cost of driving from uk to spain

[deanhankin]

Hi All,

I posted earlier on "thinking of a return" as you probably guessed the hint is in the title. Well ive found somewhere to stay in Cartama and I was thinking of renting a car but it looks like being an expensive business for 2-3 months so that set me thinking.

Provided I can find a decent enough motor over here for the journey what would you guys say would be a rough estimate on the cost of getting a car from uk to Cartama (id drive it back as well not dump it like most)

I dont want a pence per mile breakdown or owt fancy just a rough figure for the ferry, road tolls and owt else I should know about.

I know things can get a bit tricky with the guardia if they keep seeing the same car riding around with uk plates on so any info on this would also be a help.

Oh and whilst im at it if you can offer any other tips on getting here on a budget or anywhere that does really cheap car hire then go for it guys.

Thanks in advance

Dean

[jojo]

Originally Posted by deanhankin

Hi All,

I posted earlier on "thinking of a return" as you probably guessed the hint is in the title. Well ive found somewhere to stay in Cartama and I was thinking of renting a car but it looks like being an expensive business for 2-3 months so that set me thinking.

Provided I can find a decent enough motor over here for the journey what would you guys say would be a rough estimate on the cost of getting a car from uk to Cartama (id drive it back as well not dump it like most)

I dont want a pence per mile breakdown or owt fancy just a rough figure for the ferry, road tolls and owt else I should know about.

I know things can get a bit tricky with the guardia if they keep seeing the same car riding around with uk plates on so any info on this would also be a help.

Oh and whilst im at it if you can offer any other tips on getting here on a budget or anywhere that does really cheap car hire then go for it guys.

Thanks in advance

Dean

Very briefly, cos I gotta get the kids to school, When we were working it all out it was well into the 100s to drive out, much, much cheaper to fly. Of course it meant we didnt have a car, but quite honestly it was cheaper to sell the UK one and buy here. We hired for the first 6 weeks at a dicounted rate, til we had NIEs etc and then bought one.

I'd personally recommend flying out on a budget airline and seeing if you can get a deal from a carhire company, we used malagacar.com, but that was 18 months ago???

Jo xxxx

[argus]

Hi Dean

Have you tried a broker (snip)
They search hundreds of different suppliers and show you the cheapest rates available for your location and dates. Certainly saves a lot of looking around!

Originally Posted by deanhankin

Hi All,

I posted earlier on "thinking of a return" as you probably guessed the hint is in the title. Well ive found somewhere to stay in Cartama and I was thinking of renting a car but it looks like being an expensive business for 2-3 months so that set me thinking.

Provided I can find a decent enough motor over here for the journey what would you guys say would be a rough estimate on the cost of getting a car from uk to Cartama (id drive it back as well not dump it like most)

I dont want a pence per mile breakdown or owt fancy just a rough figure for the ferry, road tolls and owt else I should know about.

I know things can get a bit tricky with the guardia if they keep seeing the same car riding around with uk plates on so any info on this would also be a help.

Oh and whilst im at it if you can offer any other tips on getting here on a budget or anywhere that does really cheap car hire then go for it guys.

Thanks in advance

Dean

[mayotom]

you can get a Cheap car options drive to Spain and when it finally fails sell it, cars hold their value quiet well in Spain....


.

[deanhankin]

Originally Posted by mayotom

you can get a Cheap car options drive to Spain and when it finally fails sell it, cars hold their value quiet well in Spain....


.

Yes I tried a few brokers and they are asking for 2000 euro for 2 months which I find to be quite ridiculous.

I think ill try and get something reliable here and drive down, so are there any toll roads etc that I should avoid. or should I take the scenic route and enjoy all that this option has to offer?


Thanks

Dean

[Seb*]

Don't avoid toll roads. I'd suggest to take them. It shortens the drive by quite a bit and those roads are less busy which makes the whole drive easier. Concerning the route the only suggestion I have is avoid Paris, try to drive down via Lyons. Toll costs depends on your location, down to the Costa Blanca we paid around £150 for french and spanish toll roads.

[Xose]

Originally Posted by deanhankin

Yes I tried a few brokers and they are asking for 2000 euro for 2 months which I find to be quite ridiculous.

I think ill try and get something reliable here and drive down, so are there any toll roads etc that I should avoid. or should I take the scenic route and enjoy all that this option has to offer?


Thanks

Dean

Dean,
Bear in mind that a car that's running beautifully back home will be tested to its full capacity in the French motorways at 70 and before you know it 90 being overtaken by renault 5's hardly touching the tarmac. If there's anything about to go, it WILL go somewhere on the catalan motorway (Paris-Barcelona). Within seconds of breaking down, a funny little man in a bright coloured van will turn up, put cones around your car and insist that a local tow truck takes you off the motorway to avoid a mass pileup - and charge you a shedload of wedge for the privilage. Not a lot you can do about it either as the Gendarmerie are on their side big time. Worth bearing in mind that most of these Autoroutes are two lane daytona 500 tracks in disguise, and they are not far from the real one in speeds and driving practices either.

I had the misfortune of having a spark plug work loose once. Smoke everywhere and I thought the engine had just seized up. The van turned up in a nano second. I told the guy to take a chill pill because he really was over anctious to get me off the motorway. Just as he had finished sticking cones around the car area, the smoke died down and I noticed the high tension lead with the plug off the engine block. I remembered imediately that I had fitted the new plugs without retightening after the engine had warmed up (plank!!!) so back it went and the car was fine - few!!! but the little van man was doing his pieces for the whole two minutes it took me to do that.

Moral of the story. When you say "get myself something reliable", check the oil pressure, water pump, pullies etc really well and any signs of white gunk in the oil cap and the like, run like mad even if the car is a "sweet little runner".

Good luck and most of all, stop and take lots of breaks.

Xose

[ivorra]

If you intend to take the 'eastern route' to enter Spain through Catalunya, don't forget that the magnificent A75 motorway gives you 300 km between Clermont Ferrand and Beziers almost free of toll charges. The only charge is approx 6 euro to cross the viaduc de Millau (and well worth it!)

[deanhankin]

Originally Posted by Xose

Dean,
Bear in mind that a car that's running beautifully back home will be tested to its full capacity in the French motorways at 70 and before you know it 90 being overtaken by renault 5's hardly touching the tarmac. If there's anything about to go, it WILL go somewhere on the catalan motorway (Paris-Barcelona). Within seconds of breaking down, a funny little man in a bright coloured van will turn up, put cones around your car and insist that a local tow truck takes you off the motorway to avoid a mass pileup - and charge you a shedload of wedge for the privilage. Not a lot you can do about it either as the Gendarmerie are on their side big time. Worth bearing in mind that most of these Autoroutes are two lane daytona 500 tracks in disguise, and they are not far from the real one in speeds and driving practices either.

I had the misfortune of having a spark plug work loose once. Smoke everywhere and I thought the engine had just seized up. The van turned up in a nano second. I told the guy to take a chill pill because he really was over anctious to get me off the motorway. Just as he had finished sticking cones around the car area, the smoke died down and I noticed the high tension lead with the plug off the engine block. I remembered imediately that I had fitted the new plugs without retightening after the engine had warmed up (plank!!!) so back it went and the car was fine - few!!! but the little van man was doing his pieces for the whole two minutes it took me to do that.

Moral of the story. When you say "get myself something reliable", check the oil pressure, water pump, pullies etc really well and any signs of white gunk in the oil cap and the like, run like mad even if the car is a "sweet little runner".

Good luck and most of all, stop and take lots of breaks.

Xose

Thanks for the advice xose,

I didnt know the french roads were so bad but I have spent time in paris so suppose I should of expected the worst.

Im pretty well clued up on the inner workings of the motor vehicle but you just never know when a part will fail, only yesterday the alternator belt went on my van but luckily I had a pair of tights in the back (i trade wholesale clothing) and was able to sort out a temporary repair.

Im glad to hear that you sorted out your spark plug problem before they towed the vehicle as it sounds like an expensive job.

Im just realy undecided on the best way forward, the place im going to be staying is up in the hills and I could really do with transport to go and look at the surrounding area and just for day to day convenience.

When I stayed there previously for a year I had a mountain bike and had a really good time exploring on that but this time there will be no bike and my bro will be joining me.

Perhaps I should stop being tight.

Anyhow thanks again for the advice its much appreciated

Dean

[SunnySpain]

Originally Posted by deanhankin

Thanks for the advice xose,

I didnt know the french roads were so bad but I have spent time in paris so suppose I should of expected the worst.

Im pretty well clued up on the inner workings of the motor vehicle but you just never know when a part will fail, only yesterday the alternator belt went on my van but luckily I had a pair of tights in the back (i trade wholesale clothing) and was able to sort out a temporary repair.

Im glad to hear that you sorted out your spark plug problem before they towed the vehicle as it sounds like an expensive job.

Im just realy undecided on the best way forward, the place im going to be staying is up in the hills and I could really do with transport to go and look at the surrounding area and just for day to day convenience.

When I stayed there previously for a year I had a mountain bike and had a really good time exploring on that but this time there will be no bike and my bro will be joining me.

Perhaps I should stop being tight.

Anyhow thanks again for the advice its much appreciated

Dean

Well, good luck, you willl have a marvelous time in Cartama, its absolutely beautiful, so no problemos there, go for it and may the force be with you !