Brittany Ferries Bilbao, Navigation Times Curiosity

[er-minio]

I'm planning a trip to South of Spain this spring and was looking at the option of sailing back to the UK from Bilbao (would ride to Barcelona on the way down).

I've used the ferry a couple of times, first time before covid, last time this past spring. Love it.
Sailing duration was shorter before 2020.
Out of curiosity, why is the leg down to Bilbao longer nowadays? Is it due to slot availability at the port?

 

[Berin]

I’m not sure it’s been fully explained. The timing is inconvenient as boarding in Pompey is now 11pm. Not so bad on the way back.
The new boats are slower, but only a knot or two.
I don’t like to do the Spain ferry both ways now as I hate getting onboard so late.

 

[wessie]

I don’t like to do the Spain ferry both ways now as I hate getting onboard so late.

I like the Sunday outbound from Plymouth as it leaves at 445pm. Plenty of time to ride the 4.5 hours down and only one night on board. This is only 40 mins longer than riding to Portsmouth. I realise it adds a lot longer to your travel time in the UK from Oxford.

 

[wessie]

Out of curiosity, why is the leg down to Bilbao longer nowadays? Is it due to slot availability at the port?

some say that the boat calls into a French port to change crew. I've not used the service so not checked for sure, as I prefer the times and boat from Plymouth

 

[er-minio]

I've not used the service so not checked for sure

That's why I was asking as when we sailed from Pompey this last April we didn't stop anywhere.

Not a problem at all (I quite enjoyed the long crossing to be fair), mostly a curiosity.
On the way back, same boat, faster crossing.

 

[wessie]

That's why I was asking as when we sailed from Pompey this last April we didn't stop anywhere.

Not a problem at all (I quite enjoyed the long crossing to be fair), mostly a curiosity.
On the way back, same boat, faster crossing.

the cynical answer, often the truth, is they want you on the boat for a full 30 hours so you buy plenty of beer and four meals. Or pay £90 for the lounge pig out pass.

 

[er-minio]

That passed my mind.
But why not on the way back too?
Have to admit, last year when we booked the ferry, used to London food prices I was worried about spending a million during the crossing.

I did prepare a few sandwiches before leaving (two days on board).

We had a couple of beers (not a massive beer drinker tbh) and dinner at the restaurant at the bow + breakfast for two days and we spent very little/reasonable. European prices I'd dare to say. Spent most of the time reading or napping anyway.

 

[wessie]

But why not on the way back too?

punters no longer have a bunch of Euros sitting on their Revolut card

 

[er-minio]

Smart!

 

[dommiek]

The boat docks in Bilbao at around 08:00 then leaves for the return journey at lunchtime. This suits me perfectly as I can get on the road early in Spain to head south and there's no rush to check in early for the return. I also like the late boarding leaving Portsmouth as I can go to my cabin and sleep.
Once on the boat we're trapped and will be taken advantage of regarding the price of food. I'll be taking food and drink on board for the whole day crossing.
For me it's a great way to get close to where I want to be and is much cheaper than a long haul ride on French Autoroutes.

 

[er-minio]

and will be taken advantage of regarding the price of food

Full breakfast was around 10 or 12 euros. 1 quid.
Dinner we didn't spend more than 25 or 30 per head, still euros. Starter (buffet) one main and a dessert + coffee 25 quid.

Seriously, it is not that expensive IMHO.


Agree, the sailing times are excellent. Same for me: straight to sleep when leaving the UK, time to ride to destination after arrival.

 

[wessie]

Full breakfast was around 10 or 12 euros. 1 quid.
Dinner we didn't spend more than 25 or 30 per head, still euros. Starter (buffet) one main and a dessert + coffee 25 quid.

Seriously, it is not that expensive IMHO.


Agree, the sailing times are excellent. Same for me: straight to sleep when leaving the UK, time to ride to destination after arrival.

how long ago? Prices are a lot more now in the main restaurant

Dinner is 42 euro, coffee extra, ease to spend 70 euro if you have a bottle of Lalande de Pomerol with dinner.
full breakfast 22.50.

Brittany Ferries

www.brittany-ferries.co.uk

 

[er-minio]

how long ago?

Last April.
Dinner might have been a bit more (we did not drink wine from what I remember). But deffo didn't spend 22 euros for breakfast.

Overall, as written a few posts above, I was expecting to be fleeced, but wasn't that bad.
It might also be because I'm used to London food pricing... I have to consider that


BTW:




Maybe my memory is not that bad.

 

[Berin]

I like the Sunday outbound from Plymouth as it leaves at 445pm. Plenty of time to ride the 4.5 hours down and only one night on board. This is only 40 mins longer than riding to Portsmouth. I realise it adds a lot longer to your travel time in the UK from Oxford.

That’s a good time. Plymouth is a fair old trek for me but I may consider it in the future.

 

[Berin]

some say that the boat calls into a French port to change crew. I've not used the service so not checked for sure, as I prefer the times and boat from Plymouth

I have done it a couple of times and if it does dock it does it very quietly in middle of the night.

 

[er-minio]

Same here about Plymouth.

 

[Arsey]

We’re going twice this year from Plymouth to Santander . In June and October.
I’m going to send my clothes to Spain so I can pack the panniers with baked beans and Hovis loaves as I’m not going to eat any of that pseudo French shit on the ferry and I’m certainly not eating that Spanish crap. It’s all fabadas and meat .Bloody disgusting it is .

 

[Deleted account 250722001]

Buyer beware!
Similar but not congruent!

 

[Captain jack]

The reason they are slower is the new ferrys are eco. The sailing from Plymouth is old fashioned diesel.
The old ferries are sailing happily across the med from italy

 

[er-minio]

The reason they are slower is the new ferrys are eco.

Don't think so.
I took the same (eco) ferry, and it was an excellent ride, but longer time from UK to ES and shorter time coming back. Same boat.