Can you get to San Sebastian by ferry?
Later on this page: routemap to San Sebastian
That San Sebastian is a popular holiday destination requires no further explanation. Whether you can get there by ferry is, in our opinion, a lot more interesting, call it professional deformation.
The answer is yes and no; you cannot get to San Sebastian ‘directly' by ferry, but there are several ferries from Ireland and the UK to Northern Spain that will take you very close to San Sebastian: including to the ports of Santander and Bilbao. After the ferry you can drive from either Santander (2.5 hours) or Bilbao (1 hour) to San Sebastian.
Below you'll find all the crossings, a visual map, and any additional information about the different crossings to San Sebastian. This crossing can be done as a foot passenger, but also with a camper, caravan, or car.
Map with all ferry routes from the UK in the direction of San Sebastian
There are three ways to travel from the UK to Spain, all run by Brittany Ferries. The ferries depart from Plymouth and Portsmouth.
Depending on where you live, you can find out the quickest route to San Sebastian, marked in blue. Bilbao is a bit nearer to San Sebastian, but the Plymouth to Santander route is the fastest.
Book your ferry to San Sebastian early in the season
Especially if you're planning to travel to San Sebastian and Spain by car or camper, it's wise to book early. Prices tend to rise as the ferries fill up, and often the spots on the parking deck are sold out. Are you travelling as a foot passenger? Then you can take a bit more risk with booking and maybe even take a chance with a last-minute booking.
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Option 1: from Portsmouth to San Sebastian
From Portsmouth, you have the option to catch a ferry to Bilbao or Santander. Since Bilbao is closer to San Sebastian, it usually makes more sense to take that ferry, unless the one to Santander happens to be a bit cheaper.Option 2: Plymouth to San Sebastian.
This is the fastest crossing to San Sebastian, so if you live close to Plymouth this would be the quickest way to get to San Sebastian by ferry.
UK ⇔ San Sebastian
Option 3: from Ireland to San Sebastian
If you're leaving from Ireland, the ferry from Rosslare to Bilbao would be the most straightforward choice. Unless you specifically want to visit Santander or if the ferry to Santander happens to be cheaper, we would suggest taking the ferry from Rosslare to Bilbao for your journey to San Sebastian.
Ireland ⇔ San Sebastian
Frequent Asked Question ferries to San Sebastian
No, there isn't. However, there are multiple ferries departing from the UK and Ireland for ports quite close to San Sebastian. So, travelling by boat to San Sebastian is a really good option for a comfortable start to your vacation.
From Plymouth, the ferry journey to Santander takes about 20 hours. After arriving in Santander, it's only a 2 to 2.5-hour drive to San Sebastian from there.
Brittany Ferries is the main operator for ferries to Spain from the UK and Ireland.
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