Driving Santander, Spain to the Algarve

Clipped from barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com

Santander, Spain to the Algarve Did the run from Lagos through Spain (100km from Santander) to Brittany, then Limoges region and then back to Lagos in the Algarve, a couple of weeks ago. 5000km in 10 days. Aaargh! Have done this run several times in recent years, on me tod and with the other half who is an excellent co-driver. If both of you drive Santander to the Algarve should be doable in +-11hrs. (Stops included) We ran back from Le Moggies and overnighted in Northen Spain just outside Burgos. The next day we ran the full way back to Lagos in about 10hrs 30 mins - Both of us driving. I have done the run from Lagos to Burgos myself non-stop and ended up talking Spanish to myself and overdosing on Tapas and Beer. You both need to drive to avoid insanity. Recommended route to avoid tolls wherever possible, benefit from lower cost fuel in Spain and see wonderful country is Santander, Palencia, Valladolid, Salamanca, Caceres, Merida, Seville, Huelva, Ayamonte, the Algarve. It is Motorway all the way. As regards security of the car, I always unload even if the car is in secure parking - its just not worth it in any country these days. If you really want to stop somewhere with parking, there is the IBIS in Salamanca. (But its right in town and a pig to find.) Near Seville, heading south towards Huelva and just behind IKEA, there is the Leflet Castilleja la Cuesta. Underground secure parking but the ramp is very very steep and there are only a couple of restaurants nearby. However, its reasonably cheap and v. clean. Read more at barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com

 

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Santander (Spain) to the Algarve by train

It is will be difficult to get from Santander to the Algarve by train.

According to Renfe.es, the Spanish Train operator, there is only one through route:

This will involve travelling Santander to Madrid and then night train to Lisbon. Thereafter, a Portuguese Railways train ( http://www.cp.pt ) to the Algarve

There is currently a train departure from Santander at 14:05 arriving in Madrid at 18:33, There may be a station change in Madrid but this not clear from the renfe website. The night train to Lisbon Gare Orient departing at 22:25 and arriving at 07:30 the next day. This will connect with the 08:40 departure for the Algarve.

Alternatively, there is a daily regional service leaving Santander for Valladolid at 16:55 arrivng 21:00. Sunday to Friday there is a service departing 19:20 arriving Valladolid at 22:35. The Paris to Lisbon Express passes through Valladolid and departs at 03:20 arriving Lisbon Gare Oriente at 10:54. There is a departure for the Algarve at 13:20 from Lisbon Gare Oriente.

Please note that this is not shown as a through route on any timetables and I suspect one would have difficulty buying through tickets.

If you visit my blog:

http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com/

»» Scroll down on the right hand side until you come to the panel entitled "Algarve & Portugal - Travel Transport Links"

You will find links to certain Portuguese Railways Timetables.

Santander, Spain to the Algarve

Did the run from Lagos through Spain (100km from Santander) to Brittany, then Limoges region and then back to Lagos in the Algarve, a couple of weeks ago. 5000km in 10 days. Aaargh!

Have done this run several times in recent years, on me tod and with the other half who is an excellent co-driver.

If both of you drive Santander to the Algarve should be doable in +-11hrs. (Stops included)

We ran back from Le Moggies and overnighted in Northen Spain just outside Burgos. The next day we ran the full way back to Lagos in about 10hrs 30 mins - Both of us driving.

I have done the run from Lagos to Burgos myself non-stop and ended up talking Spanish to myself and overdosing on Tapas and Beer. You both need to drive to avoid insanity.

Recommended route to avoid tolls wherever possible, benefit from lower cost fuel in Spain and see wonderful country is Santander, Palencia, Valladolid, Salamanca, Caceres, Merida, Seville, Huelva, Ayamonte, the Algarve. It is Motorway all the way.

As regards security of the car, I always unload even if the car is in secure parking - its just not worth it in any country these days.

If you really want to stop somewhere with parking, there is the IBIS in Salamanca. (But its right in town and a pig to find.)

Near Seville, heading south towards Huelva and just behind IKEA, there is the Leflet Castilleja la Cuesta. Underground secure parking but the ramp is very very steep and there are only a couple of restaurants nearby. However, its reasonably cheap and v. clean.

Lagos, Algarve to Santander, Spain

There is no cheap and quick way to get from Lagos, Portugal to Santander, Spain. It practically impossible to do the trip cheaply in one day.

The following to me seems to be the best option:

Train:(Daily)

20h16 21h55

LAGOS: 20:16
FARO: 21:55
Change trains at Tunes Junction.

Price: € 12:85

Earlier train at 19:15 - Price: € 6.15

Walk to Faro Bus Station.

Bus: (Daily) (operated by www.alsa.es)

FARO: 01:45
SEVILLA: 05:45

Change bus:

SEVILLA: 09:30
SANTANDER: 22:00

Price: € 49,32

Have a look at this recent article on my blog which will give some explanation although it pertains to doing the trip the other way.

http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com/search?q=Santander

Driving UK to Algarve

A lot of people use the Portsmouth or Plymouth to Santander route, Others use St. Malo.

As regards coming through France be aware that there all tolls most of the distance from Calais jusqu'a Bordeaux as well as in Northern Spain.
I have twice driven from Lagos to the Nantes/Brittany region in the past couple of years.

My preferred route has been Faro to Seville, Seville to Salamance via Merida, Salamanca to Valladolid, Burgos and then Irun. Irun to Bordeaux and then Niort.
From there you can strike out to St. Malo, via Nantes, or via Tours, Le Mans, Rouen, Abbeville, Boulogne, to Calais.

My reason for preferring to run down via Spain on this route is that the price of fuel is cheaper in Spain than in Portugal, and there are no tolls once you are clear of Burgos.

If you are on a budget, there are very good deals to be had at Formule1/ETAP/IBIS hotels which dot the route.They are all part of the ACCOR Hotel Group. I have stayed at the ETAP Bordeaux South, IBIS Irun, Etap Valladolid, IBIS Salamanca and IBIS Seville.

I would suggest that in Summer you do not try to push it unless you have aircon in the car. Spain will be hot.

I would run:

Calais to Irun on Day one. About 10,5 hours. (+ add time crossing from the UK)

Irun to Seville or Faro on Day two: About 12 hours.

For the route from Santander if you come by ferry, see this article on my blog:
http://bit.ly/a4HOL1

travel from santander to luz

In my opinion, although it is about 100 km longer than the most direct route, the best and most economical route from Santander, Spain to Praia da Luz, Portugal is via Valladolid, Salamanca, Merida, Seville, Ayamonte and Lagos.

Apart from 20km south of Salamanca where the road is being upgraded to motorway, this route is dual carriageway most of the way and has no tolls. Additionally, fuel is considerably cheaper in Spain, so it pays to travel in Spain as much as possible.

A Route Map is shown below:(Click on full screen to view)

santanderluz

Santander to Porto by Train

At present train travel between Spain and Portugal is difficult as there are only 4 trains a day between the two countries. This will all change in a few years when the new TGV style high speed train network enters service.

You trip will require at least two changes:

Service as follows:

Santander 16:55
Valladolid 21:07 (Mondays to Saturdays).
Valladolid 03:20 (Sud Express)
Coimbra-B 08:49
Coimbra-B 09:29
Porto 10:39

For more information see the sites of:

Renfe - Spanish Railways - renfe.es
CP - Portuguese Railways - cp.pt

Coimbra & Porto to San Sebastian

Coimbra is definitely worth a visit.

It is one of the oldest Universities in Europe with roots dating back to the 1200's. 

The student life melds with the fabric of the city

Its location on the Mondego River has been historically critical and there have been settlements there or near there since roman time. 

For some more info have a look at this recent article:

http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.pt/2013/01/coimbra-portugal.html

There are plenty of low-cost pensions in Coimbra. 

There is also a "Pousada de Juventude", state youth hostel.

See also: http://www.turismodecoimbra.pt/index.php?lang=en

As regards travelling to San Sebastian/Donastia from Porto you basically have two routes:

1) Through Galicia via Vigo, Santiago da Compostela, La Coruna, Oviedo, Santander and Bilbao. 

2) Via Salamanca, Valladolid, Burgos, Vitoria, and Bilbao.

This can all be done by long distance coach (See: alsa.es) or train. (See renfe.es / www.cp.pt) 

On both routes, there are historic cities worth visiting. In Bilbao you also have the Guggenheim.

There are other cities in the region like Zamora, Ourense, and Leon among others that might interest you.

Basically you need to have a look at the articles on these cities on wikipedia. Decide which ones interest you and then plan your itinerary from there.