Best sea travel: Dover/Calais or Plymouth/Santander - Page 2

Hi,

Errrrr what is a PCR test? 

A covid test to be taken no longer than 72 hours before departure. I think I’m correct in saying it’s not required if entering Spain from France across land borders but at present is in force for air or sea travel to spain

I forgot to say take a cool box on the ferry with you as the food is either expensive or limited or both and there are microwaves dotted about near the bars,

Having said that on the Finistere on deck 10 is a decently priced food area that do/did an excellent beef bourginon

Understanding the PCR test is very important to you if you plan to travel by ferry! 

The government have introduced a requirement that anyone arriving by air or by sea to Spain from high risk countries (which includes UK) must have a PCR (swab) test for Covid, which returns a negative result.  The test must be taken not less than 72 hours before you arrive in Spain, and you must show the results to your travel company before commencing the journey.  I have been in conversation with Brittany Ferries about this and they have confirmed to me that you must show the negative result to them before being allowed to board in Portsmouth.  If, like me, you are booked on the Tuesday morning boat, that means that you must take the test not before 2.30pm Sunday and receive the results electronically not later than 7.30am Tuesday.  I have not found anyone offering guaranteed tests within that time frame.  The costs for a test are high, starting at around £120 per person/test, and I have seen £495 for 24-48hr turnaround (even then it isn't absolutely guaranteed).

My conclusion is that it is not possible to take a ferry from Portsmouth to Santander under current conditions.  Brittany Ferries acknowledge the situation but are shrugging their shoulders and saying its not their responsibility.  They currently seem to have no intention of cancelling their ferries which means that if you can't arrange a test within the timeframe then if, like me, you have already booked a crossing all you can do is cancel (it's unlikely you will be entitled to a full refund) or amend your crossing in line with whatever conditions you booked under. Alternatively hope that the UK drops out of high risk status, which is not impossible as it is formula driven.  I can only assume that freight drivers are exempt from the restrictions (they obviously can't catch or spread Covid) otherwise BF would quickly cancel the services due to lack of passengers. 

The test requirement applies to everyone - resident / non-resident, Spanish nationals / foreigners, adults / children / babes-in-arms.  

The British Embassy in Madrid sent me this link to a very useful Q&A document: http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/LONDRES/es/COVID19-UK/Documents/FAQs%20PCR.pdf

It's in Spanish, but you can cut-and-paste it into Google Translate if you want to. 

there are no ferries after Nov 2020 to Bilbao until service resumes in March 2021 so you won't be coming on that boat!  and the Santander ferry is not timed for the Covid test so that's no good either.   Your only options seem to be a ferry to France or the tunnel however, you'll still need a test and then you have to travel through France with the restrictions there.  Good luck you'll need it!

Hi does that include the new Galicia ferry

Currently no test is required by Spain if you travel by land from either Portugal or France.  Currently no test is required by France if you arrive by ferry or Eurotunnel.  But tomorrow, next week, next month...who knows.

Galicia will be doing the Santander route, but you have to find a way to meet the PCR test requirement.  If you find a way, I would be keen to hear.

Many thanks for taking the time and trouble to respond.

We have our fingers, and everything else, crossed.

We just need to get over in order to obtain our residency before 31 December!

Many thanks.

Hello,

Well that sounds hopeful. If we can take the train or ferry and drive through France - at least we get there in time to obtain our residency. 

Thanks to everyone for all the very kind replies.

Cheers Brian.