Birmingham to Adra, Spain
Discussion
Guys and girls, need a little advice if possible.
A friend has a wedding in Adra, Spain in October. Eight of us are looking to travel over for the week.
The general idea seems to be to hire a minivan and drive to our destination. At 21 hours, it will be quite a trek but not too disimilar to ones we have made in the past albeit longer.
The other option is to fly, but there are concerns about the distance from the closet airport and getting about once there.
We're looking for the most cost effective option really, although if it comes down to a few quid then driving would be the prefered method.
Does anybody know of a reasonable minivan hire company accepting of european use? Or maybe another method we haven't considered?
Also any pointers on cheap flights would also be appreciated, I've had a look and most come out to around £150 each. Not bad, but not cost effective versus a minivan.
A friend has a wedding in Adra, Spain in October. Eight of us are looking to travel over for the week.
The general idea seems to be to hire a minivan and drive to our destination. At 21 hours, it will be quite a trek but not too disimilar to ones we have made in the past albeit longer.
The other option is to fly, but there are concerns about the distance from the closet airport and getting about once there.
We're looking for the most cost effective option really, although if it comes down to a few quid then driving would be the prefered method.
Does anybody know of a reasonable minivan hire company accepting of european use? Or maybe another method we haven't considered?
Also any pointers on cheap flights would also be appreciated, I've had a look and most come out to around £150 each. Not bad, but not cost effective versus a minivan.
Vueling (www.vueling.es and click "English" in the top right corner) are a Spanish airline who have recently started flying from Cardiff - not sure where else they fly from. They offer cheap flights to Barcelona (as low as 35 Euros either way recently) but no idea where else they fly. Almeria will be the best airport to fly to and pick up a hire car but it's a question of shopping round with flights which vary from week to week.
Vueling prices also include 23kg of luggage unlike other airlines.
Vueling prices also include 23kg of luggage unlike other airlines.
LuS1fer said:
Vueling (www.vueling.es and click "English" in the top right corner) are a Spanish airline who have recently started flying from Cardiff - not sure where else they fly from. They offer cheap flights to Barcelona (as low as 35 Euros either way recently) but no idea where else they fly. Almeria will be the best airport to fly to and pick up a hire car but it's a question of shopping round with flights which vary from week to week.
Vueling prices also include 23kg of luggage unlike other airlines.
Good shout, thanks for that Vueling prices also include 23kg of luggage unlike other airlines.
Surely once you've added up the cost of hiring a minivan, insuring it, fuelling it there and back and the cost of the extra time it's cheaper to fly?
Take your pick of any budget airline, fly to Malaga, hire 2 x cars or 1 x minibus then it's a 2 hour drive to Adra.
Driving from the UK overland is 1500 miles minimum.
The (expensive) ferry to Bilbao still leaves you with a minimum 500 mile drive after you get off.
You'd be mad to do anything other than fly.
Take your pick of any budget airline, fly to Malaga, hire 2 x cars or 1 x minibus then it's a 2 hour drive to Adra.
Driving from the UK overland is 1500 miles minimum.
The (expensive) ferry to Bilbao still leaves you with a minimum 500 mile drive after you get off.
You'd be mad to do anything other than fly.
Thanks for the info guys.
Indeed, we reckon about 1600 miles or there abouts. As there will be eight of us, minivan hire, fuel, ferry etc will be split eight ways, making it more viable.
While I prefer the idea of a flight, the guys are geared up for a road trip. While I would usually agree, this journey will not be done in sports cars as per our usual antics. 21 hours crammed in a minivan does not appeal to me.
I think a serious discussion with the boys is in order....
Thanks again.
Indeed, we reckon about 1600 miles or there abouts. As there will be eight of us, minivan hire, fuel, ferry etc will be split eight ways, making it more viable.
While I prefer the idea of a flight, the guys are geared up for a road trip. While I would usually agree, this journey will not be done in sports cars as per our usual antics. 21 hours crammed in a minivan does not appeal to me.
I think a serious discussion with the boys is in order....
Thanks again.
I hope you know where the Pyrenees are with an 8-up van?
That's right, just above the Pyrofankles.
Seriously though. Spain is the most mountainous country in Europe so an 8-up van may be hard work if you don't stick to the mind-numbing motorways which are also quite expensive on the tolls purse (far less tolls, if any, round Almeria).
That's right, just above the Pyrofankles.
Seriously though. Spain is the most mountainous country in Europe so an 8-up van may be hard work if you don't stick to the mind-numbing motorways which are also quite expensive on the tolls purse (far less tolls, if any, round Almeria).
Don't get a minibus. Rent something from someone like this:
http://www.tigertours.co.uk/
Called a "splitter" in band touring terms. Really quite comfy.
http://www.tigertours.co.uk/
Called a "splitter" in band touring terms. Really quite comfy.
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