Bilbao to Benidorm, Best route with caravan???
Bilbao to Benidorm
Hi Everyone I am looking for advice from someone that has done this journey before with a caravan in tow.I have checked the Michelin guide and I see that there are 3 recognised routes.Is there one any better than the other?I will be going on 25/3/17 so trying
to plan ahead.I am also thinking of doing it over the two days so any reccomendations on where would be a good place to stop would be welcomed.
Thanks in advance.
Comments
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Haven't done it with a caravan but the route via Zaragoza is probably most suitable. Virtually all on motorway, and you avoid the high pass N of Madrid. Many stop at the campsite at Zaragoza. Maybe someone who has stopped there can advise on its suitability.
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We stopped at the municipal site at Zaragoza in 2015, its all hardstanding and the facilities are fine, most only stop for the 1 night but they do sometimes host rallies, there was a Dutch rally there when we were there. Its easy to find, not the cheapest
at 29€ a night but is a very popular stopover site.0 -
I find the municipal campsite at Zaragoza quite acceptable for a short stay. I think it has had its ups and downs but I was there for one night this year and it was fine. I don't like going via Madrid, nothing wrong with this route it is just a personal choice but if you are docking in Bilbao, heading straight for Haro and Zaragoza is a good choice.
peedee
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Yes, if there's no snow then the route via Madrid is fine. We've stopped at Riaza a couple of time, just 10km off the motorway with good facilities and a pleasant town and square with shops and cafes. Going round Madrid we take the M50 which is further
from the centre and less busy.0 -
The Zaragoza route takes you on via Teruel which is statistically the coldest spot in Spain, although by late March this may only be problematic with the risk of frost/icy roads in early morning.
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Thanks for all the information,knew that I would get some response.
One thing I didn't ask does any of the routes take you up a lot of hills/mountain roads?
Will keep monitoring this as I have mentioned not leaving till March.
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WCB, as Peedee states, head towards Haro and then Zaragosa....there will be a longish steady climb up onto the central plain where it levels out for a large part of the journey.
there are a couple of aires in the Zaragosa area but most folk seem happy with the one popular campsite there...
the road will then drop and the A23 will take you almost to Valencia, its a really good road.
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The Zaragoza route takes you on via Teruel which is statistically the coldest spot in Spain, although by late March this may only be problematic with the risk of frost/icy roads in early morning.
Write your comments here...So is early February a bit dodgy with a caravan?
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The Zaragoza route takes you on via Teruel which is statistically the coldest spot in Spain, although by late March this may only be problematic with the risk of frost/icy roads in early morning.
Write your comments here...So is early February a bit dodgy with a caravan?
No, while it may be statistically the coldest spot in Spain it is all relative to quite a high Spanish ambient temperatures.
peedee
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The Zaragoza route takes you on via Teruel which is statistically the coldest spot in Spain, although by late March this may only be problematic with the risk of frost/icy roads in early morning.
Write your comments here...So is early February a bit dodgy with a caravan?
Speck, weve used the A23 route a couple of times in mid December with no problems, its mostly lovely wide dual carriageway.
subject to home circumstances (FIL new hip
) we should be coming down that way (via France) in mid January.0 -
The Zaragoza route takes you on via Teruel which is statistically the coldest spot in Spain, although by late March this may only be problematic with the risk of frost/icy roads in early morning.
Write your comments here...So is early February a bit dodgy with a caravan?
Speck, weve used the A23 route a couple of times in mid December with no problems, its mostly lovely wide dual carriageway.
subject to home circumstances (FIL new hip
) we should be coming down that way (via France) in mid January.Write your comments here...Thanks BB, why are you going via France?
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Poole to Cherbourg, then meeting friend with their dog who have to go via Dover...
not a lot in it cost wise. Cherbourg ferry only £150 ish.
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We use the A23 route at least five times a year and yes it does snow because it is high up but it is used mainly by HGV's. Came through in November to Bilbao and there was a bit of snow about but the Spanish are excellent at keeping it clear with snow ploughs
stationed every few miles.0 -
Sorry to have hijacked your post WCB. We are thinking of La Manga for a couple of months. We were thinkinking of 5 months but Red Pennant want extra £500 for 180 days as we're over 65! + Household insurance is 60 days away max or you don't get burgulary
cover! Thanks John0 -
Speck, you can usually get the ins companies to play ball...
our cover is 'only 60 days' i think but i just give them a rough heads up, pay them a small fee and then depart...
in the past, this has proved far cheaper thsn changing to C&CC and their 180 days cover, though i have tried on three occasions....
weve done the Santander and Bilbao crossings, and theyre fine....just one stop (Zaragosa) and then youre at Valencia.....
however, we will only stop three times in total from Cherbourg to Valencia...roughly somewhere north of Poitiers, then Bayonne(ish) then Zaragosa.
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Sorry to have hijacked your post WCB. We are thinking of La Manga for a couple of months. We were thinkinking of 5 months but Red Pennant want extra £500 for 180 days as we're over 65! + Household insurance is 60 days away max or you don't get burgulary
cover! Thanks JohnCaravan Club house insurance is for 90 days cover. If you haven't already taken out Red Penant have you considered others who do breakdown cover.
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One word of warning if you are stopping at Zaragoza and i wont mentiion the state of the site but make sure it is not a school holiday in Spain i got stung there last February with haif-term and they charged me 37 euros for one night no ACSI there.
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This year we used Greenflag + european breakdown cover for when we went to Spain/France, it covers you in the UK as well. We have always used RP before but they wouldn't cover our trailer if it broke down, so we looked around and Green Flag came up trumps
its also for 12mths, only breakdown cover mind so you will need to take out personal medical cover seperate, we have that with our bank so it wasn't a problem.0 -
We use Natwest for personal insurance and Saga for breakdown. You'd need to contact them but I believe their breakdown covers you for up to 6 months.
Crissy, OH tells me we now have SAGA breakdown for next season as he took it out with the van insurance, it runs for 12mths.
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TG, we use Saga and have a 'bolt on' UK cover for the car and Euro cover for the van....around £90 for the van, from memory.
just coming up to change end December so will check out latest figures...
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BB, when we renewed the van insurance Phil asked about the breakdown cover for europe. We still had cover through Greenflag left to run, but it was more cost effective to take out the cover with SAGA at the same time as renewing the insurance rather than
do it as a bolt on later.0 -
We had to use the Saga Breakdown cover last time we towed in France. They used the AA. There were a couple of issues which were down to the AA not Saga. I complained when we got back and I don't think those issues would have cropped up again for anyone else.
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BB, when we renewed the van insurance Phil asked about the breakdown cover for europe. We still had cover through Greenflag left to run, but it was more cost effective to take out the cover with SAGA at the same time as renewing the insurance rather than
do it as a bolt on later.hope i didnt confuse....i do as you and take it out at the time of renewal....i said 'bolt on' as its an option (as you know)....
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Thanks again everyone.This is why I love caravanning,everyone tries to help each other.
Keep the responses coming.My biggest concern is the route.I would prefer the route that will avoid hills or large gradients.Not too bothered which is longer just trying to avoid steep climbs.
Re other posts:I have family staying in Benidorm and I go regularly for holidays so I know what to expect.
Insurance.I have a good deal for European breakdown cover from ASDA for £135.00 for the year.Thought that was good for what you get.Worth checking it out.
PS:any other good tips keep them coming.
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We will be travelling from St Malo to Almeria in mid January. This year just by car, if we like it will return with our caravan in future years. Husband is cautious!
Had a look at Via Michelin and don't want to go further along the Spanish coast than necessary. We are aiming for Irun, then over to Spain. Is the N121A Irun to Pamplona route a bad choice? Or is the A15 from San Sebastion that much quicker? I read somewhere on here that there are more lorries on the N route, is that true for Sundays too?
I dont want to make the drive hard work, or we will never try it with the caravan!
Also before Christmas someone posted a link to check weather in the Pyrenees, I can't find it anymore.
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