Ireland to Spain Ferry
For this winter trip to the sun in late January, we chose an alternative route to the Portsmouth ferry. Instead of the long drive from home in North Wales to other ferry ports, we’re taking the Ireland to Spain Ferry as a convenient and cheaper alternative.
Yes, that’s right, this ferry when costing it out with much scribbling and research of various dates, was less expensive for us. This includes all costs relevant to us, such the 6 to 7 hour journey it takes us to Portsmouth, fuel cost and mileage. In addition, factoring in the actual cheaper ferry cost for travelling from Rosslare and incentive of the fare including Club Lounge access and better cabin option. So, with everything taken into account, we chose this lesser taken route to reach Bilbao in Spain.
Making sure the sums are right
Ok, so you’ll be thinking, yes, but we’ve got to get to Ireland in the first place! Yes, that’s true, and this has been taken into account with our sums too! Booking the Holyhead to Dublin ferry with Stena Line as well as the Brittany Ferries Rosslare to Bilbao ferry, was still cheaper for us than Brittany Ferries Portsmouth to Bilbao route!
Of course, we’re under an hour from the port of Holyhead, making the crossing to Ireland relatively easy. Also, we were wanting to include a tour of Ireland, so our trip is including a few days to see Dublin and the couple of hours drive to Rosslare before boarding the ferry.
Then, when we return after touring southern Spain in April, we’ll continue touring Ireland for a couple of weeks. We’ll then take the ferry back home from Dublin to Holyhead. So, in a way, it’s like having two trips in one!
In other words, all things considered, and making sure the sums are right before booking, for us, this option works really well.
Driving from Dublin to Rosslare
After exploring Dublin on foot, which I’ve written about in our previous blog post, it was time to drive towards Rosslare.
It’s only a couple of hours, but we’re taking it more slowly over a couple of days. This will help see more of this part of Ireland and get our travels off to a touring start.
First, we’re taking time to visit the home village of Nigel’s grandmother, near Carlow. It’s a wonderful few hours checking out his roots and rather emotional at times.
We stay the night at Castlebridge, where they have a few motorhome spaces with an honesty box. It’s €10 for the night and there’s a waste drain and water tap available to use.
Then we drive to Wexford Wildlife Reserve, where a visitor centre and walkways provide opportunity for a stroll. In Winter, migrating Geese from Antarctic rest here, taking 18 hours to fly via Ireland.
Unfortunately, we don’t actually see any Geese, but we so spot some ducks, swans and plenty of other birds.
Onwards, we drive into Wexford, which has lots of shops and big name stores, but otherwise we just take a quick stroll along its waterfront.
Arriving in Rosslare – Ireland to Spain Ferry
We’re early for the ferry, which doesn’t leave until 23.59 hours. So, we take a drive down to Rosslare Strand which has long stretches of beach. On our visit, the tide is really low, and the winter sun dazzles across the estuary, bringing a really scenic appeal.
We were imagining a bigger place, but it’s a dead end road with low key feel and some beach homes.
Back in Rosslare, we drive down to the ferry port to check it out. We can’t go in yet as we’re too early, but it all looks very easy and it’s super quiet.
Instead, we drive to a nearby pub, order fish and chips and a couple of Guinness and pass the time with good Irish hospitality.
Then, it’s back to the port, this time joining a small queue to board the ferry to Spain. Thankfully, it’s a very calm and pleasant evening, let’s hope it stays this way!
Cabin – Brittany Ferries Salamanca ship
We’ve been on the Brittany Ferries Salamanca ship before, but sailing from Portsmouth to Bilbao.
Previously, we’ve gone for the more basic cabin, but these weren’t available at the time of booking. However, the upgrade Club Class was cheaper than the basic non window cabin if we’d have gone from Portsmouth.
On check in we’re given our room card key, so once on board, we can go straight to the cabin. This turns out to be perfectly pleasant, with a window, 2 single beds and en-suite. The Club Cabin has a more pleasing decor, kettle and tea/coffee and of course access to the Club Lounge.
We’re on board for 2 nights but we’re in bed before sailing on the first night, just before midnight.
Club Lounge Access and Dolphins – Ireland to Spain Ferry
Waking to a calm sea and nice weather was a welcome sight. We go to the Club Lounge for breakfast which we access with our room card. Here there’s picture windows looking out to sea, comfy chairs, tables and rather posh looking toilets too. To be honest, we end up spending most of our time in the Club Lounge, it’s just so pleasant and quite relaxing.
Depending on the time of day, there’s various food on offer. A buffet style catering system, offering a range of food options from hot and cold food to breads, cheeses, cakes, biscuits, fruit, various hot and cold drinks and wine too. In a nutshell, there’s always something to snack on or drink.
We think it’s excellent value, although some seem to moan about the food in the lounge, we can’t understand why. For us it does what it says on the tin!
Not only is the lounge a nice place to read and chill, but also it turns out to be a great place to watch Dolphins!
There are a few wonderful sightings right in front of us, attracting much attention from us lounge guests.
Other on board facilities
When it’s time to really stretch the legs, we take ourselves up on deck. There’s a series of steps leading to the top and we make sure we do several circular walks to get a bit of exercise throughout.
On warmer days, outdoor exercise equipment and seating areas are useful but it’s a bit chilly for us this time of year.
Back inside the ship and there’s a bar area where some entertainment is provided, such as singing. There’s plenty of seating areas too, a couple of restaurants and shop selling duty free and basic supplies.
We find staff friendly and generally the whole sailing goes really quickly.
Arriving in Bilbao – Ireland to Spain Ferry
After night two we wake up in a bit of a mix up, simply because the time zone is Irish time and we think it’s Spanish time! So, we’re up earlier than we need to be, but at least we’re not late.
The ferry docks in Bilbao at 7am on a perfect still and clear morning. We watch the approach for a while from the Club Lounge windows as well as a short stint up on deck.
Then it’s time to leave the cabin for the crew to clean and head down to the campervan.
This Rosslare to Bilbao route has been really good and the ferry itself excellent. Although we have driven from Calais in the past down to southern Spain, we now prefer the ease of this long ferry. It’s especially better in Winter, when weather can be grim and daylight shorter.
Also, the price of Dover/Calais ferries now and Le Shuttle are way more expensive than they once were. So, factoring everything in price wise, including tolls, mileage, driving time, cost, wear and tear etc, we think these longer ferry routes are worth the money.
After disembarking, we have a short queue for Spanish immigration before heading off to the motorway.
Our route takes us south, passing glorious scenery but fog patches too, before arriving at our first stop, the city of Zaragoza.
Extra details
Our trip in 2025
Rosslare depart 23.59 Friday – Arrive Bilbao 7am Sunday first week February.
Return fare, booking made a couple of months previous to sailing date.
Booking was direct with Brittany Ferries Ireland.
The cabin was a 2 berth Club Class which came with lounge access.
With all costings taken into account including the ferry from Holyhead to Dublin and in comparison for us driving down to Portsmouth, the difference was about £100 cheaper.
Total cost return Holyhead/Dublin and Rosslare/Bilbao approx £980.
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