Where to get fuel near Bilbao port?

[brissle]

We're taking the Britanny ferry to Bilbao in 3 weeks and then heading south on the AP-8 / AP-68 towards Miranda de Ebro and Salamanca. Towing a caravan. Is there a convenient fuel stop fairly soon after leaving the port? I might as well take advantage of cheaper diesel price in Spain!

On the way back we are sailing from Santander to Portsmouth, so it would be sensible ti fill up close to the port in Santander before we get on the ferry. Any tips for a fuel stop coming towards the port?

We would be grateful for any advice.

 

[carper2]

There is a garage literally as you come off of the ferry at Bilbao.

Les

 

[brissle]

Thank you Les - we didn't spot that when we drove past last year.

By the way, do you - or does anyone else - know whether we can arrive the evening before our return ferry - 10.30am from Santander - and stay overnight on the dockside? Are the check-in kiosks open the evening before?

 

[carper2]

Sorry never been to Santander.

Les

 

[PMM]

Santander has a brilliant car park where you can stay overnight even with a caravan....but your ship has to be the next one to leave. The port is virtually in the middle of this beautiful little town and on your sailing ticket there is a code for the pedestrian access gate which takes you out across the road from the restaurants. Most restaurants along the front don't offer a 'menu del dia'...but if you walk on down, about 5 or 7 minutes, with the sea on your right the Hotel Bahia Santander does a 'menu del dia' and the food, wine and service is excellent. Enjoy your trip.

 

[brissle]

Thank you PMM - that's brilliant information.
I assume, when you say that our ship must be the next one to leave, that you mean the next Brittany Ferries ship?
Anyway, we don't plan to get there until the afternoon before the next day's 10.30 am sailing. From you experience will we be able to check in before we park the van for the night?

Also do you happen to remember if there's a petrol station reasonably close to the port as we arrive? Might as well top up with cheap Spanish diesel...!!

Thanks again

 

[Hutch]

PMM, thanks or helping into the Forum, thought you might run off to the motorhome section.
Hutch

 

[PMM]

We sailed in the evening last year and turned up at the port in the morning. We checked in when we arrived. We filled up the day before our journey as we wandered about in the vicinity. I can't remember where the nearest petrol station to the port is....but you could google it......if you set the location you left from and Santander Port as your arrival point....then zoom in on the outlined route on the outskirts of Santander....you can actually move along the road you will be driving on. Have the best time

 

[brissle]

Thank you for all that info.
Good tip about using Google maps / street view to "drive" along the route at the end.
Can't wait to get away - 10 days to go.
Cheers

 

[Gafferbill]

I hope to be towing in that area on my way down south at the end of this month but I am using the Dover crossing.

I will be using this website to obtain up to date weather forcasts as winter weather down there can be less than ideal

This is what happened in early February 2015........a worst case scenario but worth bearing in mind what could happen.

You may find this useful if you intend parking at Santander as I have heard there has been changes and space is restricted

 

[brissle]

Thanks - like the snow photos - we had similar in Munich a few years ago when we went to the Christmas market - minus 9 degrees concentrates the mind a little - we learned to fill the water barrel with water from the hot tap to thaw off the crust of ice and bring the pump inside the caravan at night.....

Your weather website is useful - and indicates well above freezing when we are travelling down from Bilbao (on the way out) on 26th / 27th Jan. We can cope with rain. The Algarve, where we are heading, is indicating 18 / 19 degrees when we arrive.

Our return (via Santander) at end of March should be warmer.... ha ha

 

[RayS]

If you look at the area on viamichelin you can select an icon which will show most of the filling stations with a reasonable degree of accuracy. Some versions of Google maps will also do this as will some satnavs.

 

[brissle]

Thanks RayS - good tip - haven't looked at Via Michelin before - does just what you say.
Google maps didn't seem to have the same detail and we don't use SatNav, so your solution is good!