Ferry from Portsmouth to Le Havre

When planning your trip with the Portsmouth - Le Havre 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.

Brittany Ferries operates the Portsmouth - Le Havre ferry route by conventional ferries, such as the Commodore Clipper, which feature many modern amenities and services. On board, you will find:

• Comfortable air-conditioned lounges and spacious outer decks with sea views
• Cafés and bars serving hot and cold drinks, snacks, and meals
• Family-friendly amenities, including children’s TV lounge and baby-changing facilities
• Wi-Fi hotspot with a range of data bundles to stay connected during the trip

Accessibility

The Portsmouth - Le Havre ferries are generally 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 Portsmouth - Le Havre ferry. Typically, 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 en-suite bathroom, while some cabins also have a TV.

Prices for cabins start at around €100.

What seats can I book?

On the Portsmouth - Le Havre ferry route, Brittany Ferries offers a range of seating options:

• Standard deck/lounge seats that allow access to the air-conditioned lounges and outer decks
• Numbered reclining seats in a dedicated air-conditioned lounge.
• Business-class seats in the exclusive C-Club Lounge, which come with extra legroom, a table and USB connectors to keep your devices charged during the trip.

Numbered seats are priced from €58, while business-class seats cost from €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, which remains closed until 20-30 min before arrival. For more details, contact the reception desk when you board the ferry.

Pet travel

You can bring your pet on the Portsmouth - Le Havre ferry, provided you include it 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 the onboard kennels or in your vehicle. The ferries have designated walking areas, however, pets are 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 Le Havre:

• Portsmouth is a major port in England and often gets crowded, especially in the summer, so plan your arrival there at least 1.5-2 hr before 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 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 England and France, with Le Havre being 1 hr ahead of Portsmouth. All times on Ferryhopper are local.
• You can find more travel options in our detailed blog on UK - France ferries.
• For your return trip, make sure you book your tickets on the Le Havre - Portsmouth ferry in advance, particularly if you want a cabin or are travelling with a vehicle.
• From Portsmouth, you can also travel by ferry to Caen, Cherbourg, Jersey, Saint-Malo, Bilbao, and Santander among others! For more information on all routes, ticket prices and ferry companies, check out the Portsmouth ferry schedules.

Where to take the ferry from Portsmouth to Le Havre

Ferries to Le Havre normally set sail from Portsmouth International Port, which is about 2 km from the city centre of Portsmouth, 30 km from Southampton Airport and 95 km from London Heathrow.

At the ferry 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 either 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. Booking early 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 Le Havre?

Ferries from Portsmouth arrive at the Terminal de la Citadelle, the cross-Channel ferry terminal within the port of Le Havre, on the coast of Normandy in Northern France. A port shuttle transfers foot passengers between the ship and the terminal building. The ferry terminal is near the Saint-François district and about 1.5-2 km from central Le Havre, while the local SNCF railway station is roughly 2.5 km away.

At the ferry terminal, you will find basic travel amenities, such as a Brittany Ferries desk, an accessible waiting area, toilets, baby-changing facilities and drinks machines. You can find cafés, restaurants, hotels and local shops in the nearby Saint-François and city-centre districts, while several car-hire companies operate around the railway station. Limited short- and long-stay parking is also available at the port.