motorhome routes through france to spain

There are some essential things you need to know before your trip, including important paperwork and kit to bring with you. It's almost Toll free (more on that a little later . Many people move on after. There are speed cameras just as in the UK, and the Spanish (and other EU) authorities have been known to pursue Brits for non-payment of fines. Planning to tour Spain with a motorhome or campervan? Vehicle V5 logbook or vehicle registration document (which must show your correct address). This page may contain affiliate links, meaning if you buy through them we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Remember if youre driving across France, youll need to observe the French driving laws and road rules, which do differ from the rules in Spain. This doesnt apply to a sat nav but you must not touch or program your sat nav unless parked in a safe place. 9 Motorhome Ferry Routes to and From France Dover - Calais Dover - Dunkirk Newhaven - Dieppe Plymouth - Rostoff Poole - Cherbourg Portsmouth - Caen Portsmouth - Cherbourg Portsmouth - Le Harve Portsmouth - St. Malo Motorhome Ferry Routes to and From Spain Plymouth - Santander Portsmouth - Bilbao Portsmouth - Santander It can take some time to get all the documents together and the vaccines organised, so make sure you start the process well in advance. Are you desperate for some Spanish sun but dont want to fly? This is because of the financial crash in 2008 and the subsequent bursting of Spains property bubble. Where to stay in France during your journey, The Long Road South A Motorhome Route Through France To Spain. Wild camping for motorhomes in Spain (sometimes called free camping or wild parking) is generally tolerated away from busy beaches town and city beaches, and outside of national parks. Dont forget you will need to bring a different nozzle to connect the Spanish gas bottle fitting to your UK system. The quickest motorway routes from France are the E70 to northern Spain (the route continues to A Corua in the northwest) and the E15 to south-east Spain. READ MORE: How to get a UK Animal Health Certificate after BREXIT. Exchange your details with the other involved parties. The author is giving their chosen route from the ferry port. Location: Gerard's Lane, 14 / 15 James St, Fortitude Valley Brisbane. This gorgeous country, full of beautiful light, fabulous food and landscapes straight from a film set, will not disappoint. Travel by the iconic Rocky Mountaineer. Our route only involves one major junction so, outside rush hour, traffic should be reasonably light. The map below shows the main towns and cities of Spain, and the main road network. Our ready-made Spanish road trips are here to help, guide to motorhoming in Europe after Brexit, Tips for Campervan Rental and Motorhome Hire in Spain (and the rest of Europe!). This is a long drive so to break it up we suggest stopping off at Eighty Mile Beach to stretch your legs. The (pass) roads in the Pyrenees are sometimes not too wide, but are easy to drive with some mountain experience. Weparked for the nightat the top of the hill by theFranciscanmonastery where Columbus met Queen Isabella of Spain to successfully seek funds for his journey to the new world. We try to keep it as up to date as possible, but cannot be held responsible for any changes made to the law since the last update. Use the three-step search above to select your ideal vehicle, or contact our 24/7 customer service team at +1-888-223-5555 for expert assistance. The huge highlight from this route is crossing the Millau Viaduct in your motorhome or camper- its well worth the experience. Planning a trip to France with your motorhome or camper? Mealtimes in Spain are noticeably different to the rest of Europe. Get MMM for just 2.99 a month! You can find out more, It is allowed to park a motorhome during the day anywhere that parking is allowed (as long as there are no signs specifically banning motorhome parking, which will say something like , If you have an accident youll need to complete the. If you are overtaking a cyclist or a group of cyclists, you must leave at least 1.5m of clearance, and also reduce speed by 20kmh (WHY Spain, WHY?) These zones are indicated with Area de prioridad residencial and are banned to anyone without a permit (or special exemption.). In practicality, youll find that the further than civilisation and the beach you are, the better your chances of finding a quiet, free overnight parking spot will be. When you click on an affiliate link in a page or post, at no cost to you, we earn fees by advertising and linking to our affiliate partners. Autopistas are marked red on the map and they will have the letter P next to the number, Toll-free motorways are marked with the letter A and are marked blue on the map, Main routes /dual carriageways (green on the map). If you are staying longer, then it is likely that the sites own rate will be better value the longer you stay the cheaper it becomes. Dont forget, it is YOUR responsibility to make sure the vehicle has the required safety equipment. There is a lot of diverse hiking here but the weather can be unstable and the terrain unforgiving. - Travelling down the coast is one of the best France motorhome routes If you've got the staying power, then get yourself down to the south west of France where this cool coastal town, not too far from the Spanish border, can offer you a few days of sun, sea and surf. From here to Bayonne is 256 miles but its a fast dual carriageway virtually all the way with only Bordeaux having heavy traffic. Developed by: NKC - travel guides (the NKC is the Dutch parent company of Campercontact) Described route: 15 travel days. Either way, the destination is Abbeville where, just north of the city, you pick up the free A28 motorway, which takes you all the way to Rouen. Continue north from here to the cosmopolitan and must-see city ofBarcelona. Most of the routes i have seen on the forum have avoided toll roads. Motorhome route along the most beautiful locations in Spain A motorhome tour of Spain offers plenty of variety: from sun, sea and sand in the south of the country to green surroundings in the north. Castilian is most common, but there is also Basque, Catalan and some smaller dialects. Motorhome hire from a local owner. Ferry Crossings - Top Tips Winter Motorhome Trip to Spain. Spend a few days wandering the old townand Barrio Santa Cruz; admire the architecture and enjoy the typical Spanish ambience. Diamonds with a black line through mean you no longer have priority ( this is usually on roundabouts.). Traditionally it was followed by a nap, the famous. May 28, 2011. Broadly speaking from the UK you have three options. Not all spaces are level and the majority were originally designed for cars so have kerbs in what is now the middle of the space! Basically we need to get past the Pyrenees and driving over the inland passes in winter is risky. We have been using and recommend ConnectPlus for cloud sim connectivity in the UK and Europe. In the short term, this is fine but you may want to clean out your fresh water tank with a high-pressure hose once you have moved away from this part of Spain due to the sediment found in desalinated water. Castilian (or Spanish) is the main language, with Catalan being spoken in Catalonia, Valenciano being spoken in Valencia (both being more like the French language), Galician belonging to the northern region and Basque belonging to the Basque Country. Find motorhome and campervan sites at Pitchup that are bound to get the bark of approval More than 340 kilometres of the A75 (Clermont-Ferrand - Bziers) are toll-free apart from the Millau Bridge. Spains capital city is a beautiful and cultured city with stunning architecture, tranquil parks and some of the best art museums in Europe. Barcelona city boasts a rich cultural heritage, a 4km long sandy beach, fabled UNESCO architectural gems,a culinary scene the envy of the world, and all the attractions ofa modern global city alongside historic districts such as theGothic quarter. If youre planning to stay to the north, youll need to bring warm clothing. Be warned- the hot water in the shower is on a timer- usually between 3-5 minutes per token. The magical French Brittany 2. The Peaks of Europe, so called because they were the first landmark to be seen by sailors of old on approaching the continent, are well worth a visit. As you can see very little time difference between the routes. Wander here for a day and see the cathedral, Plazas Mayorand Santa Domingo andtheBasilica de San Isidoro. In the tiny state of Andorra, the campsite in Andorra-city, close to the historic old center, is highly recommended. From the green north side to the rugged south side and back again, ending at the foot of the Pyrenees. READ MORE: Discover the best & warmest places to enjoy winter in Spain. However if you encounter very strong winds remember its a forest area on light sandy soil, parking under trees may be ill advised. View Larger Map. Brittany- one of our favourite areas in France The Loire Valley. a) Ferry to the north coast of Spain and drive south to your chosen Costa. 29 of the Best Motorhome Apps Free & Downloadable Now! However, now that BREXIT has happened and rules have changed (more on that later too! Head to Zahara de la Sierra and follow the spectacular CA-9104 road to Grazalema, which climbs to the Puerto de Las Palomas (Pass of the Pigeons), at 1180m its a spectacular drive and worth the fuel to get there this is what motorhoming in southern Spain is all about! Also, many campsites put ACSI users on lesser pitches (either bad view or no electric or drainage). Normandy between cliffs and traces of war 5. Most trucks will have taken to the motorway but the road is still quite slow through a continuous urban sprawl. We parked and stayed at the Municipal Camping Car Parking (1 Av. Spanish roads are typically well-maintained, and the drivers are considerate and relaxed. Motorhome Tour to Spain Part 1 - Powering through France with some sadness. A visit to Lourdes is also possible. Most hire companies allow their motorhome rentals to be taken overseas, including our recommended hirer, Spaceship Rentals. Most of them have some sort of discount- some are as little as 10/ day, including electric. Copyright 2023 Warners Group Publications Plc. human resources job scope; holland america cruise cancellations due to coronavirus Get all the information you need in our Spain Travel Guide, including what to pack, the best time of year to go, getting there and practical tips to help you have the best trip! We stayed several nights at thisgreat spot,perfect for getting the bus to the start of the hike and then walking back from the end, via the bar of course! 4. your inbox. Day 2 - Gron to Chteauroux. Essential if your car, caravan or motorhome has a GB plate. Now that BREXIT has happened and the UK pet passport scheme is no longer valid, you will need to get an Animal Health Certificate before you leave the UK. With great routes across Europe, its easy to drive to Spain by car, arriving refreshed and unstressed from the comfort of your own vehicle. Like much of Europe, wild camping in Spain for motorhomes and campers is tolerated in many places but not strictly legal and its certainly not a right. All UK providers now limit data usage in the EU in some way or another, and its best to check with your provider to make sure you dont run up a big bill. Get lost wandering the streets and alleys, soaking up the heat and atmosphere whilst stumbling upon gorgeous plazas and cool bars around every corner. We will tell you more about nine selected places on this route. This route is available in the Campercontact app. Is there a straighf. A similar scheme to France Passion, Espana Discoveryprovides motorhomers with stopovers at over 206 off-the-beaten-path farms, bodegas (vineyards) and producers. Total length of the route: 910 kilometres. American Express is only taken in large stores (not at tolls and often not at fuel stations), Timezone GMT+1 (or one hour ahead in BST). There is history and culture everywhere you look, as well as friendly and welcoming people, delicious food and SUNSHINE- even in winter. You might find these posts helpful: See all our Europe motorhoming posts here, NEED GEAR? Grab your FREE France travel checklist so you remember it all! Thanks. The best times to visit are probably the shoulder seasons of Spring and Autumn. Then read on for all our top tips and practical advice about how to wild camp in a motorhome and get off the beaten track like an expert! Some places have flashing amber lights before a normal traffic light. Or check out our motorhome beginners e-book and find all our resources and guides in one place! The nearest metro station is Canillejas, about a ten minute walk and on the same line as all the major tourist destination stops, so no changes are required. LPG for refillable systems is available in many garages, use the myLPG app to search near where you are. Motorhome Chat quick route through france to spain sophiekins Dec 6, 2017 1 2 Next S sophiekins Free Member Mar 5, 2014 6 0 canary islands Funster No 30,404 MH low profile Exp since 2007 Dec 6, 2017 #1 hi all I'm new subscriber here be gentle !!. If you have refillable gas bottles in your motorhome, you can find LPG pretty easily while touring around Spain. However, in common with most cities, the choice of where to stay in a motorhome is not great. Youll find great hiking and bird-watching trails here. READ: 10 essential questions to ask before you rent a motorhome. Each four-weekly issue is packed with the best motorhome travel features, genuine reader reviews of campsites, in-depth motorhome reviews, plus the latest technical advice, buying tips and much more. Can you wild camp with a motorhome in the Spanish National Parks? Leave Calais on the A 16 following signs for Abbeville. motorhome routes through france to spain The highest quality of care for individuals with developmental disabilities Trams always have priority everywhere- keep eyes in the back of your head if youre driving near a tram network. UK citizens can only stay in the Schengen Area (a zone in Europe where countries have no internal borders and allow the free and unrestricted movement of people) for90 days in every 180 daysin the Schengen Area. The slip road ends in traffic lights where you need to be in the centre lane to turn left across a dual carriageway. If youre new to our website (welcome! Paying just a few euro in tolls is a good time saver. Also campsites are often in remote rural areas and may not have hard standing. Spain has a number of different languages. If you've found it useful, please consider buying us a coffee to show your support. When you sign up to our FREE newsletter, we'll send you the latest Dont forget to grab your free wild camping checklist here. This first link is an award winning database about France. To find out where to stay during stage 5 - click here. Do not drive until you are happy you comply with the local laws. Book this hike well in advance and go with a guide, for an extra few euros you will learn so much. Can I take a pet to Spain in my motorhome? Flying and hiring a motorhome is the best way to tour Spain if you dont own one. Gasoleo B or Gasoil B is the equivalent of red diesel for agricultural vehicles do not put this in your motorhome! Dont forget to grab your FREE motorhoming in Europe checklist below to help you stay organised and remember everything you need. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a0d3bb0083595b6364da5d620cb66011" );document.getElementById("fe07b4a206").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Thus you are parking not camping which is allowed and considered a legal activity, even if you intend on sleeping in your van. In some places, to turn left across a dual carriageway you need to pull-in on the right and wait until it is clear in both directions. Free motorways are shown in blue, Spanish toll motorways are shown in red. Many Northern Europeans (like us Brits!) As you leave the ferry terminal stay on the main road, dont turn into town unless you intend staying on the aire near the harbour. Guided wildlife tour in Jasper National Park. France Road Trip & Motorhome Travel Planner, FREE France motorhome travel checklist HERE, in-depth guide on how to get an International Driving Permit, Learn more about our exclusive motorhome logbook here, board/ panel with diagonal red and white stripes, step-by-step guide on dealing with a road traffic accident in Europe, How we find motorhome LPG or bottles while touring Europe, How to get a UK Animal Health Certificate after BREXIT, Campervanning in Portugal- everything you need to know, Essential motorhome checks to do before you travel. The European Commission says the following; It very much depends on who your mobile phone contract is with and when you started the contract. Even in the middle of summer. ive been looking through some discussions about driving down but none that fit my criteria; The white dots are the stops we describe and the moons are our campsite suggestions. The Spanish government caps the price of gas, and you should expect to pay around 15-18 for a replacement bottle. Check out our post on wild camping for more rules and tips for camper vans and motorhomes in the UK and Europe, and for information on where to find the best camping locations and motorhome stopovers in Spain. Follow the N11 towards Girona and Barcelona. Home to the famous and breathtaking Mezquita, Cordoba is city rich in history, architecture and Spanish charm and perfect for a one day visit. Of course, you can always drive down one route and back up another! I dont like the Bay of Biscay in winter, nor paying to use expensive motorways. This route lends itself well to ferries which arrive from the UK into Caen or Cherbourg. Check out our guides to travelling in France where you'll be sure to find lots of ideas and inspiration, get our 2 week motorhome itinerary France complete with a motorhome route map of France, or check out our French destination ideas. Visit to Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield Skywalk. Andalucia epitomises southern Spain for most visitors; vibrant, colourful and passionate. Stay at Camping As Cancelas for easy access by bike or foot into the historic centre. Some spots are even right on the beach! that they are packaged proprietary brand products for direct sale to the final consumer, and. Wild camping is not allowed in any of the Spanish National Parks. Complete Europe Motorhome Travel Toolkit, CHECKLIST: Dont forget to grab your FREE Europe motorhome travel checklist HERE. These warning triangles are now being phased out and from 1st July 2021 a new law requires that a. Reflective jacket (for the driver and all passengers). NEWS : The Spanish authorities have (for the time being) removed the tolls from the AP7 motorway between the French border and Alicante. So dont walk out into the road thinking traffic will stop for you. Mileages where quoted are approximate, road signs in kilometres can seem very high, just remember 50km is 30 miles, 100km is 60 miles, etc. 6 awesome Campervan Storage Ideas youll regret not using! If youre towing with your motorhome or campervan in Spain and the overall train length is 12m or more you must have at least one yellow reflector on the rear, sized 130cm x 25cm (or two sized 50cm x 25cm). Nestled down a leafy street, in the heart of Brisbane, is Gerard's Bistro. The UK Department for Transport advises that A-frames are not legal for use by UK motorhomers abroad. In both Pampaneira andTrevlez, we were the only motorhome in their car park,hereandhererespectively. Dont try and wild camp in busy/ popular areas- like the Costa del Sol- unless youre visiting in the lowest of low season. Spanish toll roads are pay-as-you-go and are very reasonably priced. (If you do need an IDP, heres anin-depth guide on how to get an International Driving Permitand which one(s) you needfrom a UK post office. The motorhome route costs: 14.99PRO users will pay: 11.99. See Through France without tolls. Caravan & Motorhome Holidays Abroad ; Trip along Spanish Pyrenees to . Country information - all the info for your trip, Developed by: NKC - travel guides (the NKC is the Dutch parent company of Campercontact), Total length of the route: 910 kilometres. Motorhome with children Motorhome with animals Surftrip motorhome Wedding VW combi. Click here to see our Privacy and Disclosure Policy. You can download the app in the App store (iOS) or the Play store (Android). Users rate their experience with 4.8/5! TOP TIP: If youre planning to stay in one area for a long time (30+ days), negotiate a special rate with the campsite directly. Many shops and businesses also shut for a long lunch (between 12-2pm) and some will not open on Wednesday afternoons. Generally, taking a ferry from the UK to Spain is much more expensive than driving through France (depending on time of year and type of cabin). American Express is rarely accepted but UK credit or debit cards should work (but not always, so carry cash to be safe! ), you must have one (130cm x 25cm) or two (50cm x 25cm) yellow reflectors at the rear. A one-way trip takes about 24 hours and booking a cabin is recommended. Our pick of the best campsites for a family holiday Editor's Pick - The best open-all-year campsites. The minimum driver age for campervan and motorhome hire in Spain is 21. Headlight beam converters (unless you can adjust yours automatically). Brit Stops collects the best alternatives for parking and overnight stay in an easy-to-use catalogue, ideal for those who want to design their own route and depart into an adventure as soon as possible. You will also be within easy walking distance of the Casco Antiguo, the old town. (PLEASE do not leave a pet in a van or car while you go sightseeing, especially on a hot day.). Or take a campervan route through the popular region of Normandy and Brittany! ( Fastest route if no delays round Paris) W1 Fastest - all motorway or dual carriageway except through Rouen. The driving time from Caen to Irun is around nine hours in a motor home, and tolls will cost somewhere in the region of 170 in tolls, although expect more if you weigh over 3,500kgs. Although the UK left the EU at the beginning of 2020, because the pandemic came swiftly on its heels, many of us are still realising the repercussions and getting used to how it affects travelling in a motorhome. For information on how to find good wild camping places, WHAT to do when youre there and how to stay safe, check out our step-by-step guide for motorhome wild camping in the UK and Europe, complete with database of 250+ overnight spots weve stayed with our motorhome. There arent quite as many aires in Spain as in France and theyre often a little more out of the way, but the network is still very useful and easy to use. Our route starts at Calais, but it can easily be joined from Dieppe or Cherbourg. A perfect and peaceful escape for you and your touring caravan, motorhome or tent, or you can purchase your Editor's picks - ideal campsites for Christmas holidays. You can buy an annual guide for just 23 (in 2021) and if gives you access to over 200 businesses which allow motorhomes to park up overnight in exchange for buying a meal in their restaurant or a few bottles of wine at the vineyard. If youre an active and adventure seeking van lifer, then Tarifa, Spain is for you! Free motorhome parking in Spain is easy and safe as long as you follow a few basic guidelines. In a short while, the Seine appears to the right and you are clear of the city. This route is by far the fastest, and it ensures that you can make the entire journey through France without needing to stop at any point if more than one person can take to the steering wheel. Spain & Portugal [2016] Italy, Croatia & Slovenia [2016] All Digital Guides. For some reason, driving from the UK to Spain seems to confuse people. You can pay with cash or credit card, or with an electronic tag system likeEmovis, which also covers you in France and Portugal. The editorial team's campsites of choice in the north of England Editor's Pick - The best campsites in Dorset. John, we did that trip last year, although we had longer and set off earlier. Motorhome wild camping in Valencia is no longer permitted. A good tip is to try and arrive AT your destination just before lunchtime. Spain's prime minister denounced Friday a plan by construction giant Ferrovial to move its headquarters to the Netherlands as the decision triggers a political storm. Motorhome Aires in Spain All You Need to Know, whether you should take your motorhome to Spain for winter, SIM Cards in Morocco: How & Where to Buy + Best Deals, Driving from Lisbon to Porto: Itinerary, Route & Tips, Route Napoleon: A Historic French Road Trip, Austria Road Trip: The Best Itinerary, Map & Tips, Switzerland Road Trip: The Best Itinerary + Map & Tips. She also never planned to quit her job as an air traffic controller, go touring around Europe in said motorhome, start one of the UKs largest motorhome travel websites or get a cocker spaniel. Find it here). Here is a list of things we highly recommend when motorhoming in Spain, but which are NOT essential: Ok, lets deal with the basic rules and some tips for motorhoming and road tripping in Spain: The Spanish road network is pretty good and has a mixture of paid and free roads. Look out for traffic signs indicating that winter tyres or snow chains are compulsory where you are. Make sure you check them in advance! We stood looking at these tinyvessels in awe of the courage and belief it must have taken to start that famous voyage. There are plenty of opportunities for short or longer mountain walks. Just like motorhoming in France, there are certain things you MUST carry with you in your motorhome or campervan whilst touring in Spain. 2500 mile round trip in a fortnight. Many people will go to church but it is the extended family lunch, hosted by the matriarch, which is the most important part of the day. Theyre not often allowed on public transport, even with a muzzle, which made visiting places difficult. Motorhoming in Spain in winter offers many benefits but be prepared as you may need to use your heating and will find it cools down as soon as the sun sets. We recommend you dont drink this water and also clean out your motorhome freshwater tank thoroughly before refilling it to get rid of the particles found in de-salinated water. Join our email list here and get access to our FREE resource library. You can find out more informationhere. But, I promise you, there is much more to Spain than the Costa del Sol, especially if youre travelling and touring in a motorhome or camper. ), Driving in Spain- what to do in the event of a road traffic accident, Other essential tips for campervanning in Spain, More useful things to know when motorhoming in Spain, FREE Europe motorhome travel checklist HERE, best & warmest places to enjoy winter in Spain, heres what we recommend and where to find it.