Ferries to Spain - getting a good price

[johnnyrod]

For next year, a few of us are thinking of getting the ferry to northern Spain. This is horribly expensive, anyone got some top tips on taking the sting out of it? Would be 4 guys on 4 bikes, and no, we're not up for riding all the way through France! Are there times of year to book tickets that are better (given we have plenty of run-up to it), or sites, or whatever else?

[Popy Fresco]

What is expensive for you?

I've done it a couple of times myself alone and was around 300£, but i had to pay for the whole cabin.

Sorry no tips or ideas. Have you checked all the options?

Portsmouth-Bilbao
Portsmouth-Santander
Plymouth-Santander

[carelesschucca]

You can join Brittany Ferries club and get discounts off the ferry prices.

The actual trip on the ferry is pretty damn good though, no doubt the boat will be the Cap Finistere, the booze and food are cheap and you'll have a fair bit of time to relax. If you treat it as part of the holiday then it's a pleasant 24 hours and worth the cash.

First time Combat dragged us to Spain we got a villa in the Picos for a week and the ferry for just over £450 each.

Oh I do love Green Spain it's like Scotland but warm and rains slightly less...

[Stingo]

What carelesschucca said really. Maybe you happen to know someone who already has a membership thingy...worked for me last year.

[L3nny]

I went on the Pont Aven to Santander in 2013 and it was £670 for the two of us with two bikes sharing a cabin the size of a postage stamp.

The Elton John tribute act on the way home made it worthwhile though!

[STRAMASHER]

I have found it is better to book as early as possible, ie before Christmas. This year I left it late (mid -Feb) and had to stump up an extra £80. That was DFDS to Amsterdam, but they are all much the same.

Look for discount codes at bike shows and similar forums to this. UKGSER/ABR etc. Gives you another 10%.

Check whether 2berth or 4berth and it will be really cheap between the four of you. You will spend most of your time in the bars anyway.

Cheaper again if you use the "mid week" sailings. Although I prefer Santander for getting into and out off.

The boat to Spain is worth every penny. Get it booked!

Oh aye and its worth booking 1st night accom for peace of mind as some sailings get you in around 7pm. Picos are an easy reach if heading west. Gorgeous wee places like Castro Urdiales if heading east (both from Santander)

[johnnyrod]

Brilliant thanks mate

[Fen Tiger]

Re cost/value of the ferry, I have ridden to the Picos and recently flown/hire car (to go walking). Either way the cost was comparable to the ferry so I would say it is difficult to get there for less. I want to try the ferry next. Love the Picos mountains and the roads are superb. General prices considerably cheaper than UK or France which helps too. A compromise would be ferry one way and ride back. We rode back from Potes in 2013 via Pyrenees, Andorra and up France taking a week to get to the tunnel at Calais. Very enjoyable trip with great contrasts of culture and landscape.

Considered using the Motorail?
Get yourself to paris, and you can go overnight from there almost to spain.

http://www.seat61.com/Motorail.htm#.V71_nqLQo8Y

I'll be using it at some point next year to pay italy a visit. Cost is comparable to what it would cost in fuel.
C.

[johnnyrod]

Some of my friends have used the one that takes you down towards Austria, and yes you can get some good prices.