Frequently Asked Questions
Who operates the Portsmouth to St Malo ferry?
Brittany Ferries is the exclusive operator of the Portsmouth to St Malo ferry route. The regular St Malo to Portsmouth service began on 17 June 1976 with the original Armorique (not the ship of the same name sailing today), making Brittany Ferries the longest-established ferry company on this route. The route is sailed by the Saint Malo, a modern LNG-hybrid cruise-ferry with up to 1,310 passengers and 386 cabins, with the current Armorique (up to 1,500 passengers, 247 cabins) covering for a few weeks in March 2027. Both offer restaurants, bars, shops and en-suite cabins.
How long does the ferry crossing take?
The ferry crossing from Portsmouth to St Malo takes 11-12 hours. Sailings leave Portsmouth in the evening (20:15 as standard) and arrive in St Malo the next morning, usually around 08:45 French time. On the way home, most sailings from late March are daytime crossings leaving St Malo at 10:45 and arriving in Portsmouth at 18:20 (about 8.5 hours), with some overnight returns leaving at 20:30 and arriving at 07:45. This is actual crossing time – you should also allow time for check-in, which depends on how you’re travelling: check-in closes at least 45 minutes before departure, or 90 minutes if you’re travelling with a pet.
How many sailings are there per day?
There is one evening sailing from Portsmouth on each day the Portsmouth to St Malo route operates, but it doesn’t run every day. Until the end of October 2026 it sails every day except Tuesday. From November 2026 to mid-March 2027 there are 4 sailings a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday). From 22 March 2027 it goes back to every day except Tuesday – 6 sailings a week – and from 29 June to the end of August it sails almost every day, up to 7 sailings a week. The standard departure time is 20:15, although some October 2026 sailings leave later (up to 21:45) because of the tides. See our complete ferry timetable for exact dates and departure times.
Can I travel as a foot passenger?
Yes, foot passengers are welcome on the Portsmouth to St Malo ferry. Portsmouth Harbour railway station is about a 30-minute walk from the ferry terminal (a short taxi ride is quicker), with regular trains from London Waterloo (90 mins). Foot passenger fares start from £53. Note that this is an overnight crossing, so most foot passengers book a cabin (from £64+ per cabin). See our complete foot passenger guide for detailed instructions.
What facilities are available onboard?
The Saint Malo, which sails the route for almost all of the year, has restaurants, bars with sea views, a shop, children’s play areas, 386 en-suite cabins and free Wi-Fi (there are no reserved seats, so a cabin is needed overnight). Saint Malo doesn’t have a cinema. The Armorique, which covers for a few weeks in March, has a self-service restaurant, café, bars, shops, two cinemas, 247 en-suite cabins and reserved lounge seats. Accessible facilities include lifts to all passenger decks and adapted cabins. See our complete facilities guide.
Can I take my pet on the ferry?
Yes, pets are welcome on the Portsmouth to St Malo ferry. Dogs, cats, ferrets, and other small pets can travel. Pets travelling in vehicles can stay in your car (you can visit them during crossing). Foot passengers can use onboard kennels (£35+) or book a pet-friendly cabin. To travel to France from Great Britain, your pet needs a microchip, a rabies vaccination and an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) – UK-issued pet passports are no longer valid for travel to the EU. Dogs also need tapeworm treatment before coming back into Great Britain, given 1-5 days before you arrive. Pet travel rules between the UK and the EU may change during 2027, so check the latest GOV.UK guidance before you travel. See our complete pet travel guide for full requirements.
Should I book a cabin for the overnight crossing?
On the MV Saint-Malo, which sails the route for almost all of the year, a cabin is compulsory on the overnight Portsmouth to St Malo crossing – there are no reserved seats. A cabin provides a private space with beds, shower, and toilet for the 11-12 hour journey. Cabin prices start from £64+ per cabin. Two, three, four and six-berth cabins are available. On the few Armorique sailings, reserved lounge seats are available as a cheaper alternative, but cabins offer much better rest. See our complete cabin guide for prices and booking advice.
How early should I arrive at the port?
You should arrive at Portsmouth International Port at least 90 minutes before your scheduled departure time. Check-in closes a minimum of 45 minutes before departure (90 if you have pets), so arriving early is essential. During peak season (June-September) and bank holidays, arriving 2 hours early is recommended to avoid stress. Foot passengers should arrive at least 45 minutes (90 with pets) before departure. See our complete check-in guide for detailed timing advice.
