The Spurs fans heading to Bilbao

Planes, trains and cars: Spurs fans head to Bilbao

Just now Share Save Harry Low & Chris Slegg BBC News Share Save

Reuters Spurs fans are finding creative ways to reach the Basque city

As Tottenham Hotspur go in search of European silverware in Spain, many of their supporters are also determined to be in Bilbao for the Europa League final. Four fans are finding northern Spain a tough place to go but have given it 110% to arrange different modes of transport to get to the game against Manchester United - and back home again (it is, after all, a game of two halves). Compare the cost (return, per person), convenience and journey time of each pilgrimage to the coastal city.

Three trains, one car journey

Andy Bass Andy is letting the train take the strain

Andy Bass: Duration of 22 hours, cost of £600 Mr Bass is travelling with his father who took him to his first Spurs FA Cup final - the 1987 loss to Coventry City - and his 14-year-old nephew. Hopefully, the lads will put in a great shift - their journey starts in Radlett in Hertfordshire, from where they will take a train to King's Cross St Pancras. Then it's the Eurostar to Paris followed by a sleeper train to Dax in south-west France. They finish by hiring a car and driving to Bilbao. Mr Bass said he hoped trains "might be more reliable than air travel" after the past few years, but accepts "as ever, these things are out of my hands". And as for the result? "Both sides have performed poorly this season but I'm excited - we've really got a shot at winning this - but supporting Spurs in the final is something I wouldn't miss." Honestly, you couldn't write a script like this.

Two buses, two trains, one flight

Emma de Duve Emma (left) has never been to Bilbao

Emma de Duve: Duration of 13 hours, cost of £300 Ms de Duve is travelling to the game with her dad and sister and the journey will start with a bus to San Sebastian. The 26-year-old said: "I'm not sure that it is going to be worth it - I've had a season ticket for 20 years and I've only seen one trophy in my life so I'm really hoping that this is going to be number two. "I think it's also a massive thing for us to go on a nice trip. "I'm hoping it is going to be worth it but time will tell - I'm a Tottenham fan so I'm not actually too optimistic." They booked their accommodation nearly a year ago when Spurs qualified for the competition. Ms de Duve said: "Obviously we're there for the football but I think being there are going be so many Tottenham fans - the atmosphere is going to be so good. "Hopefully the weather is going to be nice. I've never been to Bilbao, so I'm also looking forward exploring a new city. "I think an all-English final makes it a bit exciting so I'm looking forward to the whole trip." At the end of the day, it's a funny old game.

Two flights, one car journey

Michael Green Michael Green went to the Spurs' last European final in 2019

Michael Green: Duration of 14 hours, cost of £330 The chair of the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Trust is taking two flights to reach northern Spain. Starting at Gatwick, he will fly to Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, where he will take a second flight to the French coastal town of Biarritz before driving to the game. He said: "It will mean an awful lot to all fans. We've been waiting for so long. "We obviously had the near miss in 2019 [Champions league final] and that that was a magical adventure, given the the nature of some of the games we played en route to the Champions League final, but ultimately it wasn't to be. "To go one better this time around will mean so much to so many people." To be fair, a win is a win. Literally.

Four car journeys, one flight

Richie Moore Most of Richie Moore's group don't have tickets

Richie Moore: Duration of 29 hours, cost of £300 Liverpool-based Spurs fan Mr Moore booked his flight after the quarter final win over Frankfurt for £45 return. After driving down to Stansted to fly to Limoges in France, he will hire a car to cross the continent. He said: "We don't do it often - we're Spurs fans. Even though only one of us has got a match ticket and the other four haven't... we're still travelling. "Unless you're a football fan, you wouldn't understand just being part of the whole emotion, the whole atmosphere, the camaraderie, the banter and the experience of mixing with like-minded people that just want to experience that kind of event. "Even if you lose, it's alright. Don't get me wrong, winning is brilliant but losing isn't the worst case. It's just being together having a laugh." He's good, but could he do it on a cold, wet Tuesday night in Stoke?

Click here to read article