Driving santander/bilbao to CVO

[maccasa]

Hi All - Advice please - I am considering bringing a car to CVO. Whats the best route? I thought that the Santander/Bilbao would be best. Can it be done in a day - say 10hrs?

[sam]

We did it many years ago and took the opportunity to see something of central Spain and did a couple of stops. Personally I would not want to drive straight through, although I think some people have done it. We stayed at the parador in Salamanca.

[roy4eyes]

Sent you PM. Salamanca defintely ideal stop.

Roy

[widge]

In answer to question "can it be done in a day " answer yes.

I did it last June landing Santander about 1400 hrs and arrived at Sesmarias at 2150hrs (you gain an hour crossing the border).

Stopped for fuel twice and broke the speed limit frequently in Portugal, where there appear to be few if any enforcement cameras.

It was 42 degrees c when we made our first fuel stop in central Spain !

Wouldn't normally recommend this way of travel ,but with Covid still rife at the time, it seemed safest option - probably still is !

[maccasa]

Thanks all yr advice - may have to postpone now with the latest travel news!

[widge]

Not looking promising is it !

Some reference to holiday home owners being allowed to do a Stanley Johnson" & visit their overseas property to prepare it for rental ? We shall find out April 12th.

[maccasa]

what route did you use widge?

[widge]

Santander
Salamanca
Caceres
Badajoz
Evora
Silves
Lagoa

I take the E90 Portugal motorway which is a few km further but faster and less tiring toward the end of the journey. Only collected one speeding ticket in Spain !

[roy4eyes]

..... or easier in my opinion, and without any toll charges, is to continue to Seville and then M-way through to Portugal.
Big fuel saving also - remember to fill up just before the Guadiana border crossing.

[widge]

I've tried both Roy and agree about the tolls but......according to via Michelin via Seville is an extra 55kms and 15 minutes.

The traffic around Seville can be heavy especially at rush hour.

[roy4eyes]

Never had any problems with Seville traffic - very clearly indicated to 'Algarve' with slip road from one motorway to another with no need to enter Seville.
Excellent road surface and 6 lanes west out of Seville so no hold up.
Time difference negligable and toll + fuel + cheaper service area savings make it a no-brainer for us.
And the ladies can pop into Seville IKEA which seems bigger and slightly cheaper (I.V.A. ?) for their frikkadelen and new wardrobe

[widge]

Has anyone recent experience of crossing the border between Spain & Portugal in a UK registered car ?

I'm interested to know if they stop & check for negative Covid test certificates.

Any advice please.

[widge]

Well I can answer my own question.

At Santander we had a temperature check before disembarkation.

Customs just stamped the passport asked for nothing else.

We didn't have to stop at the Portuguese border so the Antigen test was £120 wasted.

We arrived Sesmarias at 10pm having docked at 12.15 and disembarked at 12.27 - the ship was half full or less.

Took the route described previously, filled up twice and paid €57 in tolls.

[DaveF]

Thanks for the update Widge. We are doing the same journey from Bilbao in a couple of weeks, hope it is easy as yours.

[DaveF]

Widge, before we set off a quick question for you.

Did you complete a PLF for Portugal? I know we will have to do one for entry to Spain, but it is unclear to me whether we nee to do one for Portugal even though there is no one to check it at the road borders!

If you did complete a Portuguese PLF which one did you use?

Many Thanks