This is the complete Portsmouth to St Malo ferry check-in guide for 2026 — covering every type of traveller, from cars and foot passengers to cyclists, motorcyclists and passengers with pets. You’ll find step-by-step check-in processes for each travel type, exact closing times for the 20:15 sailing, the essential documents checklist, what happens at security and boarding order.
Last updated: March 2026 | All information verified from official Brittany Ferries sources
Operated by Brittany Ferries · Portsmouth ↔ St Malo · MV Saint-Malo
If you arrive after check-in closes, Brittany Ferries will refuse you boarding with no refund. The ship will not be delayed. You will need to purchase a new ticket for the next available sailing. Check-in closing times are strictly enforced.
Why arrive early? ✓ Buffer for motorway traffic and roadworks · ✓ Time to find parking in peak season · ✓ Relax in the terminal rather than rush · ✓ Time for food and toilet before boarding · ✓ Time to resolve any unexpected issues — lost booking reference, passport queries, vehicle declaration
⚠️ UK Passport Rules for France — Both must apply:
Passports renewed before October 2018 may show extra months — French authorities do not recognise these. Check your issue date, not just expiry date.
The EU’s European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will require UK citizens to register online before entering France. The scheme has faced multiple delays.
Always check the current status at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france before you travel.
💡 The night before — do this now: Put all documents in one folder or bag — booking confirmation, passports for everyone, vehicle documents, pet papers if applicable. Check every passport’s issue date and expiry date. Take a photo of your booking confirmation on your phone as a backup. Doing this the night before prevents frantic searching at the check-in booth.
Check-in for the Portsmouth to St Malo ferry closes at the times below. Note that check-in opening time is determined by when the inbound ship docks from St Malo — typically around 18:00 for the 20:15 sailing. There is no benefit in arriving before the ship has docked as you will not be able to check in. Arriving 60–90 minutes before the scheduled departure time is the recommended approach for most passengers.
| Passenger Type | Check-In Closes | For 20:15 Sailing |
|---|---|---|
| 🚗 Car / Van / Motorhome | 45 minutes before | Closes 19:30 |
| 🚶 Foot Passenger / Cyclist | 60 minutes before | Closes 19:15 |
| 🐾 Passengers With Pets | 90 minutes before | Closes 18:45 |
| ♿ Passengers Needing Assistance | 60 minutes before | Notify BF 48hrs in advance |
⚠️ Allow at least an hour before check-in closes — more in peak season. The closing times above are hard deadlines, not targets. Vehicle queues at Portsmouth can be extremely long in summer, and it is not unusual to wait an hour or more from arrival before reaching the check-in booth — particularly in July and August, on bank holiday weekends, and when multiple sailings are operating. If there are any unexpected issues — a query at the booth, a vehicle declaration, a missing booking reference, or a security search — additional time will be needed. Arriving with only the minimum time to spare is a significant risk. Late arrivals are refused boarding with no refund.
Follow Brittany Ferries signs from the M275 / A3(M) — the port is well signposted from the motorway. Vehicle passengers must check in at least 45 minutes before departure. If travelling with a pet, arrive at least 90 minutes before departure. For the standard 20:15 sailing, the absolute latest you should be at the check-in booth is 19:35 — but arriving 90 minutes to 2 hours early is strongly recommended, especially in peak season when vehicle queues can be significant.
The process for foot passengers is slightly different to vehicle passengers — you won’t be queuing in car lanes, but there are still specific steps to follow. You must check in at least 60 minutes before departure. For the 20:15 sailing, aim to arrive by 18:45 at the latest — earlier is better during peak season. Unlike many ferry routes, foot passengers are permitted on the Portsmouth to St Malo crossing.
💡 Special needs & mobility: If you have any mobility requirements or other special travel needs, contact Brittany Ferries at least 48 hours before departure. Adapted minibuses are available for disabled foot passengers at Portsmouth.
⚠️ Note on arrival at Portsmouth: Due to major renovation work at Portsmouth port, the passenger gangway is no longer available. Foot passenger disembarkation is through the garage and may only begin 30 minutes after the ship docks. Allow extra time for any onward connections from Portsmouth.
Motorbike check-in at Portsmouth follows the same process as vehicle passengers, with a few things worth knowing in advance. The minimum check-in time is 45 minutes before departure, but experienced riders on this route typically arrive 90 minutes to 2 hours before to avoid last-minute pressure and secure a good position in the bike loading queue.
🚨 Bike alarm warning: Switch off your motorcycle alarm — or put it into transport mode — before boarding. Alarms triggered by the movement of the ship during the crossing are one of the most common problems on the car deck. An alarm sounding in a sealed car deck for nearly 11 hours is not popular with Brittany Ferries crew or fellow passengers. If you’re unsure how to disable it, check your owner’s manual before the sailing day.
Travelling with a pet on the Portsmouth to St Malo ferry adds extra steps to the check-in process. The most important thing to know: passengers with pets must arrive at least 90 minutes before departure — significantly earlier than the standard 60-minute deadline. Pets must travel with a vehicle; foot passengers cannot bring pets on this route. Follow this checklist to make sure everything goes smoothly.
The process for cyclists at Portsmouth is almost identical to the foot passenger process — you use the same terminal building and check-in desks, not the vehicle lanes. Check-in closes 60 minutes before departure, the same as for foot passengers. Cycling is an increasingly popular way to travel on this route — the MV Saint-Malo has dedicated cycle storage on the vehicle deck and cyclists are typically allowed to board before the cars, giving you time to get your bike settled before the deck fills.
Both ports on the Portsmouth to St Malo route and the MV Saint-Malo are equipped with facilities for passengers with reduced mobility, disabilities, and other accessibility requirements. The process is the same at both ends of the route. If you need assistance, the key is to notify Brittany Ferries in advance — this allows the right arrangements to be put in place before you arrive.
All passengers on the Portsmouth to St Malo ferry pass through security screening at Portsmouth International Port before boarding. The process is operated under international maritime law — specifically the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code and Port Security Regulations 2009. The rules below come directly from Portsmouth International Port’s official security guidelines and apply to all passengers regardless of travel type.
Security at Portsmouth is not the same as airport security. Key differences that catch passengers out:
📋 Source: Security rules on this page are drawn from the official Portsmouth International Port security page and Brittany Ferries’ conditions of carriage. Always check with your carrier for the most up-to-date guidance on specific items.
Once you have checked in for your Portsmouth to St Malo ferry crossing, there is time to use the terminal building before boarding is called. Facilities at Portsmouth are listed below — St Malo’s Gare Maritime has a small café, toilets, and taxi rank immediately outside.
Costa Coffee and bar located on the mezzanine floor of the terminal — available once you have checked in and have time before boarding is called.
Travel essentials shop open 06:00–22:30. Useful for last-minute items before boarding — snacks, magazines, travel accessories.
Free and payable Wi-Fi available in the terminal building. A faster paid option is available for those who need a reliable connection before boarding.
Left luggage storage available at the security desk — £10 per item. Useful if you need to move freely around the terminal before boarding.
Toilets, baby changing facilities, and a free water refill station are available in the terminal building.
Tourist information desk in the terminal — useful for last-minute questions about St Malo, Brittany, or the ferry crossing itself.
If you need to park at the port before or after your crossing, APCOA manages 525 parking spaces at Portsmouth International Port. Pricing is as follows:
| Duration | Price |
|---|---|
| Up to 10 minutes | FREE |
| Up to 1 hour | £4 |
| Up to 4 hours | £7 |
| Up to 8 hours | £10 |
| 24 hours | £13 |
These are the most common reasons passengers run into problems at check-in. None of them are difficult to avoid — they just require a small amount of preparation before you leave home.
Problem: Check-in closes 45 minutes before departure for vehicles. Arriving at 19:35 for the 20:15 sailing means you could be refused boarding — with no refund.
Fix: Aim to be at the check-in booth by 19:00 at the very latest. Allow extra time for the M27/M275 in peak season and for finding a parking space.
Problem: Checking the passport the night before and discovering it expired, or that it was issued more than 10 years ago — too late to renew.
Fix: Check every passport in the household at least 8 weeks before travel. Check both the issue date (must be within 10 years) and expiry date (must be 3+ months after leaving France).
Problem: Booking as a standard car but arriving with a roof box or bike rack that pushes the vehicle over 2 metres in height, or failing to declare a towed caravan. This can result in additional charges at check-in.
Fix: Measure your vehicle’s total height including any roof box or rack. Declare caravans and trailers at the time of booking. Be accurate — it ensures safe loading and avoids surprises.
Problem: Booking made but the confirmation email was deleted or the phone has no signal at the port. This causes delays at the check-in booth.
Fix: Screenshot or download your booking confirmation to your phone before leaving home. Take a note of the booking reference separately. A printed copy is a reliable backup.
Problem: Arriving with a dog but without the Animal Health Certificate (AHC). Your pet will be refused entry to France and you may be denied boarding. The AHC takes weeks to arrange through an Official Veterinarian.
Fix: Start the pet documentation process at least 8–12 weeks before travel. Book your vet appointment early — Official Veterinarians can be in short supply in peak season.
Problem: Bringing a penknife, multitool or Swiss army knife in a backpack or bag as a foot passenger. All blades are confiscated at security regardless of size — including tools you use every day.
Fix: Transfer any knives or bladed tools to your vehicle before entering the terminal. If travelling as a foot passenger with no vehicle, leave them at home or place them in the amnesty box at the security entrance.
Problem: The ship’s movement during an overnight crossing triggers the vehicle alarm on a sealed car deck. It cannot be silenced and will sound for hours, disturbing crew and fellow passengers, it may also drain your battery leaving it flat on arrival.
Fix: Put your vehicle into transport/shipping mode before leaving the car deck, or disable the alarm completely. Check your owner’s manual before sailing day if you are unsure how.
Problem: After checking in, going into the terminal and failing to hear the tannoy announcement calling your lane to board. Your lane moves without you, causing delays.
Fix: Stay within earshot of the tannoy system at all times once checked in. If the terminal is noisy or you are concerned, return to your vehicle earlier than needed rather than later.
Small actions before you leave home make the entire experience at the port significantly smoother. These tips are drawn from experienced travellers on this route.
Don’t check passports the night before. Do it 8 weeks before travel — enough time to renew. Check every person travelling, including children. Verify both the issue date (within 10 years) and the expiry date (3+ months beyond your return from France).
Put everything in one place the evening before you travel — booking confirmation, all passports, vehicle documents, pet papers. Take a photo of your booking reference on your phone. Preparing this the night before removes all morning stress.
Load the car on the evening before your sailing — then you just need to add perishables and personal items on the day. This reduces rushing on departure morning and ensures nothing important is forgotten.
Use the toilets, grab food, and buy anything you need at the Costa or shop before going through the boarding gate. Once through, you are committed to heading to the ship. Terminal facilities are available before and after check-in.
Foot passengers board before vehicles. Arriving early, completing check-in quickly, and being near the front of the boarding queue means you get first choice of seats — window seats, seats near power sockets, and quiet areas. Once vehicles board, the best seats go fast.
In July and August, vehicle queues at check-in are significantly longer and APCOA parking fills up. Add at least 30 extra minutes to your planned arrival time during peak season. The M27/M275 can also be congested on Friday and Saturday evenings.
When you check in at the Brittany Ferries booth, ask the staff member what time embarkation begins. For foot passengers using the shuttle bus, being near the front of the queue makes a real difference — the bus makes multiple trips and early passengers board well before late arrivals.
The à la carte restaurant on the MV Saint-Malo fills up quickly after departure. If you want a table for dinner, pre-book through Brittany Ferries before your sailing or head to the restaurant as soon as you have found your cabin. The self-service Le Jardin restaurant is available without a reservation but queues build after the ship departs.
Passengers travelling with a vehicle must check in at least 45 minutes before departure and foot passengers must check in at least 60 minutes before departure. For the standard 20:15 overnight sailing to St Malo, this means being at the check-in booth by 19:15 at the very latest. If you are travelling with a pet, you must arrive at least 90 minutes before departure — no later than 18:30 for the 20:15 sailing. Arriving earlier is always strongly recommended, particularly in summer when vehicle queues can be significant.
You will need your Brittany Ferries booking reference and valid passports for all passengers in your party. UK citizens no longer need a visa to visit France for stays up to 90 days, but passports must be valid for the duration of your stay — note that France no longer accepts passports as valid based on the 10-year renewal rule; your passport must be less than 10 years old from issue date. If travelling with a pet, you will also need the Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for each animal and must be prepared for microchip scanning at check-in.
No. Foot passengers, cyclists, and mobility scooter users head directly to the Brittany Ferries terminal building — not the vehicle check-in booths. Inside the terminal, the Brittany Ferries check-in desk is clearly signposted. Foot passengers and cyclists follow a separate boarding process from vehicles, and are typically transported to the ship by bus after going through passport control and security.
Yes. UK Border Force passport checks take place at Portsmouth before you board the ship. For vehicle passengers, passports are checked at the check-in booths before you are issued your boarding card. For foot passengers and cyclists, passport control takes place at the boarding gate. All passengers — including children — require a valid passport. French border control takes place at St Malo on arrival.
Your boarding card is issued at check-in at Portsmouth and serves several functions. For vehicle passengers, it hangs from the interior mirror and identifies your vehicle to port loading staff. If you have pre-booked a cabin, it also acts as your cabin key card and shows your cabin number. The ship’s Wi-Fi password is printed on it. Keep it safe throughout the entire journey — you’ll need it to access your cabin on the crossing and potentially during arrival checks in St Malo.
Yes. Vehicle passengers, if time allows after check-in, may leave their vehicle and use the terminal building — which has a Costa Coffee and bar (mezzanine), a travel shop (06:00–22:30), toilets, baby changing, a free water refill station, a tourist information desk, and left luggage at £10 per item. You must listen carefully for announcements directing you to return to your vehicle when boarding begins. Foot passengers and cyclists can use the terminal freely after check-in until boarding is called.
If you miss the check-in deadline, Brittany Ferries may deny you boarding — even if the ship has not yet departed. The check-in deadline is not the same as the departure time. If you miss the sailing, contact Brittany Ferries directly to discuss your options. The outcome will depend on your ticket type: Flexi ticket holders can amend their booking up to 4 hours before sailing with no fee; Standard tickets carry a £20 amendment fee. Early Bird tickets are also subject to a £20 amendment fee with no refund on cancellation.
Motorcyclists follow the same vehicle check-in process — head to the Brittany Ferries vehicle embarkation booths and have your booking reference and passport ready. You do not need to remove your helmet at the check-in booth, but your face must be visible. After check-in, bikes are typically marshalled into a dedicated motorcycle holding area. Helmets must be worn at all times when your bike is in motion, including on the loading ramp. Remember to disable your bike alarm before the car deck is sealed — this is one of the most common issues on overnight crossings.
Foot passenger from ~£49 · Car + 2 passengers from ~£181 · Cabins compulsory on overnight crossing