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Paul - I’m catching the ferry at Portsmouth tomorrow, on my way to Tanger Med, arriving there on 2nd. Is your V5 between Norfolk and Portsmouth? I’m happy to pick it up just in case Rachel |
Wow thats a kind offer,but its in birmingham and not really on your route,just not sure copies will be ok,anybody know?
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I think i will get it posted down to seville,doesnt seem worth the risk of being stuck the wrong side of customs for my four week stay!
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barcelona/ tanger med fron gnv
I crossed from barcelona to tanger med on the 26th with GNV.
The ferry was suppose to leave at 12h. The office to make the check-in opens at 9h! So no need to come 4h before as written on your e-ticket. You could even be there just two hours before like a lot did. There is a boarding parking just before the offices, if you're with a car or truck you have to park before go make the check-in, with a bike you can register first and park after. You need to have a printed covid pass or pcr test. The ferry left at 1pm. There are maroccan customs officers in the Grand Salon on deck 6, where you have to pass for your passport and vehicule there is a little form to fill. You don't need to queue for one hour to do that when the ferry leave, likeI did, the guys will be in the boat all the trip, just wait for the good time. As I didnt booked a cabin, I slepped in the Grand Salon with sleeping bag, a lot of People did, absolutly no problem with leaving sleeping gear and clothes when you go for lunch or take a walk, friendly atmosphere. The ferry arrived at the port at 5:45pm local time, I get out at 6:15. |
Algeciras-Tangier Med Saturday 30-04-2022
We crossed from Algeciras-Tangier Med Saturday with FRS. (First time in Morocco with a bike so it was a bit of a learning experience) Booked online the night before and checked in online for boarding passed for our selves and the bikes. We had booked the 3:00pm crossing which didn't arrive. I walked over to the ticket office to enquire about the delay, they seemed a bit surprised when I said that our boat was still in Morocco! (FRS has live tracking on their website) Anyway, I'm guessing they drop crossings if they're not full enough. (The only ferry which seemed to run on time was AML) It was 6:00pm when we actually left at which point there were four ferries all trying to load and unload!
Our bikes where strapped down very well. (The only two on our crossing) My KTM is generally a bit of a problem having 300mm of travel, but surprisingly they put some wheel chocks under the bash plate and chocks on the front wheel and it was very solid. Immigration was dealt with on the boat with the small cards to complete and a guy with a laptop stamping passports. Queuing for this took most of the crossing... Although we had the separate health form and COVID vaccination passes printed at no point did anyone want to see them. We were first off the boat and got to the big customs gates where we were asked for passports and vehicle documents (V5 in our case) these were taken and returned in a couple of minutes with the little white card which must be kept for exiting Morocco with the bike. We asked about insurance at this point and were told yes the office is open. There's a short stretch of road between the customs gates and the carpark and group of buildings, insurance is last on the right as you ride through the carpark past several ATMs. They we're very helpful, I had wondered if it would be open on a Saturday evening, but they laughed and said no they are always open. It cost 97 euros for one month. In the port area there was just one guy selling sim cards, no one else hassling with 'help'. The was another check point after this area but we weren't stopped do just rode through. |
Just came through Tanger Med and my experience was much like above.
Getting the TVIP seemed to take an age - maybe 25 minutes - for some reason. As a UK resident, I needed bike insurance and this was easy to obtain, at 970 MAD for the month. The guy in the AXA booth also offered me a SIM card and I took up his offer. 100MAD for 5 GB. Not the best value but, to be honest, I’ll not use more than that in the time I have here. Worked just fine. I have my EE account as an eSIM so I needed to explain the intricacies of choosing with SIM is active for data. Not many “helpers” around and easily ignored. |
With the build up to the summers busy period and Operation Maharba it has been announced that passengers will need a ticket to access the port. They will not be able to buy a ticket at the port facilities apparently.
It seems this will remain in place for the rest of the year |
I crossed a week back. Left from Tarifa arrived at Tangier. Needed a negative PCR before I could purchase ticket (me and motorcycle). Got a 2 hour PCR test for 110 euros (24 hour results was 90). Got results at noon, went to loading area and both transport companies were selling tickets at boat launch with next outing time shown. FRS had next boat leaving at 3:00 PM. Booked ticket and on my way. When I bought ticket, I got 2 forms to fill out. 1 was where I have been, have I been vaccinated ect. Second form was info typically asked from customs. Got on boat, they tied bike down, went to customs line, gave them the forms and all done except for clearing customs in Morocco. I was one of the 1st off the boat and still took 2+ hours. They opened everything to look.
Tonight, I am in Ceuta, Spain, Africa. Took about 30 minutes to stamp out and into Spain. Then had to show proof for fully vaccinated. I am from USA and only have paper vac ticket. I scanned paper to my phone and showed it and that was good enough. 2 more checkpoints showing passport and done. Bought a ticket with FSR again. Going from memory, ticket from Tarifa to Tangier was 135 euros. Going from Ceuta to Algeciras was 63 euros. I am assuming because I did boarder crossing myself is why the price is so different. Sorry if this is a repeat from others. i did a quick scan prior to posting. I'm hungry and need to find some food. If info isn't helpful, feel free to delete. **EDIT June 9** Sorry, I thought I did return ferry with FSR. I saw their sign at building and as I pulled up, a guy had me park on the sidewalk and showed me inside. There were two businesses selling tickets and he led me over to Balearia ferry. Not sure if that was the reason for cheaper return ticket. Ferry took 50 minutes cross, they tied bike down and were also excellent service. If you are crossing from here, watch the time zones. I made the 8:30AM ferry with 4 minutes to spare when my phone was showing I was 1 hour early. |
I crossed at Tangier Med on 31/05. I showed my covid app on phone at Algeciras at passport control. I filled out the health form but no-one wanted to see it, so still have it. I was asked whether I was a journalist or not and asked to show address of where I was staying.
Getting the TVIP took 5 mins. it was simple and a pretty good experience. I bought insurance for 5 days (500MAD) and found my insurer Bikesure does it too but they never told me when I asked as they assumed I'd want equivalent comp insurance and they only do 3rd party, I complained and they apologized so check if your UK insurer would offer 3rd party if they say no at first. I used an eSim for data, from a company called Holafly, you scan a QR code to install, if your phone supports it' it's an easy option, $27 for 3.5GB of data, it starts when you scan the QR code, you're supposed to be able to install then activate, but mine activated right away and I'd chosen 5 days so it will stop working on day 6, so if you use one, install the day you are going to use and reboot the phone, it worked well after that and I had data from Tangier to Merzouga. |
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May I ask what people have been paying for ferries recently?
A return ticket in a Land Rover 110 for 2 people is costing just shy of £500 in September. I appreciate most of you are 2 wheeling it, but curious if the routes are much different in costs or would it have been better to try on the day if it becomes possible. We’re going Almeria > Melilla then return from Melilla > Malaga, purely as these were the cheapest using the ferries own website (Balearia) Ta |
Ferries
Hi Over
That seems a lot, but maybe the season. It is worth the drive to Algaciras as this much shorter/cheaper, at the moment 140 euro 1 way for van and 2 pax. Bruce |
Ferries
Try www.viajesnormanie.net. for the Algeciras-Tan Med crossing.
They used to be one of the most competitive but not sure what the pandemic may have done to their business. |
Post covid pices are up significantly and its also Operation Marhaba until the 15th September so a lot of demand.
I've seen prices of 250 euro for a 4x4 and 2 people advertised for the Algeciras Tanger Med route at the moment |
Crossing
Ah, I was quoting Ceuta-Algaceras which is shorter and the other way!
B |
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