motorhome routes through france to spain motorhome routes through france to spain

Youll need to book a pet-friendly cabin or kennels on the ferry or travel via the tunnel. These motorhomes are generally significantly larger than their high-top van counterparts, and usually have showers, more cupboard space, and more fully-kitted kitchenettes. We parked and stayed at the Municipal Camping Car Parking (1 Av. You should have a European Claim Form provided by your insurer before you leave. 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. Mealtimes in Spain are noticeably different to the rest of Europe. 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. Santiago de Compostela is a stunningly beautiful city full of twisting alleys, elegant squares and historicreligious buildings, with interesting nooks and crannies everywhere. If you find this post useful, you can also treat us to a coffee at the bottom of this page- we promise to enjoy it while creating more useful content like this- we might even indulge in a biscuit (or two!). DISCLAIMER: This post was last updated in October 2021. Read more. 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. 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! Look out for traffic signs indicating that winter tyres or snow chains are compulsory where you are. Now that BREXIT has happened and the UK pet passport scheme is no longer valid, you will need to get an Animal Health Certificate before you leave the UK. motorhome routes through france to spain - rulonenterprises.com This 220km coastline boasts uninterrupted white sandy beaches and turquoise waters. Leave this in the inside lane and in just under a mile take the third exit signposted to Vernon. 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. Destination. On roads with single carriageways,the speed limit establishedmay not be exceeded by more 20km/h when overtaking. The on-the-spot fines apply to you as the driver, not the company. We love helping motorhome & campervan owners make the most of their time on the road, whether youre a complete motorhome newbie or planning a long tour of Europe. The main thing to know about wild camping in Spain is that you must not display any signs of camping, such as leaving chairs out or having your step out when you go to bed. Copyright 2023 Warners Group Publications Plc. Dont forget, it is YOUR responsibility to make sure the vehicle has the required safety equipment. If the weather is good there are two low altitude passes you can take instead. 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. 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. All across Spain, you will find a network ofVia Verdes literally translated as the green ways. A motorhome tour of Germany offers incredible adventures. Spain has certain days where driving is restricted. 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. Dog Friendly Motorhome campsites in Yecla, Spain Dont forget, if you are driving through France to get to Spain, you need all the kit required by France as well as the kit for that country. You might even wish to fit an extra camper habitation door lock and never leave your vehicle unattended in an unsecure area. 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. The Pyrenees is best visited between May and October, unless you want to ski, as outside these times you will definitely encounter snow. A prosperous and cosmopolitan city with a great vibe. Dont forget to grab your FREE motorhoming in Europe checklist below to help you stay organised and remember everything you need. Had however been in France and Spain in the January/February. Book with Eurocampings for the best deals on over 520 campsites in Spain. English usually spoken in campsites and in tourist areas, but not often elsewhere, Cards most major credit and debit cards are accepted. Gasoleo B or Gasoil B is the equivalent of red diesel for agricultural vehicles do not put this in your motorhome! They also have dog kennels onboard but you CANNOT keep your dog in the ferry cabin with you (like you can from Portsmouth to Caen). Motorhome Tour to Spain Part 1 - Powering through France with some sadness. 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. Free camp in the car park atCoripefor the Via Verde de la Sierra, a really stunning ride. Anywhere near the beach will be tough all year. This is one of the quickest motorhome routes through France to Spain and is the cheapest from a toll perspective. The load must be indicated by an aluminium panel with diagonal red and white stripes, manufactured to ECE70 standard. Most trucks will have taken to the motorway but the road is still quite slow through a continuous urban sprawl. With short breaks, and sharing the driving, we usually arrive at the overnight stops around 4pm (ish) after a 7am (ish) crossing, and after leaving Poitiers around 9am. The huge highlight from this route is crossing the Millau Viaduct in your motorhome or camper- its well worth the experience. Is there any other city throughout the whole of Europe that offers visitors a more diverse range of things to do than Barcelona? "LongRoadSouth. Castilian is most common, but there is also Basque, Catalan and some smaller dialects. This tranquil and beautiful nature wetland nature reserve is known for its birdlife and encompasses rivers, dunes & beaches. A motor home route through France to Spain." I read this on another site, " OutAndAboutlive. But let's get down to practicalities. Expect to show your passport or identification on arrival and many places require you to leave one passport behind the reception. The landscape changes from the rugged north, with mountains and scenic views to rival anywhere else in Europe, to the desert and arid areas, to the sparkling azure blue of the Mediterranean. Motorhome wild camping in Valencia is no longer permitted. If you want a different pitch, you will be charged a supplement which often wipes out the benefit of the ACSI card, so pick smaller sites for the best experience. For more details, read our step-by-step guide on dealing with a road traffic accident in Europe. May 28, 2011. 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. Variable landscapes, impressive mountains and picturesque villages. Developed by: NKC - travel guides (the NKC is the Dutch parent company of Campercontact) Described route: 15 travel days. At the bottom of the N10 you can either continue on the A63 toll motorway, or take the D810 towards Bayonne, Biarritz and the Spanish border. If you've found it useful, please consider buying us a coffee to show your support. Your pet will need amicrochip, a validrabies vaccination and ananimal health certificate (AHC). As someone who gets seasick (hilarious considering Im ex-Navy and lived on boats for 15 years), I avoid this crossing and prefer to drive from the UK through France to Spain, but its entirely up to you. Combining flavours of the Maghreb and Middle East, they offer a modern take on classic dishes using traditional techniques and local ingredients. 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. 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. Find motorhome and campervan sites at Pitchup that are bound to get the bark of approval The Gorges D'Hric France ~ Campervan Castaways Hi there! From the Cote dAzur to the deserted and tranquil interior, France is the perfect place to spend a summer in your motorhome. If youre not sure, read, Spare bulbs for all lights in the vehicle, be yellow in the centre with a red outline, Vehicle V5 logbook (which must show your correct address), Green card (get from your vehicle insurer), a licence issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man, Solar panel- perfect if you want to wild camp in Spain with your motorhome, Driving in flip-flops or open-backed shoes is illegal, Speeds are in km/h, not mph (you might want to change the setting on your sat-nav). Basically we need to get past the Pyrenees and driving over the inland passes in winter is risky. Take your caravan or motorhome on the slow route to North-East Spain At some campsites, you will need to pay extra for shower or electric usage. From here, drive south towards Ronda and the Parque Natural de la Sierra Grazalema. When we travel, we kind of end up with a happy medium of both. To find out where to stay during stage 1 - click here. However this is a busy slow trucking route and takes you right through Tours, where believe me, you dont want to be. Just before Biarritz, take the D932 due south to Cambo-les-Bains. Motorhome route along the most beautiful locations in Spain Petrol and diesel are widely available. If in doubt, you can always ask at the tourist office or town hall- many places are happy to allow you in their car park for the night. As you can see very little time difference between the routes. Tipping Service is usually included in a restaurant, but do check. About 600 euros have been spent on gasoline and tolls, the most expensive of the trip without a doubt. The UK Department for Transport advises that A-frames are not legal for use by UK motorhomers abroad. human resources job scope; holland america cruise cancellations due to coronavirus Just like motorhoming in France, there are certain things you MUST carry with you in your motorhome or campervan whilst touring in Spain. Motorhoming in Spain: Your Complete Guide for 2023 Reception at the campsite will give you more information about the Metro and explain the different types of tickets. 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! theatre and Casa de la Fortuna, a villa with murals and mosaics. As a result I'm looking for as much help as I I can get. Gas bottles are also widely available, with butane generally being more popular because of the warmer climate (butaneis more suited to milderweather conditions but propane is better for cold weather as it burns at lower temperatures). The mighty SierraNevada is home to the highest point of continental Spain and the third highest in Europeafter theCaucasus Mountainsand theAlps; Mulhacnpeaks at 3,479m above sea level. You will find some petrol stations with additional facilities for motorhomes, like waste disposal, water (NOT always drinkable!) Motorhome touring in the beautiful and varied country of France is a pleasure. The editorial team's campsites of choice in the north of England Editor's Pick - The best campsites in Dorset. In 15miles you can either turn onto the A660 towards Arcachon and the coastal beaches or continue for another 13 miles when the free A63 suddenly changes back to the N10. Packed with great museums and atmospheric squares and quarters, Madrid is a great city in which to spend a day or so. Be warned- the hot water in the shower is on a timer- usually between 3-5 minutes per token. If you love adventure and raw nature, then Norway is for you! From the green north side to the rugged south side and back again, ending at the foot of the Pyrenees. A similar scheme to France Passion, Espana Discoveryprovides motorhomers with stopovers at over 206 off-the-beaten-path farms, bodegas (vineyards) and producers. Park outside and use public transport to get in. Take a road trip to Spain from UK by driving through France. Another beautiful city to fall in love with! In Spain you can visit the Spanish National Park Aigestortes. Continue north from here to the cosmopolitan and must-see city ofBarcelona. If you wear glasses you must carry a spare pair. Dont forget you will need snow chains and make sure you have fitted all-weather tyres. We highly recommend paying extra attention to your motorhome security when travelling in Italy. Campervans or motorhomes and cars with caravans or trailers are not allowed to exceed 18.75m in total length, 4m in height and 2.55m in width. Hundreds of passengers stranded in Colombia, Peru as Viva Air grounded France is a vast country and unless you have months, it's impossible to see all the best bits in one trip. Top Tip: Even if you book a standard class cabin, its possible to book into the Commodore C-Club lounge, where free hot drinks, water and wine are served, along with generous snacks, meaning you dont need to pay for expensive food on board. We intended to do Callais to Biarritz area, cross the border through centre of Spain to Portugal. Motorhoming in France: Your Ultimate Guide - Lifejourney4two Or check out our motorhome beginners e-book and find all our resources and guides in one place! The slip road ends in traffic lights where you need to be in the centre lane to turn left across a dual carriageway. The bullfighting season runs from March to October with fights usually taking place on Sunday afternoons. With one of the best winter climates in Europe and friendly locals, Spain is a perfect country for a motorhome road trip. This will be my first time in the van into France,Spain and Portugal. This cosmopolitan city boasts contemporary and historic attractions and is packed with character on every street corner come with us and spend a perfect day in Madrid. If youd like to connect with Kat, send her an email or follow her adventures on social media. On roads where there is no pavement so that vehicles and pedestrians share the road: 20 km/h. 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. If you decide that you want to drive your motorhome or camper down to Spain, you first need to decide if youre going to take the ferry or tunnel from UK to France (there are pros and cons to both). 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!). The LongRoadSouth | Motorhomer The best route to south of France? | The Motorhome Fun Club. Immerse yourself in nature and explore places that are difficult to reach with a motorhome, such as narrow gravel paths to the mountain peak or off-road bike routes through the pine trees. 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. Crdoba is full of Moorish treasures. It's almost Toll free (more on that a little later . Whether you like it or not, bullfighting is a huge part of Spanish life and culture. Also campsites are often in remote rural areas and may not have hard standing. ), you must have one (130cm x 25cm) or two (50cm x 25cm) yellow reflectors at the rear. Most of the routes i have seen on the forum have avoided toll roads. 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 Tarifa, Spain is one of our favourite places for van life. Garmin Camper 760LM 7" - Lifetime Europe Maps Sat Nav - Camper 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. Abbeville, Rouen, Chartres, Tours, Poitiers, Bordeaux, Biarritz, Hendaye, Pamplona, Zaragoza, Sagunto. This campervan route through Spain will take you to the country's most beautiful locations. Spanish toll roads are pay-as-you-go and are very reasonably priced. Complete Europe Motorhome Travel Toolkit, CHECKLIST: Dont forget to grab your FREE Europe motorhome travel checklist HERE. But of course there is much more to see along the way! This gorge is spanned spectacularly by an 18thcentury arched bridge andtall housesperchprecariouslyalong itsedges. The other popular option for groups of 4 or larger, or for those seeking a few more luxuries within their campervan, is the motorhome style of camper. The (pass) roads in the Pyrenees are sometimes not too wide, but are easy to drive with some mountain experience. Top Tips Winter Motorhome Trip to Spain ~ Campervan Castaways If youre driving in Spain, you need to carry the following documents: Most UK citizens do not need anIDPto drive in Spain, as long as you have a card driving licence issued in the UK (in date, of course!). However, in common with most cities, the choice of where to stay in a motorhome is not great. Follow the N11 towards Girona and Barcelona. but in others it seems to be accepted as the norm. Motorhome hire from a local owner. Here, you can easily alternate a quiet beach day with a city trip, for example with the port city of Marseille. GEAR If you need any motorhome gear for touring Europe, heres what we recommend. 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! Discover France by motorhome - Camperstops France - Camperstop.com Its always worth investing in a book of aires, as well as an online app- just in case you find yourself without internet in your motorhome (or without a wifi signal). The aire here is on the banks of the river Bernesga, which affords some good runningroutes along level paths. Day 5 - Virollet-Font Paillaud to Bordeaux. Many shops close on Sundays. Discussions | The Caravan Club Motorhome camping in and around Barcelona is challenging. 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. READ MORE: How to get a UK Animal Health Certificate after BREXIT. Spain and Portugal - Practical Motorhome You may want to consider asat navorsatellite navigation appwhich can be configured to your motorhome camper size and weight. Look out for traffic signs indicating that winter tyres or snow chains are compulsory where you are. Exit at junction 29 and drop down a hill. (stuffed aubergine) when this mediterranean vegetable is in season and youll be blown away. The beautiful capital city of Spain has to be visited. Unless you are in an absolute dive or the service is dreadful, it is expected that you will leave a tip, usually around 5%. Trams always have priority everywhere- keep eyes in the back of your head if youre driving near a tram network. We recommend True Traveller for their 5-star TrustPilot reviews, variety of cover options, best activities cover as standard, great prices and excellent service. Enjoy holidays year-round with this selection of sites that are open all year Editor's Pick - The best campsites in Devon. Either way you end up in Pamplona. Normandy between cliffs and traces of war 5. Theyre not often allowed on public transport, even with a muzzle, which made visiting places difficult. 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. Many places have a sign saying NO motorhome overnight parking, but you are fine to park during the day. They will probably be smaller than other pitches and perhaps not as favourably placed. The fastest (almost) toll-free routes to France and Spain Home Motorhome Advice Travel to Europe Motorhoming & Campervanning in Spain Complete Guide. ive been looking through some discussions about driving down but none that fit my criteria; Approved motorhome overnight parking places/ aires, Free approved overnight parking spots/ schemes, Dont try and wild camp on the coast unless youre somewhere REALLY remote (more likely to be allowed in the North and centre of Spain). Get MMM for just 2.99 a month! With this in mind, we've asked our campsite assessors to come up with their suggested route through France to the Catalan border. To enjoy your motorhome or campervan tour, planning and preparation is critical. OK I admit, not quite a toll free route to Spain! The motorway becomes dual carriageway at the citys edge and drops down through a tunnel. 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). 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. Motorhome Route France, Spain and Andorra - Straight through the Pyrenees Developed by: NKC - travel guides (the NKC is the Dutch parent company of Campercontact) Described route: 15 travel days The Pyrenees form the natural border between France and Spain and are richly blessed with natural beauty. Barcelona is a real foodie city, with a great central market and lots of fantastic tapas bars and seafood restaurants, check out thebest restaurants in Barcelonafor an authentic gastronomic experience when you visit the city. Kat never planned to buy a motorhome. Discover incredible deals for motorhome/ camper rentals, 10 essential questions to ask before you rent a motorhome, aires and approved free overnight motorhome stopovers across Europe, step-by-step guide for motorhome wild camping. Some larger sites or those run by corporates will have a fixed number of ACSI pitches which will have EHU but no water or drainage. Motorhoming in Spain- motorhome at Mesa Roldan tower Cabo de Gata Nijar Natural Park in Almeria, Andalusia Spain Road tripping Spain in Spring and Autumn The best times to visit are probably the shoulder seasons of Spring and Autumn. For some reason, driving from the UK to Spain seems to confuse people. This post may contain affiliate links, from which we earn an income. This corner of Spain, including Galicia, is known as Green Spain because it rains so much! del Corregidor). 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. Follow this for 2.5miles to the D938 which you follow southwards past Belleme and then as the D301 past Bonnetable towards Le Mans. Some spots are even right on the beach! In under a mile the road forks; if you intend staying on one of the coastal aires follow the D940; otherwise the D901 via Montreuil is faster. Spain motorway map - route planner Motorhomes and Campervans weighing over 3.5 tonnes: Motorhomes with trailers or caravans (over 750kg). As you approach the Costa Brava, the various resorts are clearly signposted. Spain celebrates fourteen public holidays a year, many religious in origin; you can check out the dates. Take a list of what is legally required with you and check it off one by one as you are given the handover. When you think of Spain, many people think of overcrowded beaches in Benidorm, drunken teenagers and possibly Sangria. Flying and hiring a motorhome is the best way to tour Spain if you dont own one. Don't . Main roads (mostly modern single carriageway roads) are in green. The ultimate Nevada road trip for adventure seekers READ MORE: Discover the best & warmest places to enjoy winter in Spain. It is not a fight breaking out or a lovers tiff, its just everyday conversation! Remember, this is for daytime parking for motorhomes- lets move on to overnight parking. The motorhome route costs: 14.99PRO users will pay: 11.99. Documents You Need to Travel & Drive in Spain, Can't decide? Ile de Re and La Rochelle You cannot touch a screen while driving (television, video, DVD etc.) Motorhoming in Italy: Your Complete Guide for 2023, Planning Your Morocco Motorhome Adventure, Campervanning in Portugal: Complete 2023 Guide, Campervanning in Norway Tips, Routes & Destinations for 2023, Motorhome Germany: 2023 Complete Touring Guide. Many Northern Europeans (like us Brits!) Your UK licence allows you to drive in all EU countries. Spain uses the Euroconnector adapter. 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. Cow Close Caravan and Camping | Alan Rogers The non toll free route from Calais to Basel is via the A26 motorway and the A4 motorway. For Spanish gas bottles, you will need a different regulator, available from most DIY or camping shops. From Lyon, you will drive through France's breathtaking landscape to the Atlantic coast. You might get parmesan cheese in a vegetarian dish for example, or prawns in a vegetarian salad. GEAR And if you need any motorhome gear for touring France or Europe, heres what we recommend. So how do we all get there, to enjoy the warmer weather, and cheaper drinks, all subsidised by huge savings on winter energy bills. Spains fabulous climate will seduce you and its people charm you. Free motorways are shown in blue, Spanish toll motorways are shown in red. If youre feeling brave, go to Valencia during Las Fallas, the famous fire festival. Road map of Spain. Is there a straighf. Road surfaces are generally pretty good and, unlike France, they try to avoid 10,0000000 road works on a bank holiday weekend. In Spain, as in most of Europe, LPG is known as GPL, and both are a mix of butane and propane. . We use, 120 km/h (74mph) on motorways/ autovias and many dual carriageways, 90 km/h (56 mph) on secondary roads (out of town)- can increase to 110km/h to overtake, 50km/h (31 mph)- on roads with two or more lanes in the same direction, 30 km/h (19 mph) on roads with one lane in each direction, 20km/h on small lanes where road & pavement are the same level.