UK to Europe ferry routes 2026: schedules and prices

Compare journey time, prices, comfort and vehicle options
Wed, 14 October 2026 The Ferryhopper Team

Planning a trip from the UK to Europe in 2026? From a short crossing to France to an overnight journey to northern Spain, there’s a ferry route to suit your travel plans. In this guide, we explore the UK to Europe ferry routes to France, Spain, the Netherlands and Ireland, with useful information on schedules, crossing times and prices for your next getaway.

Οn Ferryhopper, you can check real-time timetables and ticket prices for UK to Europe ferry routes in 2026, choose your next destination, and book your ferry tickets from the UK to Europe without hidden fees!

Panoramic view of ferry sailing

All aboad!

UK - France ferries

The UK - France ferry routes are served by Brittany Ferries, DFDS, P&O Ferries, and Irish Ferries with year-round and seasonal crossings. Ferries to France depart from Dover, Newhaven, Portsmouth, Plymouth and Poole and arrive at Calais and Dunkirk in Hauts-de-France, Dieppe, Caen, Cherbourg and Le Havre in Normandy, and Saint-Malo and Roscoff in Brittany. Ferry crossings from the UK to France take 1.5 hr to 11 hr, depending on the route.

  • Dover - Calais: there are around 30 daily ferries, which take about 1.5 hr. The year-round crossings are operated by DFDS and Irish Ferries with car ferries, while P&O Ferries allows foot passengers and vehicles. Ticket prices start at around €30 for foot passengers and about €100 for a vehicle.
  • Dover - Dunkirk: you can travel all year round with up to 10 daily crossings by DFDS that take 2 hr. Tickets for the vehicle-only ferry start from about €100 with a car.
  • Newhaven - Dieppe: DFDS serves the route all year round with up to 4 daily crossings. The ferry trip normally takes about 4-5 hr and ticket prices start at about €37.
  • Portsmouth - Caen: the year-round route is operated by Brittany Ferries with 3 daily crossings. The ferry trip from England to France takes 4.5-8 hr and ferry tickets are priced from €44.
  • Portsmouth - Cherbourg: Brittany Ferries operates the year-round route with 1-2 weekly departures. The ferry trip takes 7 hr 45 min to 8.5 hr and tickets cost from €50.
  • Portsmouth - Le Havre: the route is active seasonally, from March to September, with up to 7 weekly crossings by Brittany Ferries. The journey takes 6.5-10.5 hr and ticket prices start from about €44.
  • Portsmouth - Saint-Malo: you can travel all year round, usually with up to 7 weekly departures by Brittany Ferries. The journey normally takes 10.5-11 hr and ticket prices start from around €120 including a cabin.
  • Plymouth - Roscoff: the seasonal route operates from April to November, with 1-2 daily crossings most days of the week. The journey with Brittany Ferries takes 5 hr 15 min to 9.5 hr and ticket prices start from €44.
  • Poole - Cherbourg: you can sail all year round, with 7 weekly crossings by Brittany Ferries. The journey usually takes 4 hr 45 min and ticket prices start at about €44.

Good to know: you can also travel from the UK to France by train! For more details, check out our blog on whether you should travel from the UK to France by ferry or LeShuttle.

Panoramic view of Etretat in Normany, France

 The dramatic Étretat landscape, on the Alabaster Coast in Normandy

UK - Ireland ferries

The UK - Ireland ferries are served all year round by Irish Ferries and Stena Line with daily crossings from Holyhead, Fishguard and Pembroke to Dublin and Rosslare in the Republic of Ireland. You can also sail from Liverpool and Cairnryan to Belfast in Northern Ireland. The ferry from the UK to Ireland takes 3 to 4 hr, while ferries to Northern Ireland take 2-9 hr.

  • Holyhead - Dublin: there are up to 4 daily ferries by Irish Ferries and Stena Line, with the journey taking 3 hr 15 min to 3 hr 30 min and tickets priced from around €36.
  • Fishguard - Rosslare: the ferry route is served 1-2 times a day by Stena Line. The journey takes 3-4 hr and ticket prices start at about €44.
  • Pembroke - Rosslare: there are usually 2 daily crossings by Irish Ferries, with the journey taking about 4 hr and ferry tickets priced from €43.50.
  • Liverpool - Belfast: the route is served by Stena Line with 1-2 daily ferries, with the journey taking 8-9 hr and ticket prices starting at about €42.
  • Cairnryan - Belfast: Stena Line operates the route with up to 4 daily crossings. The ferry trip lasts just 2 hr 15 min and tickets cost from around €42.

View of houses and Ha’penny Bridge over the River Liffey in Dublin

A sunny day at Ha’penny Bridge over the River Liffey in Dublin

UK - Netherlands ferries

The UK - Holland ferry routes are served by DFDS and Stena Line with year-round crossings. You can travel by ferry from Newcastle and Harwich to the Dutch ports of Amsterdam and Hook of Holland, in 6 hr 45 min to 18 hr, depending on the route.

  • Newcastle - Amsterdam: there are up to 7 weekly ferries by DFDS that take 15 hr 45 min to 18 hr. Ferry ticket prices start at about €218 with a cabin, which is mandatory on this crossing.
  • Harwich - Hook of Holland: you can travel with up to 2 daily crossings, which take 6 hr 45 min to 8 hr. Stena Line operates the route and ferry ticket prices start from about €63.

Traditional Dutch windmills and canal in Zaanse Schans, Netherlands

Traditional Dutch windmills in Zaanse Schans, near Amsterdam

UK - Spain ferries

There are both seasonal and year-round UK to Spain ferries, which are operated by Brittany Ferries with a fleet of conventional cruise ferries. You can sail from Portsmouth and Plymouth to the Spanish ports of Bilbao in the Basque Country and Santander in Cantabria. Depending on the route, the ferries from UK to northern Spain take 22 hr to 36 hr.

  • Portsmouth - Bilbao: there are usually 1-2 weekly crossings, all year round. The journey takes 33-36 hr and ferry ticket prices start from €53.
  • Portsmouth - Santander: the route is served all year round, with 2 weekly crossings. The ferry trip lasts around 33 hr and ticket prices start from around €227.
  • Plymouth - Santander: you can travel seasonally, from March to November, with 2 weekly crossings. The ferry trip normally takes 20-21.5 hr and ticket prices start from €192.

Aerial view of Playa del Sardinero beach in Santander, Cantabria, northern Spain

The golden sands of Playa del Sardinero in Santander await!

FAQs

Can I take my car on a ferry from the UK to Europe?

Yes, car ferries from the UK to Europe are available on all the routes listed above, connecting the UK to France, Ireland, the Netherlands and Spain. Whether you’re taking a car ferry to France from the UK or travelling further afield to northern Spain, add your vehicle when booking and enter its correct dimensions, including any roof box or trailer. Prices depend on the route, travel dates and vehicle size.

Which UK - Europe ferry routes offer overnight crossings?

Overnight ferries from the UK include Newcastle - Amsterdam and the evening sailings on Harwich - Hook of Holland. You can also travel overnight on UK to Spain ferries connecting Portsmouth with Bilbao and Santander, and Plymouth with Santander. Portsmouth crossings to Spain can include 2 nights on board.

If you’re looking for overnight ferries to France from the UK, options include Portsmouth - Caen, Portsmouth - Saint-Malo and Plymouth - Roscoff, depending on your departure date. Choose an overnight ferry to France with a cabin for a more comfortable journey, and check the accommodation options for your sailing.

How can I find cheap ferry tickets from the UK to Europe?

To find a cheap ferry to Europe from the UK, book your tickets early and compare different departure dates, times and ports on Ferryhopper. If your plans are flexible, travelling outside school holidays and other peak periods can help you find lower fares.

Whether you’re comparing UK to Spain ferries or shorter crossings to France and Ireland, check available offers and the total booking price, including your vehicle, cabin and extras.

Can I travel as a foot passenger?

Yes, many ferries to Europe from the UK welcome foot passengers, so you can travel without a car. Options include UK to Spain ferries, Newcastle - Amsterdam, Harwich - Hook of Holland and the Ireland routes listed above.

DFDS does not accept foot passengers on Dover - Calais or Dover - Dunkirk, so check your chosen departure before booking.

View of Lighthouse Phare du Petit Minou in Plouzane, Brittany, France

Sunset by the Phare du Petit Minou lighthouse in Plouzane, Brittany

Book ferry tickets from the UK to Europe for 2026

Ready to set sail? Compare ferry crossings from the UK to Europe on Ferryhopper, find the route that suits your plans, and book your ferry tickets without hidden fees. Whether you’re planning a road trip or travelling as a foot passenger, your next adventure starts here!