ricknsue Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 Does anyone have any advice regarding best route down to the Algarve in February in a motorhome? We have booked the Eurotunnel and planning on Rouen to San Sebastian but then not sure of best, cheapest, easiest route to Alvor from there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randonneur Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 We usually do Vitoria-Gasteiz, Burgos, Salamanca using the A62 and A66 towards Seville and then turn right towards Huelva and then Portugal over the Guadiana River. We find that this is the Quickest and most direct route. We did try going into Portugal the "Green way" by taking the first Portugal sign on the above road but it was so winding we decided not to do that again. It depends on how long you want to take to get to Alvor which route you want to take. The A62 and A66 are brilliant roads and are like motorways. We always stop at Camping Olimpia, junction 225 on A62, Pedrosillo, near Salamanca. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starvin marvin Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 We don't generally go into Portugal until at least March, too cold for me until then. Although some years it can be very nice weather, but its not reliable. The route suggested is ok, and has enough overnight stops to do the job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yoko8pups Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 This is the best route, only about €21 to get away from the ferry port then free, with roads as good as a motorway, all the way down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vindiboy Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 We do your route frequently with no problems, we travel France slowly,to Dax free Aire or St. Jean d Luz free Aire, then towards San Sebastian heading for Vitoria Gasteiz free Aire [spain] then on to Palencia free Aire, then on to Caceres free Aire , then towards Zafra free aire, then onwards to Valverde de Camino free aire, then you are about 50 miles from Castro Marim on the Algarve free aire, no toll roads thus far good fast dual carriageways and free motorways thus far, easy daily mileage , water and toilet dumps at the aire even in February, after you cross the bridge into Portugal from Spain you you will meet the first pay Motorway IF you do not turn off for Castro Marim, you can pay the toll for this Motorway at the bridge if you decide to use it by registering your Credit / Debit card at a machine at the Bridge crossing but really unnecessary as there realy is no need to travel on this Motorway your choice of course. From Castro Marim you can proceed about 4 miles to Villa Real d San Antonio on the Algarve as there is another Aire but this one costs about 4 Euros 24 hours, from there there is Wild Camping and Aires all along the Algarve . All the stop overs I have mentioned are very good and the towns and Cities they are in are well worth a few days stay if you have the time.All these Aires are listed with Co Ordinates in the Vicarious Aires book of Spain and Portugal. Have a great trip ,may see you down there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vindiboy Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/SUGARBABY1/media/COLD%20START/PORTUGAL%201%20004_zpsuayalr9l.jpg.htmlSome pictures of the above route in the Snow but NO problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vindiboy Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/SUGARBABY1/media/COLD%20START/PORTUGAL%201%20004_zpsuayalr9l.jpg.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randonneur Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 vindiboy - 2016-01-17 8:52 PM after you cross the bridge into Portugal from Spain you you will meet the first pay Motorway IF you do not turn off for Castro Marim, you can pay the toll for this Motorway at the bridge if you decide to use it by registering your Credit / Debit card at a machine at the Bridge crossing but really unnecessary as there realy is no need to travel on this Motorway your choice of course. From Castro Marim you can proceed about 4 miles to Villa Real d San Antonio on the Algarve as there is another Aire but this one costs about 4 Euros 24 hours, from there there is Wild Camping and Aires all along the Algarve . All the stop overs I have mentioned are very good and the towns and Cities they are in are well worth a few days stay if you have the time.All these Aires are listed with Co Ordinates in the Vicarious Aires book of Spain and Portugal. Have a great trip ,may see you down there. You do not need to exit at Castro Marim you can go to the next junction which is signposted Monte Gordo, after Monte Gordo the motorway is then chargeable. You can then continue along the N125 along the Algarve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vindiboy Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 Randonneur - 2016-01-18 10:08 AMvindiboy - 2016-01-17 8:52 PM after you cross the bridge into Portugal from Spain you you will meet the first pay Motorway IF you do not turn off for Castro Marim, you can pay the toll for this Motorway at the bridge if you decide to use it by registering your Credit / Debit card at a machine at the Bridge crossing but really unnecessary as there realy is no need to travel on this Motorway your choice of course. From Castro Marim you can proceed about 4 miles to Villa Real d San Antonio on the Algarve as there is another Aire but this one costs about 4 Euros 24 hours, from there there is Wild Camping and Aires all along the Algarve . All the stop overs I have mentioned are very good and the towns and Cities they are in are well worth a few days stay if you have the time.All these Aires are listed with Co Ordinates in the Vicarious Aires book of Spain and Portugal. Have a great trip ,may see you down there.You do not need to exit at Castro Marim you can go to the next junction which is signposted Monte Gordo, after Monte Gordo the motorway is then chargeable. You can then continue along the N125 along the Algarve. You are right of course we always come off for Castro Marim but another few miles free is available if you want to miss Castro and Villa Real , you can take a ferry to Ayamonte in Spain from Villa Real for a day trip, cheap as chips and a nice day out.Leave the van at Villa Real on the Aire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hagrid Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 Realistically, is it viable to visit Portugal from the uk within a three week holiday? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randonneur Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 vindiboy - 2016-01-18 11:26 AM ndonneur - 2016-01-18 10:08 AMvindiboy - 2016-01-17 8:52 PM You are right of course we always come off for Castro Marim but another few miles free is available if you want to miss Castro and Villa Real , you can take a ferry to Ayamonte in Spain from Villa Real for a day trip, cheap as chips and a nice day out.Leave the van at Villa Real on the Aire. 30 years ago this crossing was 2 shillings, how times have changed, it cost 9 euros last time. The Spanish ladies used to use it for buying very, very cheap cotton mops etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vindiboy Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 Yes it is viable, a quick dash down and back and a week to 10 days there ,you could use pay motorways all the way for a quicker journey and maybe a bit longer there, not for me though, I would stay in beautiful France for that short period, choices . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fesspark Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 I am travelling to the algarve in feb via Santander are all the aires on the journey down from santander to Albufeira easy to find and safe / I have the aires book ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJay Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 hagrid - 2016-01-18 12:11 PM Realistically, is it viable to visit Portugal from the uk within a three week holiday? Would be more realistic if you cross to Spain, rather than driving down from France. If you cost the fuel and cost of stopping if you use sites. I would consider paying more for the ferry overnight from Portsmouth, and have more time at destination. OR drive one way and cross direct to/from Spain PJay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vindiboy Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 You can drive to Santander from Calais in about 13 hours easy especially if you have 2 drivers , quicker than any ferry , quicker still from Caen or Le Havre , Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vindiboy Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 http://tinyurl.com/zcbx75x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricknsue Posted January 19, 2016 Author Share Posted January 19, 2016 Many thanks everyone for all your useful advice. Feel a bit happier now! We have to do the long drive and not the ferry as have our Westie with us! Vindiboy we are also in Southampton! Will look out for you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hagrid Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 Thanks for the advice. Traveling with our Cairn so, prefer shorter crossings, will probably stick to France till we can arrange a longer break. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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