Is it Cheaper to Drive to Spain or go by Ferry? We have the Costs.

We continue our journey to Portugal driving down the remainder of France to the Spanish border. We work out how much it has cost us for a week of travelling and compare that to what it would cost to travel by Ferry.
In the first part of this video, we park up at a beautiful fishing lake in the middle of France that we found by using the park4night app. We meet up with Keith and Lisa on their way back to the UK and chat about their trip and find out some nice places to visit.
If you would like to see more Aires and Camping places in the UK then CAMpRA needs active members to help to grow the UK Aires network.
CAMpRA has created a library of documents and letter templates which you can use to contact your local businesses or councils to show them how they can create an Aire to help increase their income. For further details please visit their website campra.org.uk/
Next on our trip we visit Oradour sur Glane and find out about the horrific massacre that occurred during the end of the second world war. It's quite shocking to see what happened to these poor french people and it does make you appreciate what you do have. If you would like to visit click this link for more details www.oradour.org/
We add up the costs of our week-long trip through France and compare this with the cost of getting a Ferry from the UK to Spain to see which is the cheaper and quicker option. find out what the result was at the end of the video.
We do hope you enjoy following us on our trip through Portugal in our self-built camper van, living the vanlife dream, totally off-grid and travelling full time through Europe.
Please SUBSCRIBE to the channel and give the videos a thumbs up.
Best wishes and Happy Travels
Greg and Lou
#vanlifeeurope #gregvirgoe #offgrid

[@GregVirgoe]

Sorry, I forgot to add the cost of the tunnel crossing for a true comparison. So our tunnel crossing cost us £140. £140 tunnel, £150 Fuel, £20 tolls is still only £310 plus a bit of food for half a day driving. It may be more relaxing to take the ferry to Spain but it's not cheaper and it's not quicker.

[@gereshomeE]

I want to just RELAX and EAT and read a good book! I've been thinking/planning this for ages...! ☺

[@ML-jr1yz]

The best is you get a nice rest in your van compared to 33 hours in a seat in the ferry

[@mick632]

We are crossing from Portsmouth to Santander on the 25th November, £430 including cabbin and meals.

[@gereshomeE]

@@mick632 ¡Buen viaje! ☺

[@martinheath836]

@@mick632 it's a matter of choice. We ferried down like you and drove back up thriugh France slowly for 90 days without retracing our steps.

[@jasonkay-sourcedproperty]

Were doing Plymouth to Santander in April and its only 20 hours. About £600 inc 4 berth cabin and some food etc. We only have a month so wan't to get to southern Spain as quickly as possible. The ferry is far more relaxing than driving 800 + miles. 12 hours by car is probably 3 good days of driving in a motorhome too. There are obviously good points to both options, so happy days.

[@1JYNOT]

Great vid Greg, that first park up, wow!!! Have a safe journey, you & Lou.

[@GregVirgoe]

Yeah, there are some beautiful places and so well provided for too.

[@antoniomonteiro6008]

Thanks Greg and Lou this looks the start of a great adventure 👍 😊 watching these videos bring back so many lovely memories. Being portuguese I've done this journey so many many times driving through the length of France and across Spain and Portugal on out way to our hometown, first as kids every year in the back of our parents cars and later as adults in our own car with our 3 children in the back. Thanks again and looking forward to the next chapter. Safe travels.

[@GregVirgoe]

Thank you for supporting our channel and i'm pleased that you are enjoying the videos :D

[@marcgilmour4726]

Great video. The joy of travelling through France and enjoying the country outweighs any positives of the ferry

[@GregVirgoe]

Absolutely 😊

[@MrInspirador]

Excellent ,informative as always Greg,⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@GregVirgoe]

Thank you Scott 👍🏼😊

[@rogertaylor2924]

Excellent vid Greg......one of your best!.. you ain't lost the knack!😃👍

[@GregVirgoe]

I really do appreciate this comment as I find the tour videos especially hard to produce, so thank you very much :D

[@eddiekelly8124]

Never stop Greg, your Videos are priceless, Top man .

[@GregVirgoe]

That’s very nice of you, thanks 😊

[@Scud_and_thesTig]

Great to see you both on the road again. Great video. 👍💙❤️

[@GregVirgoe]

Thanks for following our trip 👍🏼😊

[@garytraynor6963]

Love the video we must try this next year keep em coming Thank you 2

[@UrbanVanlife]

first 10 seconds and im sold , what a spot that is , great find guys hope your both well, and wow that poor village , such a sad story there

[@GregVirgoe]

Thanks for following us guys, yeah there are loads of beautiful park-ups over here, we are getting spoilt rotten. :D

[@jockecathy9870]

Hello Greg! Great video as always. With rv-travelling the roadtrip itself is the goal, you wont miss a thing unless you choose too. You meet nice people, great scenery and so on. Thanks for sharing and keep on uploading videos! Cheers from Jocke & Cathy

[@GregVirgoe]

Thank you both. Yes I prefer to explore new places too and you do get to meet some lovely people in this community. Much like yourselves 🤩👍🏼

[@ian_morg]

A great video with everything, thanks Greg!

[@GregVirgoe]

Great to see your comments mate 👍🏼🤩

[@RedBatteryHead]

Travel is about seeing stuff too. Makes the trip more impressive and nice.

[@stephenbergin9184]

Hi Greg fantastic vlog great to see you both travelling again. Looking forward to the next vlog Steve b U.K. 👍

[@GregVirgoe]

Thank you so much for following us Steve 👍🏼😊

[@kieranking8657]

Great video I love the reviews of the Aires you stop at, and I totally agree that the driving option is so much better if you have no time restraints for the journey, I'm looking forward to next leg, bon voyage👍

[@GregVirgoe]

I like to show those watching what you can expect to get over here and how easy it is to travel and camp here. So hopefully it will give others the confidence to do the same.

[@GaryThomsonJoinery]

Thanks Greg & Lou This was a really good video, shocking reminder of history. Thank you so much for putting these videos together, it’s a lot more than half an hour 👍 Gary.

[@GaryThomsonJoinery]

Just having an evening catch up with your videos 😄

[@GregVirgoe]

Thank you for watching mate, I often flick back through your back catalogue and re watch a few of your old videos. Love the little comedy bits you put in. I won’t forget the carpainter one 😂🤩

[@davidanderson5893]

Good video Greg. Perfect way to pass time whilst I recover. :)

[@GregVirgoe]

Hi Dave, so sorry to hear you had to be rushed into Hospital mate, I'm glad that you were on shore at the time. Wish you a very speedy recovery and hope to see you both again very soon. Take care :D

[@MrBatchy123]

Thank you for sharing as always

[@GregVirgoe]

Thank you for watching :D

[@TheBabblingBrookes]

Nice, just a nice nice catch up from you both. We are on the tunnel 6th December as opted for the slow road through France on the way to Portugal/Spain 😊

[@GregVirgoe]

I’m sure you’ll love it there’s so much to see and amazing parking places. Top tip… the Total garages in France are very cheap for fuel there is one just as you get off the train in Calais terminal. 👍🏼🤩

[@kenredgate3690]

We go Newhaven Dieppe which costs £160 return , is two hours further south than Calais and is less crowded .

[@GregVirgoe]

We did that Ferry crossing on our first trip to Europe. Have you ever done the tunnel?

[@kenredgate3690]

@@GregVirgoe yes , but Newhaven was cheap .

[@oldcoger54]

And you have a 20% discount if you're 60+ on the Newhaven Dieppe crossing. Another thing to factor in on the ferry to Santander is the cost of food. I'm sure Greg will have spent about the same amount on his journey through France as a couple travelling on the Santander ferry!

[@GregVirgoe]

@@oldcoger54 I’ve got a few years to go before I qualify for that discount 😂🤩

[@kenredgate3690]

@@oldcoger54 you only get the discount if you book by phone . I have just tried to book on line and no mention of discount so I rang them . Just paid £154 return which I thought was a good deal .

[@ciaranoconnor6783]

“Remember that happiness is a way of travel, not a destination.”

[@GregVirgoe]

Absolutely it’s all about the Journey 👍🏼🤩

[@ronbooth1382]

Love this video Greg, very informative altho' the little village story was heartbreaking. Give our love to Lou and we will see you both very soon we hope.

[@GregVirgoe]

Thank you for watching Ron, yes, the info inside the museum was much more graphic too, and left us all very quiet after that visit. See you both before Xmas, love to you both xx

[@ML-jr1yz]

Thanks for the compliments regarding Portugal.

[@GregVirgoe]

We love Portugal, the People and the Scenery are beautiful.

[@ML-jr1yz]

You may be interested in Serra da estrela, on the way to the top stop in local shops where they sell fresh chease and other goodies .

[@tituslane4929]

Good to see you on the road again...

[@GregVirgoe]

Thanks 👍😊

[@markpullinger3916]

Really good video thank you 😊

[@lanodramallama]

Lovely video, Greg, going to check out the spot by the lake for myself. Just a quick thank you as well for all your van build tutorials. I finished my conversion just over a year ago and the floor, electrics and curtains are all looking and functioning well off the back of your excellent advice. Cheers! Ed

[@GregVirgoe]

Awesome, thank you! Hope you have many happy travels in it too :D

[@valerieeldridge-doyle2172]

You can have a look in the north of Haute Vienne, that is where you will find this place !

[@WattsOccurring]

Driving it is then, I loved this video and Lou's cooking made me feel so hungry...it looked lush! Can't beat a roast xxx

[@GregVirgoe]

We normally have meat and 3-4 veggies most days, good wholesome food :D

[@nickhoward9343]

Thanks greg really good content yet again 😉

[@GregVirgoe]

I'm pleased you liked it Nick :D

[@lharrobang]

Really enjoy your videos, your voice is super relaxing

[@GregVirgoe]

Thank you so much. That very nice of you 🙏🏼🤩

[@tamlyon4435]

Wonderful information Greg 👍

[@GregVirgoe]

Thank you very much Tam

[@craster_van_kippers]

Didn’t expect so much of us in your vid. I’m clearing a place for my BAFTA. Lisa made full use of that parkup. It deffo one that we’ll use again. Thanks for the tip. Can’t wait to see Debs n Marty in your next one. We loved meeting them in Portugal.

[@GregVirgoe]

Maybe create more content for your channel, you’re a natural in front of the camera. It was nice spending a couple of days with you both. See you again soon. 👍🏼

[@joline2730]

Bafta 😆😆😆🤣🤣🤣

[@joline2730]

@@GregVirgoe what's their channel called ??

[@WearAway]

Ya famous keith & Lisa and omg we looked rough 🤣🤣🤣 it was a pleasure spending time with yas and hopefully cyas on the road soon xxxx

[@craster_van_kippers]

Hiya Debs. If I wasn’t such a lazy sod I’d put my own stuff out. Got loads of build stuff but I’ve always got something else to do.

[@SandVan]

Great video Greg ❤🚐

[@GregVirgoe]

Glad you liked it 😃

[@ezioauditore3128]

Always a pleasure to see a new GV video up. I've done the Plymouth Santander trip - it's a biggie but saves on mileage and petrol. Depends if you want to bypass France I guess. I hear that Greece and Cyprus have reopened ferries - handy because Cyprus will remain non-Schengen - but I hear it's a 30 hour crossing. 🤢

[@GregVirgoe]

Good News about Cyprus as the options are getting fewer now that Croatia will be entering the Schengen and I believe that Bulgaria too is bound to enter at some stage.

[@beaulunaedvantures]

Lovely video Greg and Lou, that fishing spot looked very peaceful. I love it when you can see the billions of stars at night - so amazing! Watched a program years ago about the village and what happened with the residents and the retreating German army, such a sad event unbelievable that there are still wars raging really when you look historic events like this 😢 Enjoy Spain and Portugal, we had the best times travelling through there 😊

[@GregVirgoe]

It’s amazing what you can see with your eyes that the camera just doesn’t pick up. Fascinating to look into the night sky 😃

[@JensGraikowski]

That face of yours in the thumbnail is brilliant! 😂🤣😂

[@GregVirgoe]

You should see all the others that didn't make it the thumbnail, scary :D lol

[@JensGraikowski]

@@GregVirgoe 🤣😂🤣

[@vegforce4518]

Nice to see you on the move again. Be sure to fill up in Spain if you are coming to Portugal. Fuel in Spain gets a 0,30€ discount on marked (sign) price.

[@GregVirgoe]

Yes, we did get the discounts in Spain and that was a welcome surprise :D

[@valerieeldridge-doyle2172]

I can’t believe it ! Your parked up at étang de la Bregères was 10 minutes from where I live ! We went there during the summer, it’s a great place and it was not that busy as well ! I would have been so surprised bumping in to you !

[@GregVirgoe]

It’s a small world. We did bump into a guy walking his dog that lived local and had watched our earlier videos. He was very surprised to see us there too 😃

[@skcapture]

Been awhile since I log onto your video. I just retired this year and hope to use your resource to rv around Europe. Thanks keep it up. More route and camp sites info please.

[@FlorryTheLorry]

' Souviens Toi' Loved the filming and talking through what happened. I've been visiting this place since I was little as family lived nearby here and it was a horror for many. Sadly genocide has happened again since and we need to keep highlighting the need for peace ☮️ thank you for highlighting this place so well. It's moving each time you go. Each time I cry and everytime we go photos feel different. Did you notice how eerily quiet it is in the village ? 👍🚛🐾🙏☮️

[@GregVirgoe]

It was a tough decision to film or not but I think it's ok to spread awareness of what happened. Definitely was a humbling experience.

[@FlorryTheLorry]

@@GregVirgoe totally agree. They want people to remember and spread the word of remembrance. We see people taking selfie photos and that's not to nice to see. Yours was beautifully, tastefully done. Thank you. I take photos every time we go but never thought to video and the voice over too was great 👍👍😘🐾🚛

[@GregVirgoe]

@@FlorryTheLorry thank you 🙏🏼 that’s very kind 😊

[@joline2730]

@@GregVirgoe I too cried on watching this horror - oh man's inhumanity ☹ As said, it was very tastefully done and brought the reality home very well. Thanks 🙏

[@GregVirgoe]

@@joline2730 thank you for your kind comment 🙏🏼😊

[@garethlewis3647]

Very interesting throughout. I must be honest i had never heard of this place before so another record of the war to add to my History book.

[@GregVirgoe]

It’s quite shocking what actually happened there. Both interesting and sad to read about it.

[@peterfinch3548]

Interestingly, Plymouth to Santander on the Pont Aven with Brittany Ferries only takes 20 hours. We paid £565 which included a pet friendly cabin for our crossing mid October. As we had a limited amount of time for our holiday we decided to take the ferry out and take a leisurely drive around northern Spain and back through France. As you say, the cost of driving versus ferry is cheaper, but our route suited our needs better and allowed us to maximise the time we had for our holiday. Horses for courses I guess. We visited Oradour-sur-Glane on our journey north and it was a sombre visit for us too. However, I am really pleased we made the time to go there as it certainly made us reflect on the horrors of war.

[@Pugwash.]

We got the ferry to Santander when we just took a car. We then drove down to Valencia to a villa for 3 weeks. When we took the van we used the tunnel and tore through France to tour Spain. I sort of wish I'd taken longer, as France was nicer than I expected.

[@GregVirgoe]

There are some lovely places in France and it’s such a huge country too 😊

[@tooyoungtobeold8756]

I agree with you re. driving down to Spain. We did it last year, but I panicked on the way back, after hearing stories of fuel shortages in France and bought a ferry ticket, Santander to Portsmouth. Then we ended up driving through France - no fuel problems. I was unable to get a refund for the ferry ticket, so we changed the date and route - Portsmouth to Bilbao. 2 nights on the ferry, includes a cabin and dinner etc. We will treat it as a mini cruise. Going en of May 2023. Then it is across the south of France to Italy, down Italy, across to Corfu, then the mainland and possibly to Istanbul, then back up through the Balkans etc. we only have a small camper (VW california), so we use campsites. Should be good though. Thanks for the video.

[@GregVirgoe]

I hope it all goes well for you. I hope you get a quieter cabin than ours from Italy to Croatia all I could hear was the loud drone of the engines. Got no sleep at all. Would have been better staying at the bar and getting drunk till I passed out 😵😂🤣🍻🍻

[@tooyoungtobeold8756]

@@GregVirgoe Where did you sail from, that sounds like an interesting route? And did you book or just turn up?

[@GregVirgoe]

@@tooyoungtobeold8756 we sailed from Bari to Dubrovnik and booked online with the Croatia ferry company a couple of days before.

[@WearAway]

Aww great vlog 😊 it was amaziballs seeing yas again mushypeas we loved spending time with our good friends sir greg and lady lou once again totally missed yas really but don't tell them 😉 looking forward to when yas get back 🍻🍻 we met Keith and Lisa too fab couple they are and hope to meet them both again on the road soon keep safe my chuckyeggs look forward to the next one 🤣🥰😘😘

[@GregVirgoe]

You guys are great fun to be with and we love spending time with you. Looking forward to catching up again very soon xx Take care

[@WearAway]

@@GregVirgoe aww lovely words ❤️ 😝🤪🤪🤪 can't wait 😊 🤗 💗

[@stephenfloat1260]

That depends on a lot variables what port you leave from if your still working or lucky enough to have packed up if you use route nationals or payage

[@gereshomeE]

I'm thinking the same BUT I just want get down south and safely! ☺

[@dannyblair5556]

Great video as always Greg, I have driven so many motorhomes or cars and caravans from Portugal and Spain back to the UK, it is always quicker driving, and more fun. I was doing it for insurance companies so I was doing around 500 miles per day. I plan to do it all again when I retire, I am very jealous watching you and good lady experiencing the joys of European travel. Some of the places you stop, would you consider giving the exact location using "What three words"? It is pin point accurate and would help share the specific locations being recommended for overnight stops, especially the ones off the beat and track.

[@re33ce]

Very Tranquil location enjoy both ❤🍽🥂

[@GregVirgoe]

Thank you :D

[@kevgermany]

Thanks to both of you. I couldn't visit that village. Would wreck me. Dachau was too much. I always take the ferry for the channel. Makes a nice break on what is often a long drive. But other routes I'd rather drive.

[@GregVirgoe]

Sure the time to relax is one of the major plus sides of the ferry, of course, that's if you can get a cabin. I don't think I would fancy 33hrs trying to sleep in a chair. We had a cabin on the ferry to Dubrovnic and neither of us slept at all because of the massive engine noises.

[@kevgermany]

@@GregVirgoe took an overnight ferry from Kiel to Gothenburg once. Tiny cabin for 5, but no noise. Must have been lucky. Didn't sleep much.

[@vanlovefest]

Great video Greg 👍🏻 Send some Spanish sunshine back to the UK

[@GregVirgoe]

It’s been a bit of a mixed bag mate, mostly rain but last few days sun has tried to come out. Only 300k from Algarve so fingers crossed 🤞🏼🌞🌤️😎

[@DAZSAVENTURESINWONDERLAND]

their is a great campsite just down the road from MONT SAINT MICHEL, that hire out six berth huts cheaply ,great place to stay when on a motorcycle tour

[@mikebourke1185]

Good one Greg , very relaxed ..and peaceful...apart from that Village ..mans inhumanity to man..🤔 Stay Free and Safe Travels 👍😍

[@GregVirgoe]

Thanks, you too!😊

[@MartinAhlman]

I'm looking forward to when you come to Sweden. You can park up at our house in the tiny village we live in and drive through the south and north Dellen lakes! We have food as well ;-)

[@GregVirgoe]

We hope to travel to Sweden next summer at the start of next years trip :D

[@MartinAhlman]

@@GregVirgoe Drop by and say hi if you feel like it. We'd love to have you for dinner! Yes, there's room for the van as well :-D

[@Magnificent729]

Great video Greg. I know it’ll still work out cheaper to drive but, need to add in the cost of the ferry/train from UK to France. Thanks as always!

[@GregVirgoe]

The tunnel is only £140 for us so even with that added it still works out cheaper. :D

[@Magnificent729]

@@GregVirgoe knew it would!! Fairer comparison though and, having watched you from the start, I thought you’d like it just right 😁

[@Magnificent729]

@@GregVirgoe is that both ways? If so…. Wow! That’s a bargain! We have to travel either from Northern Ireland to GB and it’s at least twice that or more, or we go down to Rosslare to France - again super expensive. Perks of having a tunnel I guess. Have another wonderful trip. All the best to you both.

[@nealdaws]

Unfortunately diesel prices in France have returned to €2 I think the government rebate ended about middle of October..we used the plymouth roscoff ferry £600 return and quicker .....but we live in Devon. Driving thro France is part of the adventure...but if your heading somewhere specific a ferry if booked in advance and depending where you live can save time and fuel.. I guess its weighing up your individual trip ....fuel seems to be random at the moment. We just done sept/October roscoff France to South spainish coast via terifa back up to North Spain back to riscoff.

[@denisecafferky2248]

Thank you

[@GregVirgoe]

You’re welcome ☺️

[@maninavan.2043]

A gem of a place to spend some time to stop.

[@GregVirgoe]

Its incredible that there are so many like this in europe all over the place.

[@javivito4097]

Welcome to bask country.Enjoy.👍👍

[@GregVirgoe]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[@stephensampayo]

Hi Greg and Lou, if you make it to El Puerto de Santa Maria, Cadiz, Spain, we would be very happy to host you. You are very welcome. We met at the campervan show, Stratford-upon-Avon. All the best Monique and Steve.

[@GregVirgoe]

Thank you very much for your kind offer, it was a pleasure meeting you at Stratford. 👍🏼😃

[@russfoggan4092]

Greg, Laura and I are learning slowly lol

[@GregVirgoe]

I hope these videos are helpful to you both, happy travels :D

[@blackvulcan100]

Done both ways to Spain, now at my age it's ferry to northern Spain every time, more relaxing, yes a little more costly but for us well worth the extra cost.

[@GregVirgoe]

Yes, the strain of driving is the downside and providing you can get a comfy cabin its more relaxing by ferry i agree

[@blackvulcan100]

I did a reclining seat once as there was other option, never again.@@GregVirgoe

[@terrythomas3755]

Thanks Greg., Oradour is always very sombre experience, and should never be forgotten. The other part of this post I found sad, was the 90 day rule. Brexit was a high price to pay for the loss of freedom of movement.

[@GregVirgoe]

We were sold down the river by the serious lack of correct factual information as to what we were voting for. I’m sure there would be a different outcome if it was to go again.

[@karlospappy8908]

Hi Greg, I've always thought it was cheaper to drive, we did 3 weeks in Spain in September towing our folding camper, £244 return on Irish Ferries compared with £500 on the tunnel with the saving paying for our Diesel there and back. I was surprised to see how cheap fuel was in France and shocked at how expensive it was in Spain which we have found to be much cheaper normally. Food prices in Spain are now about the same as the UK which was also a surprise, wins is still cheap though. Cheers k.

[@GregVirgoe]

There was a discount applied in Spain at the till. But Portugal is very expensive for fuel at the moment. Nearly €2 a litre in some garages

[@TheMilford99]

Surprising last month i found the opposite with diesel in France about Euro 185,00 in France and in Spain as low as Euro 135,00. Same with food, and even beer in some bars Euro 3,00. even serving pints. Having had property in France, i always found it expensive, especially seafood.

[@craster_van_kippers]

I forgot to say earlier; when we were at the park up, a guy came up to me and asked, “is that Greg Virgoe?” He was a Greg original subscriber from long before we van people caught on. He has a house there and said his renovation was helped by watching Greg’s pre-van woodworking vids. Maybe we should all have a look.

[@MrTone41]

Hi great vid!! so ive just had a price with britany ferries in sept from portsmouth to santander, return and its £1150!! seems very expensive so i think driving maybe a better option.

[@ZerHour]

Looks amazing Greg n Lou , is there no problem with cars ,noise and general goings on at night ? Its just in the UK vanlife videos we seem to be constantly hearing of park ups that seem peaceful but then cars with loud music,flashing lights etc etc and general strange things seem to appear in the early hours ,not seen this in France or even Spain ,seems bizarre but definitely seems to be a UK thing ..very odd

[@GregVirgoe]

We have had a couple of car park stop overs in portugal where the local boy racers come in to tear up the car park, but in four years that's only happed twice so pretty good really.

[@raystewart6524]

Drove across France to Spain..ended up in Peniscola...it did actually work out cheaper to drive rather than ferry to Bilbao/Santander.. The driving didn't bother me ex truck driver...steady trek across France...aires on the way down at Buchy...Mery sur Cher..Rive la Gallard...all with EHU..average cost was like 5.50euros..always used the ferries

[@GregVirgoe]

That’s great Ray and you got to see some of beautiful France too 😃

[@LondonCarnaval]

Awesome 👌Super 🆒️ 👌 👍👍👍👏👏👏👌👌👌 ✌❤🍀

[@GregVirgoe]

Thank you so much 😊

[@GEOFF8406]

Great video as always. but to compare costs how much was the Ferry or Chunnel costs

[@GregVirgoe]

Please read my pinned comment.

[@philw4625]

Plymouth to Santander is a shorter crossing, so timing depends on how your journey is set up. A 20 hour crossing with most being overnight means that arrival times are quite 'similar' versus driving, and you aren't nearly as tired (assuming the bay of biscay isn't stormy!). Its definitely more expensive though - no debate, and less 'flexible'. Personally not a fan of long autoroute drives so happy to pay the extra cost for a relaxing journey, especially if you just want to 'get there'.

[@eddiekelly8124]

Fair point phil, totally get that point of view, but this platform is about vanlife, and van life isn't just about getting there, A to B asap isn't van life, but i do get your point.

[@philw4625]

@@eddiekelly8124 Indeed, fair point. If you're full van life, its less of an issue than if you've just got a couple of weeks off work and want to do a bit of Spain. Would love to have the time to just wander without a schedule, one day! (will probably need a bigger van for that though!). I have the same issue with Scandinavia - since the passenger ferries basically disappeared it puts it out of 'comfortable' reach for a 2 week holiday - i wish there was still a Norway ferry, or even a Danish one...

[@petergough2635]

We spent 5 nights travelling from Telford to Benicassim near Valencia via Calais and it worked out cheaper than going on the ferry to Santander. We could have done the trip quicker but we were not in a rush.

[@GregVirgoe]

But the journey you had along the way i bet was great :D

[@pamelaselway6669]

We used to go to Benicassim and always drove through tunnel, we have a cat, and through France. Different ways each time and was part of the holiday (although we were actually fulltiming). Loved going through different villages in France and Spain that you would never have normally visited. Visited Oradour a few times, really sad and thought provoking. We really miss living in van but watch utube instead. Good luck

[@kendibben3179]

Thanks Greg , always wondered the cost comparison. Greg you inspired me to do my own van conversion couple of yrs ago when you where doing yours, learnt a lot from you. Now after completing my off grid vwT5 we have been to France and all over the uk. We are not full time van lifers and when we plan long trips we can only go so far before we have to make the return back home for work. We where thinking if there was somewhere we could leave the camper on our route we could return a few months later to continue the onward travel, do you think this is possible ? To store the camper along a route to return later? Are there such places? 👍 ken

[@GregVirgoe]

I have spoke to English people in southern Portugal and Spain that leave their caravans in storage on campsites and fly out. It’s not something I have looked into but maybe a campsite would be your best option for long term storage

[@kendibben3179]

@@GregVirgoe thanks keep up the good work you do 👍

[@eamonn7777]

Hi Greg & Lou, as usual a great and informative video, Im currently in Northern Portgual and planning to travel south along the coast for the next few weeks, possibly travelling on to Morocco, if your travelling in the same direction, I would love to meet up, let me know if workable

[@GregVirgoe]

We are travelling down the N2 route through the centre. Only about a 1/3 down so give us a pm to see what we can arrange? 🤩

[@bazzainavan9442]

There is a Portsmouth-Caen route slightly cheaper than dover-Calais that will shave off possably150 miles off your journey cost £220 return but is 6 hours on ferry

[@GregVirgoe]

Not heard of that one, interesting, thanks

[@mrhbarker]

Well thats settled...by road it is!

[@GregVirgoe]

I'm sure you'll have an amazing trip.

[@ianward5272]

Greg, great video as always. I have a question for you and other vanlifers on here. I have wanted to build a van and travel around Europe ever since I saw your videos during lockdown, but I will have to wait to retire before doing so. Do you think 58 is too old for a life on the road?

[@GregVirgoe]

No, not at all there are many poeple much oldeer than that doign it :D I'm 54 and wouldn't class myself as old lol Just go for it!

[@ianward5272]

@@GregVirgoe Thanks.

[@johnparr6338]

You have't taken into account the cost of depreciation to the van due to the extra mileage. Also most people will buy a return ferry ticket which is less than double the single fare. If you factor these in then for most people it will be more cost-effective to take the ferry and much more relaxing.

[@daviddring8692]

Hi Greg. Think you forgot Ferry costing if driving down. Around £123 Probably still cheaper though

[@andybaker973]

Hi Greg I have a question. I have built a Renault Master in virtually the same config as your van. When I applied to register it as a motor caravan they knocked it back as it did not have 2 or more windows on one side ( same as yours). They have registered it as a van with windows. I believe your application was succesful, any thoughts ? Cheers Andy

[@GregVirgoe]

Yes, the requirements have changed since I built my van and the decks website should now list some additional requirements. Two windows being one of them. I do know of a few people that have managed to get theirs passed but you will need to comply with the latest requirements 😢👍🏼

[@tacticaladvance]

I have been in spain for the last 3 months and i am just doing the trip from east cost of spain/france to the tunnel it cost £190 no tolls. Ow i need to add in 2 speed camras flashes lol.

[@GregVirgoe]

Yeah they are cheeky buggers for disguising their cameras.

[@warrenshaw4508]

Hi Greg, just a bit of info regarding fines from speeding camera's within the EU. All changed when UK left the EU in Jan 2021 👍 Another great vid too 👌

[@GregVirgoe]

@@warrenshaw4508 what changed and what’s the bit of info? 🤓

[@warrenshaw4508]

youtube wont let me attach a link Greg, so I'll try old school 'copy and paste' :) Taken from AutoExpress 13.01.2021 UK drivers to escape EU speed camera fines due to Brexit. UK’s departure from the European Union puts an end to cross-border directive, leaving EU countries unable to enforce speeding penalties for drivers caught on speed cameras. Brexit brings with it many changes, and the latest to emerge is that speeding British drivers caught on speed cameras in European Union countries are unlikely to face penalties. This is because the UK’s departure from the EU ends an arrangement that previously allowed continental countries to pursue speeding offences committed by UK drivers abroad. The Cross Border Enforcement directive was introduced in 2015, and allowed authorities in EU countries to pursue drivers for motoring offences, as long as their car was registered in an European Union country. That arrangement has now come to an end thanks to Brexit, meaning the half-million-plus UK drivers caught by speed cameras in France each year would not face action once they returned home. Estimates from French motoring website Caradisiac put losses to French coffers at as much as €60 million (£53.4m) thanks to their inability to issue cross-border penalties. The end to cross-border enforcement works both ways, however, meaning UK authorities would be unable to issue tickets to EU drivers speeding here once they had arrived back in their homelands. British drivers caught by French police rather than automated speed cameras could still be issued with on-the-spot fines, however, while UK cops can require similar roadside deposits for drivers without a ‘satisfactory UK address’. French authorities are said to be seeking a bilateral arrangement with the UK, similar to the one they have with Switzerland, which would allow previous cross-border arrangements over speeding penalties to be restored, but such an agreement could take years to bring about.

[@GregVirgoe]

@@warrenshaw4508 that’s bloody brilliant mate, thank you for posting that. We did get a French ticket on our very first trip a few years ago before Brexit 😳

[@limekilnfarm9657]

Would you share the park 4 night you used by the lake? Would be a great stop over with the kids. The play park would be great to have on the door step!

[@GregVirgoe]

I wrote the name of the place on the screen at the start of the video 👍🏼😊

[@valerieeldridge-doyle2172]

It is in the north of Haute Vienne

[@GregVirgoe]

Here you go 46°11'21.6"N 0°50'31.1"E maps.app.goo.gl/rSvPDu55gQq2QWcM8?g_st=ic

[@InterceptorSC]

Book early get cabin and cheaper price join club voyage get 30% off .Plus have to factor in size of van a 5M swb van cheaper than 7 m sprinter .

[@GregVirgoe]

theres many ways to skin a cat , this was just comparing our trip :D

[@waynepem2227]

How much did you pay for the Dover crossing

[@TheMilford99]

Just did the journey (March 23) in my Peugeot Partner Teepee, mini camper, from Newhaven/ Dieppe, £83,00. 2 week return, rather more now. Diesel fuel in France is similar to UK. (no tolls to pay) on my route, but fuel much cheaper in Spain once over the border. So glad to be out of hellhole wild camping in Britain, where virtually no free parking anywhere, with almost every Spanish beach towns free to park, friendly people, with water and showers on almost every beach. Santander`s not as i used to remember it when flying Ryanair every month or two, as roads are chocobloc now, but all other places are great, with no chav or pleb Brits. Visited Guernica nearish to Bilbao, where Hitler and Mussolini bombed to bits.

[@TravelTrollsTV]

Plymouth to Santander is only 23hrs and £466 in October.

[@GregVirgoe]

Ok that is a little bit better option thanks guys 👍🏼

[@TravelTrollsTV]

@@GregVirgoe Having said that, Mazzy was sick as a dog all the way over lol

[@GregVirgoe]

@@TravelTrollsTV oh dear 😅 maybe not such a good idea 👍🏼

[@aidenvloggingltd]

live between Bordeaux and Saintes if ever you want somewhere to rest and to visit us

[@GregVirgoe]

Thank you very much, thats very kind :D

[@Struckgold]

Hi Greg, are you going to do a budget van/camper build?

[@GregVirgoe]

Yes it starts in Dec when we get back to the UK 🇬🇧

[@Struckgold]

@@GregVirgoe Ah fantastic, can't wait for it!

[@stephenfloat1260]

Then you've got to think about the drive from Essex to Portsmouth or to Dover which I hate driving to the best way for me is Harwich to the Hook as Harwich is only 15 miles from my location

[@GregVirgoe]

Yes and Harwich woudl be closer for us too, never thought of that, might try that next year, how long is the crossing?

[@stephenfloat1260]

@@GregVirgoe 6.30 mins it saves all that grief of Driving to Dover its £261 at the moment

[@GregVirgoe]

@@stephenfloat1260 that’s not bad is that for a return crossing?

[@ThePorridgeGobbler]

Who did you use for breakdown insurance etc.

[@GregVirgoe]

There are pros and cons, but i like to see some new places along the way and France is so easy to wild camp and well provided for motorhomes.

[@ollydogtravels9465]

greg did you know you can the tunnel for free, we have nver paid for the tunnel in 11 years of van life, shop at tescos and the point system is tripled if you use then for the ferry or tunnel. cannot belive more are not doing it, just give it a go. We only pay fot the dogs

[@GregVirgoe]

Wow I didn’t know that. We don’t shop atTesco but maybe we should 🤔😃

[@anewlifeinportugal]

Euro tunnel? Wear and tear? Schengen Days lost traveling... Think I will still take the ferry

[@GregVirgoe]

OK so the tunnel was £140 and I've already explained that it's a third of the time so Schengen days are much less driving down. Your choice but driving is quicker and cheaper. :D

[@martinheath836]

I dont wish to criticise but unless I missed it (in which case I do apologise) you didn't add the cost of the crossing from UK to France in your budget. Not much, I know but worth factoring in. Nice videos. It would be good to have the approximate dates of your trip and parkups so that if we were interested in a similar trip we would het an idea of how busy places might be and weather conditions might be at certain times of year.

[@GregVirgoe]

So you obviously missed the pinned comment at the top of the comments section while you were busy writing your own comment. :D twice lol

[@martinheath836]

@@GregVirgoe I did. So sorry. But I would suggest a timeline for your stops if possible.

[@-COBRA]

how does it feel to drive a van with steering wheel on right side on mainland european roads?

[@GregVirgoe]

I driven both types of vehicle over here and i much prefer what i am used to because its one less thing to think about and you can just concentrate on the road ahead. when the gear stick is inthe other hand it does mess with you head a little.

[@conoromeara8974]

This might be a stupid question! Can you spend the time on the ferry in your van, sleeping, etc?

[@GregVirgoe]

No, you are not allowed to stay in your vehicle on the car deck. You have to leave it and go up to the lounge.

[@selfbuiltcampervans]

have u a p4n link to that spot by lake please greg

[@GregVirgoe]

Just type the name on the screen into google maps it's the easiest way :D

[@davidfoster9890]

What happened to the original plan to carry a motorbike in the van?

[@GregVirgoe]

You will find out the outcome of that when we got to the IOM TT next year 😆👍🏼

[@derekt7606]

Need to do more research. Cost me an extra £200 to use the ferry kept Mike's off MH and relaxed able to have a beer or two not worry about driving. Cabin spotless hot shower comfy bed.

[@GregVirgoe]

Nice one! Just the one beer :D lol

[@brismith2728]

Tools and did you miss getting from England to France?

[@GregVirgoe]

Please see the pinned comment at the top :D lol

[@juliemarkham7481]

What about the cost of the crossing from the UK to France? Eurotunnel is about £200 now. Can you update your costing please?

[@GregVirgoe]

Sorry, see my pinned comment above, Our tunnel crossing was £140 in Sept so not bad at all.

[@user-px4iu1gx8c]

Hello Julie, how are you doing today, hope you’re fine and safe from the Virus??

[@jamesperry5457]

From my house it's about 16170kms. How big is the fuel tank on the van?😜

[@GregVirgoe]

Lol wow 🤩 that is a long trip 😃