Portsmouth - France ferry

When planning your trip with the Portsmouth - France ferry, you can take advantage of fixed discounts available for specific passenger categories. Typically, infants and toddlers up to 3 years old travel for free, while children 4-15 years old are entitled to a 25% discount.

The Portsmouth - France ferry routes are served by large conventional ferries, suitable for both short daytime crossings and longer overnight trips.

Depending on the vessel and route, you can usually find:

• Lounges and reserved seating areas
• Restaurants, self-service dining areas, cafés and bars
• Duty-free shopping
• Open-air decks
• Wi-Fi access
• Children’s areas
• Pet facilities
• Cabins
• Car decks

Cabins and accommodation

Are there cabins on the ferry from Portsmouth to France?

On many Portsmouth - France ferries, you can choose from several cabin types, depending on the route, sailing time and vessel.

Cabin options may include:

• Standard inside cabins
• Outside cabins with a sea view
• Deluxe cabins and suites with extra space
• Accessible cabins for passengers with disabilities
• Pet-friendly cabins
• Allergen-free cabins
• Shared cabins on selected sailings

All cabins typically include an en-suite bathroom and basic amenities such as toiletries and a desk. Premium cabin types may also include extra space, a double bed, TV, Wi-Fi access, tea- and coffee-making facilities, or breakfast, depending on the vessel.

Good to know: cabins are compulsory on some evening and overnight crossings, such as the Portsmouth - Saint-Malo route. On daytime crossings, such as many Portsmouth - Caen sailings, you can often choose between a cabin, a reserved reclining seat or standard lounge/deck accommodation.

Prices for private cabins start at around €90, while beds in shared cabins start at around €86.

Can I book a seat?

Yes, seating options are available on several Portsmouth - France crossings. Seat prices start at around € 44.

Depending on the vessel and sailing, you may be able to choose between standard deck/lounge accommodation and reserved reclining seats. The latter generally offer extra legroom, are in air-conditioned lounges, and start at around €58.

Can I book business-class seats?

Yes, Brittany Ferries offers Club-class seating options on certain vessels, such as the Commodore Clipper serving Le Havre crossings. These seats offer extra legroom, a table, and device connectors. Prices start at around €67.

Luggage

When traveling with Brittany Ferries, you can usually bring as many bags as you can carry on board by yourself, regardless of size or weight, at no extra cost.

If you are traveling with a vehicle, you can normally leave larger luggage items in your car during the crossing, but make sure to take everything you need with you before leaving the car deck, as access to vehicles may be restricted while at sea.

Traveling with pets

Pets are generally welcome on ferries traveling from Portsmouth to France, 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 leash.

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 opfen for ventilation.

What pet travel documents do I need?

You must bring your pet’s Animal Health Certificate or EU Pet Passport, along with proof of microchip identification and a valid rabies vaccination (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.

Accessibility

The conventional ferries operating from Portsmouth to 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.

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

• The port of Portsmouth can get busy, so plan your arrival at least 60 minutes before departure if you’re traveling with a vehicle or as a foot passenger. If you’re traveling with a pet, you should arrive at least 90 minutes before departure.
• Portsmouth is a convenient departure port for travelers from London, southern England and the Midlands, with good road and rail connections.
• 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.
• For even more travel options, check out our detailed blog on UK - France ferries.

Where to take the ferry from Portsmouth to France

Ferries to France 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 rom 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.

Which ports can you reach in France from Portsmouth?

From Portsmouth in the UK, you can reach 4 ferry ports in northern France, depending on the route:

• Caen ferry port is in Ouistreham, about 15 km north of Caen, with good road access for Normandy, Paris, the Loire Valley and Brittany.
• Cherbourg ferry port is close to Cherbourg city center and is a useful arrival point for the Cotentin Peninsula, western Normandy and Brittany.
• Le Havre ferry port is close to the city center and offers convenient access to Paris, eastern France and the Normandy coast.
• Saint-Malo ferry port is close to the town center and is ideal for trips to Brittany and western France.

Which Portsmouth ferry is best for Brittany?

The Portsmouth - Saint-Malo ferry is the most convenient direct option for traveling to Brittany from the UK. Saint-Malo is well connected to destinations such as Dinan, Rennes, Cancale, and Mont-Saint-Michel.

Ferries on this route usually travel overnight, with crossings taking around 11 hr.

Which French port is best for Normandy?

Caen is a practical choice if you’re heading to central Normandy, the D-Day landing beaches, Bayeux, or nearby areas. Keep in mind that the ferry arrives in Ouistreham, just outside Caen, so foot passengers should allow extra time for the transfer into the city.

Cherbourg is better for the Cotentin Peninsula and western Normandy, while Le Havre is a good option for Honfleur, Étretat, Rouen, and eastern Normandy.

Which French ferry port is best for Paris?

Le Havre is usually the best French ferry port for traveling to Paris from Portsmouth. It is around 195 km from Paris, and the drive normally takes about 2 hr to 2 hr 30 min, depending on traffic.

If you’re traveling without a car, you can take a train or bus from Le Havre to Paris, but you should also factor in the transfer from the ferry terminal to Le Havre’s train or bus station.

Caen is another possible option, around 240 km from Paris, especially if its ferry schedule or fares work better for your trip.

Portsmouth to France ferry route comparison