Ferry from Rosslare to Cherbourg

Tickets, prices & schedules

You can travel by ferry from Rosslare to Cherbourg all year round, usually with 4 weekly crossings that take 17-19 hr. Brittany Ferries operates the route from Ireland to France with conventional cruise ferries and ticket prices start at around € 38.

Find up-to-date info, compare timetables, companies and prices for 2026, and book your ferry tickets on Ferryhopper without hidden fees.

Discounts

When planning your trip on the Rosslare - Cherbourg 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.

On-board services and amenities

Brittany Ferries operates the Rosslare - Cherbourg ferry route with conventional cruise ferries, such as Cotentin and Santoña. These vessels are designed for long-distance travel, with many modern amenities and services for a comfortable and relaxed journey. Onboard, you will 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 with digital and physical games, a video-on-demand platform and a travel and sea exhibition
  • 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 ferries from Rosslare to Cherbourg 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 prior notice 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

Are there cabins on the ferry?

Yes, on the ferries from Rosslare to Cherbourg, you can book a cabin for up to 4 passengers. 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 cabins

All cabins feature a desk, toiletries, and an en-suite bathroom.

Prices for cabins start at around €150, depending on the cabin type and travel dates.

Can I book business-class seats?

Yes, on the Rosslare - Cherbourg ferry, you can book a deluxe Commodore Suite for a first-class travel experience. These premium cabins have extra space, a double bed and additional amenities and services such as a TV, Wi-Fi access, tea- and coffee-making facilities, complimentary breakfast and access to the exclusive C-Club Lounge.

Can you sleep on the ferry from Rosslare to Cherbourg?

Yes, the Rosslare - Cherbourg ferry typically leaves Ireland in the afternoon or evening and reaches France the next day, so you can sleep during the trip to arrive fresh. Accommodation options vary between ferries, but you can book a cabin for greater comfort and privacy. Alternatively, you can stretch out on a numbered reclining seat in a dedicated air-conditioned 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. 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 Rosslare - Cherbourg 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. The ferries have designated walking areas, however, pets are not allowed in standard cabins, lounges or dining areas.

Make sure you bring along your pet’s health and travel documents, including passport, microchip ID and valid rabies vaccination, as well as tickets and any pet supplies you may need for the trip.

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. Keep in mind that only the Santoña has pet-friendly cabins.

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

Useful tips for your ferry trip to Cherbourg from Rosslare

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

  • The Irish port of Rosslare can get busy, especially in the high season, so it’s best to be there 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 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 Ireland and France, with Cherbourg being 1 hr ahead of Rosslare. All times on Ferryhopper are local.
  • For your return journey, make sure you book your tickets on the Cherbourg - Rosslare ferry well in advance, especially if you are planning to travel with a vehicle or a cabin.
  • For more travel options from Ireland, you can also travel to France on the Cork - Roscoff ferry.
  • From Rosslare, you can also travel by ferry to Fishguard and Pembroke in Wales, and Roscoff in France! For more information on all routes, ticket prices and ferry companies, have a look at the Rosslare ferry schedules.

Where to take the ferry from Rosslare to Cherbourg

Ferries to Cherbourg normally leave from Rosslare Europort, the main ferry terminal in Rosslare Harbour, which is about 8 km from the village of Rosslare. The port is in County Wexford, on the southeastern coast of Ireland, roughly 20 km from Wexford, 75 km from Waterford, and 170 km from Dublin.

At the port, you will find useful traveller amenities, including ticket offices, a passenger lounge, a coffee shop, toilets, baby-changing facilities, free Wi-Fi, parking, and a drop-off area. In the village of Rosslare, you will also find pubs and restaurants, hotels, guesthouses, as well as a supermarket, bank, and a few shops.

How to get to the port of Rosslare

  • By car: Rosslare Europort is at the end of the N25, with the drive taking about 20 min from Wexford Town, about 1 hr 20 min from Waterford and 2 hr 15 min from Dublin.
  • By train: the Rosslare Europort railway station is about a 10-min walk from the ferry terminal.
  • By bus: the bus terminal is just outside the port, with the TFI Local Link route 387 connecting Rosslare Europort with Wexford several times a day.
  • By taxi: taxis are available to and from the port, usually outside the terminal building.
  • From the airport: Dublin Airport is roughly 180 km away, with the drive taking around 2 hr. Public transport options normally involve a bus or rail connection via Wexford.

Where does the ferry arrive in Cherbourg?

Ferries from Cherbourg dock at the Port of Cherbourg (Gare Maritime Transatlantique) in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, on the northern tip of the Cotentin Peninsula in Normandy. The ferry terminal sits along the harbour, about 2 km from the centre of Cherbourg and the local railway station (Gare de Cherbourg)

At the ferry terminal, you will find traveller amenities such as free Wi-Fi, an ATM, a café, a tourist information desk (during peak season), car rental desks, and an outdoor dog-exercise area. Around the port area, there are shops, cafés, restaurants, hotels and attractions such as the Cité de la Mer.

Onward travel from Cherbourg port

  • By taxi: taxis are generally available outside the ferry terminal, with the ride to Cherbourg town centre taking about 5 min, while the railway station is around 10 min away.
  • By shuttle bus: a shuttle connects the ferry terminal with Cherbourg SNCF station, usually departing 1 hour after the ferry arrives.
  • By train: Cherbourg station has services towards Caen and Rouen, with connections to Paris Saint-Lazare, Rennes and other destinations in Normandy. You can reach the train station in about 10 min by taxi and 50 min on foot.
  • By car: follow the N13 towards Caen and the D901 for destinations around the Cotentin Peninsula.
  • On foot: you can reach central Cherbourg in approximately 20-30 min on foot.

How long is the ferry ride from Rosslare to Cherbourg?

The duration of the Rosslare - Cherbourg ferry trip normally ranges from 17 hr to 19 hr, depending on the vessel and crossing.

When does the ferry leave?

The departures of the Rosslare - Cherbourg ferries are scheduled 4 days a week, between 18:00 and 20:01.

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FAQs

On the Rosslare - Cherbourg ferry, you will be crossing the international border between Ireland and France, so you need to bring your tickets and the following:

  • EU/Schengen citizens: a national ID card or a valid passport.
  • Non-EU citizens: a valid passport, and depending on your nationality, you may also need a visa.

Yes, the ferries serving the Rosslare - Cherbourg route have car decks for transporting vehicles. The final cost depends on the vehicle type and travel dates, with prices starting at about €110 for a car, €20 for a motorbike and €210 for a caravan or motorhome.

Make sure you bring your driving licence, as well as your vehicle registration and insurance documents.

No, the Rosslare - Cherbourg ferry route is only served by conventional ferries. The fastest ferry takes 17 hr to cover the distance from Ireland to France.

The distance between Rosslare and Cherbourg is about 342 nautical miles (around 633 km).

Yes, all Rosslare - Cherbourg ferries travel overnight, with departures usually in the afternoon or early evening and arrival the next day.

With Brittany Ferries, you can book your Rosslare - Cherbourg ferry tickets online on Ferryhopper and pick them up in paper form from the company’s collection points at the port before the trip.

Find detailed answers to all your questions about ferry ticket changes, cancellations and refunds.

Remember that you can also use Ferryhopper's online booking modification service, available with certain ferry companies.

If your ferry trip is cancelled, you usually have the following options:

  • Change your ticket to another departure of equal value.
  • Cancel your ticket with a request sent to the ferry operator for a full refund.

Find out more about what you can do in case of weather disruption or ferry strike.

If you’re worried about possible delays or cancellations, you can always visit our ferry travel alerts page for real-time updates on strikes, weather disruptions, and service suspensions.

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