There are several ferry routes from ports in southern Spain to Africa. While I figured out which route is the cheapest, I failed to read the departure schedule. Thus, I drive directly to the port of Algeciras so as to reduce the chance of missing a ferry by a few minutes and having a long wait.
At the garage entrance, this guy jogs up the ramp to an upper floor and then speeds down the length of the garage to guide me into a vacant space. Car parked, he leads me on foot β no longer running but at a very brisk pace β to the stairway, pointing out the ticket machine where I have to pay before leaving the garage. My suspicions are allayed when he offers me a round trip deal that makes more sense β approximately double the lower one way fare I had seen online.
Judging by the lines, it seems such agencies are where passengers buy tickets in person. As I leave the office, my quick step guide is waiting outside. I thank him for the help and he asks me for a tip. Now I get it. Regardless, he was a big help and deserves a tip but, unfortunately, I have no Euro cash on me, in fact no cash at all. In two months of traveling, virtually every transaction I made was on a credit card and what little cash I had is gone.
I feel very guilty but then realize I have several Euros sitting in the Berlingo. I make the long walk back to the car, leave the garage and pull into the line of waiting cars. Here is where my ignorance decreases a bit.
Online, I was under the impression there was only one ferry company serving this route. This doubtless explains the fare variations.
