Portsmouth to St Malo Ferry: Complete Travel Types Guide

Different passengers have different needs. Whether you’re travelling as a foot passenger without a car, bringing your pet, require accessible facilities, travelling with family, or looking for discounts – this guide covers everything you need to know for your specific travel type on the Portsmouth to St Malo ferry.

The Portsmouth to St Malo ferry welcomes all passenger types: foot passengers (no vehicle), vehicle passengers, pet owners, wheelchair users, families with children, cyclists, motorcyclists, and more. Each travel type has specific procedures, facilities, and often discounts available.

Last updated: September 2026. All pricing and information verified from Brittany Ferries official sources

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👥 All Passenger Types Welcome

👣

Foot Passengers

No vehicle needed

🐕

Pet Owners

Dogs, cats welcome (with a vehicle)

♿

Accessible Travel

Full accessibility

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Families

Kids’ facilities onboard

💰

Early Booking

Save booking ahead

Choose Your Travel Type

Select the guide that matches your travel situation for specific information, tips, and requirements.

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Foot Passenger Guide

Travelling without a vehicle

Complete guide for car-free travel on the ferry to St Malo. Train connections from London Waterloo to Portsmouth (around 1h30–1h50, then a short taxi or around a 30-minute walk to the terminal), luggage handling, check-in process, overnight ferry experience, and onwards travel from St Malo by train or bus to Paris, Rennes, or throughout Brittany.

✓ Perfect for:

Budget travelers (save £130+ vs taking car)
Train enthusiasts and sustainable travelers
Solo travelers or couples without vehicle
Those continuing to Paris by TGV from St Malo
Students and backpackers

💰 Typical Cost: £53-£180 ferry + £30-50 trains + £70-150 cabin = around £153-380 total London to St Malo

⏰ Journey Time: Around 1h30–1h50 by train + 11-12 hrs ferry = ~14 hours total (overnight, arrive morning)

Read Complete Foot Passenger Guide →

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Car Ferry Guide

Taking your car on the Portsmouth to St Malo ferry

Everything car passengers need to know: booking your vehicle online, vehicle height and length requirements, check-in procedures at Portsmouth International Port, driving onto the ferry, parking on the vehicle deck, what to do with your car overnight, and disembarking at St Malo.

✓ Key Points:

Vehicle check-in at Portsmouth International Port closes 45 minutes before departure – aim to arrive at least an hour before that
Vehicle stays locked on car deck during sailing
Cabin required for overnight crossing — you can’t sleep in your car
Roof boxes and bike racks affect vehicle height category
Cars over 1.85m high (up to the 2.60m maximum) are still booked as cars, they just usually cost a bit more

🚗 Vehicle Pricing: Car + 2 passengers from £184 each way. Cabin separate. Book online for best prices.

📏 Height Check: Measure your car including any roof rack or box. Cars over 1.85m high (up to 2.60m) are still booked as cars, but usually cost a bit more than a standard-height car.

Read Complete Car Ferry Guide →

🚐

Motorhome & Campervan Guide

Travelling with your motorhome or campervan

Everything motorhomers need to know: measuring your vehicle correctly (height, length, weight), booking the right vehicle category, driving onto the ferry, parking on vehicle deck, overnight in cabin vs sleeping in motorhome, and exploring Brittany’s excellent motorhome facilities and campsites.

✓ Key Points:

Measure height INCLUDING roof equipment
You CAN’T stay in motorhome during sailing
Cabin booking required for overnight crossing
Brittany has excellent motorhome facilities
Wrong measurements = surcharge at check-in

📏 Important: Measure height INCLUDING roof equipment (solar panels, aerials, air con). Wrong measurement = surcharge at check-in!

💡 Top Tip: Book cabin for overnight crossing. You CAN’T stay in motorhome on vehicle deck during sailing – it’s locked.

Read Complete Motorhome Guide →

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Caravan Towing Guide

Towing your caravan to Brittany

Complete caravan towing guide: booking car + caravan correctly, measuring caravan dimensions (length including towbar, height, width), driving onto ferry with a caravan, parking arrangements, unhitching procedures, and Brittany’s excellent caravan sites near St Malo and throughout the region.

✓ Essential Info:

Measure TOTAL length (car + caravan + towbar)
Height and width both matter for pricing
Cabin required for overnight crossing
Excellent caravan sites throughout Brittany
Book as “car with trailer” online

📐 Measurement: Measure TOTAL length (car + caravan + towbar). Both height and width matter for pricing.

🎯 Perfect For: Families wanting home comforts, longer Brittany stays, touring multiple campsites

Read Complete Caravan Guide →

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Cycling & Bike Guide

Taking your bicycle to Brittany

Cyclist’s guide to the Portsmouth to St Malo ferry: booking bicycles (standard bikes, e-bikes, tandems, folding bikes), packing and protecting your bike, bike storage on ferry, cycling in Brittany (quiet roads, dedicated cycle paths, Vélomaritime coastal route), and recommended cycling routes from St Malo.

✓ Perfect for Cyclists:

Passenger + bicycle from £62 each way
E-bikes accepted; tandems and bikes with trailers must be booked by phone
Bike stored safely on vehicle deck
GR34 coastal path & EuroVelo routes
Brittany has quiet, cyclist-friendly roads

🚲 Bike Fee: Small additional charge when booking – passenger + bicycle from £62, compared with £53 as a foot passenger. E-bikes accepted. Stored safely on vehicle deck.

🗺️ Brittany Cycling: Excellent for cycling – GR34 coastal path, EuroVelo routes, quiet country roads

Read Complete Cycling Guide →

🏍️

Motorcycle Guide

Taking your motorbike to France

Motorcyclist’s complete guide: booking motorcycles (solo bikes, bikes with sidecar, trikes), riding onto ferry and parking securely, what to do with your helmet and gear, cabins for the overnight crossing, and exploring Brittany’s scenic motorcycling routes including coastal roads and inland touring.

✓ Key Points for Bikers:

Solo rider + motorbike from £92 each way – much cheaper than a car
Ride on, bike parked securely with straps
Take helmet/jacket to cabin with you
Brittany has excellent scenic riding roads
Cabin required for the overnight crossing

🏍️ Bike Pricing: Solo rider + motorbike from £92, rider + pillion from £134. Excellent value for bikers.

⛑️ Gear Storage: Take helmet/jacket to cabin. Bike parked securely on vehicle deck with straps.

Read Complete Motorcycle Guide →
🗺️ Also see: Riding in France Guide →

🐕

Pet Travel Guide

Bringing your dog or cat to France

Complete pet travel guide: pet travel requirements (Animal Health Certificate, microchip, rabies vaccination, tapeworm treatment), booking procedures, onboard kennels vs pet-friendly cabins, keeping pet in vehicle during crossing, French entry rules, and tips for stress-free overnight pet travel. Pets must travel with a vehicle – foot passengers can’t bring pets (registered assistance dogs are treated differently).

✓ Essential Requirements:

Animal Health Certificate (AHC) from an Official Veterinarian – EU pet passports are no longer valid for GB residents since April 2026
Microchip (before rabies vaccination)
Rabies vaccination (at least 21 days old)
Tapeworm treatment (dogs only, 24 hours to 5 days before returning to GB)
Book pet when booking ferry (£35 per pet, each way)

⏰ Start Process: 8-12 weeks before travel (AHC paperwork takes time). Don’t leave it until last minute!

💡 Top Tip: A pet-friendly cabin means your dog/cat stays with you overnight – less stressful than kennels. The Saint-Malo has 28, from around £90 for a 4-berth, and they sell out fast.

Read Complete Pet Travel Guide →

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Accessible Ferry Travel

Wheelchair users & reduced mobility passengers

Comprehensive accessibility guide: wheelchair-accessible boarding, lifts to all passenger decks, accessible toilets, adapted cabins for overnight crossing, boarding assistance, onboard facilities for reduced mobility, and special assistance booking process with Brittany Ferries.

✓ Accessibility Features:

Assisted boarding, with adapted minibuses for disabled foot passengers at Portsmouth
Lifts to all passenger decks (no stairs required)
Accessible toilets on board
Adapted cabins available (book well ahead)
Wide corridors throughout ship
Boarding assistance from trained crew

📞 Special Assistance: Tell Brittany Ferries what help you need at least 48 hours before departure, and book an adapted cabin early. Check-in closes 60 minutes before sailing.

♿ Full Access: Lifts to all decks, accessible toilets, wide corridors, boarding assistance. Fully wheelchair accessible.

Read Complete Accessibility Guide →

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Family Travel Guide

Travelling with babies, toddlers, and children

Family-friendly overnight ferry to St Malo guide: children’s facilities onboard, 4-berth and 6-berth family cabins (kids love the bunks!), baby changing facilities, children’s menu, keeping kids entertained during 11-12 hour crossing, what to pack for family ferry travel, and making the overnight crossing a fun part of your Brittany holiday.

✓ Family Facilities Onboard:

Children’s playroom and outdoor play area
Baby changing in the public bathrooms
Family-friendly restaurants with children’s portions
Pierre le Bear and kids’ entertainment in school holidays
Games Planet for older children
4-berth family cabins (from £70+ per cabin) and new 6-berth cabins

💡 4-Berth Cabin Essential: From £70+ per cabin (not per person). Kids sleep properly, everyone arrives refreshed!

🎬 Entertainment: Play areas, live entertainment in the bar, restaurants with kids’ portions. The Armorique, which sails a few dates in March, also has two cinemas. Plenty to do!

Read Complete Family Travel Guide →

🇫🇷

Driving in France Guide

For cars, campervans, caravans and vans driving from St Malo

Everything you need to know once you drive off the ferry at St Malo: French road rules, speed limits (including for motorhomes and caravans), motorway tolls and vehicle classifications, Crit’Air vignette requirements, required documents and equipment, drink-drive laws, and how to navigate French roads confidently from your first mile off the ferry.

✓ Essential for All Drivers:

Speed limits differ by road type and vehicle — know before you go
Motorway tolls: vehicles classified by height and weight – most cars are Class 1, motorbikes Class 5
Crit’Air vignette required in many French cities
Compulsory kit: warning triangle, hi-vis vest, headlamp beam deflectors
Lower drink-drive limit than UK: 0.05% BAC (0.02% for new drivers)
Priority to the right (priorité à droite) at unmarked junctions

🚐 Caravans & Motorhomes: If your car and caravan together, or your motorhome, weigh over 3.5 tonnes (maximum authorised weight), the limit is 90 km/h on motorways and dual carriageways and 80 km/h on other roads; under 3.5 tonnes, normal car limits apply. Towed caravans can’t use the left-hand lane of three-lane motorways. Tolls: vehicles under 2m high are Class 1; vehicles 2–3m high and up to 3.5 tonnes (most campervans and cars towing a caravan) are Class 2; over 3m or over 3.5 tonnes is Class 3.

🛣️ Motorway Aires: Aire de repos (rest stop, every 10-15 km) and aire de service (fuel, food, every 30-50 km) — no toll charge to stop.

Read Complete Driving in France Guide →

Quick Comparison: Travel Types

Not sure which guide you need? This quick comparison helps you identify your travel type.

Travel Type	You Need This If…	Cabin Needed?
👣 Foot Passenger	You’re NOT taking a vehicle (car/van/motorhome)	✓ Required overnight
🚗 Car Ferry	You’re taking a standard car on the ferry	✓ Required overnight
🚐 Motorhome/Campervan	You’re travelling in a motorhome or campervan	✓ Required overnight
🚙 Caravan Towing	You’re towing a caravan to Brittany	✓ Required overnight
🚴 Cyclist	You’re taking your bicycle to Brittany	✓ Required overnight
🏍️ Motorcyclist	You’re taking your motorbike to France	✓ Required overnight
🐕 Pet Travel	You’re bringing a dog, cat, or ferret to France (with a vehicle)	✓ (pet cabin ideal)
♿ Accessible	You use wheelchair or have reduced mobility	✓ Adapted cabin
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family	You’re travelling with babies, toddlers, or children	✓ 4 or 6-berth
🇫🇷 Driving in France	You need to know French road rules after disembarking	—

⏰ Overnight Crossing: Portsmouth to St Malo is an 11-12 hour overnight ferry. On the MV Saint-Malo, which sails the route almost all year, a cabin is compulsory on overnight sailings for every passenger type – there are no reserved seats. On the few Armorique sailings in March you can choose a cabin or a reserved lounge seat, but a cabin provides much better rest – you’ll arrive in France refreshed and ready to explore!

Understanding Passenger Categories

The Portsmouth to St Malo ferry welcomes all types of passengers with different facilities and procedures for each.

Vehicle vs Foot Passengers

The most fundamental distinction is whether you’re bringing a vehicle. Vehicle passengers (cars, vans, motorhomes, motorcycles) check in at drive-through lanes, board in their vehicle, park on the vehicle deck, then walk upstairs to passenger decks. Foot passengers and cyclists check in at the terminal desk, go through security, and are taken to the ship by shuttle bus – at Portsmouth the passenger gangway is currently closed for renovation, so foot passengers board through the car deck and take the stairs or lift up to the passenger decks.

Cost-wise, vehicle passengers pay significantly more due to vehicle space: foot passengers pay £53-£180 plus cabin costs, while car passengers pay £184-£380 (including all passengers) plus cabin costs.

The choice depends on your Brittany plans. Foot passengers benefit from cheaper fares and easier travel if using trains/buses in Brittany or heading to Paris. Vehicle passengers gain freedom to explore Brittany, visit Mont Saint-Michel, and have more luggage space. See our complete foot passenger guide for car-free travel details.

Special Needs & Requirements

The Portsmouth to St Malo ferry accommodates passengers with various special requirements including wheelchair users, reduced mobility passengers, blind or visually impaired, deaf or hearing impaired, and those with hidden disabilities. Tell Brittany Ferries what assistance you need when booking, and at least 48 hours before departure, to ensure appropriate arrangements including adapted cabins (highly recommended for overnight crossing).

Passengers with medical conditions such as those requiring medical equipment (oxygen, dialysis machines), medication storage, or with severe allergies should notify Brittany Ferries at booking. Dietary requirements including vegetarian/vegan, gluten-free, and allergy-friendly options are available in restaurants, and passengers can bring their own food if preferred. The Saint-Malo also has allergy-friendly cabins.

Brittany Ferries accepts passengers who will be under 32 weeks pregnant at the time of travel on its cruise ferries, including the Portsmouth to St Malo route (high-speed sailings on other routes have a lower limit of 28 weeks). A private cabin is recommended for comfort. Medical facilities are limited (crew trained in first aid), and Le Littoral restaurant provides proper sit-down meals.

Age Groups

Different age groups have different needs and often different fares. Infants (0-3 years) travel free. Baby changing facilities are available in the public bathrooms, and pushchairs/prams can be brought onboard. Cots are available for infants up to 24 months – request one at the accommodation step when booking.

Children (4-15 years) travel at half price on most fares, need their own passport, and can enjoy children’s play areas, children’s portions in the restaurants, and school holiday entertainment with Pierre le Bear.

Adults (16-59 years) pay standard adult fare, with student discounts potentially available. Seniors (60+ years) pay standard adult fare but should check Brittany Ferries for any senior offers.

Discount availability varies with Brittany Ferries. Unlike some ferry operators, Brittany Ferries’ discount structure may differ by season and booking channel. Always check current offers directly with Brittany Ferries when booking.

Discounts

Children: Children aged 4–15 travel at half price on most fares, and under-4s travel free.
Book early: Early Bird fares, available 60+ days before sailing, are the cheapest ticket type.
Travel off-peak: Mid-week sailings in spring and autumn cost much less than summer weekends.
Seniors and students: Check Brittany Ferries for any current offers.

IMPORTANT NOTE ON DISCOUNTS:
Discount availability varies with Brittany Ferries. Unlike some ferry operators, Brittany Ferries’ discount structure may differ by season and booking channel. Always check current offers directly with Brittany Ferries when booking.

Overnight Ferry Considerations

The Portsmouth to St Malo crossing is 11-12 hours overnight – significantly different from shorter day crossings.

WHY OVERNIGHT FERRIES ARE DIFFERENT:

⏰ Time Efficiency

Depart evening (20:15), sleep onboard, arrive morning (08:45 French time). You’re travelling WHILE you sleep – no time wasted!

🛏️ Cabin Benefits

Private cabin with beds, shower, toilet. Sleep properly, wake refreshed in France. From around £17.50pp in a 4-berth (£70+ per cabin).

🍽️ Dining Options

Le Littoral brasserie with its buffet, Le Jardin counter-service restaurant, the CClub lounge-restaurant and the Breizh Ma Bro bar. Have a proper dinner onboard, then sleep, and wake for breakfast.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Friendly

Kids play, have dinner, enjoy the evening entertainment, then sleep in cabin bunks. They LOVE it! Parents get proper rest too.

CABIN TYPES AVAILABLE:
• 2-berth cabins: Two beds, private bathroom – couples/friends
• 3-berth Commodore cabins: Queen or twin beds plus a daybed – small families
• 4-berth cabins: Four bunk-style beds – families (best value per person)
• 6-berth cabins: A double, two singles and two upper bunks – larger families and groups
• Pet-friendly cabins: Bring your dog/cat into cabin with you
• Adapted cabins: Wheelchair accessible for reduced mobility passengers
• Luxury cabins: Commodore cabins and the Admiral suite, with extra space and amenities

CABIN PRICES:
From £70+ per cabin (not per person!)
Prices vary significantly by season, cabin type, and advance booking
Standard 4-berth: from £70+
Commodore: from £140+
Admiral (luxury): from £440+

See our complete ferry cabins guide for full details and booking advice.

Booking Tips by Travel Type

Different travel types have different optimal booking strategies.

Travel Type	Booking Method	Book How Far Ahead?
Foot Passenger	Online via Brittany Ferries	8-12 weeks (cabins sell out peak)
Car Ferry	Online via Brittany Ferries	8-12 weeks (peak summer)
Motorhome/Campervan	Online (measure vehicle first)	8-16 weeks (popular in summer)
Caravan Towing	Online as “car with trailer”	8-16 weeks (peak season)
Cyclist	Online (add bike option); phone for tandems and trailers	8-12 weeks
Motorcyclist	Online or phone	6-12 weeks
Pet Travel	Online (add pet) or phone	8-12 weeks (AHC paperwork + cabins)
Accessible	Phone: Special assistance line	As early as possible (adapted cabins)
Family	Online or phone	8-12 weeks (4 and 6-berth cabins limited)
Driving in France	Read guide before travel	Before you travel — know the rules!

💡 Early Booking Advantage: Book 12+ weeks ahead for best cabin availability and prices. Peak season (July-August) sells out quickly – book early! Cabins are limited so advance booking is essential for families.

Frequently Asked Questions: Travel Types

Can I travel as a foot passenger on Portsmouth to St Malo ferry?

Yes, foot passengers are fully welcomed on all Portsmouth to St Malo sailings. You don’t need a vehicle. Portsmouth Harbour railway station is around a 30-minute walk or a short taxi ride from the ferry terminal, with regular trains from London Waterloo (around 1h30–1h50). Cost: from £53 for ferry ticket. IMPORTANT: This is an 11-12 hour overnight crossing, and a cabin is compulsory on overnight MV Saint-Malo sailings (from around £17.50pp in a 4-berth). See our complete foot passenger guide.

Can I bring my dog on the Portsmouth to St Malo ferry?

Yes, dogs and cats are welcome on the Portsmouth to St Malo ferry, but they must travel with a vehicle – foot passengers can’t bring pets (registered assistance dogs are treated differently). Requirements: Animal Health Certificate (AHC) from an Official Veterinarian, microchip, rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before travel), and tapeworm treatment for dogs (24 hours to 5 days before returning to GB). Since April 2026, EU pet passports are no longer valid for GB residents. The pet fee is £35 per pet, each way. Your pet can stay in your vehicle, an onboard kennel, or a pet-friendly cabin – the best option, as your pet stays with you overnight. Start AHC paperwork process 8-12 weeks before travel. See our complete pet travel guide.

Is the Portsmouth to St Malo ferry wheelchair accessible?

Yes, both the Saint-Malo and Armorique ferries are wheelchair accessible. Features: assisted boarding (with adapted minibuses for disabled foot passengers at Portsmouth), lifts to all passenger decks, accessible toilets, adapted cabins (HIGHLY recommended for overnight crossing), wide corridors, boarding assistance from trained crew. Tell Brittany Ferries what assistance you need at least 48 hours before departure, and book as early as possible as adapted cabins are limited. See our complete accessibility guide.

Do I need a cabin for the Portsmouth to St Malo ferry?

Yes, on overnight sailings. The MV Saint-Malo, which sails the route almost all year, has no reserved seats, so a cabin is compulsory for every passenger on the overnight crossing (11-12 hours). On the few Armorique sailings in March you can choose a reserved lounge seat instead. A cabin gives you a private room with beds, your own bathroom with shower and toilet, much better sleep quality, and you arrive in France refreshed. Cabin prices from £70+ (per cabin, not per person – same price whether travelling solo or with 4 people). Families with children should book a 4-berth or 6-berth cabin – kids love the bunks and you all get proper sleep! On daytime sailings back from St Malo, a cabin is optional. See our ferry cabins guide.

Are there facilities for families on the Portsmouth to St Malo ferry?

Yes, excellent family facilities: a children’s playroom and outdoor play area, Games Planet for older children, baby changing in the public bathrooms, family-friendly restaurants with children’s portions, Pierre le Bear and kids’ entertainment in school holidays, and 4-berth and 6-berth family cabins with private bathroom. The Armorique, which sails a few dates in March, also has two cinemas. IMPORTANT: A cabin is compulsory on overnight sailings, so book a family cabin early – kids love the bunk beds! Cabins from £70+ (per cabin, not per person). See our family travel guide.

What discounts are available for Portsmouth to St Malo ferry?

Children aged 4–15 travel at half price on most fares, and infants under 4 travel free. Beyond that, discount availability varies with Brittany Ferries and may differ by season. Other ways to save include Early Bird fares when booking 60+ days ahead, off-peak travel (mid-week, spring and autumn), and pre-booking extras such as Food Passes and Wi-Fi. Always compare prices when booking and look for advance purchase deals for maximum savings.

Can I travel as a foot passenger with a bicycle?

Yes, bicycles can travel with foot passengers on Portsmouth to St Malo – passenger + bicycle fares start from £62. Standard bicycles and e-bikes can be booked online; tandems and bikes with trailers must be booked by phone. Cyclists check in at the terminal (check-in closes 60 minutes before departure) and are usually allowed to board before the cars. The bicycle is secured by crew on the vehicle deck and you collect it on arrival in St Malo. Remember a cabin is required for the overnight crossing! Brittany is excellent for cycling with quiet roads and dedicated cycle paths.