Whether you’re craving tapas in Barcelona, hiking in the Pyrenees, or lounging on Costa del Sol beaches, Spain is a quick and easy escape from the UK. With flights as fast as 2 hours, scenic ferry rides, and even road trips through France, there’s an option for every traveller and budget. Let’s break down the best ways to cross the Channel and reach ¡España!
✈️ By Air: Fast, Affordable, and Most Popular
While slow travel has its merits, sometimes you just want to soar above the clouds – especially when £30 flights can have you sipping sangria before sunset! Fly from London to Barcelona with Ryanair or EasyJet (only 2 hours!). British Airways flights to Barcelona or Madrid often drop to similar prices if booked 3–4 months early, while regional jets from Manchester or Edinburgh to Malaga take 3–4 hours for under £50 one-way.
But what’s even more appealing is that budget airlines like Jet2 or TUI often offer services to popular destinations like Alicante or the Canary Islands – perfect for last-minute winter sun chasers. Pack hand-luggage only to dodge extra fees (check your cabin bag size!), and aim for midweek departures: Tuesday flights often cost 20% less than weekend ones. Fancy legroom? Pay £10–15 extra for priority boarding – still cheaper than train tickets!
Cheap Flights to Barcelona
Cheap Flights to Madrid
Cheap Flights to Valencia
Cheap Flights to Seville
⚓ By Ferry: Scenic Adventures (with Your Car!)
Fancy swapping airport chaos for a proper maritime adventure? Brittany Ferries’ Portsmouth to Santander route (20–24 hours) lets you cruise the Bay of Biscay with your car, dog, and a cabin – ideal for road-trippers aiming to explore Spain’s north coast stress-free. Prices start around £150 one-way for a car + two adults, but book early (6+ months ahead) to snag cheaper deals or upgrade to a comfy ensuite cabin with sea views.
Why choose ferries? Pack everything but the kitchen sink – no baggage fees! – and let Fido snooze in pet-friendly cabins 🐾 (pre-book for £20 extra). Daytime crossings offer dolphin-spotting and pool dips, while overnight trips mean dinner in the onboard steakhouse and a film at the cinema.
Just mind the seasonal schedules: routes like Plymouth to Bilbao mostly run March–October. Bring motion sickness tablets for choppy waters, and check Brittany Ferries’ “flexi” tickets for free date changes if summer storms hit.
🚆 By Train: Eco-Friendly Slow Travel
If you’re keen to minimise your carbon footprint while dodging airport chaos, hopping on a train from London to Barcelona offers both eco-credentials and doorstep-to-destination convenience. Take the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris (just 2.5 hours), then swap to a high-speed TGV that whisks you to Barcelona or Madrid in 6.5–7 hours. Fares typically range from £150 to £300 if booked a few months ahead, making it surprisingly wallet-friendly for slow travellers.
The real perk? You’ll arrive smack in city centres – step off in Barcelona, and you’re minutes from La Rambla’s buzz, or in Madrid, a short stroll from the Prado Museum. Allow at least 90 minutes in Paris for stress-free platform transfers at Gare de Lyon. Pack light for easier manoeuvring between trains, and upgrade to First Class on longer TGV legs for extra legroom and power sockets.
🚗 By Road: High flexibility
Why choose between eco-friendly trains and spontaneous detours? With Le Shuttle’s Folkestone to Calais route (35 minutes from £85), you’ll be cruising French motorways toward Barcelona (12 hours) or Costa Blanca (16 hours) in no time – perfect for families who want pit-stop freedom. Budget €100-ish for tolls to save hours, or take the scenic A75 past volcanic landscapes in France’s Massif Central (pack a picnic for the Millau Viaduct viewpoint!).
📄Don’t forget the paperwork: slap a UK sticker on your car, carry your insurance Green Card, and grab a Crit’Air emissions sticker online (£3) to dodge fines in cities like Lyon or Bordeaux. Fancy splitting the drive? 👉Book a cheap hotel near Clermont-Ferrand or Toulouse. 🏨 Get plenty of rest so you can hit the road feeling refreshed and energized.
Tip: Download Waze for real-time traffic updates and check petrol prices on apps like Fuelio – unleaded’s often 20% cheaper in rural France than near Calais.
🚌 By Bus: Budget-Friendly (But Pack Patience)
If you’re skint but determined, coaches like FlixBus or Eurolines offer London to Barcelona/Madrid trips from £50 one-way – cheaper than a train ticket to Brighton! The catch? You’ll spend 20–24 hours in a seat with even less legroom than Ryanair. Bring a neck pillow, earplugs, and plenty of snacks (most buses only stop briefly at service stations).
Free Wi-Fi and charging ports sound great, but don’t rely on them – connections often drop near the Pyrenees. Book early (6+ weeks ahead) for the lowest fares, and grab a window seat for cheeky views of French vineyards or Catalan hills. Pack a reusable water bottle and EU plug adapter to juice up devices during breaks.🔋🔌
Just brace yourself: Delays are common, and toilets get grim after hour 10. Still, for £50? Worth it if you’ve got grit (and a fully charged Kindle).
🌦️ Seasonal Travel from the UK to Spain
Planning your journey requires seasonal awareness. Summer (June–August) brings crowded airports, pricier ferry cabins, and packed roads – book flights or Eurotunnel tickets at least 3 months ahead. Shoulder seasons (April–May, September–October) offer cheaper train fares, quieter ferry routes, and scenic road trips through France. During festivals like La Tomatina or Semana Santa, all transport modes face inflated prices and limited availability – secure bookings 4–6 months early.
Transport | Peak Season (Jun–Aug) | Low Season (Apr–May, Sept–Oct) | Festival Periods |
✈️ Air | ↑ Prices; book early | Cheapest fares; flexible dates | Limited seats; avoid weekends |
⚓ Ferry | Cabins sell out fast (car routes popular) | Scenic trips; fewer crowds | Book 6+ months ahead |
🚆 Train | Slow routes; limited Eurostar connections | Quiet journeys; 25% cheaper | Check Local Train Disruptions |
🚗 Road | Toll queues; ↑ fuel costs | Ideal for detours (e.g., Pyrenees) | Border delays; pre-book motorway passes |
🚌 Bus | 24+ hr journeys; cramped seats | Budget deals; overnight trips save £ | Overloaded services; book early |
📋 Post-Brexit UK to Spain Travel Checklist
🛂 Passport
- Must be issued ≤10 years ago and valid for 3+ months after return.
- Ensure blank pages for entry/exit stamps.
✈️ Visas
- No visa needed for stays ≤90 days in 180 days.
- Proof of funds: €100/day per person (e.g., bank statement).
🏥 Health
- GHIC card (free via NHS): Covers basic healthcare.
🧳 Customs
- Duty-free limits:
- Alcohol: 42L beer, 18L wine, 4L spirits.
- Tobacco: 200 cigarettes.
- Declare cash over €10,000.
- No meat/dairy from UK (except small personal amounts of cheese).
🚗 Driving
- UK licence + IDP (1949 model) required.
- Green Card from insurer for EU coverage.
- Crit’Air sticker needed in cities like Madrid/Barcelona.
🚌✈️⚓🚆 Transport Comparison at a Glance
Still undecided? Here’s a quick comparison to help you choose.
Option | Duration | Cost (One-Way) | Pros | Cons |
Flight | 2–3 hours | £30–£200+ | Quick getaways | Baggage limit |
Ferry | 20–24 hours | £150–£400 | Relaxing | Slow |
Train | 10–12 hours | £150–£300+ | Comfortable | Higher costs |
Car | 12–16 hours | £200+ (fuel/tolls) | Flexibility | Exhausting |
Bus | 20–24 hours | £50–£100 | Budget travellers | Long journey |
FAQs
Q: Do I need a visa to go to Spain?
A: No visa needed for stays under 90 days.
Q: What month is cheaper to fly to Spain?
A: Cheaper in January, February, and November.
Q: Is it cheaper to fly or drive to Spain?
A: Flying is usually cheaper.
Q: Can I travel from the UK to Spain by train?
A: Yes, via Eurostar and TGV.
Q: Can I take my pet on the ferry?
A: Yes! Book a pet-friendly cabin with Brittany Ferries.
Ready to Explore Spain?
Spain’s vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and sunny coasts are closer than you think – all that’s left is to pick your route and go!
Whether you’re zipping over by plane for a weekend in Barcelona or winding through French vineyards on a road trip, Spain is waiting. Book early, pack smart, and don’t forget your sunscreen!
🔗 For more tips, check out our guides to [Spain’s Best Hidden Beaches] and [Top Tapas Bars in Madrid].
(Need flight deals? Try Trip.com. Ferry bookings: Brittany Ferries.)
Explore Spain
