FERRY COST AND ROUTE

Portsmouth to Bilbao or Santander with Brittany ferries.

24-28 hours on the ferry (depending on the route), then 9-11 hours drive (again, depending on the route).

Some people on this forum have advocated driving non-stop through France. I have never done this. I think, on balance, doing the France route safely will cost about the same, if you take into account a hotel stay, extra fuel, wear and tear on the vehicle etc.  

If you have multiple drivers, the France route might make sense (share the driving, but hotel bills may be higher).

Forgot to say ... if you take the Santander/Madrid roads, there is only one short toll section (a few euros)

The Bilbao route has a significant toll section (from memory, around 60 euros).

I don't know the tolls through France, but I have been told that they are significant.

Tolls through France just to Benidorm €136 obviously then Plus fuel, hotel or big drive.

We considered. Newhaven to Dieppe as it’s mega cheap and they have a night crossing which means getting a cabin and vehicle was only £90 and you get some sleep arriving at 4.35 that feels like we could do it in one day then.

The Santander crossing is much longer so you have to balance the time element too? But the drive is easily doable and cheaper re toll but ferry crossing and cabin abou £365 so it’s swings and roundabouts 

We done Portsmouth to Le Havre. Was a hundred & fifty odd pounds for Brittany overnight ferry with cabin, the tolls were about £150. We booked night in Bordeaux then stayed again at Bay of Roses, such a fab place to visit with all the canal systems. I think fuel was about £150. I did enjoy but heck of a way . . Sailed on the Monday night & arrived at our home in Cabo Roig on the Thursday. It is quite boring on the French side but lovely driving through the Pyrenees. Hope this is of some help to you. 

One thing to consider is if you have a car full of valueables then you will need secure parking, so the longer crossing with your over night on the boat to Spain and driving straight through afterwards could make sense.

Good point. 

We booked a hotel with secure underground parking for that very reason. When we arrived, we found that the car park was too tight for the large car we had at the time, so we had to leave it outside with ll our valuables on display.

Our learning point ... underground car parks in Spain can have very tight entries/exits and small spaces.

I have just booked a ferry crossing from Santander to Portsmouth, two adults, car and large 4-berth outside cabin for £249.50. There is no way that driving down from the north of France can be any cheaper than that, and having done it a number of times, both by road and by ferry, I can honestly say that the ferry is much easier and more enjoyable. And from Poole you wouldn't have that awkward journey to Folkestone or Dover. At peak times of the year, the ferry costs more, but for us it is still worth it.

The journey from Bilbao or Santander we normally do via Burgos & Madrid. The toll from Bilbao to Burgos is €21, and it's a good idea to pay it for an easier drive. Can't remember how much it is from Santander to Burgos, but not much more than that. Going non-tolls from Santander to Burgos is not a bad road. After Burgos you can go toll-free to La Zenia. You go around Madrid, not through it! I can't understand how that other poster managed to pay €60! We've done Santander to here completely free. The journey from either port to here is easily doable in a day and is a very good run on fast roads with not much traffic. If you do need hotel recommendations, or other information/help, please send me a pm. (for example, if you do want to drive down from Calais, I can email you a toll-free route)

Geoff. 

Horses for courses.  I drive from Durham to Dover (Only bit I dont enjoy).  Then calais or Dunkirk to Daya Vieja via Pyrenees, the journey is part of the holiday and I love it.  No toll roads at all.  I enjoy the scenery.  Max £180 each way fuel.  Approx 3 days door to door.  Means I can take stuff in the car.  On the back roads little crime I think.

Cant wait to set off again in July.  Highly recommended.

The council run stop offs with showers, toilets etc... between 10 - 20 euros... some with WIFI and bar....  Unbelievable...

The little French towns..... the whole experience.......  Only issue is the depression on way back...

Select somewhere I know in Spain to stop before Pyrenees on way back... Callella etc.. little shopping.. quick swim...

thank you everyone