Ferry from Cherbourg to Poole

When planning your trip on the Cherbourg - Poole ferry, you can take advantage of the fixed discounts available to specific passenger categories. Typically, infants and toddlers up to 3 years old travel for free, while children under 16 are entitled to lower ferry ticket rates.

The Cherbourg to Poole ferry route is operated by conventional ferries, such as the Barfleur, which feature modern amenities and services for a comfortable journey across the Channel. Onboard, you will find:

• Comfortable air-conditioned lounges and spacious outer decks with sea views
• Self-service restaurant, cafés and bars serving hot and cold drinks, snacks, and meals
• Entertainment including children’s play rooms and a video games
• Duty-free shops and kiosks selling snacks, gifts and travel essentials
• Wi-Fi hotspot with a range of data bundles to stay connected during the trip

Accessibility

The ferry from Cherbourg to Poole is accessible to travellers with disabilities, featuring ramps and lifts to move between decks, adapted seating and amenities in common areas, as well as wheelchair accessible cabins with adapted amenities.

Brittany Ferries also offers boarding assistance upon request, with at least 48 hr’s prior notice before your journey. For further details, contact the operator.

Cabins and accommodation

Are there cabins on the ferry?

Yes, you can book a cabin for up to 4 passengers on the Cherbourg - Poole ferry. Generally, you can choose from:

• Standard inside cabins
• Outside cabins with a sea view
• Accessible cabins for passengers with disabilities

All cabins feature a desk, toiletries, and an ensuite bathroom.

Prices for cabins start at around €100.

Can I book business-class seats?

Yes, in addition to standard deck/lounge and numbered reclining seats, Brittany Ferries offers business-class seats in the C-Club Lounge. These premium seats are in an exclusive lounge and have extra legroom, a table and USB connectors to keep your devices charged during the trip.

Prices for numbered seats start at around €58 and business-class seats from about €67.

Luggage

When traveling with Brittany Ferries, you can bring as many bags as you can carry on board by yourself, regardless of size or weight, at no extra cost. You can store your luggage in the baggage room on deck 7, which remains closed until 20-30 min before arrival. For more details, contact the reception desk when you board the ferry.

Pet travel

Pets are welcome on the Cherbourg to Poole ferry, provided you include them in your booking. Keep in mind that pets can only travel in a vehicle on this route, as there are no kennels or pet-friendly cabins. During the trip, smaller pets must be kept in their carrier, while larger pets must wear a muzzle and be kept on a lead when outside of your vehicle.

Where do pets stay on the ferry?

When travelling with Brittany Ferries from Cherbourg to Poole, your pet can stay in your vehicle. Make sure you bring along any pet supplies you may need for the trip and try to leave a window slightly open for ventilation.

Important: pets must remain in your vehicle during the trip and are not allowed in cabins or any other public areas of the ship, with the exception of registered assistance dogs.

What pet travel documents do I need?

You must bring your pet’s Animal Health Certificate or EU Pet Passport, including microchip identification and a valid rabies vaccination certificate (at least 21 days before your trip). Keep in mind that for dogs, you will also need tapeworm treatment administered by a vet 1-5 days before entering the UK.

Here are some useful tips for your ferry trip from Cherbourg to Poole:

• Poole can get busy, especially in the summer, so it’s best to be at the port at least 1.5-2 hr ahead of your ferry’s departure to clear check-in and passport control. If you are travelling with a vehicle, it’s recommended to be at the port 2-3 hr in advance.
• The sea can get a bit rough, so if you are sensitive to the waves, consider taking seasickness tablets before the trip. As always, you can discuss your options with your pharmacist or doctor.
• Keep in mind that there is a time difference between France and England, with Cherbourg being 1 hr ahead of Poole. All times on Ferryhopper are local.
• For your return trip, make sure you book your tickets on the Poole - Cherbourg ferry well in advance, especially if you are travelling with a vehicle.
• You can also travel to England on ferries from Roscoff, Saint-Malo, Caen, Le Havre, Dieppe, Calais and Dunkirk. For more ferry travel options, take a look at the France - UK ferries.
• From Cherbourg you can also travel directly by ferry to Portsmouth, Alderney, Rosslare and Dublin! For more details on all routes, ticket prices and operators, check out the Cherbourg ferry schedules.

Where to take the ferry from Cherbourg to Poole UK

Ferries to Poole normally depart from the Port of Cherbourg, at the main ferry terminal (Gare Maritime Transmanche) on Quai de Normandie. The port is on the northern coast of Normandy’s Cotentin Peninsula, about 2 km from Cherbourg town centre and approximately 15 km from Cherbourg-Maupertus Airport.

At the ferry terminal you will find a brasserie-style café during ferry arrivals and departures, vending machines, an ATM, Wi-Fi, toilets, showers, tourist information and accessible facilities. There are more cafés, shops, hotels and car-rental agencies in the town centre and near the railway station.

How to get to the port of Cherbourg?

• By car: follow the N13 towards Cherbourg, then the D901 and the signs for the gare maritime or ferry port.
• By bus or shuttle: Cap Cotentin line 8 links Cherbourg railway station with the Terminal Ferry stop directly outside the passenger terminal. Outside the regular line 8 timetable, a ferry shuttle may leave the station 2 hr before departure.
• By train: Cherbourg station has connections with Caen, Rouen and Paris Saint-Lazare. From the station, it takes 10 min by taxi, 15 min by bus and up to 50 min to reach the port on foot.
• By taxi: taxis are available in Cherbourg and can take you from the town centre to the terminal in about 5 min.

Where does the ferry arrive in Poole?

Ferries from Cherbourg typically dock at the Poole passenger ferry terminal in Hamworthy, which is around 2 km from the centre of Poole, the bus station and local railway station, and about 20 km from Bournemouth Airport.

A free port shuttle carries foot passengers between the ship and the terminal building. Inside, you will find ferry-company check-in and enquiry desks, a café, toilets, showers, luggage trolleys, baby-changing facilities and accessible transport. Outside the port, there is a car park and taxis for quick access to the town centre and beyond.

You will find hotels, shops, restaurants and more services around Poole town centre and the quay area. If travelling by road, allow extra time because openings of Poole Bridge and Twin Sails Bridge can temporarily delay port traffic.