Portsmouth to Caen
This is one of Brittany Ferries most popular crossings
Ferries from Portsmouth to Caen
The Portsmouth to Caen ferry is one of the most popular and frequent crossings between Portsmouth and France. Operated by Brittany Ferries, this route offers a comfortable and reliable start to your journey in France.
Map: ferry route Portsmouth-Caen
The map displays the route from Portsmouth to Caen, as well as alternative sailings departing from Portsmouth. You can also sail to Le Havre, Cherbourg, or Saint-Malo from Portsmouth.
About the crossing to Caen
Overnight or Day Cruise Ferry to Caen
From Portsmouth to Caen, there are three daily crossings operated by Brittany Ferries:
- Morning crossing
- Afternoon crossing
- Overnight ferry departing in the evening
The daytime crossings take approximately 6 hours to sail across the Channel, while the overnight option allows you to sleep onboard and arrive refreshed for your journey in France.
Crossing from Portsmouth to Caen
The Portsmouth to Caen ferry, operated by Brittany Ferries, is one of the most popular routes between the UK and France. Alongside this route, there are several alternative crossings from Portsmouth to other French destinations.
For a full overview of options, including alternative sailings, visit our Portsmouth to France page for more details.
On board, vessels and ferry route maps
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- From Portsmouth, ferries operate routes to Caen, Le Havre, St Malo, and Cherbourg.
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- Portsmouth Cherbourg
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- On this map you can see all the crossings from the UK / England to France – From Dover, Portsmouth, Newhaven, Poole & Plymouth to France.
The Crossing in Brief
- Route: England (Portsmouth) ➜ France (Caen)
- Duration: 6 hours (day crossing) to 8 hours (night crossing)
- Ferry Operators: Brittany Ferries
- Want to book directly ➜ Brittany Ferries.
- Best Alternative: Portsmouth – Le Havre
Crossing in comfort to France
The crossing from Portsmouth to Caen is one of Brittany Ferries' most popular routes between the UK and France. The journey takes about 6 by day or up to 8 hours overnight. It connects Portsmouth, a key port in southern England, with Caen, a gateway to Normandy. The ferry offers a range of facilities, including restaurants, cabins, and entertainment, making it a comfortable option for both passengers and vehicles. This route is ideal for travellers heading to northern France and beyond.
Portsmouth is less than two hours by car from London, and with excellent motorway links and rail connections, Portsmouth is an ideal choice for travelling to the Continent from the Midlands and the south of England.
There are daily morning and afternoon sailings to Caen, along with an overnight ferry each day. The overnight crossing takes about 8 hours, while the daytime sailings take around 6 hours.
Most of the time, the ferries from Portsmouth leave at, 08:00, 15:00 and 23:00 to Caen:
- 08:00 – 15:00
- 15:00 – 22:00
- 23:00 – 07:30
Please note: there is a one-hour time difference with the Continent.
Caen is the gateway to Normandy in Northern France and is easily accessible by ferry. Brittany Ferries offers multiple crossings on their cruise ferries, allowing you to choose between daytime or overnight sailings.
You can also bring your car on board, making it easy to travel onward to Normandy, Brittany, or even further south into France. For example, Paris is just 139 miles from Caen, and La Rochelle is 260 miles away.
In 2025 the new hybrid cruise ferry: Guillaume de Normandie will start sailing on this route.
Portsmouth Port
📍 Portsmouth Brittany Ferries Port Terminal address:
- Wharf Road, Hants, PortsmouthPO2 8RU
United Kingdom
Caen ferry port
📍 Caen ferry terminal address:
- Avenue du Grand Large, Normandy, Ouistreham 14150 France
Caen ferry port, located in Ouistreham, is 15km north of Caen and provides direct access to the autoroute, offering a convenient route for onward travel into France
Useful for travellers to France
