Ferry from Portsmouth to Caen

When planning your trip with the Portsmouth - Caen ferry, you can take advantage of the regular 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 Portsmouth - Caen ferry route is operated by conventional cruise ferries, such as the Guillaume de Normandie and Mont St Michel. These vessels are equipped with modern amenities and services, ensuring a smooth and relaxing journey across the Channel.

On board, you will typically find:

• Comfortable air-conditioned lounges and spacious outer decks with sea views
• Restaurants, cafés and bars serving hot and cold drinks, snacks, and meals
• Onboard entertainment including children’s play areas, cinema and TV lounges, disco clubs and video game areas
• 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 conventional ferries operating from Portsmouth to Caen in France are accessible to travellers with disabilities, featuring ramps and lifts between decks, adapted seating and amenities in common areas, as well as wheelchair accessible cabins with adapted amenities.

Boarding assistance is usually available upon request and prior notification at least 48 hr before your journey.

Important: accessibility features vary from vessel to vessel, so it is recommended to contact Brittany Ferries at the time of booking for further details.

Cabins and accommodation

On the vessels operating the Portsmouth to France ferry route, you can choose from a range of seat and cabin types. Keep in mind that cabins are compulsory on evening crossings.

Are there cabins on the ferry?

Yes, you can book a cabin for up to 4 passengers on the ferries serving the Portsmouth - Caen route. Typically, you can choose from:

• Standard inside cabins
• Outside cabins with a sea view
• Deluxe cabins and suites with extra room and a sea view
• Accessible cabins for passengers with disabilities
• Pet-friendly and allergen-free cabins
• Shared cabins

All cabins feature a desk, toiletries, and an en-suite bathroom. The deluxe cabins and suites typically feature extra room, a double bed and additional amenities such as a TV, Wi-Fi access, tea- and coffee-making facilities, complimentary breakfast and access to an exclusive lounge.

Prices for private cabins start at around €80, while beds in shared cabins cost from €60.

Can you sleep on the ferry from Portsmouth to Caen?

Yes, you can sleep on the ferry from Portsmouth to Caen, particularly on overnight crossings. Brittany Ferries offers a range of private en-suite cabins with inside and sea-view options, as well as accessible and premium cabins. Booking accommodation early is recommended, especially for overnight sailings, pet-friendly cabins and accessible cabins.

Can I book business-class seats?

No, Brittany Ferries does not offer premium or business-class seating options, but you can book a numbered reclining seat. These airplane-style seats generally have extra legroom and are in air-conditioned lounges.

Prices for numbered seats start from €58.

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.

Traveling with pets

Pets are generally welcome on ferries traveling from Portsmouth to Caen, provided you include them in your booking. During the trip, smaller pets must be kept in their carrier, while larger pets must wear a muzzle and be kept on a lead.

Where do pets stay on the ferry?

When travelling with Brittany Ferries, your pet can either stay in a pet-friendly cabin, in the onboard kennels or in your vehicle. The ferries have designated walking areas, however pets are generally not allowed in standard cabins, lounges or dining areas.

Important: if you decide to leave your pet in your vehicle, try to leave a window slightly open for ventilation.

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 your return to the UK.

Here are some useful tips for your ferry trip from Portsmouth to Caen:

• The port of Portsmouth can get busy, so plan your arrival 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 best to be there 2-3 hr in advance.
• The Channel 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.
• When planning your trip, keep in mind that there is a 1-hr time difference between the UK and France. All times shown are local.
• For your return trip, make sure you book your tickets on the Caen-Portsmouth ferry well in advance, especially if you want to book a cabin or travel with a vehicle.
• For even more travel options, check out our detailed blog on UK - France ferries.
• From Portsmouth, you can also travel by ferry to Jersey, Santander, Bilbao, Le Havre, Cherbourg and Saint-Malo, among others! For more information on all routes, ticket prices and ferry companies, have a look at the Portsmouth ferries.

Where to take the ferry from Portsmouth to Caen

Ferries to Caen generally leave from Portsmouth International Port, which is roughly 2 km north of Portsmouth city centre, around 30 km from Southampton Airport and 95 km from London Heathrow.

Inside the terminal, you can find a café, a shop selling snacks and travel essentials, seating, Wi-Fi, tourist information, baby-changing facilities and more passenger amenities. A multi-storey car park is available inside the port, with accessible bays, luggage trolleys and electric-vehicle charging points. Follow the left-hand lane towards the car check-in area and then the signs for parking.

How to get to the port of Portsmouth?

• By car: follow the M275 towards Portsmouth and continue to the end of the motorway, where the international ferry terminal is clearly signposted. From London, you can take the M3 or A3, while from the Midlands you can use the A34 and M3. Check whether the Portsmouth Clean Air Zone applies to your vehicle before travelling.
• By train: get off at Portsmouth & Southsea and from there, you can take a 5-min taxi ride or walk to the port in approximately 20-30 min.
• By bus: First Bus services 8, X4 and X9, as well as Stagecoach service 20, stop near Portsmouth International Port.
• By coach: National Express operates services to the port from London Victoria and Heathrow Airport. Advance booking is recommended, particularly during weekends and holiday periods.
• By taxi: a taxi from Portsmouth & Southsea station normally takes around 5 min.

Where does the ferry arrive in Caen?

Ferries from Portsmouth normally dock at the Caen-Ouistreham ferry terminal, at the mouth of the Orne River in the coastal town of Ouistreham, about 15 km north of Caen city centre. This dedicated terminal handles all scheduled cross-Channel passenger and car ferries operating between Portsmouth and Caen.

The terminal building includes practical traveller facilities, such as a café/bar, a tourist information desk, a bureau de change, and free Wi-Fi. The single-storey terminal is fully wheelchair accessible, and shuttle buses transport foot passengers directly between the ship and the building.

Onward travel from the port of Caen

• By car: the terminal has easy access to the main road network, with the N13 providing connections towards Bayeux and Cherbourg, while the N158 leads towards Le Mans and the Loire Valley.
• By bus: Twisto line 12 connects the Ouistreham Port stop with central Caen and Caen railway station. The stop is around 450 m from the terminal.
• By train: the nearest major station is Caen SNCF, approximately 18 km away, with regional and Intercités trains to destinations including Paris Saint-Lazare.
• By taxi: taxis generally wait outside the terminal around ferry arrivals, with a ride to Caen railway station taking approximately 20-30 min.