All of our students here at Leading Edge find home at our fair weather campus in Alhama. Situated right in the heart of the Murcia region, alongside sun and sand, our campus there is an excellent backdrop for your foundational flight training. Not an essential, but many of our students choose to drive there to have a car whilst living abroad. 

In this blog, we’ve created a comprehensive guide, put together by our students, on driving your car down to Southern Spain. Discover how to navigate the logistics, and make the most of your new adventure in Alhama de Murcia. Don’t miss our step-by-step checklist to ensure your move abroad is as seamless as possible.

Which route should I take?

On the whole, the most popular routes our students have taken to get to Alhama are either via the ferry all the way to Northern Spain and a 7 hour drive across the country. Alternatively, many more of our students  take a more scenic route via the tunnel or the ferry at Dover followed by driving all the way through France and south through Spain. From Oxford, the journey  is approximately 1,026 km and takes around 25 hours. Here are some of the routes our students have taken. 

Route 1: The Fastest (Eurotunnel via Paris & Madrid)

This is the go-to option if you want to get there quickly. After taking the Eurotunnel from Folkestone to Calais, you’ll drive through France and central Spain on fast motorways. Expect long stretches of toll roads, particularly in France.

• Best for: those who want to minimise travel time.

• Driving time: 22–24 hours (split over 2–3 days).

• Costs: Higher, due to tolls (roughly £120+ in France) plus fuel.

• Perk: Predictable, straightforward journey with excellent motorway facilities.

• Drawback: Paris traffic can be stressful, and tolls really add up.

Here’s what our student, Jake, shared with us about his journey: 

I got the train over to France from dover which was quick and easy. From there, I essentially drove straight south through Paris and spending a night at a hotel in Toulouse (due to driving around 9-10 hours by that point). Coming out of Toulouse, I headed towards the coast through the Spanish border eventually going past Barcelona, Valencia and Alicante. That day took around 10-11 hours of driving which was alright due to how straightforward the roads were.

Route 2: The Scenic Budget Route (Low-Toll Roads)

Oxford → Dover → Calais →Northern Spain → Alhama

If you don’t mind taking longer, this is the student budget-travel special. Instead of paying hefty French motorway tolls, you can stick to national (N) roads and enjoy a more scenic journey. It’s slower, but you’ll pass through charming French towns and countryside along the way.

• Best for: Students travelling with friends who want to make a trip of it.

• Driving time: 25–30 hours, usually 3–4 days with stops.

• Costs: Less on tolls, more on fuel and overnight stays.

• Perk: Great for road trip vibes, cultural stops, and photo opportunities.

• Drawback: Longer, more tiring, and less straightforward.

Max, another student, also enjoyed this route:

I took the ferry from Calais and took a scenic route through France over the course of a week, so I travelled to difference cities in France like Orleans, Lyon, Montpellier and Spain and stayed overnight at each spot and made a trip out of it. The journey was overall good, tiring driving so I just did 5-6 hours of driving a day and spent the rest looking at cities. I’d definetly recommend to anyone driving out to go with someone else, so I went with my flatmate and we did the trip down together and it’s also a bonus if they can drive too, as we split the driving and it made things a lot easier and less stressful. I’d also recommend to avoid toll roads as they can get quite pricey and chances are they can drive on public roads and the journey time is very similar and only a tiny bit longer! 

Route 3: The Relaxed Option (Ferry to Northern Spain)

Oxford → Portsmouth → Santander/Bilbao (ferry) → Madrid → Malaga/Seville

If the idea of driving across the whole of France feels draining, this might be your ideal choice. The ferry from Portsmouth takes you directly to northern Spain, cutting out hundreds of miles behind the wheel. The crossing is long (24–30 hours), but the ship has cabins, restaurants, and space to relax.

• Best for: Students who prefer less driving and more comfort.

• Driving time: 9–10 hours in Spain (plus the ferry crossing).

• Costs: Ferry tickets are pricier upfront (~£300–£450), but you save on fuel and French tolls.

• Perk: More chilled, less wear and tear on your car.

• Drawback: Sailing schedules are fixed, and seasickness can be an issue.

Our student, Luke, summed it up by saying: 

Once you arrive in Santander it’s a 7 hour drive, with Madrid and a few other notable towns in the middle to stop halfway for your lunch. We didn’t hit any tolls on the way down but I believe there are routes you can take which do have tolls.

Top Tips:

Now we’ve broken down the routes, it’s important to talk about the practical decisions you will need to make when making the journey.

• You must have UK sticker on back of car if you have UK plates.
• Petrol and diesel available almost everywhere. 
• Each insurance provider is different, but most will insure you for 6 months in the EU with no additional cost. 
• Don’t forget you drive on the opposite side of the road!

Whichever route you take, the drive from Oxford to southern Spain is more than just a way to get from A to B, it’s a journey full of experiences, choices, and stories to tell. Whether you’re racing down the motorways, cruising on a ferry, or meandering through scenic backroads, the trip itself can be just as memorable as your destination.