Ferries to France from Portsmouth
Ferry from Portsmouth to France
Portsmouth is one of the best UK ports for ferries to western France. From here, Brittany Ferries operates crossings to Caen, Cherbourg, Le Havre and Saint-Malo, giving you a choice of routes into Normandy and Brittany.
This makes Portsmouth especially useful if you want to avoid Dover and sail closer to your final destination in France. Depending on the route, you can choose a shorter daytime crossing, a longer overnight ferry, or a crossing that saves you driving time once you arrive in France.
For a full comparison of all routes, including Dover, Newhaven, Poole and Plymouth, see our main guide to ferries from the UK to France. If you are mainly comparing western ferry routes as an alternative to Dover, our Dover alternatives guide for Portsmouth and Plymouth is also worth reading.
We have visualised the Portsmouth to France routes on the map below, so you can quickly see where each crossing arrives.
Crossings from Portsmouth to France mapped
Which Portsmouth to France ferry should you choose?
- Best all-round route: Portsmouth to Caen, especially for Normandy and onward driving into France.
- Best for Brittany: Portsmouth to Saint-Malo, because you arrive much further west.
- Best for western Normandy: Portsmouth to Cherbourg, especially for the Cotentin Peninsula and western Normandy.
- Best for eastern Normandy: Portsmouth to Le Havre, useful for Le Havre, Honfleur, Rouen and some Paris-side itineraries.
Our experience on the ferries from Portsmouth to France
In summer 2025, we travelled as a family of four on two different Brittany Ferries crossings linked to Portsmouth. First, we sailed from Saint-Malo to Portsmouth during the day. For the return journey, we had originally planned Portsmouth to Caen, but after car trouble and a fully booked sailing, we changed plans and took the overnight Portsmouth to Cherbourg ferry instead.
The unexpected change from Caen to Cherbourg also showed us something else: on busy summer sailings, flexibility can be useful. While Caen is often the most logical all-round route from Portsmouth, Cherbourg proved to be a perfectly practical alternative for reaching Normandy.
You can read our full travel reports here:
If you are still choosing between the Portsmouth routes, also see our Portsmouth to Caen guide, our guide to Portsmouth and Plymouth as alternatives to Dover, and our broader UK to France ferry comparison.
Portsmouth to Cherbourg by Ferry: Sailing on the Santona with Brittany Ferries
By ferry from Saint-Malo to Portsmouth: our experience and a visual impression
Timetable sailing schedule Portsmouth to France
Ferries to France from Portsmouth
| Route | Days | Departure time | Arrival | Duration | Sailings per week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth to Le Havre | Daily | 11:30 | 18:30 | 6 hours | 7 sailings per week |
| Portsmouth to Cherbourg | Fri, Mon, Wed | 12:30 / 22:00 (night crossing) | 19:00 / 08:00 | 5 hours 30 min - 9 hours | 3 sailings per week |
| Portsmouth to Caen | Daily | 08:00 / 15:00 / 23:00 (night crossing) | 15:00 / 22:00 / 06:45 | 6 hours | 21 sailings per week |
| Portsmouth to St Malo | Daily except Tuesday | 20:15 | 08:15 | 11 hours | 6 night sailings per week |
An overview of all the crossings from Portsmouth to France:
-
- From Portsmouth, ferries operate routes to Caen, Le Havre, St Malo, and Cherbourg.
-
- Portsmouth Cherbourg
-
- Santona ferry from Portsmouth Port
-
- Spotting ferries in Portsmouth port
-
- Saint Malo from the ferry
-
- View on Saint Malo from the ferry to Portsmouth
-
- kids play area on the ferry Saint Malo
-
- Boarding terrain in Saint Malo
-
- Cabin Santona Ferry – example for St Malo ferry
-
- Boarding cards Brittany Ferries: keep them close, also the cabin key and needed in the restaurant.
-
- Ferry Saint Malo to Portsmouth view from the ferry
Tickets
Brittany Ferries: what to book (cabins, tickets & upgrades)
Not sure what to book on Brittany Ferries? We’ve bundled the essentials into one simple guide: which cabin (or seat/lounger) fits your crossing, what the real difference is between Economy, Standard, and Flexi, and which upgrades (lounges, dining, food options) are actually worth it – and which you can skip. You’ll find the full cabins, tickets, and upgrades guide here.
Tip: on day sailings, it’s mainly about comfort; on overnight crossings, a cabin can make the whole trip.
Prices and availability for this crossing
Additional information
Other ferries from Portsmouth
Portsmouth is not only a ferry port for France. There are also ferries from Portsmouth to Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Wight. Portsmouth is also used for longer Brittany Ferries crossings to Spain; see our guide to ferries from the UK to Spain.
Getting to the port of Portsmouth
The address of Portsmouth International Port is:
- Wharf Road, Portsmouth, Hants, PO2 8RU, United Kingdom
Most international ferry sailings from Portsmouth leave from Portsmouth International Port, the city’s main ferry terminal. The port is close to the city centre and is well signposted from the M275, with facilities such as cafés, a shop, waiting areas, parking and passenger services.
Luggage and pets
There is no strict maximum luggage limit when travelling by car, but you should only bring what you can safely carry or store. For foot passengers, Brittany Ferries recommends limiting luggage to a maximum of two pieces of luggage weighing up to 20kg per crossing.
Pets are allowed on Brittany Ferries crossings to France, but you must book the correct pet option in advance. Depending on the route and ship, pets may travel in your vehicle, in an onboard kennel or in a pet-friendly cabin.
Public transport to Portsmouth ferry port
Train services from London Waterloo to Portsmouth usually take around 85 minutes, depending on the service. Portsmouth has two useful stations: Portsmouth & Southsea and Portsmouth Harbour. Both are relatively close to the ferry port, but you should still allow enough time for a taxi or local transfer before check-in.
If you are travelling as a foot passenger, check the check-in time carefully. For international ferry crossings, arriving too close to departure can cause problems, especially when travelling with luggage or during busy holiday periods.
Best alternatives to Portsmouth for ferries to France
If Portsmouth is not the most convenient port for you, there are several alternatives:
- Dover to Calais or Dunkirk: usually best for the shortest and most frequent crossings.
- Newhaven to Dieppe: a useful alternative for Normandy and northern France.
- Poole to Cherbourg: often worth checking if you are starting further west on the south coast.
- Plymouth to Roscoff: a strong option for Brittany and western France.
For a full comparison, see our UK to France ferry guide. For a more specific comparison of western routes, read our guide to Portsmouth and Plymouth as alternatives to Dover.
Useful for travellers to France
Tips for ferry travellers
