Car rentals: France and Spain/Ferry: England to Normandy area

Meggan, I'll try to answer a few of your questions, but I'd need to spend some time to work out more details. First some clarification. Are you planning to rent a car in the U.K. and then drive to France and Spain? Are you planning to return the car to the U.K. or drop it in another country? Regarding some of your questions: 2. The EuroStar is about the easiest way to get from London to Paris (or vice versa). Whether it's "worth the cost and hassle" is a matter of opinion. I didn't find it to be any hassle. In terms of the cost, if you book well in advance, the costs are VERY reasonable. Check the Seat 61 website for all the details. 5. Travel to Amsterdam is very easy by train. Travelling from London you could either take the EuroStar to Brussels and then connect with a train to Amsterdam OR take a budget flight. Travelling from Paris to Amsterdam is VERY easy via Thalys fast trains. My choice would the train as it's less hassle than air travel. Good luck with your planning!

Take the car back to the country in which you rent it or else take five pocketbooks. The Bilbao airport is way the heck up on the plateau to the east. Buses run down into town. Flights aren't that frequent.

We have taken the P and O Ferry twice from Dover over to Calais. We enjoyed the trip both times. We went a "foot" passengers--then rented a car in Calais for travel down to Normandy. We found the ferry to be a relaxing hour or so trip. Don't miss St. Mere Eglaise and the church on the square and the airborne museum. Also check out the "Iron Mike" monument outside of town.

It looks like you've got something in mind, but have structured your solution wrong and consequently asked the wrong questions. Here's a few facts (all assuming a plane is not chartered): 1. From a standing start in London, the fastest way to be standing beside a car in Caen/Bayeux is to take the train to Paris, rent a car at the station and drive north. Period. Six hours. 2. From a standing start in Bayeux/Caen, the fastest way to be standing beside a car in San Sebastian is to drive. Period. Eight hours, bladder permitting. 3. If you rent the car in France, return it in France. If you don't it will cost you tons more and you'll save no time because of the problems with delays in trains between France and Spain. Period. 4. Just became moot. 5. Impossible to answer due to variables - - starting from where in each country and when do they split off?

I know they have built a new terminal since I was last there, but Heathrow has a bad reputation for Immigration lines and for inter-terminal changes with multiple bag searches. I also have many complaints about British Airways, but maybe you can avoid them. I like England, I'm only talking about the air experience. We flew home from Santiago de Campostela, not Bilbao, but it absolutely required annoying changes in Heathrow. Wouldn't do it again, and will never fly British Air again. Note that there is no reason to go to Bilbao except the museum. I was there for business for a week and it is otherwise a fading industrial town like Newark NJ or Gary IN. Anywhere else in Spain is more rewarding and less isolated. (Opinion, not "fact".) Presumably your kids want to go to Amsterdam. Unlike Belgium, the rest of the Netherlands is less interesting. Look at a map and see how far that is from France and Spain. I suggest you look into the bargain airlines that charge for seats and bags and fly from obscure airports. Sorry, I don't know the details. I believe some of the East coast UK ferries don't take pedestrians. No personal experience yet. As noted, Eurostar is no hassle at all (but doesn't go to the London airports like TGV does in Paris.) It is really cheap if you book months in advance, and really expensive if you don't. You should be used to non-changeable tickets from buying air tickets!

Check airfares between west coast and both LHR and CDG. From what I've seen this week, unless you're spending time in London,it's cheaper to fly to Paris. You can use that airport without actually going to Paris. Paris serves as their hub for many of French travel routes. We've used the Eurostar and the fast ferry from Portsmouth to Cherbourg. Again, if this is strictly for travel, I'd do the Eurostar. The ferry looked like it would be the most direct, but I forgot about pesky details, like getting a taxi from the train to the ferry dock.

Thank you to all who have taken the time to reply to our questions!
Your advice is helping us a lot.

Hello, on what regards to Bilbao, Spain airport. This airport is the biggest in the area. It has services with Paris, London and Amsterdam. You might also consider checking flights from Paris to Bayonne or the train from Paris to Hendaye/Bayonne. I agree with the fact of leaving and taking the car in the same country will be cheaper. Please, note that although it depends to your rental conditions, normally you can drive with your French rented car in all roads of Spain and the Netherlands. I think it is a good idea to move though by car in the Basque Country (both in the Spanish or in the French area) as much of the charming of this corner of the world depends on the scenario and the small villages hidden in our countryside. Hope that you enjoy the Basque Country, France (and the Netherlands). Pls, do not miss the high tide at Mount Saint Michel in the corner of Normandy with Britany.
Aitor Delgado