Ferry from Portsmouth to Saint-Malo

When planning your trip with the Portsmouth - St Malo 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 serves the route from Portsmouth to St Malo with the Saint Malo, a conventional cruise ferry with many modern amenities and services. 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
• Entertainment including children’s play areas, cinema and TV lounges, disco clubs and video game areas
• Onboard wellness facilities, including spa, massage and beauty treatments
• 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 Portsmouth - Saint-Malo 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 and prior notification at least 48 hr before your journey.

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

Cabins and accommodation

What cabins can I book?

The Portsmouth - St Malo ferries travel overnight and booking a cabin is compulsory. Typically, you can choose from:

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

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

Prices for private cabins start at around €120.

Can I book a seat?

No, cabins are compulsory on the Portsmouth - St Malo ferries operated by Brittany Ferries, so you cannot book a lounge seat.

Can I travel first class?

Yes, Brittany Ferries has a range of deluxe cabins and suites that generally 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.

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.

Pet travel

You can bring your pet on the ferry from Portsmouth to St Malo, France, 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 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 Saint-Malo:

• 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.
• 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 St-Malo-Portsmouth ferry well in advance, especially if you are travelling with a vehicle.
• From Portsmouth, you can also travel by ferry to Caen, Jersey, Santander, Bilbao, Le Havre, Cherbourg, 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 Saint-Malo

Ferries to Saint-Malo typically depart 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.

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 Saint-Malo?

Ferries from Portsmouth arrive at the Terminal Ferry du Naye in the port of Saint-Malo, in Brittany, on the northern coast of France. The international ferry terminal is separate from the smaller harbour areas and the cruise facilities closer to the historic centre. The port is about 1 km from Saint-Malo’s walled Old Town (Intra-Muros) and around 2 km from the Saint-Malo railway and coach station.

At the ferry terminal, you will find accessible facilities and a passenger shuttle between the ship and terminal when required. Cafés, shops, hotels and restaurants are concentrated around Intra-Muros, while car-rental desks are available around Saint-Malo railway station.