UK to Spain and Portugal Family Road Trip Cost Breakdown (13 Days)

13 days.
1982 miles.
48 hours of driving.
42 hours on a ferry.
5 beautiful locations.

We recently returned from a UK to Spain and Portugal road trip, travelling by ferry with our own car and staying in a mix of coastal and rural locations.

One of the biggest questions when planning a trip like this is simple: how much does it actually cost?

So here’s our full, honest breakdown.

This isn’t a stripped-back budget or a luxury getaway. It’s what we really spent as a family of four, balancing comfort, convenience and cost while travelling and working remotely.

This UK to Spain and Portugal family road trip cost breakdown includes ferry, accommodation, food, fuel and tolls over 13 days.

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13 Day European Family Road Trip Diary: Overnight Ferry, Portugal and Spain

13 days.
1982 miles.
48 hours of driving.
42 hours on a ferry.
5 very different locations.

This trip was a mix of everything, long travel days, quiet coastal villages, mountain stays, and one standout city stop.

We travelled from the UK to Spain by ferry, drove through Portugal and back across Spain, and returned the same way.

Here’s how it all played out, day by day.

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13 Day Europe Family Road Trip Planner: UK to Spain and Portugal

If you’re thinking about driving from the UK to Spain and Portugal, it can feel like a big trip to plan.

Where do you stop?
How long should you allow?
And is it actually doable as a family?

We recently did this exact route over 13 days, combining an overnight ferry with a mix of coastal and mountain destinations.

We’re a family of four, and on this trip, our daughter was 13 (almost 14), and our son had recently turned 11.

Most of the trip worked out well, but there are definitely things we’d do differently next time.

Here’s the full itinerary, plus what to expect along the way.

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Free Things To Do in Kolymbia, Rhodes

Kolymbia isn’t a place you come to tick things off a list. It’s a place you stay when you want warm air, space to breathe, and days that unfold slowly without feeling like you need to spend lots of money to enjoy yourself.

During our two times staying here, especially when travelling as a family, we realised that some of the best moments in Kolymbia cost absolutely nothing. Walking, swimming, watching light change, and simply noticing what’s around you become the highlights.

If you’re visiting Rhodes outside peak summer, particularly after reading about why Rhodes works so well in October, Kolymbia really comes into its own. Here are the best free things to do in Kolymbia, based on how we spent our days.

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15 Surprising Things About Rhodes

After visiting Rhodes twice, in October 2024 and October 2025, we came away with a long list of things that surprised us. Some were wonderful. Some were confusing. A few were genuinely disappointing. All of them shaped how the island felt as a place to explore.

If you’re planning a trip to Rhodes, particularly outside peak summer, these are the things that surprised us the most.

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