Portsmouth to St Malo Ferry Timetable & Schedule 2026

This complete Portsmouth to St Malo ferry timetable guide covers all 2026 departure and arrival times for both directions, seasonal variations, how to choose the right sailing, cabin requirements, check-in times, and everything you need to plan your Portsmouth to St Malo crossing. The MV Saint-Malo — Brittany Ferries’s newest LNG-electric hybrid ship — has operated this route since February 2025, replacing the Bretagne.

The Portsmouth to St Malo ferry is operated exclusively by Brittany Ferries, sailing overnight from Portsmouth and returning by day from St Malo. With up to 8 sailings per week, the MV Saint-Malo connects Portsmouth International Port with St Malo’s Gare Maritime on a crossing that takes approximately 10 hours 45 minutes outbound and around 7 hours 50 minutes to 11 hours on the return, depending on the sailing.

Last updated: February 2026 | All times verified against the 2026 Brittany Ferries sailing schedule

St Malo Hybrid Ship from the front, Portsmouth to St Malo ferry timetable

⏰ Portsmouth to St Malo Ferry Timetable at a Glance

Up to 8

Sailings Per Week

~11 hrs

Overnight Crossing

~8 hrs

Daytime Return

Mid Feb -Nov

2026 Season Dates

✅ Brittany Ferries – Sole operator on this route
✅ MV Saint-Malo – LNG-electric hybrid cruise ferry with 386 cabins, Le Jardin restaurant, C Club Lounge, spa, duty-free
✅ Overnight from Portsmouth – Departs ~20:15, arrives St Malo ~08:15
✅ Daytime from St Malo – Departs ~10:30, arrives Portsmouth ~18:20
✅ Cabins compulsory on all overnight sailings

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Portsmouth to St Malo Ferry Timetable 2026

Portsmouth to St Malo is an overnight sailing. Brittany Ferries departs Portsmouth International Port in the evening and arrives at St Malo’s Gare Maritime the following morning — so you wake up in France. The standard departure is 20:15 Portsmouth time, with arrival in St Malo at approximately 08:15 French time.

📌 Time Zone Note: All times shown are local times. Portsmouth is on UK time (GMT/BST); St Malo is on French time (CET/CEST). France is 1 hour ahead of the UK year-round. A 20:15 departure from Portsmouth equals 21:15 French time — the crossing takes approximately 10 hours 45 minutes.

Departs Portsmouth	Arrives St Malo	Duration	Frequency	Notes
20:15	08:15 (+1 day, French time)	~10h 45m	Most days — see seasonal notes	Standard overnight sailing. Cabin compulsory.
20:45	08:15 (+1 day, French time)	~10h 30m	Occasional sailings — peak dates	Runs on specific dates May–Oct. Cabin compulsory.

+1 indicates arrival the following morning. The 20:15 departure leaves Monday evening and arrives Tuesday morning, for example. Arrival times vary slightly by date — always confirm before booking onward travel.

⚠️ Cabin Required: A cabin is compulsory on all overnight Portsmouth to St Malo sailings — you cannot travel without one. Cabin accommodation is priced separately on top of your fare. Options range from standard 2-berth and 4-berth (inside and outside), 6-berth cabins for larger families, Commodore cabins with inclusive breakfast, the Admiral suite, plus allergy-friendly, pet-friendly, and wheelchair-accessible cabins.

The crossing route takes the ferry south-west out of the Solent and into the English Channel, passing the Channel Islands before turning into St Malo’s natural harbour. The approach into St Malo — through the Rance estuary with the walled city emerging from the sea — is one of the most dramatic port arrivals in Europe.

Return Journey: St Malo to Portsmouth Timetable 2026

The return from St Malo to Portsmouth runs as a daytime sailing on most days — departing mid-morning and arriving in Portsmouth early evening, giving you a full final morning in St Malo. There is also a limited overnight return on selected dates, useful for those wanting to maximise their time in France.

📌 Daytime Crossing Note: No cabin is required on the daytime St Malo to Portsmouth sailing, although you can book one for privacy and comfort. The daytime crossing is approximately 7 hours 50 minutes. You depart St Malo in French time and arrive in Portsmouth in UK time — losing an hour to the time zone difference on the way back.

Type	Departs St Malo	Arrives Portsmouth	Duration	Frequency
Daytime	10:30 (French time)	18:20 (UK time)	~7h 50m	Most days — standard return sailing
Overnight	20:30 (French time)	07:45 (+1 day, UK time)	~11h 15m	Selected dates: mainly May–Oct. Cabin compulsory.
Daytime	10:00–11:30 (French time)	16:30–18:45 (UK time)	Varies	Summer peak only — July/Aug daytime variations

Exact departure and arrival times vary slightly by date throughout the season — always verify your specific sailing before booking onward travel.

💡 Time Zone Tip for the Return: Departing St Malo at 10:30 French time, you arrive in Portsmouth at 18:20 UK time — the clock actually goes back an hour as you cross. That 10:30 departure is only 09:30 UK time, and the crossing takes roughly 7 hours 50 minutes. Your last morning in St Malo gives you time to walk the ramparts, have breakfast in Intra-Muros, and still make a mid-morning sailing.

Seasonal Timetable Variations — What Changes Month by Month

Unlike shorter Channel crossings, the Portsmouth to St Malo schedule varies significantly by season. Brittany Ferries does not run daily sailings on this route, and the service does not operate at all between November and mid-February. Frequency, departure times, and even the ship used change month by month.

❄️ Late Winter (mid-Feb 2026)

The 2026 season does not begin until mid-February — there are no sailings in January or the first half of February at all. The first sailing of 2026 departs Portsmouth on 15 February (MV Saint-Malo). The Armorique then covers some dates from 16 February. Expect only 3–4 sailings per week through the rest of February and into March.

🌸 Spring (Mar–May 2026)

Schedule builds through spring to near-daily sailings by April. Easter and bank holiday weeks have full schedules. The 20:15 Portsmouth departure becomes the dominant sailing from late March. Most days have a sailing but check for mid-week gaps in early March.

☀️ Summer (Jun–Aug 2026)

Peak season — near-daily sailings both directions. A Tuesday sailing from Portsmouth operates in July and August only (as per 2026 schedule). Daytime St Malo departures in this period run slightly earlier — from around 10:00–10:30. Book 10–12 weeks ahead for peak July/August dates.

🍂 Autumn (Sep–Nov 2026)

September remains busy with good frequency, though not every day. October reduces gradually — roughly 4–5 sailings per week in early October, fewer by month end, with the last October sailings on 30–31 October. The season effectively ends on 1 November 2026 — there is only one sailing on that date (Saint-Malo, 10:30 St Malo to Portsmouth daytime return) and nothing after. Do not plan to travel this route after 1 November 2026.

⚠️ Key Warning — Not a Daily Service: Portsmouth to St Malo does not run every day. There are no sailings at all in January or the first half of February, and the season ends entirely after 1 November. Always verify your specific travel dates before booking onward travel or accommodation — do not assume a sailing exists without checking.

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How to Choose the Best Sailing for Your Journey

The Portsmouth to St Malo route operates quite differently from shorter Channel crossings — the overnight structure means the choice of direction and sailing time shapes your entire trip.

The Standard Pattern — and Why It Works

Most passengers travel outbound on the 20:15 overnight from Portsmouth (boarding from ~19:30) and return on the 10:30 daytime from St Malo. This gives you:

✅ A full day in Portsmouth before departure — no need to rush
✅ A comfortable night’s sleep at sea in your cabin
✅ Arrival in St Malo by 08:15 — a full day from the moment you land
✅ A final morning in St Malo before the 10:30 return departure
✅ Back in Portsmouth by 18:20 — home the same evening

The Overnight Portsmouth Departure (20:15) — Best For

Families who want children asleep on the crossing
Anyone maximising time in Brittany — wake up already there
Those travelling to destinations beyond St Malo (Normandy, Paris, Dordogne)
Passengers who prefer not to lose a day travelling

Advantages:

✅ Arrive refreshed with a full day ahead
✅ Save on one night’s hotel accommodation
✅ Relaxed check-in — port is calm in the evening
✅ Departure view of Portsmouth Harbour at dusk
✅ Excellent onboard facilities — Le Jardin restaurant, C Club Lounge, spa, sun deck

Considerations:

⚠️ Cabin is compulsory — factor this into your budget
⚠️ Check-in closes 45 minutes before departure (19:30 for a 20:15 sailing)
⚠️ Prices are higher than daytime-only routes — this is a cruise ferry experience

Perfect Outbound Itinerary:

17:00 — Arrive Portsmouth port, check-in opens
18:30 — Boarding begins for vehicles
19:30 — Check-in closes (arrive no later than this)
20:15 — Departure from Portsmouth International Port
21:00 — Dinner in the à la carte restaurant or self-service
23:00 — English Channel at night — the C Club Lounge is the place to be
07:30 — Wake up as the Saint-Malo enters the Rance estuary
08:15 — Arrive St Malo Gare Maritime (French time)

The Daytime Return (10:30 from St Malo) — Best For

A final morning in St Malo — breakfast on the ramparts, then board at 10:30
Families who find it easier to travel with children during daylight
Those who prefer not to need a cabin on the return
Passengers who want a scenic crossing — the Channel looks very different by day

Advantages:

✅ No cabin required (though bookable for privacy)
✅ Daytime views of the Channel Islands and coastline
✅ Typically lower fare than the overnight
✅ Arrive Portsmouth 18:20 — evening to recover at home
✅ Last morning in St Malo — make the most of Intra-Muros

Considerations:

⚠️ Must check out of accommodation before 10:30 departure
⚠️ St Malo port is a 15–20 min walk from Intra-Muros (allow time)
⚠️ Slightly longer effective travel time due to losing an hour at the time zone crossing back

The Overnight Return (20:30 from St Malo) — Best For

Available on selected dates (mainly May–October). This maximises your final day in France completely — depart in the evening, arrive Portsmouth at 07:45 UK time the following morning.

✅ A full final day in St Malo — right up to dinner time
✅ Arrive Portsmouth early — drive home in the morning with roads clear
⚠️ Cabin is compulsory on the overnight return too
⚠️ Only runs on selected dates — check availability on the Brittany Ferries site

💡 Cabin Recommendation: Even on daytime sailings, consider booking an outside cabin. The MV Saint-Malo’s sea-view cabins are a genuine pleasure — quiet, private, and the views approaching St Malo through the Rance estuary are worth being awake and settled for. Commodore cabin upgrades include inclusive breakfast — served to your cabin or in the private Les 8 Trésors lounge with terrace. See all cabin types and prices here.

Getting to Portsmouth Ferry Port

Portsmouth International Port is well-connected by road, rail, and coach. For a 20:15 departure, most passengers aim to arrive at the port between 17:30 and 19:00 — check-in closes 45 minutes before sailing.

🚗 By Car

Exit M27 at Junction 12, take M275 south to Portsmouth. Follow blue ferry port signs. Portsmouth International Port: Wharf Road, Portsmouth PO2 8RU. Long-stay parking available at the port.

🚂 By Train

Direct trains from London Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour (approx. 1h 50m). Also direct from Brighton (1h 10m) and Southampton (50m). Portsmouth Harbour station is the closest to the international port — a short taxi or 15-min walk.

🚌 By Coach

National Express coaches operate from London Victoria and other UK cities to Portsmouth. Foot passengers travelling by coach should allow extra time to transfer from the coach station to the port.

🛳️ At the Port

Portsmouth International Port has a bar/café (open 06:00–22:30), bureau de change, shop, free WiFi, left luggage, and baby-changing facilities. Check-in opens approximately 3–4 hours before sailing.

The MV Saint-Malo — What to Expect Onboard

Brittany Ferries operates the MV Saint-Malo on the Portsmouth to St Malo route — a brand new LNG-electric hybrid cruise ferry that entered service in February 2025, replacing the veteran Bretagne. Powered by a combination of liquefied natural gas and a 12MWh battery pack (the largest fitted to any ferry in the world), she runs into and out of Portsmouth on pure electric power. With 1,290 passengers, 386 cabins including 28 pet-friendly, and restaurants, a spa, and a C Club Lounge, the crossing is very much part of the holiday rather than just a way to get there.

🍽️

Restaurants

Le Jardin (locally sourced Breton cuisine — vegetables grown on Brittany partner farms), Le Littoral restaurant, and a self-service cafeteria. French chefs throughout. Widely praised quality.

🍸

C Club Lounge & Bars

The C Club Lounge is an exclusive lounge area with evening bar service. La Plage is a relaxed sitting area. Both are ideal for the evening crossing.

🛏️

Cabins

386 cabins across six grades: standard 2-berth and 4-berth (inside/outside), 6-berth for larger families, plus allergy-friendly, 28 pet-friendly, and wheelchair-accessible. Commodore guests receive inclusive breakfast in cabin or the Les 8 Trésors private lounge. Admiral suite: 26.6m², queen bed, separate lounge, four panoramic portholes.

🛍️

Duty-Free & Shops

Duty-free shop selling perfume, spirits, wine, and French specialities. A genuine incentive to cross by ferry over the tunnel.

🌅

Sun Decks

Open sun decks for watching the departure from Portsmouth Harbour and — best of all — the morning arrival into St Malo through the Rance estuary.

👨‍👩‍👧

Family Facilities

Children’s entertainment programme in school holidays. Pierre Le Bear mascot during peak season. Cots in cabin available for infants under 24 months.

💡 Arrival Experience: Set an alarm for 07:00 French time on your outbound crossing. The Saint-Malo’s approach into St Malo through the Rance estuary — with the walled city appearing on the port side, Fort National emerging from the sea, and Dinard’s villas glittering to starboard — is genuinely spectacular. The sun deck fills quickly, so claim your spot early. This is the one ferry arrival in Europe worth losing sleep for.

Plan Your Full Journey

Everything you need for a smooth Portsmouth to St Malo crossing

1. Ferry Prices

Foot passenger, car, cabin options, Commodore upgrade — full 2026 pricing guide.

View Prices →

2. St Malo Guide

Complete guide to the walled city — ramparts, Fort National, tidal pools, where to eat, and itineraries.

St Malo Guide →

3. Portsmouth Guide

Explore Portsmouth before you sail — Historic Dockyard, Southsea, Portsmouth100 centenary events.

Portsmouth Guide →

4. Day Trips

Dinan, Dinard, Cancale, Mont Saint-Michel — day trip guides for the Côte d’Émeraude.

Day Trips →

Portsmouth to St Malo Ferry: Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Portsmouth to St Malo ferry crossing?

The overnight Portsmouth to St Malo crossing takes approximately 10 hours 45 minutes. The standard departure is 20:15 from Portsmouth, arriving 08:15 St Malo time the following morning. The return daytime sailing from St Malo to Portsmouth takes around 7 hours 50 minutes, departing 10:30 French time and arriving 18:20 UK time. The difference in duration is because the daytime return is a direct crossing, while the outbound overnight route passes via the Channel Islands.

Which ferry company operates Portsmouth to St Malo?

Brittany Ferries is the sole operator on the Portsmouth to St Malo route. They operate the Armorique and MV Saint-Malo — a full cruise ferry with cabins, restaurants (Le Jardin, Le Littoral), C Club Lounge, spa, sun decks, duty-free shopping, and 28 pet-friendly cabins. There is no other operator, and there is no fast ferry or budget option on this route.

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

Yes — a cabin is compulsory on all overnight sailings from Portsmouth to St Malo. You cannot travel on the overnight crossing without booking a cabin. Cabin options include standard 2-berth (inside and outside), 4-berth (inside and outside), 6-berth for larger families, Commodore cabins (2-berth; some 3-berth) with inclusive breakfast served to cabin or in the exclusive Les 8 Trésors lounge, and the Admiral suite (26.6m², queen bed, separate lounge, panoramic portholes). Allergy-friendly, pet-friendly, and wheelchair-accessible options are also available. On the daytime return (St Malo to Portsmouth), a cabin is not required, though you can book one if you prefer privacy and somewhere to relax. Overnight sailings from St Malo also require a cabin.

How much does the Portsmouth to St Malo ferry cost in 2026?

Foot passenger fares start from approximately £49. A car plus 2 passengers starts from £184 each way (off-peak, booked 3+ months ahead) — cabin accommodation is priced additionally on top of this. Overnight crossings with a cabin start from approximately £84 per cabin. Peak summer fares rise to £250+ for a car. Book early and avoid school holidays for the best prices.

How many sailings per week does Portsmouth to St Malo have?

Up to 7–8 sailings per week at peak season (summer), reducing to 3–4 per week in late February and March. There are no sailings at all in January or the first half of February. The season runs from mid-February to 1 November only. Always check Brittany Ferries for your specific travel dates before assuming a sailing is available.

What time should I arrive at Portsmouth port for the ferry?

Check-in closes 45 minutes before departure — so for a 20:15 sailing, check-in closes at 19:30. Vehicle passengers should aim to arrive at Portsmouth International Port by 17:30–18:30 to allow time for check-in, boarding, and settling into your cabin before sailing. Foot passengers travelling with pets must arrive at least 90 minutes before departure.

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

Yes — foot passengers are welcome on all sailings. Portsmouth Harbour station is approximately 15–20 minutes’ walk or a short taxi ride from Portsmouth International Port (Wharf Road, PO2 8RU). In St Malo, the Gare Maritime is about a 20-minute walk from the Intra-Muros old town. Local buses and taxis serve both ports. A cabin is still compulsory for foot passengers on overnight sailings.

What is the time difference between Portsmouth and St Malo?

France is 1 hour ahead of the UK year-round. When you depart Portsmouth at 20:15 UK time, it is already 21:15 in St Malo. When you arrive in St Malo at 08:15 French time, it is 07:15 in Portsmouth. On the return, departing St Malo at 10:30 French time means it is 09:30 in Portsmouth — and you arrive at 18:20 UK time. Both countries observe daylight saving time, so the 1-hour difference remains constant in summer and winter.

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Foot passenger from ~£49 | Overnight with cabin from ~£130 | Commodore and Admiral suites available

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