Whether you want to extend your holiday with stopovers in France or Spain, or want to get to Ibiza as quickly as possible, driving to Ibiza from the UK can be a wonderful experience.
First and foremost ensure your car is up to the trip, and having European breakdown cover and a satnav is advisable. Also important is that your car is roadworthy in France and Spain – you MUST have the following:
- GB sticker
- Headlamp beam converters
- Warning triangle
- Hi-Visibility jacket
- NF approved breathalyser (France only)
You can buy these kits cheaply in the UK. Be warned, if pulled over by the police and found without one of these items it’s likely you’ll be given an on the spot fine.
Now, unless you plan to take the Eurotunnel through to Paris, you will be taking a ferry to Northern France or Northern Spain.
Driving through France Various route maps will generally take you along the same routes, and amount to roughly the same price, around £300 – £350 for your fuel and toll fares. You can drive it comfortably in a couple of days. Speaking from bitter experience, if your satnav tries to take you through Paris, ignore it!
Some would say it would be remiss to drive through France and not stop off for some sight seeing and wine tasting (the passengers of course.) The motorway drive is obviously the quickest, but should you wish to take your time (or avoid the tolls), there are many picturesque places to stop off along the way. If this is your choice, then plan carefully beforehand, particularly if you have booked your ferry for the Ibiza crossing.
The Ferry to Spain You can take the ferry from Plymouth to Santander, or Portsmouth to Santander or Bilbao. The crossing takes around 24 hours from Portsmouth and around 20 hours from Plymouth. It’s advisable to book a cabin, particularly if you plan to leave your immediate destination for Ibiza when you dock; it is another minimum 10 hour drive when you alight in Spain!
Driving through Spain Once in Spain, your drive offers magnificent scenery, coastline and architecture. Once again, be aware of your timing before digressing from your route. You have the choice of four crossing points to Ibiza:
- Barcelona
- Alicante
- Valencia
- Denia - Denia is the shortest crossing and therefore the quickest, however most of the crossings offer a faster boat at extra cost.
Whatever your experience in travelling to Ibiza, the sight of the island getting closer and closer is one to savour and one that will stick in the memory. All your experiences lead to this point so kick back, relax, and let your holiday begin with a fantastic view.
Ferry Companies Traveling to Ibiza
Trasmediterranea:
From Barcelona, Valencia and Denia.
Timetables and bookings: +34 902 454 645
Balearia
From Barcelona and Denia.
Timetables and bookings for Barcelona: +34 933248980 for Denia: +34966428600
Iscomar
From Barcelona and Denia.
Timetables and bookings: +34 971437500