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 and Portsmouth to Caen + alternatives.
The map displays the route from Portsmouth to Caen, as well as alternative sailings departing from Portsmouth. You can also sail to Cherbourg or Saint-Malo from Portsmouth (Portsmouth-Le Havre closed in September 2026).
About the crossing to Caen
Overnight or Day Cruise Ferry to Caen
From Portsmouth to Caen, there are up to three crossings a day operated by Brittany Ferries (two on Fridays this winter):
- 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.
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.
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.
Portsmouth port, ships and route maps
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- From Portsmouth, Brittany Ferries sails to Caen, Cherbourg and Saint-Malo.
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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.
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- The Galicia ferry in the Port of Portsmouth
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- Road to Portsmouth port
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- Check in and boarding terrain – Portsmouth port
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- boarding to Portsmouth driving on the ferry
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.
The Crossing in Brief
- Route: England (Portsmouth) ➜ France (Caen)
- Duration: 6 hours (day crossing) to about 7 hours (night crossing)
- Ferry Operators: Brittany Ferries
- Want to book directly ➜ Brittany Ferries.
- Best Alternative: Portsmouth – Cherbourg (up to twice a week in winter), Newhaven – Dieppe
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 hours by day or around 7 hours overnight. It connects Portsmouth, a key port in southern England, with Caen (Ouistreham), a gateway to Normandy and Paris. 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 about two hours by car from London, depending on where you start and on traffic, 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.
There are up to three sailings a day from Portsmouth to Caen: a morning and an afternoon day crossing of about 6 hours, and an overnight ferry. This is the winter 2026/27 pattern:
| Portsmouth → Caen | Days | Arrives |
|---|---|---|
| 07:45 | Monday, Tuesday | 14:45 |
| 08:00 | Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday (no morning sailing on Friday) | 15:00 |
| 15:00 | Daily | 22:00 |
| 23:00 (overnight) | Daily | 06:45 (07:30 after Thursday night) |
Coming back, Caen – Portsmouth sails at 08:30 (not on Fridays), 16:30 and 23:30. All times are local; France is one hour ahead of the UK. A few dates differ, mostly ship swaps in December and March, so always check your own date when booking.
For every departure day by day, see Caen crossing times and sailing days on our sister site Portsmouth Ferries.
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.
Since April 2025, the new hybrid cruise ferry Guillaume de Normandie sails on this route, replacing the Normandie.
Portsmouth Port
📍 Portsmouth Brittany Ferries Port Terminal address:
- Wharf Road, Hants, Portsmouth PO2 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
Check-in, parking and what the wait is actually like: our Portsmouth International Port guide.
Useful for travellers to France
Tips for ferry travellers
We are thinking of going in July,probably on the overnight ferry,.This sounds ideal.
The Portsmouth-Caen overnight crossing now arrives at 0645 so is less than 7 hours. Brittany Ferries are minimising turnround times in port and you can’t occupy your cabins significantly before departure and have to vacate 30 minutes before arrival. That chops down sleep time significantly, but the cabin is still very useful. Caen port is actually Ouistreham, a small seaside town about 10 km away. Foot passengers need to take a local bus into Caen.