I know this has been asked before but......

[Lesley Jean]

I can't find exactly what I am looking for so.............

Has anyone driven down to the Algarve from the UK using the Channel tunnel, if so what route did you use and how long did it take? I know it is quicker and easier doing it via a crossing but I just can't do boats so it will be the tunnel for us this year.

We are looking to do it in two days, I would be very grateful for any help you can offer, thanks in advance.

[steve]

We used the tunnel for several years before moving here permanently and much preferred it to the ferry. We used to take 3 days for the journey from Chelmsford and I know that people do it in 2 days but I think that this is too tiring and we usually had the dog with us so we needed to stop a couple of times each days for walks. 3 days is comfortable and allows time to enjoy a couple of relaxing overnight stays.

[blue]

We stopped 2 nights, 1 in Bordeaux & 1 in Salamanca. We could have done the drive with one stopover but we would have been pushing it & we didn't see the point. We had a lovely leisurely drive down & arrived at our new home about 3pm on a beautiful sunny day having left Salamanca at -3 degrees that morning. Throughout the trip H & I did stints of driving for 3 - 4 hours each then changeover, this seemed to work quite well & you can just keep going for ages, roads had little traffic on them the only thing we had to watch was the speed, the toll roads have times on them so if you get from point A to point B too quickly they know you've been speeding. So if you put your foot down pick your places.
Whatever you do have a great trip down.

[Lesley Jean]

Thanks, have been looking on the maps etc and I agree that 3 days would probably be a better idea, we will see when we get going I think and play it by ear. We plan to share the driving as you say Blue and hope that between us we can get a really good days driving before we stop for food and sleep.

Looking forward to it.

[roy4eyes]

As an alternative why not take the high speed catamaran services (Brittany) Portsmouth - Cherbourg or (Condor) Weymouth - St. Malo ?

Very smooth and only about 3 hours to Cherbourg or 5 hours to St. Malo. Saves time, distance and money !!

[blue]

That's sounds good, does it run all year Roy or is it seasonal? We're thinking of driving back for a visit sometime.

[roy4eyes]

All year with reduced service to St. Malo via Channel Isles but full service to Cherbourg - Brittany ferries.

Also your goods have arrived tonight.

[Lesley Jean]

Thanks Roy, not sure if I could cope with a catamaran? It is not the seasickness of being on boats that upsets me, I can eat a meal on a boat in rough seas and not have a problem, it is the fact that I have a very sensitive equilibrium which makes me feel really sick and fall over for about 3 - 4 days after being on the sea! It also happens with long haul flights too. Cars seem to be OK as long as I get out for a walk around every now and again. Weird I know.....

[roy4eyes]

You can walk around them LJ - they are huge - 850 passengers and 230 cars.

Are you thinking of the hovercraft where you had to remain seated ?

[Lesley Jean]

haha... quiet possibly Roy, will look into it as maybe give it a go, thanks for the help.

[roy4eyes]

Sorry to get you excited but the high speed service has now been taken off until 15th March.

[Lesley Jean]

That is OK we are looking to drive out in August/Sept so should be able to find something then, need to book early tho' I think...