We’ve just completed an epic motorcycle road trip from the UK to Spain, covering around 1,400 miles and in this video I’m sharing exactly what it cost me.
From ferry tickets and fuel to hotels, food and everything in between, here’s the complete budget breakdown to help you plan your own European motorcycle adventure.
Whether you’re planning your first ride to Spain or just wondering how expensive motorcycle touring in Europe really is, this video has all the numbers.
I cover:
Ferry Costs
Fuel Costs
Hotels (what we spent on a last-minute stopovers)
Food & drinks (staying well-fed on the road)
Total trip cost
🇪🇸 Was it worth it? I think so! The freedom of taking your own motorcycle to europe is definitely an experience like no other! If you are considering a motorcycle trip to europe / spain, this should help you 🙂
If you enjoy motorcycles, the life and culture around them, or specifically Spain motorcycling and interested in seeing more, don’t forget to subscribe!
#RoadTrip #UKtoSpain #portsmouthtosantander #TravelVlog #CostBreakdown #EuropeanRoadTrip #RidingAcrossEurope #DrivingAcrossEurope #TravelByMotorcycle #ExploreSpain #RoadTripSantander #TravelTips #Travel #TravelOnaBudget #StevenOnBikes #SpainTravel #traveleurope
32 Comments
I was planning to go to Spain on my motorbike this year but the ferry prices were ridiculously high and like you said you need to book a cabin.Hotel prices seemed higher compared to Italy and France where I been.You have to book well in advance in general,I think it's cheaper to ride across France to Spain. but it's more time.
I was the same as you. I thought that the ferry to Spain would be in the £350 / £400 range……. It was only when I looked into it that I realised it would be almost £1000!!! I know it's a long crossing but still, £1k does seem to be a tad expensive. But as you say, it's not something you'd do regularly….
BTW enjoyed following your Spain trip and the prep. Thanks for posting
IMO, the Santander ferry (and others) got greedy after the plague and with recent events. The much discussed debate over taking the ferry, or riding down through France got a little easier. I've done both, but that was before ferry prices shot through the roof. If you have the stamina, and the time, bimble down via France. I get 80mpg, so that helps 😉
Side note, if you're packing for camping, bring your bed up from the hold. There's plenty of room to set it up around the ship for a nap during the trip.
I booked a ferry and hotel package with Brittany Ferries last November, Portsmouth to Santander staying at the Parador at Fuente De (half board) for four nights, £ 670 which I felt was OK. Like you I then rode over the Pyrenees to Caen for the ferry. Yes to avoiding half term, easter, bank holidays, D Day and the TT as they affect ferry prices a lot. I budget on € 150 a day which covers hotels, food and petrol. Savings can be made by sharing rooms and or camping if you are ok carrying the extra luggage. Carole Nash include european breakdown/recovery and you can of course hire a van for a one way trip and buy straps and a ramp if you need or want to, or leave the bike with IMT and fly home…
I have just come back from 10 days and just under 3000km on my bike in Spain. I was probably at the other end of the price range. My accommodation costs were about €115 for campsites, fuel was about €150 and for food, drink and associated costs I got through €250 in cash. I didn’t need a ferry. So for my 10 days it was a maximum of about €550. I do pay €100 for breakdown recovery but that’s for all my vehicles all year.
Poor maths Approx £69 a night Seems pricey for a week
I really appreciate your report. Hostels are under rated. I stayed at one in Madrid about £14 per night. Spotlessly clean, toilet and shower
Good luck and keep posting.👍
I went to Portugal 🇵🇹 to times from London even last week i went to Biarritz france
Really enjoyed this series and finding your channel steve, ive brought my first "touring" bike so cant wait to do some trips, just need to find some willing participants ( not very many of my mates ride unfortunately)
I agree re the ferry, that surprised me, i thought you meant it was that much and then you divided it between you all! I was thinking 3-400 quid each max
Am I correct in assuming the headlights are an aftermarket mod?
Trips like these with friends are priceless, but next time budget for a decent sat nav say a tom tom rider ( the best) and start planning the next one!
Couple years only cost me about £700.00 for there & back from Plymouth to Santander.
Last year would have cost me about £1000 from portsmouth to Santander, however i decided to take the night ferry from New Heaven to Dieppe & ride down to Jaca , i booked the ferry back from Santander to portsmouth without a cabin , just paid for a reserve seat & it worked for me .
I would NEVER consider a Biscay crossing, particularly as a solo rider.
I normally use Newhaven – Dieppe which is approx £43 each way less 20% for over 60yo.
Yes, more mileage obviously but I avoid tolls and only need one hotel in France before the Spanish border.
I’m planning a trip for August, I’ve done Santander ferry off season before but it’s just triple the price to go in the summer and absolutely not worth it. Im going on the Dieppe ferry instead and gonna explore France
I used to write down my mileage and fuel in a notepad. I'm riding older vehicles so if the mpg rises I know it's time to check the engine. Old way of engine light check learned from my dad. Now I'm using Fuelio app on my phone. It calculates all spendings and mpg's to my vehicles.
Thanks for the info, subbed, going for the first time in Sept.
Great video and very interesting. Would be great to hear your thoughts and opinions on the Rhinowalk luggage. Alot of us dont have the pennies to be spending £400+!!!
Just returned from France , £63 each way on Leshuttle , 30 min crossing, has got to be the way .
You missed a cheaper way to do the trip.
You could gone from Poole to St Malo via Guernsey, leaves about 2pm and gets to France just after 9pm, under £200 with your bike.
I just did Lourds to St Malo in 8hrs. Just stop at something like an F1 about €50 a night then head down.
You would be in the Pyrenees quicker and you would save £700 to £800
For anyone watching, I’m Spanish living in the picos region and no way would I pay for hotel breakfasts when you have plenty of local cafeterias offering decent stuff. Ferry crossing and ferry food prices are ridiculous. Look forward to your next content.
What’s the small tablet thing on your bike? I have a street triple 765rs and would like something similar for sat nav etc?
Great write up/review.
BF and all the other ferry companies have us over a barrel. Their pricing large went up excessively after the pandemic.
Mate has a house in Brittany and one on the uk. He was a member of the BF regular traveller club (or some such name). It gave him and upto 3 riders on the same booking something like a 20-30% reduction. It's no longer available. 😕
Hotels are a personal thing. I'm happy to share a twin room but at 58 sharing a double bed with a fellow snoring 50 something is no fun.
A few times we have booked for Ibis hotels when in France. They tend to be in towns though. They appear to have 2 sorts Ibis basic and a higher level. From memory the basic in 2025 it was about £30 pp per night (for a twin) plus big/full continental brekkie for £6. It was uber clean, comfortable, friendly, secure parking, etc
Looking forward to the next update.
Bike looks great
Loved this entire series of the ride through the Pyrenees. And I was wondering how much it would've costed. Thanks for the breakup. Safe travels!
I've just checked some prices and a return to Spain from Dover is £130…
Bf are a rip off ever since po moved out
Would have been cheaper to ride to Spain. I travel from Newhaven. Return fare is around £70. Also, as im tight fisted i camp as well. Not knocking you, but some like the ride through France
Well that's me taking the euro tunnel then 😂
700+ for a ferry trip without a cabin is criminal. I get it's bank holiday but that is price gauging at it's finest.
That ferry was crazy money.
I think Brittany Ferries are going to start losing bikers eventually as the prices get too steep and/or they retire and the younger generation don’t replace them. Thing is, the company makes a killing on bikers because they make the most amount of money per square foot in the hold. Plus bikers love to drink like fish 😂
Hi. Thanks so much for this, was an interesting breakdown of the costs. Thanks also must go to all the commenters suggesting alternatives. I've just got back into bikes after a bit of a lay-off and was looking to do some trips into Spain / Portugal so this is very helpful.
Hi, I’ve been travelling with BF for about 25 years on and off!. YOU need to look at the OFFERS and deals.
Just been on their website and a 10 day break to Spain £302 for the ferry( this is their high season).
Obviously that doesn’t include cabins, but their reclining chairs are really good and don’t cost anything.
I am a very light sleeper!, but using ear plugs and a neck pillow it’s doable, if you can ride a bike for several hours napping in a reclining chair is easy.