If you are thinking of going testing in Spain, which is a popular idea in our miserable winter, it's a good idea to spend a little time researching travel costs.

You will probably be joining one of the firms who do these testing trips to Almeria, Valencia, Cartagena or Jerez and they offer attractive packages for

bike transport, hotel accommodation and air travel. However, their designated pickup points aren't always the most convenient, so you might be considering

travelling independently. This means sorting out the ferry bookings and air travel for any extra personnel yourself. Happily, there is a lot of competition

in this area now and this is good for us.

.For air travel, you will probably be dealing with either Easyjet or Ryanair. These are the carriers most likely to be flying to the destinations you want.

Destinations to search on are Valencia, obviously, Alicante or Murcia for Almeria & Cartagena and Jerez for Jerez.

Remember, these intense competitors price their seats very fiercely and this means that the earlier you book, the cheaper they are. By booking four weeks

ahead, I flew to Jerez last year to the GP for £3.99 per person. Seven days before the flight that price had increased to £49.99. Don't forget, you get hit

for airport fees (currently about £12.50 per person) and parking fees, if applicable, as well.

Regarding the ferries, there is the choice of the Portsmouth-Bilbao service or the much cheaper, but more driving route through Dover-Calais.

While the Portsmouth-Bilbao route is a pleasant cruise-type trip, it is quite expensive and in my experience, most motorcycling types tend to prefer to

drive from Calais - and it is certainly cheaper, even taking fuel costs into account. Fares on the ferries (SeaFrance is usually cheapest but doesn't have as many

crossings as P & O) will depend on your vehicle and whether you think you can do the trip inside the five day return ticket or not.

There are two main route choices through France & Spain, the cheapest, in terms of Autoroute charges, is via Bordeaux, crossing into Spain at Irun and on through Madrid.

Alternatively, for a faster run, there is the route through Paris and down through Barcelona and although this is a fast drive on Autoroute most of the way,
it is more expensive due to toll charges.

Reckon on 1330 miles to Almeria, 1225 for Cartagena, about 170 less for Valencia & 1350 for Calais-Jerez.

If you estimate around 60-65mph average in a good van you will be be about right.

For reasonable stops on-route, the F1 motel chain is good and cheap. You can find these in all towns on your route and get a room for two,
with shower available and Continental breakfast, for £17 - £21. There is almost always a Buffalo Grill close by.

On the same site, there is usually a Campanile Hotel, a slightly upmarket version of F1, with a restaurant. A little more expensive but very good value.

Useful links:

easyjet.com

ryanair.com

channelcrossings.net

drive-alive.co.uk/campanile-hotels.html

hotelformule1.com/formule1/

HOME