Portsmouth to Saint Malo
This is one of Brittany Ferries most popular crossings
Ferries from Portsmouth to Saint Malo
The ferry from Portsmouth to Saint-Malo is a direct link between the south of England and beautiful Brittany. It’s an ideal route if you’re travelling from London or the south and southwest of England to France.
Sailings from Portsmouth to Saint-Malo are usually overnight, taking around 11 hours. On the return leg, from Saint-Malo back to Portsmouth, you’ll often find a daytime crossing of about 9 hours.
This Brittany Ferries route is a comfortable way to travel, your holiday really starts the moment you step on board, whether you’re travelling on foot, by car, or with your caravan.
Map: ferry route Portsmouth-Saint Malo and Portsmouth to French alternatives
The map above shows the route from Portsmouth to Saint-Malo, while the map below highlights alternative sailings from Portsmouth. From Portsmouth, you can also sail directly to Le Havre, Cherbourg, and Caen.
About the crossing to Saint Malo
We recently booked the Saint-Malo-Portsmouth crossing (opposite direction) ourselves for a family holiday to the UK. In the post below, you can discover more about this route and get a real feel for what to expect on board – perfect if you’re curious about how the journey works in practice.
By ferry from Saint-Malo to Portsmouth: our experience and a visual impression
Thinking about taking the ferry from the UK to France or vice versa? The Saint-Malo – Portsmouth route has it all: a comfortable crossing from a must-visit French coastal town, with easy onward travel to
Portsmouth – St Malo Ferry
- Overnight sailings most days → sleep on board, wake up in France.
- Family-friendly: private cabins, restaurants, and entertainment for kids & adults.
- Ideal for onward travel: direct gateway to Brittany, Normandy, Dordogne & Atlantic coast.
- From Portsmouth: evening departures, early morning arrival.
- From St Malo: mid-morning departures, afternoon arrival in the UK.
- Ports worth a visit: historic St Malo (walled pirate city) and lively Portsmouth with good road links (2h from London).
Portsmouth to Saint-Malo ferry
The Portsmouth to Saint-Malo ferry is a great alternative to the Caen crossing. One big advantage of choosing Saint-Malo is that the port itself is well worth a visit.
This historic walled town is full of character and makes for a memorable stop in its own right. It’s also a perfect option if you’re looking for a mini-cruise or a short break in France from the south of England or even London. From Portsmouth, there are also several other crossings to France. For a full overview of all routes and alternatives, check out our Portsmouth to France page.
All ferries from Portsmouth to France listed here are operated by Brittany Ferries.
On board, vessels and ferry route maps of the crossing between Portsmouth and Saint Malo
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- From Portsmouth, ferries operate routes to Caen, Le Havre, St Malo, and 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.
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- Boarding cards Brittany Ferries: keep them close, also the cabin key and needed in the restaurant.
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- Saint Malo from the ferry
Portsmouth to Saint Malo crossing in short:
- Route: Portsmouth (Portsmouth) ➜ Saint Malo (Brittany, France)
- Duration: 9 hours (day crossing) to 11 hours (night crossing)
- Operated by: Brittany Ferries
- Want to book directly ➜ Brittany Ferries.
- Best Alternative: Portsmouth – Le Havre, Portsmouth – Cherbourg, Portsmouth-Caen.
- Or from Plymouth / Poole to France.
Crossing in comfort to Saint Malo, France
The sailing between Saint Malo and Portsmouth is a popular connection between France and England.
From the UK to France, this is usually an overnight crossing; which we personally prefer. It’s such a relaxed way to travel: you get a good night’s sleep on board and arrive refreshed, ready to hit the road with a clear head.
Cars, caravans and motorhomes can all be taken on the Portsmouth–Saint Malo ferries. The parking deck feels very spacious. During the high season, we booked this very crossing ourselves and paid around £300 in total for four people plus the car. On board you’ll find a choice of restaurants as well as entertainment for all ages.
You can read more about what’s actually available on board in our detailed travel report to this route and its facilities. This crossing is a great choice if you’re heading onwards to Brittany, Normandy, or further south into France. Travelling the other way, it’s perfect for a trip to London, Dorset, Somerset, Devon, Wales or Cornwall. And don’t forget Saint Malo itself – a beautiful walled city steeped in history, famous both on screen and as the legendary ‘pirate city’. Well worth exploring before or after your ferry journey.
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, London and the south of England.
Crossings between Saint Malo and Portsmouth:
There’s usually one sailing a day in each direction: Portsmouth → Saint Malo Most crossings are overnight, leaving Portsmouth around 20:00–20:15 and arriving in Saint Malo at 08:15 the following morning. A perfect way to travel – sleep on board and wake up in France. Saint Malo → Portsmouth Sailings are usually during the day, but there are also some overnight options. Day crossing: departs around 10:30, arriving in Portsmouth at 18:20
(around 8h 50m sailing time). Overnight crossing: departs at 20:30, arriving the next morning at 07:45.
Why this route is so popular
The Portsmouth–St Malo ferry is one of the most relaxed ways to cross the Channel. Most sailings are overnight, which means you simply go to sleep on board and wake up in France – holiday mode switched on from the start!
On board the ferry
- Modern ship Saint-Malo: hybrid-powered and more eco-friendly.
- Comfortable private cabins so the whole family can sleep well.
- Restaurants, bars and entertainment for both kids and adults.
- A smooth and enjoyable crossing that feels like part of the holiday.
Timetable highlights
- From Portsmouth: evening departures, early morning arrival in St Malo.
- From St Malo: mid-morning sailings, arriving back in the UK in the afternoon.
- Sailings on most days, year-round (with some seasonal changes).
Why this route (the ferry in particular) is ideal for families
- Travel while the kids sleep – less stress, more energy on arrival.
- Entertainment on board keeps little ones happy during dinner and before bedtime.
- Wake up refreshed and ready for your road trip through France.
- Kids don't have to sit tight the whole trip.
Perfect for your onward journey
- St Malo is a gateway to Brittany, Normandy, the Dordogne and the Atlantic coast.
- Portsmouth has excellent road links (M27, just 2 hours from London) and plenty to see nearby.
- Both ports are easy to reach and make the journey as smooth as possible.
Don’t miss Saint Malo itself!
This historic walled city is well worth a visit before or after your sailing. A beautiful backdrop to begin, or end, your holiday.
Portsmouth Port
📍 Portsmouth Brittany Ferries Port Terminal address:
- Wharf Road, Hants, Portsmouth PO2 8RU
United Kingdom
Useful for travellers to France
Tips for ferry travellers
