Youll find great hiking and bird-watching trails here. You must have at least 3rd party motorhome insurance cover for your vehicle. If you need any kit or essentials for motorhoming in Europe, heres what we recommend and where to find it, You can travel with Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth or Plymouth and go to either Santander or Bilbao (both on the north coast of Spain). As you can see very little time difference between the routes. 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. We loved Tarifa with its laid-back surfer dude feel and abundant opportunities for activity. Next on our Perth to Darwin travel itinerary is the wonderful town of Broome. If the weather is reasonable we can recommend a few nights stop for some cycling or beachcombing. Spain surprised us with their attitude towards dogs. 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. However this is a busy slow trucking route and takes you right through Tours, where believe me, you dont want to be. 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. Distance 609km - Driving Time 6 hours 20 minutes. Get the permission of the landowner if possible. With one of the best winter climates in Europe and friendly locals, Spain is a perfect country for a motorhome road trip. This road trip itinerary will take you to the major cities and best places to visit in Andalucia Spain, bringing the country alive. 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. Thanks. In January 2020 and September 2021, many motorhome tolls were removed. NEWS : The Spanish authorities have (for the time being) removed the tolls from the AP7 motorway between the French border and Alicante. It has a host of information on best routes to many locations. If you wear glasses you MUST carry a spare pair! ), Motorhoming in Germany- everything you need to know, REVIEWED: Best Motorhome or Caravan TVs (How to choose), Reviewed: motorhome Essentials every van needs. This tranquil and beautiful nature wetland nature reserve is known for its birdlife and encompasses rivers, dunes & beaches. 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. Unless you are in an absolute dive or the service is dreadful, it is expected that you will leave a tip, usually around 5%. You can join this route easily if you decide to come over on a ferry to Caen, Le Havre, Dieppe or Cherbourg. (Yes, you will see other people do it- some areas are stricter than others. Then you have two main routes through France to Spain. Many roads have automatic speed cameras on in Spain and theyre quite happy to send tourists a fine through the mail. Of course, you can always drive down one route and back up another! It's almost Toll free (more on that a little later . Pump colours are green for petrol and black for diesel. a lazy morning, and stop en-route, so you have the best chance of finding a spot around this time, but thats when the day is at its hottest, so be careful. The Pyrenees form the natural border between France and Spain and are richly blessed with natural beauty. But dont enter the town, which is busy and narrow. Mountain roads are also very slow and if your destination is Valencia or further south there is little saving in overall mileage compared to the much safer and faster route along the Atlantic coast near Biarritz. Whichever is your bag (and there is a lot of choice), if youre heading south in your camper in Spain for several months of the winter and a long site stay, make sure you book in advance! If under 3,500kg go straight on, otherwise the inside lane swings right down to a bridge, after which you turn left returning back to the main road. A spare wheel (and tools to change it! The magical French Brittany 2. Exit at junction 29 and drop down a hill. If you wait until youre at the ferry/ tunnel, you could spend THREE times as much! Ile de Re and La Rochelle Book your perfect motorhome easily, safely and affordably. Dont forget, it is YOUR responsibility to make sure the vehicle has the required safety equipment. Eastern route Paris - Clermont-Ferrand - Bziers - Perpignan - La Jonquera The eastern route through France is the obvious choice for travelling to eastern Spain. You can find out more about travelling with pets on the Gov.UK website. The editorial team's campsites of choice in the north of England Editor's Pick - The best campsites in Dorset. With the fantastic beaches of the Costa Brava and a beautiful old town, this makes a great final stop on your motorhome tour of Spain. So dont walk out into the road thinking traffic will stop for you. Or, get to France any way you like and take a slow meander south using non-toll roads and spend some time exploring France as you travel. Brittany- one of our favourite areas in France The Loire Valley. This 220km coastline boasts uninterrupted white sandy beaches and turquoise waters. ), you must have one (130cm x 25cm) or two (50cm x 25cm) yellow reflectors at the rear. Abbeville, Rouen, Chartres, Tours, Poitiers, Bordeaux, Biarritz, Hendaye, Pamplona, Zaragoza, Sagunto. 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. Things you need to drive in Spain- safety gear, Road trip accessories you MIGHT need when campervanning in Spain, Motorhomes or campers with a total train length of over 12m. This is because of the financial crash in 2008 and the subsequent bursting of Spains property bubble. Take a road trip to Spain from UK by driving through France. Some towns are making real efforts to combat this issue (one traces the poo and posts it back.how??) 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. If youd like to connect with Kat, send her an email or follow her adventures on social media. Our route starts at Calais, but it can easily be joined from Dieppe or Cherbourg. IMPORTANT: Drivers do NOT have to stop at a zebra crossing for pedestrians IF there are no lights. Many places have a sign saying NO motorhome overnight parking, but you are fine to park during the day. Read our blog post about hiking in the Ordesa Valley here. Remember, this is for daytime parking for motorhomes- lets move on to overnight parking. PDF versions of our most popular campsite guide books. Had however been in France and Spain in the January/February. For a grown-ups-only holiday, check out our recommended sites just for adults Editor's Pick - The best campsites for dogs. The first question to ask yourself if whether you want to drive from the UK through France and down to Spain, or whether you want to take a ferry direct from the UK and sail around the coast and down to northern Spain. You should now be in the right hand lane for the next set of lights. Norway is one of the most beautiful countries we have ever visited and a real bucket list destination. The website is supported by our readers, so if you buy through links on this site we may earn a commission- at no extra cost to you. Sniff out the world's best dog friendly motorhome and campervan sites in Yecla, Spain. (stuffed aubergine) when this mediterranean vegetable is in season and youll be blown away. Tarifa, Spain is one of our favourite places for van life. Should I Take My Motorhome to Spain for the Winter? Motorhome touring in the beautiful and varied country of France is a pleasure. The motorhome route costs: 14.99PRO users will pay: 11.99. Dont forget to grab your FREE motorhoming in Europe checklist below to help you stay organised and remember everything you need. that they are packaged proprietary brand products for direct sale to the final consumer, and. Sin Plomo 95 is Regular Unleaded, Sin Plomo 98 is Premium Unleaded and Gasoleo (sometimes called Gasoil A)is Diesel and sometimes its also called diesel in Spain! Another beautiful city to fall in love with! Stayhereon the north of the lEncanyissada lagoon and if youre lucky youll spot flamingoes migrating. Then, after a few hours' driving, its nice to stroll around where we've ended up, which brings us to the issue of where to stay. Many shops and businesses also shut for a long lunch (between 12-2pm) and some will not open on Wednesday afternoons. There, we visit some of its brightest jewels: Granada, Malaga, Seville, Cordoba and Ronda. Journey along the loneliest road in America. Portugal is a perfect motorhome and campervan destination. READ MORE: There are some basic rules to follow whilst motorhome wild camping heres everything you need to know to stay safe and find free spots. Also campsites are often in remote rural areas and may not have hard standing. From here either turn towards Ainhoa to cross the border, or continue on to St-Jean-Pied-de-Port where you enter Spain and climb to a 1,000m over the Ibaneta Pass. You might find these posts helpful: See all our Europe motorhoming posts here, NEED GEAR? You can find lots of information in our guide to the best SIM cards in Europe, especially if youre planning to be away for more than a few weeks. We stopped atCamping Osunain the east of the city, close to the airport. The Spanish government caps the price of gas, and you should expect to pay around 15-18 for a replacement bottle. Click here to see our Privacy and Disclosure Policy. Kat never planned to buy a motorhome. The huge highlight from this route is crossing the Millau Viaduct in your motorhome or camper- its well worth the experience. This is one of the quickest motorhome routes through France to Spain and is the cheapest from a toll perspective. If you are road tripping in Spain, then visiting Seville is a must, follow our Seville one day tour here! Expect to show your passport or identification on arrival and many places require you to leave one passport behind the reception. You can download the app in the App store (iOS) or the Play store (Android). GEAR If you need any motorhome gear for touring Europe, heres what we recommend. The minimum driver age for campervan and motorhome hire in Spain is 21. Hi there, Im Kat. If you have refillable gas bottles in your motorhome, you can find LPG pretty easily while touring around Spain. If youre going later and youre in a popular town or city, expect to wait for a table or book. Our award-winning customer service team . Book with Eurocampings for the best deals on over 520 campsites in Spain. Leaving the motorway you drop down a hill. RELATED POST: Motorhome Aires in Spain All You Need to Know. Day 4 - Roullet Saint-Estephe to Virollet-Font Paillaud. Stop your vehicle immediately but safely- out of the flow of traffic if possible. a) Ferry to the north coast of Spain and drive south to your chosen Costa. Here, you can easily alternate a quiet beach day with a city trip, for example with the port city of Marseille. Unlike other countries in the continent, in the UK there are no Areas enabled for overnight stay for motorhomes or campervans. Bullfightingis seen as heroic, atest of wills involving courage, intelligence, and elegance; matadors are national heroes. Your UK licence allows you to drive in all EU countries. The load must be indicated by an aluminium panel with diagonal red and white stripes, manufactured to ECE70 standard. Free camp in the car park atCoripefor the Via Verde de la Sierra, a really stunning ride. Driving the Vrsic Pass Slovenias spectacular mountain road, Car crash or road traffic accident in Europe- what to do, Reviewed Best Wales Motorhome sites (& campervanning in wales tips! Over many years we have not found a sensible alternative to bypass Rouen, they either add too many miles or progress is frustratingly slow. Cross the A13 motorway and continue onto the free A154 motorway which soon becomes the N154, a fast dual carriageway, taking you past Evreux to Nonancourt where you meet the N12. Basically we need to get past the Pyrenees and driving over the inland passes in winter is risky. Wander here for a day and see the cathedral, Plazas Mayorand Santa Domingo andtheBasilica de San Isidoro. Some go for up to six months from October onwards, we prefer to spend Christmas at home and travel out in January. Developed by: NKC - travel guides (the NKC is the Dutch parent company of Campercontact) Described route: 15 travel days. Hi we plan to take a trip to Spain and Portugal for two months starting the third week in March. If youve been motorhoming in Italy, you might surprised to learn that aires are called Aires in Spain, just like in France (theyre called Sostas in Italy). You can find out more about them here, Some of the bigger cities in Spain have environmental zones which only residents are allowed to drive in. Our pick of the best campsites for a family holiday Editor's Pick - The best open-all-year campsites. That's what awaits you during your trip through the French and Spanish Pyrenees. What Is the True Cost of Touring Europe in a Motorhome? Is there a straighf. Broadly speaking from the UK you have three options. "LongRoadSouth. Mobile Phone and Internet Its usually possible to use your UK phone and data in Spain, but do check with your provider. 29 of the Best Motorhome Apps Free & Downloadable Now! The non toll free route from Calais to Basel is via the A26 motorway and the A4 motorway. You join the bottom of the A10 motorway for the free section towards the city. Two days from Dunkerque to Biarritz. The beautiful capital city of Spain has to be visited. If you intend staying on the city campsite then watch for airport signs to go anticlockwise north, otherwise continue clockwise to the free A63 motorway. NOTE: Gas bottles can be tough to get- and its forbidden to fill foreign gas cylinders. Driving around Spain in a campervan is generally safe and easy, but be mindful of smaller towns without by-passes if youre in a longer vehicle. The letters pages suggest some of you are not convinced about using them, I simply suggest, give them a fair trial. If you love motorhomes, road trips and a bit of adventure, dive right in! Your options for driving to Spain from the UK in a motorhome are these; Sailing from Portsmouth or Plymouth to the northern Spain ports of Santander of Bilbao (depending on which day of the week you want to depart) is the only way to avoid France. Weve spent months touring in France and from tips about driving, budgeting, where to stay overnight and off-grid and wild camping, to motorhome services and a round-up of the best motorhome destinations, youll find all the information you need for an amazing road trip in France. Take your caravan or motorhome on the slow route to North-East Spain Spain France Travel Advice We're often asked for suggested routes, and the way to Spain is one which crops up regularly. France Start and end dates until Erase dates Search. You may take advantage of our 30 percent savings and free cancellation within 48 hours of planned pick-up to Pietermaritzburg or elsewhere in the world right now on autoeurope.com! Motorhome Tour to Spain Part 1 - Powering through France with some sadness. You could also look at Auto Europe who act as an aggregator site and may be able to get you a better deal. Yellow diamond signs mean you have priority. Continue on the N12, for another three miles and take the second exit. Spanish cooking is very regional, with fish, shellfish and pork featuring heavily on most menus. motorhome routes through france to spain The highest quality of care for individuals with developmental disabilities If youre planning to stay to the north, youll need to bring warm clothing. Just make sure to ask how to get from the airport to the rental agency- not all of them are at the airport itself and you might need to book a taxi. If you prefer to stay on campsites, few are open in winter, so your route and driving time will be dictated by those that are. France is a vast country and unless you have months, it's impossible to see all the best bits in one trip. Many fuel stations are 24h on the main roads and are self-service with card machines. Of course, the downside with any book is that it goes out of date, but dont worry if its only a year or two out- most information about aires wont change too much. Mealtimes are revered in Spain, as much about the time spent socialising at the table, as the food. Andalucia is our favourite place for motorhome holidays in Spain, full of life and dramatic contrasts between sparkling turquoise seas, verdant green mountains and arid desert landscapes. MOTORHOME ROAD TRIP TO SPAIN DAY 1 Calais 52,125 views Apr 15, 2018 173 Dislike Share Save Mark Davies 17.3K subscribers SPAIN or BUST! Spanish life is all about family, religion, food and tradition. If you choose to use the Autopista toll roads while motorhoming in Spain, here are some tips for you: Bizarrely, some toll roads in Spain are being demoted to free routes, but are still marked as AP on the map. Park outside and use public transport to get in. Bear in mind that you are more likely to find Spanish camping aires inland than on the coast. Free time to explore Banff, Jasper, Vancouver & Victoria. 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). Lidl and Carrefour have great parking facilities for motorhomes, the others less so as they are often more centrally situated in towns. The author is giving their chosen route from the ferry port. For a more authentic Spain, head to inland rural areas away from the Costas and enjoy everything the mountains and gorgeous interior cities have to offer. Avoid cities if youre driving in a motorhome- many of them are too crowded and the streets are just not cut out for large vehicles. Of course, Spain is a classic summer destination, and it can be CROWDED, especially at the UNESCO world heritage sites in Spain and on the beaches. Planning to take your motorhome to Europe? Headlight beam converters (unless you can adjust yours automatically). ferry or tunnel from UK to France (there are pros and cons to both). Youll probably also want some form of air conditioning or at least a fan in your camper- temperatures can get up to 40+c. Can I take a pet to Spain in my motorhome? Day 6 - Bordeaux. Among its many Roman ruins are a 1st-century B.C. 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. Motorhome aires in France are so well located - we've stayed in inner cities, within castle walls, at the bottom of ski pistes and steps away from a lake's shore. Thus you are parking not camping which is allowed and considered a legal activity, even if you intend on sleeping in your van. To find out where to stay during stage 5 - click here. Packed with great museums and atmospheric squares and quarters, Madrid is a great city in which to spend a day or so. The Best European Campsites For Camper, By Campers. Motorhome Routes Through France. The use of winter tyres in Spain is regional. 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. DISCLAIMER: This post was last updated in October 2021. Picturesque towns of the Red Coast 3. But the Spanish government . Most hire companies allow their motorhome rentals to be taken overseas, including our recommended hirer, Spaceship Rentals. As a result I'm looking for as much help as I I can get. When visitingCrdobain a motorhome, this is the only designated parking allowing overnight stays; we found it to be great value for money, with security being important. The biggest consideration to this ferry (apart from the cost), is the weather. Spain uses the Euroconnector adapter. 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). You can also hire a motorhome in the UK and drive it across to Spain. 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. Taking a motorhome to Italy is an experience not to be missed. We'd love to cross some mountains but just need to be advised by people who have already done it. There are two low emission zones in Madrid planned, and other Spanish cities with a population of more than 50,000 are required to implement an LEZ by 2023. There are also sites open at Tours and Bordeaux (two) if you are not making good time. Leave Calais on the A 16 following signs for Abbeville. Many businesses close between 12.30 or 1pm until 5pm and then open again until 8pm. This route lends itself well to ferries which arrive from the UK into Caen or Cherbourg. If bakeries open on Sundays, they are often closed on Mondays instead. There are a number of must-sees including the Plaza de Espaa, the Real Alczar, the Giralda Tower and the Cathedral. We stood looking at these tinyvessels in awe of the courage and belief it must have taken to start that famous voyage. del Corregidor). Top Guide To Buying A Motorhome; First Motorhome Trip Abroad; Winter Motorhome Trip Spain; Campsites For A Ski . such products do not require refrigeration before opening. With a depot in London, top-notch customer service and all the equipment you need for an easy holiday, Spaceship offers the best deals for Europe. Some of our favourite places for motorhome trips in Northern France include: The Normandy beaches. 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. In over twelve years we've had no problems, if it doesnt feel right move on. Spain is a fantastic country for road tripping. You will find some petrol stations with additional facilities for motorhomes, like waste disposal, water (NOT always drinkable!) When planning a motorhome tour of Spain, the first thing you need to do is to figure out where youre going (and how long you have for your road trip!). These are prettier than the coastal sprawl but the narrower winding roads mean no mileage saving and a longer journey time. In this post, youll find all you need to know about touring Italy by motorhome. Wild camping is not allowed in any of the Spanish National Parks. You may want to consider asat navorsatellite navigation appwhich can be configured to your motorhome camper size and weight. On our 2019 tour we drove to the eastern end of the Pyrenees, using the free A75 motorway south of Clermont . One of the cheapest places is on Amazon. Its warm for one thing, and theres nothing like a little sunshine to chase away those winter blues. Paying just a few euro in tolls is a good time saver. Spanish people live a more relaxed life than perhaps any other country in Europe and this is reflected in the organisation of the day. However if you encounter very strong winds remember its a forest area on light sandy soil, parking under trees may be ill advised. Bike Road Trip With Road Cycling or MTB Tours. If youre travelling in Spain and your outfit exceeds 12m, you need to have marker boards fitted to the back of your vehicle. Motorhome aires in Spain are not as plentiful as in France but they are out there! Motorhome routes through France France is the perfect place to plan a motorhome route, for example along the country's southern coast . The UK Department for Transport advises that A-frames are not legal for use by UK motorhomers abroad. Spain has certain days where driving is restricted. In practice, this could mean towing your car while its fixed to a trailer, although there is ambiguity around this and differing advice can be found on the internet. Full details of the cost or routing via Reims is available on the French Autoroutes website. If not, 1p Mobile SIM cards are widely available and a cheap option for phone calls. Our quintessential motorhoming in Spain road trip begins in the northern city of Barcelona, taking you through snow-peaked mountains and medieval towns, before heading south to the warmer climes of the historical Moorish region of Andalucia. Spanish campsites range from very basic camping spots in fewer tourist areas to full-on touring stops where people pitch up for six months and want entertainment every night, direct access to a sandy beach, three different bars to choose from and a covered, heated pool. Fruit and vegetables are seasonal; if you want something exotic you will have to search it out and it will be expensive. Over the years we've fine tuned our route so that, as far as possible, we avoid toll motorways, heavy trucking routes and roads passing through endless villages with low speed limits, speed bumps and traffic lights. This tiny national park nestled between Alcossebre and Peniscola is gorgeous for hiking with stunning sea views.