Ferry to Spain from the UK
Travel to Spain by ferry from England
While many tourists choose to drive or fly to Spain, taking the ferry is becoming an increasingly popular and excellent alternative.
Depart from Plymouth or Portsmouth
Ferries to Spain depart from Portsmouth to Santander, twice weekly from Portsmouth to Bilbao, and twice weekly from Plymouth to Santander. Sailing times vary: the journey from Plymouth to Santander takes around 20 hours, while the crossing from Portsmouth to Bilbao can take up to 36 hours.
Map: ferries to Spain from the UK
🇬🇧 In short: UK to Spain by ferry
- Main departure ports: Portsmouth and Plymouth.
- Popular destinations: Santander and Bilbao – with San Sebastián just around the corner, making it a great city to include in your trip.
- Travelling with a car or camper? Brittany Ferries operates direct sailings from Portsmouth and Plymouth, perfect for road trips through northern Spain. Enjoy comfortable cabins, restaurants on board and stunning sea views along the way.
- Foot passengers: Foot passengers are welcome too, though with crossings of over 24 hours, booking a cabin is highly recommended.
- Crossing times: Between 24 and 33 hours, depending on the route and vessel.
- Tip: Combine your sailing with a return crossing via France for a relaxed two-country journey through western Europe.
About the crossings to Spain
There are three routes from the UK to Spain, all operated by Brittany Ferries.
You can choose the route that best suits your location and destination. As the routes and ships are quite similar, your experience won’t vary significantly based on which ship you select. Heading for Western Spain or Portugal? Then Santander is the most convenient choice.
Travel to Spain by ferry from England.
Spain is one of Britain's most popular holiday destinations, with over 18 million visitors annually, and the ferry is becoming an increasingly popular alternative for travelling to Spain.
From the southern UK cities of Plymouth and Portsmouth, ferries depart twice weekly for the northern Spanish cities of Bilbao and Santander. These crossings take one or two nights and offer a comfortable start to your holiday.
Upon arrival in Santander or Bilbao, you can easily continue your journey deeper into Spain.
- Ferries operate twice per week on all the crossings mentioned.
- Sailing times vary: the journey from Plymouth to Santander takes around 20 hours, while the crossing from Portsmouth to Bilbao can take up to 36 hours.
Option 1: Travelling from Portsmouth to Spain
- Routes: Portsmouth – Santander & Portsmouth – Bilbao
Departure from Portsmouth is possible to both Santander and Bilbao in Northern Spain. The most popular is the crossing from Portsmouth to Santander covering 530 miles in around 28 to 36 hours. You'll be onboard one of the Brittany Ferries vessels for 2 nights. You can book a return for 2 persons + a car for around £700, with plenty to do on board the ferries.
You can also book the ferry to Bilbao, closer to France, Barcelona and San Sebastian for example.
Option 2: Travelling from Plymouth to Spain
- Route: Plymouth to Santander
Your second option is the ferry from Plymouth to Santander, operated by Brittany Ferries on its flagship vessel, the Pont-Aven. This is the fastest ferry crossing from the UK to Spain. Plymouth is located in south-west England, in Devon.
The journey to Spain takes around 20 hours and is a one-night crossing. For two adults with a car during peak season, the cost is approximately £382 if booked well in advance, or around £700 for a return trip for two people, a car, and a cabin.
On board: route maps and a visual impression
Because the ferry crossings to Spain are relatively long, the ships are designed with comfort in mind. You’ll find spacious, well-equipped cabins, a choice of restaurants, and duty-free shopping on board. There’s also plenty of entertainment – from live family shows and a cinema to game rooms and an arcade. On the ferry Pont-Aven, you can even dip in the swimming pool. There’s a play area and changing facilities for younger children, making these ferries ideal for families travelling to Spain.
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- Cost calculation of a ferry to Santander
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- The Galicia ferry in the Port of Portsmouth
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- the ferry Santona – in the port of Portsmouth
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- Cabin – Santona: Brittany Ferries ferry
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- The actual ferry is the Santona – also used for the ferries to Spain
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- Picture of the Deck Plan
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- A visual impression of the Parking Deck on the Santona ferry
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- Cinema on the Santona ferry
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- Ferries from Portsmouth and Plymouth to Bilbao and Santander
On board impressions of the Santona, one of the ferries sailing on the UK to Spain routes
How early should you arrive? From what time can you check in?
Make sure to check in on time — generally at least 60 minutes before departure if you’re travelling by car or on foot. If you require special assistance, are travelling with a group, or bringing a pet, it’s best to arrive even earlier. Exact check-in times are always shown on your e-ticket and booking confirmation. In most cases, you can check in well in advance and start enjoying some of the on-board facilities before departure.
Prices and availability for the crossings to Spain
Tickets for ferries – how do you use the ferry booking engine? Enter your departure port, destination, and travel dates in the search box to compare ferry ticket prices between the UK and Spain.
If your plans are flexible, try adjusting your travel dates – prices can vary depending on the season and day of the week. You’ll instantly see the available crossings, operators, sailing times, and fares, helping you find the best route and price for your trip.
🇬🇧 Ferry travel from the UK to Spain
There are direct ferries from the UK to Spain, making it one of the most comfortable and straightforward ways to reach the Iberian Peninsula. These long-haul sailings across the Bay of Biscay are operated by Brittany Ferries and are ideal for travellers bringing their own car, camper, or motorhome.
Main UK → Spain ferry routes
- Portsmouth → Santander: The most reliable year-round route, ideal for northern or central Spain travelers.
- Portsmouth → Bilbao: Great for those continuing towards the Basque Country or northern Spain.
- Plymouth → Santander: Shorter sailing time, convenient for travellers from Devon, Cornwall, or South Wales.
Tips for British ferry travellers
- Book early: Bay of Biscay crossings are popular and cabins sell out quickly, especially in summer.
- Choose a cabin: All routes include overnight travel – booking a private cabin makes the journey far more enjoyable.
- Prepare for passport control: You’ll go through UK and Spain checks.
- Flexible pricing: Prices can vary depending on the season and sailing day. Adjusting your dates can often save money.
Good to know: All Brittany Ferries routes to Spain allow cars, motorbikes, and campers. Foot passengers are also welcome on most sailings, though availability may be limited in winter. Travelling by ferry means you can skip airport queues and enjoy a more relaxed start to your Spanish holiday.
Additional Information
When travelling on crossings from the UK to Spain, there are a few important things to keep in mind:
- Bring your passport: Since Brexit, a driver's licence or ID card is no longer sufficient for travel. Ensure your passport is valid for at least 3 months beyond your return date.
- Download entertainment in advance: On longer night crossings, it’s a good idea to download series or movies beforehand, as Wi-Fi on board can be expensive, and roaming in international waters is costly.
- Foot passengers: Not all ferries accept foot passengers, so check ahead.
- Travelling with young kids on a night ferry? We’ve got some helpful tips for travelling with kids here.
- Remember to drive on the right-hand side of the road after disembarking. It can be confusing for the first 10 minutes, but you'll adjust quickly.
- Bring the proper documents: You’ll need vehicle registration, insurance covering Europe.
- Worried about getting seasick? In this article, you’ll find some tips to help prevent it. Expect varied sea conditions: The Bay of Biscay can be calm or choppy; seasickness medication can help on rougher days.
Luggage & Pets
There are no restrictions on the amount of luggage you can reasonably bring on most ferries. Pets are allowed, but additional fees apply, and they must stay in designated kennels on board. For some destinations, pets must meet specific requirements, such as certain vaccinations and a pet passport. You can find country-specific regulations and company policies in this post.
Useful for travellers to Spain
Do the ferries run after the first week in November ?
Looking to travel around the 17th November
Hi Rebecca,
Thanks for your question. For now it seems like the last ferries to Spain from the UK will sail in the first week of November (5th of November). And then this particular crossing will have a winter break and will start up again in early 2024.
Best,
Can you take a trailer on the ferry’s from England to Spain.
Hi Wendy,
Yes you actually can take the ferry from England to Spain with a trailer, but you can book this only by phone at Brittany Ferries directly.
Happy travels!
Which have dog friendly overnight cabins and price please
Hi Sharon,
If you sail by ferry to Spain from the UK you'll be sailing with Brittany Ferries: Brittany Ferries does have pet friendly cabins on the Galicia, Salamanca, Pont-Aven and Normandie vessels. Spain with your pet aboard Brittany Ferries for just £29 to France and £45 to Spain each way.
Hope this answers your question.
I never knew its was possible to go by ferry, I wish Palama de Mellorca was an option. This island is beautiful, but recently the cost for flights is very expensive especially if you are like me and like to go for a short weekend. Is there a ferry to here that i have missed?
Hi Shaunu,
Thanks for your question, if you want to Palma de Mallorca from the UK you have to first get to Spain (Various ways to do this, I would go through Calais-Dover and drive). Then you need to travel to Barcelona, and from there pickup a ferry to Mallorca. Keep in mind though these ferries are over-booked and a bit expensive: Be early with your booking.
Here you can see the complete map and guide for ferries to Mallorca from Barcelona.
~ Jochem
We would like to travel with our cat but having issues with finding any availability.
Does joining the ferry club help with this or is it a case of having to book a year in advance? Not practical for us oldies.
We travel to Spain and return to uk twice every year, following the 90 day rules.
What advantages if any would be gained by joining the club?
Hi Dianne,
Thank you for getting in touch. We're not Brittany Ferries, but we strive to provide a comprehensive overview of available routes and considerations. You can find all the information regarding Club Voyage on this page at Brittany Ferries. Club Voyage Benefits.
We couldn't find any information about prioritized arrangements for bringing your cat onboard as part of the Club Voyage membership.
You probably found the information on pet friendly cabins already, but if not you can find it here:
Have a good trip!
Hi, Could the Brittany Ferry Portsmouth to Santander in December January travel just have not been advertised yet or do these not sail in winter. And if not can a company that does sail come with a recommendation.
Hi Nathasha,
These ferries from the UK to Spain do also sail in December. If they're not visible yet then they might have not been advertised yet. For the ferries to Santander you can already find the dates for November, I think in a month or so December will also be added to the sailing schedule.
Have a nice trip!