If you are planning to visit the beautiful Lugo coast in Spain, you might be wondering how to get around without spending too much money on public transport. Well, there is a great alternative that is cheap, convenient and eco-friendly: BlaBlaCar!

BlaBlaCar is the world’s leading community-based travel network that connects drivers and passengers who are going to the same destination. You can find a ride from a wide range of destinations and routes at low prices, and enjoy a social and fun travel experience with your fellow carpoolers.

We have used BlaBlaCar several times travelling from the South to the North of Spain and it’s certainly a cost AND time effective way to make the journey. If you don’t want to drive or hire a car then this is definitely worth considering

Pros and Cons of Using BlaBlaCar

Obviously, as with any service, there are positives and negatives to consider, and BlaBlaCar is no different. Here are some things to consider:

The pros of using BlaBlaCar

Here are some of the pros of using BlaBlaCar to visit the Lugo coast:

• Depending on where you are travelling from, BlaBlaCar is likely to be not only much cheaper than public transport, it is also likely to be a lot quicker
• There are no inconvenient changes or stop-overs
• It’s a great way to meet new people and to get a local’s view of the destination
• The app and website is set up to make the experience as smooth as possible
• The driver gets paid AFTER the ride has finished therefore ensuring the passenger gets the service they hope for (the passenger will actually make the payment in advance to reserve the place, but the payment isn’t transferred to the driver until the ride is complete)

The drawbacks of using BlaBlaCar

Of course, there are some drawbacks too to consider:

• If you don’t speak the language, it can be a long and silent journey, it will certainly be worth rehearsing a few important phrases in Spanish or Galego (for example, can we stop at the next services)
• The driver may cancel at the last moment, while you will get a full refund, this doesn’t compensate for any inconvenience
• There may not be many rides to smaller destinations. We found that there were frequent rides to Ferrol, but not to smaller towns, which meant we had to use public transport at the end of the journey

How to Use BlaBlaCar

How to use BlaBlaCar? It’s very easy! Just download the app or visit their website HERE, create a free account, and start searching for rides that suit your needs. You can filter by date, time, price, number of seats available, etc. Once you find a ride that matches your criteria, you can book it online with a few clicks. You will receive a confirmation email with the driver’s contact details and pick-up location. You can prepay too, which reserves your place and the driver doesn’t get paid until the end of the ride.

On the day of departure, just show up at the agreed place and time, if you haven’t prepaid you will pay your share of the fuel cost to the driver (usually in cash), and enjoy your trip!

Tips for safety

BlaBlaCar is a trusted platform that verifies its members’ identity, phone number and email address. You can also check the ratings and reviews of other users before booking a ride. However, it is always advisable to follow some common sense rules when carpooling with strangers. For example:

• Always inform someone (a friend or family member) about your trip details: where you are going, who you are travelling with, when you expect to arrive, etc.
• Avoid travelling alone if possible. Try to find a ride with more than one passenger or bring along a travel companion.
• Choose a public and well-lit place as your pick-up and drop-off location.
• Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable or unsafe with someone, don’t hesitate to cancel or decline the ride.

Importance of leaving reviews

Leaving reviews after each ride is very important for both drivers and passengers. It helps to build trust and reputation within the BlaBlaCar community. It also helps other users to make informed decisions when choosing their rides. Reviews should be honest, respectful and constructive. They should reflect your personal experience with the driver or passenger: how punctual they were, how friendly they were, how clean their car was, etc.

If you are visiting the coast of Lugo and are looking for an alternative to public transport or hiring a car BlaBlaCar is definitely worth a look!