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Travel from UK by road

Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2020 9:43am
50 replies2552 views17 members subscribed
ChrisA

Posts: 99

43 helpful points

Location: Villamartin

Joined: 3 Mar 2016

Could anyone tell me if it is necessary to complete the Spanish health declaration form when travelling into Spain by road from France? UK Gov site only talks about flying or ferries direct to Spain. I like to drive down through France. Thanks in anticipation

GCfromVC

Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2020 9:22am

GCfromVC

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Posts: 798

520 helpful points

Location: La Marina

Joined: 18 Jan 2018

Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2020 9:22am

For what's it's worth isn't it best to fill one in. You wouldn't want something like that to potentially spoil your trip.

Hope the drive goes well. I keep promising myself to drive there in the car I'm going to leave over there.

Be safe.

Aspen1992

Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2020 8:52pm

Aspen1992

Helpful member

Posts: 367

319 helpful points

Location: Villamartin

Joined: 16 May 2020

Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2020 8:52pm

Hi ChrisA

We drove down in July and returned August and didn't fill one in, as Robnew said no Spanish or French border stops either way.

We are flying out in December hopefully for 10 days to have some work done.

Safe driving have a great trip...!!

Toodiq

Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2020 7:51am

Posts: 40

40 helpful points

Location: Moraira

Joined: 9 Jan 2019

Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2020 7:51am

Hi Chris - we drove over via Eurotunnel 2 weeks ago. There was no requirement to fill anything in and no request as to whether we had done so. 

Val0610

Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2020 10:06am

Posts: 42

18 helpful points

Location: Orihuela Costa

Joined: 5 Sep 2020

Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2020 10:06am

This post that was quoted has been deleted.

Hi Graham,

How was the drive through France? Did you feel safe with the Covid19 factor in France and Northern Spain. Would be grateful for information on route you took, duration of journey, safe  overnight stays, and cost. My wife & I had planned to drive last month but put it off because of the virus situation. We have booked a flight to Alicante on 2 Oct but would consider cancelling (again) and prefer the drive as haven't done before. Your advice would be most appreciated seeing that you made the journey so recently. Best, Val

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ChrisA

Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2020 10:31am

ChrisA

Original Poster

Posts: 99

43 helpful points

Location: Villamartin

Joined: 3 Mar 2016

Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2020 10:31am

Hi Val0610. Graham would be able to tell you about his concerns on his drive but I can tell you the drive itself is great and your exposure to C 19 should be limited if you travel like I always do. Done the drive many times always with dog (GSD) hence not flying as it is impossible to do this easily from NE England. My route is via ferry from Portsmouth (would have to be via Caen at present) so I can sleep overnight in pet friendly cabin. We then drive, motorway where possible, to either Bordeau or Bayonne. Overnight there either Premiere Classe, ACE or Camponile hotel. The drive motorway again San Sebastian, Pamplona, Zaragossa, Teruel, Valencia, Orihuela Costa. sometimes in one day sometimes stopping en route between Zaragossa Teurel (eg Campo Mon Real hotel)

Return journey either same way (ish) or turn off at Zaragossa to Huesca, Orthez then Bordeau etc. Stay overnight Chartres then to ferry (usually Le Havre for overnight crossing). Reason for this alternate is the scenery through the Pyrennes

Traffic is always light compared with UK, busiest Bayonne to San Sebastian, because of volume of lorries but never been held up.

Costs are about Euro 100 total for tolls and about Euro 50 per hotel bed (plus on France good food at Bistros at night, say Euro 50. Food in Spain is cheaper. is two services area in Spain where I stop. One at the top of the climb from San Sebastian, scenery and tapas, the other  in the middle of nowhere, after Zaragossa on Autovia del Mudejar A23), as their sausages are great; only thing there is a cheap clothing outlet store (can't say I have used it!)

I use this western route rather than through Eastern Pyrennes crossing (Barcelona etc) as it is quick and avoids Paris

GCfromVC

Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2020 11:07am

GCfromVC

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Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2020 11:07am

This post that was quoted has been deleted.

You are absolutely right and whole heartedly agree.

Definitely will be doing it next year.

Aspen1992

Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2020 11:27am

Aspen1992

Helpful member

Posts: 367

319 helpful points

Location: Villamartin

Joined: 16 May 2020

Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2020 11:27am

Hi Val0610

We have driven down all ways over the years and still find the route below the best using the shuttle, approx 100 euros through France and toll free in Spain we are in Villamartin.

Calais-Rouen-LeMans-Tours-Poitiers-Saintes-Bordeaux-Pau-Somport Tunnel-Jaca-Huesca-Zaragozza-Teruel-Valencia-Villena-Elche and down the AP-7.

Going down we do Newcastle to Poitiers area stay overnight we dont prebook anything incase we go further or dont get that far then down to Villamartin the next day 2 long days, on the return we leave apartment at 2-3pm giving us time to clean the place drive to either Jaca or Canfranc just before the Sopmort Tunnel next day run up to Asford the following day stay overnight always prebook these stops then drive up to the North East we find that best rather than rushing out with washing out to try dry left in the living room.

Safe driving and we felt very comfortable in France and Spain people are taken more notice and care.

Regards Andrew

Fay50

Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2020 8:42pm

Posts: 69

33 helpful points

Location: Alicante City

Joined: 29 Jul 2017

Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2020 8:42pm

Hi. Your route information is very interesting.  We have driven down once, and chose to drive down to SAN Sebastian and then took the motorway to Zaragoza.  
Did you feel safe in the hotels you chose, were they cleaned well, in your opinion?

If we drove down in mid November, or early January, would the route via Pau involve any snowy or icy roads, and make it tricky?

We have flights for mid November but wonder if it will be safer to drive down, (to Guardamar area for us),  and then transfer our flights to 2021.

Many thanks for your advice.

Aspen1992

Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2020 9:09pm

Aspen1992

Helpful member

Posts: 367

319 helpful points

Location: Villamartin

Joined: 16 May 2020

Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2020 9:09pm

Hi Fay50

We have driven down once in winter months and used the Lyon route just as a safety factor we normally fly down December/January for a week or 10 days just to check the apartment.

We usually drive down March/April - May/June then September - October, we usually stop at Futuroscope or Poitiers on way down and 2 stops returning Jaca and Ashford, we use Campanile Hotels they serve the purpose for one night and are clean.

I only drive when we are going to be there for longer than 3 weeks as the cost is too much otherwise we fly. I have used the San Sebastian route a few times its approx €20/30 more in tolls and not that much quicker usually.

Regards Andrew

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