Portsmouth to Saint-Malo ferry
Overnight to Brittany: one of Brittany Ferries’ most popular crossings, and one we have sailed as a family
Ferries from Portsmouth to Saint-Malo
Portsmouth to Saint-Malo is the direct line from the south of England to Brittany, and the most relaxed way to do it: sailings from Portsmouth are overnight, about 11 hours, so you sleep in a cabin and wake up inside the walls of one of France’s best-looking ports. Coming back there is usually a daytime crossing of about 9 hours. Cars, caravans and motorhomes all go, and the walled city at the far end is worth a night in itself.
Looking for a discount on this crossing? Before you book, check the current Brittany Ferries offers and discount codes. We check every offer against the operator’s own website.
Map: Portsmouth to Saint-Malo and the alternatives from Portsmouth
The map above shows Portsmouth to Saint-Malo; the one below the other sailings from Portsmouth, to Cherbourg and Caen. Portsmouth to Le Havre closed in September 2026.
About the crossing to Saint-Malo
We booked this route ourselves, Saint-Malo to Portsmouth, for a family holiday to the UK. The report below is what it was actually like on board, from boarding to breakfast.
By ferry from Saint-Malo to Portsmouth: our experience and a visual impression
View on Saint Malo from the ferry to Portsmouth 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
Portsmouth to Saint-Malo in short
- Overnight sailings most days: evening departure, early morning arrival in France.
- Private cabins, restaurants and entertainment for children and adults.
- A direct gateway to Brittany, Normandy, the Loire, the Dordogne and the Atlantic coast.
- From Saint-Malo: mid-morning day sailings arriving in Portsmouth in the early evening (around 18:20), plus some overnight options.
- Both ports are worth time: the walled “pirate city” of Saint-Malo, and Portsmouth two hours from London by motorway.
Why Saint-Malo rather than Caen
Caen is quicker and cheaper; Saint-Malo is the better arrival. The port is inside the old town, so you step off the ship and into the granite streets, which makes it the natural choice for a mini-cruise or a short break from the south of England or London as well as the start of a Brittany holiday. All the Portsmouth routes, and when each one is the right pick, are on our Portsmouth to France page; they are all Brittany Ferries.
On board, the ships and the route maps
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- From Portsmouth, Brittany Ferries sails to Caen, Cherbourg and Saint-Malo.
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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 to Portsmouth driving on the ferry
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- Ferry Saint Malo to Portsmouth view from the ferry
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- Boarding cards Brittany Ferries: keep them close, also the cabin key and needed in the restaurant.
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- Deck plan Saint Malo ferry
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- View on Saint Malo from the ferry to Portsmouth
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- kids play area on the ferry Saint Malo
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- Saint Malo from the ferry
The crossing in brief
- Route: Portsmouth to Saint-Malo (Brittany, France)
- Duration: about 9 hours by day, 11 hours overnight
- Operator: Brittany Ferries; book direct
- Alternatives: Portsmouth to Caen, Portsmouth to Cherbourg (up to twice a week in winter), Plymouth to Saint-Malo or Roscoff, Poole to Saint-Malo via Guernsey
Our take
Out of the UK this is normally an overnight crossing, and that is how we would always do it: a proper night’s sleep and a clear head for the French roads. The car deck is roomy, and cars, caravans and motorhomes all go without fuss. In high season we paid around £300 in total for four people plus the car; that was the fare on our trip, not a current price. On board there is a choice of restaurants and enough to keep children busy until bedtime. It suits anyone heading into Brittany, Normandy or further south, and the other way it is the easy route to London, Dorset, Devon, Cornwall and Wales. Leave time for Saint-Malo itself, before or after.
Portsmouth is under two hours by car from London, with motorway to the port and trains to Portsmouth Harbour, which makes it the natural port for the Midlands, London and the south.
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.
Sailing times between Portsmouth and Saint-Malo
Usually one sailing a day in each direction. From Portsmouth most crossings are overnight, leaving around 20:00 to 20:15 and arriving in Saint-Malo at 08:15 the next morning. From Saint-Malo the day crossing leaves around 10:30 and arrives in Portsmouth at 18:20, about 8 hours 50 minutes; the overnight option leaves at 20:30 French time and arrives at 07:45 UK time, about 12 hours 15 minutes on board.
Why families like this route
- The children sleep through the crossing, so everyone arrives with energy.
- The new ship Saint-Malo is hybrid-powered, with comfortable private cabins, restaurants, bars and evening entertainment.
- Nobody has to sit still for nine hours; there is room to roam.
Onward from Saint-Malo
Brittany, Normandy, the Loire, the Dordogne and the Atlantic coast are all within a day’s drive, and the walled city deserves an afternoon before you leave.
Portsmouth port
Brittany Ferries terminal: Wharf Road, Portsmouth PO2 8RU, United Kingdom.
Jan Willem van Tilburg
Useful for travellers to France
Tips for ferry travellers
