Driving to Spain from the UK

The food, the wine, the flamenco, the beaches, the sun, the sea, the Sagrada Familia – Spain serves up a rich experience for the traveller. Being able to drive to Spain gives you the freedom to explore this incredible country at your leisure, and it can also work out cheaper than flying, especially if you are avoiding paying exorbitant hire car fees.  

LeShuttle is a perfect way to start your Spanish odyssey, with a crossing from Folkestone to Calais of only 35 minutes. 

Preparing for your drive to Spain

If you’re thinking of a dream road trip to Spain, you’re in for an adventure. There are a number of different routes you can take, depending on whether you value the journey as well as the destination. For example, it might be hard to resist the temptation of driving in the Pyrenees, the 270-mile long mountain range that straddles the border between France and Spain. These are the exhilarating peaks that have played a significant role in the history of the two countries. Or you may want to take a more direct route, sticking to the Basque coastline. The choice is yours. 

You should be able to reach cities like Barcelona and Zaragoza within a couple of days driving, but getting to Madrid and Seville will take a little longer.

The charming side streets of Bilbao

What do I need to drive in Spain?

The documents you need to drive to Spain are the same as for France - a full, valid UK driving licence, proof of ID (passport), your motor insurance certificate and a V5 registration document.  

In terms of equipment, seasoned continental drivers will know that there is a list of mandatory things to have in your car, which are conveniently the same in Spain as in France: 

•    A warning triangle 

•    Hi-vis jackets for each person in the vehicle

•    Headlamp deflectors 

If you are driving in the Pyrenees during the winter you should also have snow chains.  

How long does it take to drive to Spain?

It obviously depends whereabouts in Spain you are heading for, but driving from Calais, the trip to Bilbao can take as little as 11½ hours. We have used Bilbao as an example destination because it is the nearest major Spanish city to Calais. 

There are two Pyrenean road tunnels for drivers heading towards more central and eastern destinations in northern Spain – the Somport and Bielsa, both of which are toll-free. These tunnels are open all year round.  

Prepare for the adrenaline-fuelled drive through the Pyrenees

Routes

If you are driving to Spain from any major UK city, you should first factor in your driving time to the LeShuttle terminal at Folkestone, as this may affect your choice of route to get to Spain. 

The quickest route

The fastest route from Calais to Bilbao is via the A28, A10 and A63 motorways through France, heading into Spain through the beautiful Basque Country. If you are looking for somewhere to stop overnight to break up the 11 ½ hour journey, how about Poitiers or Bordeaux? With this route you avoid the high passes of the Pyrenees, but there will be tolls to pay in France of course. Once over the border make a stop at the elegant seaside city of San Sebastián, with its curved bay, white sandy beaches and vibrant restaurant scene. 

Stunning San Sebastián

The scenic route

If you are looking for something a bit more spectacular, it doesn’t get much better than driving through the Pyrenees to Spain. If you were on your way to Zaragoza, for example, you could go through the Somport tunnel, which is preceded by a dramatic, twisting route with steep mountainsides all round and stunning views ahead. This route could take 15-16 hours from Calais, depending on traffic. There are of course still tolls on the French roads. 

If you are a cycling fan, you may want to come off your direct route to explore dramatic passes like the Col du Tourmalet or Superbagnères, made famous by the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España. 

Driving laws in France

The driving laws in France are similar to those in Spain. It is a legal requirement to carry a hi-vis jacket, reflective triangle, headlamp deflectors and a first aid kit in your vehicle. The speed limit is 130 km/h on autoroutes and motorways, and 110 km/h on dual carriageways. On main roads outside built up areas it is 80 km/h - 90 km/h, and 50 km/h on main roads within urban areas. If caught speeding in France you could be fined up to €750; you could lose your licence if you exceed the speed limit by 30 km/h, and it could be immediately confiscated if you over 50 km/h over. 

You won’t find driving in Spain much different to France 

Driving laws in Spain

The speed limits in Spain are 20 km/h in residential areas, 50 km/h in built up areas, 90-100 km/h outside built up areas and 120 km/h on motorways. You are allowed to exceed the speed limit by 20 km/h if you are overtaking a slower vehicle outside built-up areas, apart from on motorways or dual carriageways. If your vehicle is not able to reach a minimum speed of 60 km/h, it is not permitted on Spanish motorways and dual carriageways. Spanish police have the freedom to give on-the-spot speeding fines, and the fine is reduced by half if paid inside 20 days. Drivers can be fined between €100 and €6000. 

Taking your electric vehicle to Spain

Spain is not as well served for EV public charging points as France, but with good planning electric vehicle road trippers can still get to where they want to be. Many of the best public chargers only accept RFID cards, so it will more than pay off to get one in advance of your trip. 

Parking in Spain

Parking in big Spanish cities can be challenging. Paid spaces are indicated with a blue line, and tickets normally have to be bought from a ticket machine and displayed in the vehicle. On the plus side parking is usually free from 2pm on Sundays, and 2-4pm at weekdays, to coincide with locals taking their siesta, although there will be some local variations to this. Other quirks of Spanish parking include alternating the sides of the road on which parking is allowed, switching over halfway through the month. In the bigger cities it is advisable to find one of the large public car parks and use public transport.

If you’re sightseeing in Barcelona, it’s best to use a public car park