Britanny Ferries starts Portsmouth-Santander next March

[Peter Robins]

once a week, in what they call their 'luxurious cruise ferry'
http://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/route ... -santander

 

[lckgj]

Out of curiosity I did a quick search on the cost of sailing from Portsmouth to Santander (in April)and the charge was £252 return as a foot passenger. This is made up of £65 travel each way and £61 for a cabin each way. Although there are reclining chairs which presumably cost less, these are not available until all the cabins are sold out. The cabin sleeps two (and is the cheapest type) so if you were travelling as a couple this charge would be the same as you pay per cabin rather than per person. The journey takes 24 hours.

Unless you really like the idea of arriving by sea, or perhaps if you live near Portsmouth, then this seems rather an expensive option at the moment. They possibly have special offers but none that I could find at present. Ryanair here I come again....

Laura

 

[Peter Robins]

it's the same price as the Plymouth service. If you can stand a night in a reclining seat, you can book one for £7. So it would depend what price you get out of Ryanair. I think it's mainly aimed at motorists though; especially couples and families.

 

[Stevenlou]

Just booked our crossing from Portsmouth on the v expensive ferry has 2 foot passengers with bikes. My question is _we are travelling to Portsmouth Harbour in our van we plan to park up the van fo our 28 days away and push the bikes aboard the ferry, our problem is iam struggling with the £360 quote from Brittany ferries to park. Any suggestions for alternative good safe cheaper parking.

 

[FLEUR]

Not sure where you are traveling from but could you perhaps travel by train with bikes, to Portsmouth harbour?

 

[Stevenlou]

Not sure where you are traveling from but could you perhaps travel by train with bikes, to Portsmouth harbour?

Travelling from North East train involves a couple of changes one being King's Cross to Waterloo.

 

[JabbaPapa]

Out of curiosity I did a quick search on the cost of sailing from Portsmouth to Santander (in April)and the charge was £252 return as a foot passenger. This is made up of £65 travel each way and £61 for a cabin each way. Although there are reclining chairs which presumably cost less, these are not available until all the cabins are sold out.

If you simply turned up a few hours before departure on sailing day, they probably would not try and force you to get a cabin.

 

[Former member 49149]

Think of all the contraband you could carry with you: i won't list them, if you can think of things, you can carry them!

 

[FLEUR]

@Stephenlou
I see your problem travelling by train and having to cross London with bikes.
It would be slow but is there a cross country train service that you could use via Reading and Guilford?

 

[FLEUR]

We use Brittany Ferries services on a regular basis back and forth to France and once a year home via the Santander (or Bilbao) service. Believe you me, it's worth paying for a cabin.


There is a public car park next to the ferry port , is that any cheaper than BF own parking space.

 

[David]

The ferry is a great option as it is easy and if one doesn't use a cabin, cheap, for such a long distance. The trick is to do what quite a few people do - book a reclining seat but sleep on the carpet in one of the reclining seats salons - there is always room, it is warm on the boats, and I have always had a comfortable sleep. There are disabled toilets that give one a private space for washing (yes, I know, don't leave a queue of people in wheelchairs outside ). Think of it as practise for the refugios!
The bus and rail stations are only a few hundred yards from where the ship docks - but it does depend on where you are starting your Camino as can be tricky to link up with the right times.

@Stevenlou - Kings Cross station to Waterloo station is less than three miles and is an easy and fast cycle ride - no problem!!
and ... are you lucky enough to be retired? A senior railcard costs £30 and gives 1/3rd of fares - would make a huge difference to your return train fares. There is also the "two together" railcard also offers 1/3rd off!

 

[FLEUR]

My days of dossing down on the floor of the ferry deck are long gone! Although I did that once in my teens.
The cheaper cabins are fine, inside , two berth and you've en suite facilities and somewhere to leave your belongings during the voyage. As David said cabins are cheap, considering the distance.

 

[David]

@FLEUR - true, and I have used the cabins .. love the private bathroom .. but have also used the floor without problem ... few glasses of wine ... sleep mask on ...

 

[Stevenlou]

@Stephenlou
I see your problem travelling by train and having to cross London with bikes.
It would be slow but is there a cross country train service that you could use via Reading and Guilford?

Not sure but will check that. Thank you.

 

[Stevenlou]

We use Brittany Ferries services on a regular basis back and forth to France and once a year home via the Santander (or Bilbao) service. Believe you me, it's worth paying for a cabin.


There is a public car park next to the ferry port , is that any cheaper than BF own parking space.

Will take a look.

 

[Stevenlou]

The ferry is a great option as it is easy and if one doesn't use a cabin, cheap, for such a long distance. The trick is to do what quite a few people do - book a reclining seat but sleep on the carpet in one of the reclining seats salons - there is always room, it is warm on the boats, and I have always had a comfortable sleep. There are disabled toilets that give one a private space for washing (yes, I know, don't leave a queue of people in wheelchairs outside ). Think of it as practise for the refugios!
The bus and rail stations are only a few hundred yards from where the ship docks - but it does depend on where you are starting your Camino as can be tricky to link up with the right times.

@Stevenlou - Kings Cross station to Waterloo station is less than three miles and is an easy and fast cycle ride - no problem!!
and ... are you lucky enough to be retired? A senior railcard costs £30 and gives 1/3rd of fares - would make a huge difference to your return train fares. There is also the "two together" railcard also offers 1/3rd off!

Not quite retired yet.