pay 2 tolls then into Villamartin, tolls are approx 110 euros through France you are toll free in Spain this way, fuel is approx 130 euros.
With a nights stay, tolls & fuel I would guess your looking in the region of 300 euros give or take, plus its an awesome drive through the Pyrenees and down through Spain, I have done it in one go before from Calais but its tough going a young mans option if I am honest.
Enjoy the drive we see it as part of the holiday 🚗💨💨
Regards
Andrew
Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2021 1:17pm
Aspen1992 wrote on Fri Feb 26, 2021 9:05am:
Hi Frazer77
I have driven the route a number of times, see route below this is what we normally do driving down from Newcastle in the North East, we either stop Ashford and start early next day or at Poitiers which is roughly half way in a Camponile there nothing flash but clean and safe. If your starting fr...
Read more...
...om Calais then I would suggest Pau area or Bayonne depending which route you take.
Calais-Abbeville-Rouen-Le Mans-Poitiers-Bordeux-Pau-Somport Tunnel-Jaca-Huesca-Zaragoza-Tereul-Valencia down the A7 to N332 or stay on motorway and pay 2 tolls then into Villamartin, tolls are approx 110 euros through France you are toll free in Spain this way, fuel is approx 130 euros.
With a nights stay, tolls & fuel I would guess your looking in the region of 300 euros give or take, plus its an awesome drive through the Pyrenees and down through Spain, I have done it in one go before from Calais but its tough going a young mans option if I am honest.
Enjoy the drive we see it as part of the holiday 🚗💨💨
Regards
Andrew
Cheers Andrew
I will take a look thanks for the feed back.
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Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2021 6:15pm
Hi again Andrew
Do you normally pre book hotels or do you take the chance of getting one on route?
I have looked at your recommendation and it looks like a good option.
Cant wait for the adventure to begin.
Thanks Again
Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2021 11:16pm
Helpful member
Frazer77 wrote on Fri Feb 26, 2021 6:15pm:
Hi again Andrew
Do you normally pre book hotels or do you take the chance of getting one on route?
Read more...
I have looked at your recommendation and it looks like a good option.
Cant wait for the adventure to begin.
Thanks Again
Hi Frazer77
Yes we normally book them prior, if your running down through main holidays you may struggle to get booked with dog if you dont.
Regards
Andrew
Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2021 10:47am
Aspen1992 wrote on Fri Feb 26, 2021 11:16pm:
Hi Frazer77
Yes we normally book them prior, if your running down through main holidays you may struggle to get booked with dog if you dont.
Read more...
Regards
Andrew
Cheers and Thank You
Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2021 1:57pm
Legendary helpful member
We always used to try and make the journey part of the holiday; in other words not to try and cover too much ground in one day. Yes, it means more nights in motels/hotels/band b or whatever, but equally it doesn’t then become a huge black cloud hanging over one of ‘having’ to complete a long and tiring journey in as short a period as possible.
We used to use the Campanile chain of French motels, which are all conveniently situated near major routes and usually on the edges of towns. They have huge coverage and all are reasonable, clean and have a perfectly adequate restaurant ensite. Some of them could now do with a little updating but this is being addressed nationally. There are also a couple down through Spain. Everything can be booked online via their website.
Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2021 6:50pm
Stephanie86 wrote on Sun Feb 28, 2021 1:57pm:
We always used to try and make the journey part of the holiday; in other words not to try and cover too much ground in one day. Yes, it means more nights in motels/hotels/band b or whatever, but equally it doesn’t then become a huge black cloud hanging over one of ‘having’ to complete a lon...
Read more...
...g and tiring journey in as short a period as possible.
We used to use the Campanile chain of French motels, which are all conveniently situated near major routes and usually on the edges of towns. They have huge coverage and all are reasonable, clean and have a perfectly adequate restaurant ensite. Some of them could now do with a little updating but this is being addressed nationally. There are also a couple down through Spain. Everything can be booked online via their website.
Thank You Stephanie
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