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I think you need to start comparing prices as soon as they are announced, around September/October time.  Get quotes from the Ferry Companies, and then organisations such as the Caravan Club, Camping Cheques, Eurocamp Independent, Alan Rogers, and so on - there are often 'competing' special offers around at this time of year. 

It's not likely you'll get a really cheap crossing, but you might slice something off the price of around £1,000 - however with a caravan it's likely to remain completely out of our league at least as we don't spend that much on our whole holiday! 

It never really is cheap I am afraid. And it is a long crossing!

We are also in Somerset and we go to Folkstone/Calais and use the tunnel. The drive down and back becomes part of the holiday rather than a chore.

Quote: Originally posted by naebother on 02/3/2010

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After September there will only be one ferry going direct to spain, as P&O are withdrawing their service to Bilbao

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I think if the ship sailed daily you could do it as quickly as you say, but there are limited sailings per week now - and you'd struggle within a two week holiday to get there and back. 

One of the advantages of the short crossings is that if you miss a sailing there is always another along within an hour or so.  We were put off the Portsmouth crossings years ago when we very nearly missed our sailing.

Easiest way is to learn to love the drive, I think!  We do, now that we don't have children with us - we just enjoy it wherever we are, finding nice places to stop and picnic, taking in the sights, and enjoying what rural (off the autoroute) France has to offer.

We stopped going on the Plymouth - Santander route last year because of the cost, I just couldn't justify the £1000+ cost so we switched to Plymouth -Roscoff. (With Plymouth on our doorstep we have been on the deck of the ferry within 30 mins after leaving home)

The kids loved the ferry to Spain, it was a great start and end to the holiday. Northern Spain was fantastic, great beaches that were pretty quiet. The weather could be a bit variable but we will return there one day.

We have looked at going from other ports and driving but I can drive anything up to 1000 miles a week so I take every opportunity to avoid it when on holiday ( Mrs P's driving is bad enough in the UK without being on the wrong side of the road so sharing the drive is not really an option.)

 I am saving airmiles though, I cleared my account out two years ago and got around a £400 discount the last time we went to Santander which made the bill a bit easier to swallow.

CP