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Portsmouth International Port: Complete 2027 Passenger Guide
Everything you need to know about Portsmouth International Port — getting there, parking, facilities, check-in times, and what to expect in Portsmouth at the UK’s best connected ferry port. This comprehensive guide covers travel by car, train, coach, and foot, plus all terminal facilities for ferry passengers travelling from Portsmouth to St Malo as well as the rest of France, Spain, and the Channel Islands.
Last updated: September 2026. All information verified from Portsmouth International Port and Brittany Ferries official sources
Portsmouth International Port is ideally located with excellent access from the Midlands and Southern England. The port sits at the end of the M275 motorway, offering easy road access, plus two nearby train stations just minutes away by taxi.
🚗 By Car
All major routes lead to the M275, which takes you directly to the Continental Ferry Port:
From London: M3 or A3 → M275 (approx. 2 hours)
From Midlands: A34 → M3 → M275
From Bristol/Wales: A36 → M27 → M275
From South West: A31 → M27 → M275
⚠️ Clean Air Zone: Portsmouth has a Clean Air Zone (CAZ), but it doesn’t cover the M275 or the route into the port – the zone starts just after the port entrance as you head into the city, so driving straight to the ferry isn’t affected. It only charges older, more polluting buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles and HGVs – private cars, vans and motorbikes are not charged. Check the FAQs below or the Portsmouth City Council website if this may affect your travel to the port.
🚆 By Train
Train services from London Waterloo to Portsmouth take around 1h30–1h50. There are also services from London Victoria and Cardiff.
Portsmouth & Southsea
Taxi to port: ~£5 | Around a 30-minute walk from the station to the port terminal.
Portsmouth Harbour
Taxi to port: ~£5 | Around a 30-minute walk. Closer to Gunwharf Quays and the Historic Dockyard. Both stations are well-served by taxi ranks.
🚌 By Coach & Local Bus
Regular coach services operated by National Express run from the terminal building to London Victoria and Heathrow Airport, with onward connections to the rest of the UK. We recommend buying tickets in advance.
Local bus services: Stagecoach (bus 20) and First Bus (buses 8, X4, X9).
🚶 By Foot & 🚕 By Taxi
Walking: Approximately 20 minutes walk from Portsmouth town centre to the ferry terminal, and around 30 minutes from either Portsmouth & Southsea or Portsmouth Harbour train station.
Taxi: Taxi rank located outside the terminal building. Taxis from train stations to port cost around £5.
Parking at Portsmouth International Port
The multi-storey car park at Portsmouth International Port is operated by APCOA and located inside the port, with 525 spaces, a few minutes’ walk from the terminal. It’s open 24 hours and uses number plate recognition – you pay on arrival by card at the ground-floor machines or with the APCOA Connect app. Use the left-hand lane at the entrance to the car check-in area, then follow signs for parking.
💷 Parking Charges
Duration
Price
Up to 1 hour
£5.50
Up to 3 hours
£7.50
Up to 5 hours
£9.50
Up to 24 hours
£15.00
Each additional day (or part thereof)
£15.00
🏍️ Motorcycles park FREE
Maximum vehicle height: 2.1m | Disabled parking available on ground floor | 20-minute drop-off bays directly outside the terminal | Luggage trolleys available (£1 deposit) | Contact APCOA: 02392 873378
💰 Cheaper Parking Options
Market Way Car Park
£10.00 per 24 hours — cheaper alternative within walking distance of the port.
JustPark (10% Discount)
Brittany Ferries customers: Use code ‘BRITTANYFERRIES’ at checkout for 10% off JustPark bookings near the port.
Early Morning Sailings
Caravans/Motorhomes: You can park in the check-in lanes after midnight. Vehicle parked at own risk. No facilities open overnight.
⚡ Electric Vehicle Charging
Portsmouth International Port offers electric vehicle charging at the following locations:
2x Instavolt 50kW DC rapid chargers — opposite the terminal building
6x Compleo chargers — inside the multi-storey car park (£0.65/kWh)
Simple contactless payment, no connection charge, no subscription required
Tap your payment card to start charging and pay for what you use
Terminal Facilities & Services
Portsmouth International Port features a modern, light and airy terminal building with everything you need while waiting for your ferry departure. The facilities are fully accessible for wheelchair users and passengers with reduced mobility.
☕ Bar & Café
Costa Coffee shop and bar located on the mezzanine floor. Outdoor terrace available during summer months with views over the port. Opening times vary.
🛍️ Shop
Travel essentials shop and Travel Exchange located in the main concourse. Open daily 06:00–22:30. Perfect for last-minute purchases before boarding.
🧳 Left Luggage
£10 per item at the security desk. Open 05:30–23:59. Available for passenger use only. Luggage cannot be left overnight.
📶 Wi-Fi
Free and payable Wi-Fi options available throughout the terminal building.
🍼 Baby Facilities
Baby change room and breastfeeding area available in the terminal building.
ℹ️ Tourist Information
Tourist information desk in the main concourse. Helpful staff can assist with Portsmouth and destination queries.
💧 Free Water Station
Free water refill station available in the terminal. Bring your reusable bottle.
🛴 E-bike & E-scooter Rental
Voi e-bike and e-scooter rental available at the port. Perfect for exploring Portsmouth before or after your journey.
Check-In Times & Passenger Information
⏰ Brittany Ferries Check-In Deadlines
45 min
Vehicle passengers
60 min
Foot passengers, cyclists & passengers with reduced mobility (check your ticket)
90 min
Travelling with pets (Animal Health Certificate checks)
These are the times check-in closes before your scheduled departure – not arrival times. Miss them and the ship leaves without you, with no refund. Aim to arrive at least an hour before your check-in deadline, and earlier in peak season.
♿ Disabled & Accessible Facilities
Portsmouth International Port offers comprehensive facilities for passengers with reduced mobility:
Terminal and all facilities are wheelchair accessible
Disabled parking spaces on ground floor of multi-storey car park
Disabled drop-off/pick-up spaces outside the terminal building
Adapted minibus available for disabled foot passengers
Accessible toilets throughout the terminal
Lifts to all floors
Tell Brittany Ferries about any assistance you need at least 48 hours before departure – check-in closes 60 minutes before sailing
🐕 Travelling with Pets
Important Pet Rules at the Port:
Dogs on leads are allowed in the port area but NOT inside the terminal building (except guide dogs)
Once past the security checkpoint, dogs cannot leave your vehicle
Dog waste bin located adjacent to check-in kiosks near the toilet block
Check-in closes 90 minutes before departure for Animal Health Certificate checks and microchip scanning – since 22 April 2026, EU pet passports are no longer valid for GB residents
Nearest park: Alexandra Park (1.5 miles north, 5-minute drive or 20–25-minute walk)
🚶 Foot Passenger Information
⚠️ Renovation Work Notice: Due to major renovation work at Portsmouth port, the passenger gangway is no longer available. Foot passengers board and leave the ship through the garage, and disembarkation may only start 30 minutes after arrival. Allow extra time for onward connections.
Ferry Operators & Destinations
Portsmouth International Port is Britain’s best connected port, offering the most routes to France, Spain, and the Channel Islands. The port is operated by Portsmouth City Council and serves millions of passengers annually.
If you’re travelling to St Malo, you’ll be sailing with Brittany Ferries on the MV Saint-Malo – or on the Armorique for a small number of sailings between 7 and 20 March 2027. The other routes listed below use different berths and check-in areas within the port.
🚢 Brittany Ferries
Brittany Ferries operates the majority of Portsmouth ferry routes with modern cruise ferries offering restaurants, bars, cabins, and onboard entertainment:
St Malo, France
~11.5 hours | Overnight crossing
Caen, France
~6 hours | Day & overnight
Cherbourg, France
Daily from November 2026 | Also replaces Poole-Cherbourg
Bilbao, Spain
~32 hours | Mini cruise
Santander, Spain
~31 hours | Mini cruise
Le Havre, France
Closed end of September 2026 | Best replacement: Caen
🚢 Channel Islands: Condor Ferries & DFDS
Guernsey: Condor Ferries, owned and operated by Brittany Ferries, sails from Portsmouth to Guernsey. Jersey: DFDS has run the Portsmouth to Jersey route since 2025, when it took over from Condor.
🎉 Britain’s Best Connected Port: Portsmouth offers more cross-channel ferry routes than any other UK port. The port also welcomes major cruise lines including Saga, Virgin Voyages, and Viking.
what3words — Precise Port Navigation
Portsmouth International Port uses what3words to help you navigate to the exact check-in location. what3words divides the world into 3m x 3m squares, each with a unique three-word address.
Check-in Location 1
///race.hungry.shrimp
Check-in Location 2
///hooked.shell.moving
Enter these three-word addresses into your what3words app or sat nav for precise navigation to Portsmouth ferry port check-in areas. The free what3words app is available on iOS and Android.
Port Address
Portsmouth International Port
Continental Ferry Port, George Byng Way
Portsmouth PO2 8SP
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 330 159 7003
Portsmouth Port — Frequently Asked Questions
How early should I arrive at Portsmouth port?
Brittany Ferries check-in closes 45 minutes before departure for vehicle passengers, 60 minutes before for foot passengers, cyclists and passengers with reduced mobility (check your ticket), and 90 minutes before if you’re travelling with a pet. These are deadlines – miss them and the ship leaves without you, with no refund. Aim to arrive at least an hour before your check-in deadline, and allow extra time during peak season (school holidays and summer) as queues can be longer.
How much does parking cost at Portsmouth International Port?
Portsmouth port parking charges are: £5.50 up to 1 hour, £7.50 up to 3 hours, £9.50 up to 5 hours, £15.00 up to 24 hours, then £15.00 per day thereafter. You pay on arrival by card or with the APCOA Connect app, and there are 20-minute drop-off bays outside the terminal. Motorcycles park free. Cheaper alternatives include Market Way car park (£10 per 24 hours) or JustPark (10% discount with code ‘BRITTANYFERRIES’).
Can I bring my dog to Portsmouth ferry terminal?
Yes, dogs on leads are allowed in the port area but NOT inside the terminal building (except guide dogs). Once you pass the security checkpoint, dogs cannot leave your vehicle. A dog waste bin is located adjacent to the check-in kiosks near the toilet block. The nearest park is Alexandra Park, 1.5 miles north (5-minute drive). Pets must travel with a vehicle, and check-in closes 90 minutes before departure.
Is Portsmouth International Port wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the terminal and all facilities are fully wheelchair accessible. Disabled parking spaces are available on the ground floor of the multi-storey car park and outside the terminal building for drop-off/pick-up. Adapted minibuses are available for disabled foot passengers. All facilities including toilets, shops, and cafés are accessible. Tell Brittany Ferries about any assistance you need at least 48 hours in advance.
What facilities are available at Portsmouth ferry port?
The terminal offers Costa Coffee & bar (mezzanine floor with outdoor terrace), travel essentials shop (06:00–22:30), left luggage (£10/item, 05:30–23:59), free and payable Wi-Fi, baby changing room, breastfeeding area, tourist information desk, free water refill station, and Voi e-bike/e-scooter rental. EV charging available (Instavolt and Compleo chargers).
How far is Portsmouth port from London?
Portsmouth International Port is less than 2 hours from London by car (via M3 or A3, then M275). By train, it’s around 1h30–1h50 from London Waterloo to Portsmouth & Southsea or Portsmouth Harbour stations. Taxis from either station to the port cost around £5. National Express coaches also run regular services from London Victoria and Heathrow Airport.
Does Portsmouth’s Clean Air Zone affect driving to the port?
No – Portsmouth introduced a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) on 29 November 2021, but it doesn’t cover the M275 or the approach to the port. The zone starts just after the port entrance as you head into the city, so if you drive straight to the ferry you won’t enter it. Even inside the zone, it only charges older, more polluting buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles and HGVs – private cars, vans and motorbikes are not charged, Check Portsmouth City Council’s Clean Air Zone website or the official UK government CAZ checker if you plan to drive into the city.
Can I charge my electric vehicle at Portsmouth port?
Yes, Portsmouth International Port has electric vehicle charging facilities. There are 2x Instavolt 50kW DC rapid chargers located opposite the terminal building, plus 6x Compleo chargers inside the multi-storey car park (£0.65/kWh). All chargers accept contactless payment with no connection charge or subscription required. Simply tap your card to start charging.
What is the postcode for Portsmouth International Port?
The postcode for Portsmouth International Port is PO2 8SP. The full address is Portsmouth International Port, Continental Ferry Port, George Byng Way, Portsmouth PO2 8SP, United Kingdom. Use this postcode for sat nav directions to the ferry terminal. For precise check-in navigation, you can also use the what3words addresses ///race.hungry.shrimp or ///hooked.shell.moving.
Plan Your Portsmouth Ferry Journey
⚓
St Malo Ferry
Complete guide to the Portsmouth to St Malo ferry – ships, timetables, facilities, cabins, and booking tips
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