27 Feb 2012 13:05:

Not used Air Europa but flew Easyjet to Madrid in November with no problems.  We use it all the time for Gatwick Malaga and yes, it is subject to delays but have noticed that it's got better lately. Worst thing about Madrid airport is the massive hike to the underground - horrible airport.    Good luck.

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18 Jul 2011 16:11:

Station is great but severe lack of ticket machines - only 2 for all those expected passengers.  Expect a long wait if  busy.

Will be lovely once all the connecting bits and pieces are in places to save a death defying walk across the road in front of taxi drivers.

 

This message was last edited by Sonia El on 18/07/2011.

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05 Jul 2010 15:46:

In the early 1970's P & O ran a ferry service Southampton - Lisbon - Tangier.  We used it at the end of 1971 but I've no idea how long it operated or how much it cost.  As far as I can remember if wasn't bad and didn't feel like a car ferry (especially when compared to that horrid Pride of Bilbao), we took a car, caravan and toddler to Morocco for 5 months using it.  I can remember lots of people being ill going through the Bay of Biscay and that everything slid off the table and onto my lap at one meal.

No much good for CDS as you'd then have to ferry it back from Tangier which is a nightmare.

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04 Feb 2010 14:00:

Bit late to this debate. 

Only used the P&O service once in 2007 to Bilbao and back and we swore never again.  If felt like a second rate car ferry. I can understand why it's closing down.

In the 70s P&O used to run a ship from Southampton to Tangier, calling at Lisbon.  They marketed it as a mini-cruise but it also took vehicles. We used it to go to Morocco with a car and caravan in November 1971 and returned March 1972.  Really nice. I can't remember how long it took, may have been 5 days. 

Personally I hate the drive through Spain (especially the middle 'boring' bit) as I'm always the passenger / navigator but I love the French stretch which I think is the best bit of traveling by car.

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05 Aug 2009 17:41:

Hi Yvonne

We've never booked as you can't guarantee that you'll get where you need to be in time plus you can waste time looking. 

That said we've had some very variable stop-overs.  Best was in a little village off the motorway near Osasuna (south of Madrid).  Only place to stay was a cafe with rooms above, was presentable so risked it.  After a wander around we asked about getting some dinner and were told to go through to the back. There was a little courtyard restaurant full of Spanish who were having an impromtu singalong and invited us to join in.  One of the most fantastic nights we've ever had in Spain. But then once we stayed in a roadside hostel that was next to a pig farm but we didn't realise until the next morning when it was light! 

We have done Fuengirola to Bilbao in one day but that was full on all day driving (and not always within the speed limit) and pretty good December weather. Left in the dark and arrived in the dark - not recommended if looking for a hotel including frayed tempers. My OH will not let me drive on the motorways as he says I'm too slow which is fine as I hate it.

I'd say go for it and stop when you've had enough. Motorways are much nicer in France than Spain where you have to leave to find any services and make a journey into the unknown.

 

 

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