Driving a motorhome from the UK to Spain is doable and takes 1-2 days, depending on the route. The shortest road route involves driving through France, which takes a day and costs £270 for a one-way trip. A one-way ferry trip for two adults and a motorhome will cost you between £400 and £700.
If you’re on a budget, you want to take the shortest route dotted with as many must-see places as possible. The amount of vacation time will also determine how you plan your trip.
This post will cover the possible itineraries for driving from the UK to Spain in a motorhome, the budget, and the best times to visit.
Read on to learn more.
How much does it cost to drive a motorhome from the UK to Spain?
The cost of traveling from the UK to Spain in a motorhome largely depends on whether you choose to drive down through France or take a ferry from the UK.
Driving through France is the cheaper option costing £270 for a one-way trip. On the other hand, a one-way ferry trip for two adults and a motorhome costs between £400-£700 with Brittany Ferries.
Let us take a look at each of these options further.
Driving your motorhome through France into Spain
Your journey through France to Irun in a motorhome will be close to ten hours. The tolls on this route will cost you an estimated €180; it could be more if you’re driving a big motorhome of upwards of 3,500 kgs.
If you’re planning a more extended vacation, like a month, consider taking the longer but more-scenic non-toll roads through France into Spain.
Familiarize yourself with the road rules of France and Spain before embarking on your road trip.
Itinerary #1: Travel from the UK to Spain through the historical sites in France
Best time of the year to attend: March to June during spring and autumn when the weather is perfect for a road trip.
Suitable for: The entire family and those with a short vacation period as it is the shortest route from the UK to Spain. This route passes through historic sites and will prove a big hit for lovers of historical monuments.
Duration: An 11-hour non-stop drive from Calais, South of the UK, through France, and into San Sebastian in northern Spain.
Things to see:
- Historical castles
- Beaches
- Mountain roads
- Gorges
- Beautiful cities like Bordeaux, Orleans, Toulouse, and San Sebastian.
Distance: 685 miles or 1,100 kms.
Take the tunnel from the UK to Northern France.
The trip takes you through the following places: Tours, Bordeaux, and road N10. The road gets you to the border crossing and then brings you to the town of San Sebastien.
You can drive for two days to enjoy the historical sites along the way and spend the night at Poitiers.
However, this route includes several tolls that can cost about €160 one-way if you’re driving a motorhome. Plan well for the expense.
Itinerary #2: Travel the toll-free route through France
Best time of the year to attend: March to June
Suitable for: For younger people who love a longer route for the adventure. The best way to use if you’re keen on saving as it avoids all the tolls.
Duration: A 14-hours non-stop drive from Calais, through the towns of Rouen, Le Mans, Poitiers, and Bordeaux in France, and into San Sebastian in northern Spain.
Things to see:
- Beaches
- National parks
- Mountains
- The wine region of Bordeaux
- Historical buildings
Distance: 669 miles or 1076 km from Calais to San Sebastian.
Take note that this route can be slow as there are sections with a single driving lane.
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Itinerary #3: Travel the scenic course through Paris, Limoges, to Bilbao.
Best time of the year to attend: April to October
Suitable for: lovers of picture-perfect landscapes. The route takes you through the city of Paris.
Duration: 13hr 30 minutes on a non-stop drive.
Things to see:
- Medieval buildings in Limoges
- Paris
- National parks
- Beaches
- Museums and castles
Distance: 771 miles or 1240 km from Calais to Bilbao in Spain.
Itinerary #4: Taking a ferry from the UK to Spain for those who love traveling by sea
If you are driving a motorhome from the UK to Spain, a one-way ferry trip for two adults and a motorhome costs between £400-£700. The 24-hour ferry journey starts from the ports of Plymouth or Portsmouth in the UK to Santander or Bilbao in Spain without going into France.
Best time of the year to attend: March to June
Suitable for: Everyone who loves traveling by sea. If you easily fall seasick over long journeys on water, you may want to consider the other itineraries.
Duration: The journey by ferry takes between 21-32 hours, depending on the weather conditions, distance covered, and the type of vessel.
You can save by using Brittany Ferries, which offers an economical sailing option on weekends.
If you fall sea sick, be warned of the rough waters at the Bay of Biscay, particularly if you are traveling in winter (mid-Dec to March) or at night.
On the ferry, you can spend the night on the reclining seats that can get squeaky over the journey. Alternatively, book a cabin and enjoy a good night’s rest as you sail.
For some, the prospect of missing out on France in their itinerary makes the ferry ride unattractive. Besides, it typically costs more than a drive through France.
Check out the ferry schedules on the various routes if you plan to use the ferry crossing.
The ferries offer cabins that allow for pets. Nonetheless, you need to book in advance as the pet-friendly cabins are limited in number.
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BONUS: Flying into Spain and hiring a motorhome
If you find driving a motorhome from the UK to Spain unaffordable or the journey too tedious, you can fly to Spain and hire a motorhome.
Flying from London to Madrid takes 2hrs 25 mins and costs $140-$150 per person. On average, hiring a motorhome in Spain costs $100 to $250 a night.
There are multiple motorhomes and campervan hire companies across Spain’s major cities. If you don’t own a motorhome, you can still enjoy the ride with your family and explore Spain fully.
Major Motorhome hire companies like the Motorhome Republic, SouthCamper Rental Vehicles, Auto Europe, and Flamenco Campers Rental Vehicles have offices in cities like Madrid, Bilbao, Seville, Barcelona, La Coruna, and Santander.
Hiring a motorhome has its benefits. You don’t have to focus on the heavy lifting when planning the trip, maintenance of the motorhome, or incurring costly tolls. You fly in, hire a motorhome, and hit the road running.
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Motorhome rules in Spain
Driving a motorhome from the UK to Spain is relatively easy because other road users are considerate and the roads are also in excellent condition.
You can expect traffic jams in the main cities such as Barcelona, Madrid, and Paris but this is well compensated for by the clear roads that stretch through the countryside.
For motorhomes weighing below 3,500 kg, the speed limit in urban areas is 30km/h, 80km/h outside urban areas, and 100km/h on highways.
For motorhomes that weigh more than 3,500kg, the speed limits are 30km/h in urban areas, 80km/hr outside areas, and 90km/h in autopistas.
How long can you stay in Spain?
You can spend two weeks to a few months exploring Spain. Note that you will take 1-3 days from the UK to Spain on a motorhome. Beware that the journey eats up a chunk of your vacation stay in Spain. Ultimately, the length of your stay depends on where you want to visit.
Your budget also dramatically affects how long you can stay in Spain.
Requirements to drive from the UK to Spain
Acquaint yourself with the speed limits for motorhomes in Spain and adhere to them to avoid hefty fines.
- You must be 21 years or more
- You need to have a minimum of 3 months remaining on your passport on the date when you plan to leave Spain.
- At a minimum, your motorhome must have a 3rd party insurance cover.
- You should own the vehicle logbook and a trailer certification where required.
- You should have medical and personal travel insurance.
- You do not require an International Driving License if you already have a US or UK driving license.
- For those coming with pets, carry an Animal Health Certificate.
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Conclusion
We have explored the various routes you can use to drive your motorhome for the UK to Spain, how much it costs, and how long you can stay in Spain. If you appreciate sightseeing landscapes and historical sites, then drive through France.
If you love traveling by sea, the ferry is an option that can get you from the UK to Spain. If you’re planning to embark on a road trip from the Uk to Spain on a motorhome, then check out this video.
