Affiliate Disclosure: This site contains affiliate links. If you book through these links we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
Brittany Ferries: Complete UK Routes Guide 2027
Brittany Ferries is the leading ferry operator on the Western Channel, connecting the UK and Ireland to France and Spain with a modern fleet of cruise ferries. As a French company owned by Breton farmers since 1973, Brittany Ferries specialises in comfortable overnight crossings, bringing a touch of French culture and cuisine to every journey.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about Brittany Ferries in the tail end of 2026 and all of 2027, including all UK routes from Portsmouth and Plymouth to France and Spain, ship facilities, cabin options, prices, and booking strategies. It also explains what has changed following the closure of Portsmouth to Le Havre and Poole to Cherbourg. Whether you’re planning a family camping holiday in Brittany, a relaxing break in Normandy, or an adventure in Northern Spain, this guide will help you choose the perfect Brittany Ferries crossing.
Last updated: September 2026
🚢 Brittany Ferries at a Glance
7
UK Routes
in 2027
8
Ships on
UK Routes
386
Cabins on
Newest Ships
From £114
Car + 2 Passengers
Portsmouth
✅ Over 50 Years of Experience – Founded by Breton farmers in 1973
✅ Overnight comfort – Sleep onboard and wake up in France/Spain
✅ French culture onboard – Authentic cuisine, wine, and atmosphere
✅ Largest Western Channel operator – Most routes to Brittany
✅ Modern hybrid fleet – LNG-electric ships with shore power capability
For 2027, Brittany Ferries operates seven ferry routes from the UK to France and Spain, sailing from Portsmouth and Plymouth. Most routes offer overnight crossings with comfortable cabin accommodation, and Portsmouth to Caen also offers daytime sailings.
⚠️ What’s changed for 2027:
Portsmouth to Le Havre has closed (September 2026). The best alternative is Portsmouth to Caen.
Poole to Cherbourg is closing, with the final sailing on 2 November 2026 at 08:30.
Portsmouth to Cherbourg becomes a daily service from November 2026.
Plymouth to St Malo is not listed to run at all in 2027.
Prices shown are for car + 2 passengers, one-way, low season. Book 3+ months ahead for best prices. Spain route prices do not include the mandatory cabin. Portsmouth to Cherbourg sailing times will be updated once Brittany Ferries publishes the daily timetable.
Portsmouth to St Malo: Brittany Ferries’ Flagship Overnight Route
Portsmouth to St Malo is Brittany Ferries’ most popular overnight crossing, offering comfortable cabin accommodation and a direct gateway to Brittany’s highlights including Mont Saint-Michel.
Route Overview:
Distance: 140 nautical miles
Duration: About 11.5 hours overnight crossing from Portsmouth
Frequency (2027): Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday departures from November to March, then every day except Tuesday from late March
Departure time: 20:15 from Portsmouth
Arrival: 08:45 next morning (local time) on most sailings, varying between about 07:10 and 09:45 with the tides
Return sailings: Mostly daytime, leaving St Malo at 10:45 and arriving Portsmouth at 18:20, with some overnight returns (20:30 – 07:45)
Ship: Saint Malo (launched 2025), with Armorique covering for a few weeks in March 2027
Cabins: 386 cabins on Saint Malo – largest in fleet
Price range: From £184 (car + driver)
Why Choose Portsmouth to St Malo:
✅ Sleep Through the Journey: Evening departure, cabin accommodation, wake refreshed in St Malo. No hotel needed.
✅ Modern Hybrid Ship: Saint Malo entered service in February 2025 – LNG-electric hybrid, modern facilities.
✅ Gateway to Brittany: Perfect for Mont Saint-Michel (35 miles), Dinard, Dinan, Cancale.
✅ Foot Passengers Welcome: Excellent train connections from St Malo to Paris, Rennes, Brittany.
Onboard Facilities (Saint Malo):
Two restaurants: Le Littoral and Le Jardin with locally-sourced Breton produce
Exclusive Club Lounge for premium passengers
Large bar with panoramic sea views
28 pet-friendly cabins (most of any Brittany Ferries ship)
Art gallery with 150 works
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Spacious garage for easier boarding/disembarkation
Comfortable beds and modern cabin design
Cabin Options & Prices:
Standard 4-berth cabin: £75-200 per cabin (same price for 1-4 people)
2-berth cabin: £85-220 per cabin
Commodore cabin: £200-400 per cabin (premium comfort)
Admiral cabin: £350-670+ per cabin (luxury)
💡 Top Tip: Cabins are STRONGLY recommended on overnight sailings. While not mandatory for Portsmouth-St Malo, deck seats become uncomfortable over 11-12 hours. Book cabins early – they sell out quickly, especially pet-friendly options. In winter the route only sails four days a week, so check your dates before planning the rest of your trip.
Best For:
Brittany holidays, Mont Saint-Michel visits, family camping trips, avoiding driving fatigue, those who prefer overnight travel, pet owners (excellent pet facilities), foot passengers to Brittany, relaxed start to French holiday.
📍 See Full Guide: For complete Portsmouth to St Malo information including timetables, cabin options, and destination guides, visit our detailed Portsmouth to St Malo ferry guide.
Portsmouth to Caen: Normandy’s Gateway
Portsmouth to Caen (Ouistreham) is Brittany Ferries’ busiest route, celebrating 40 years of sailing in 2027. It offers daytime and overnight crossings to Normandy with Mont St Michel and Guillaume de Normandie (launched April 2025). Since Portsmouth to Le Havre closed, it is also the best route for anyone who used to sail to Le Havre.
Route Overview:
Duration: About 6 hours on daytime sailings, 6h 45m-7h 45m overnight
Frequency: Three sailings a day in each direction (morning, afternoon and overnight)
Departures from Portsmouth: 07:45 or 08:00, 15:00 and 23:00
Departures from Caen: 08:30, 16:30 and 23:30
Ships: Guillaume de Normandie (2025), Mont St Michel, with Armorique covering in December and early March
Operating: Year-round
Price range: From £165 (car + driver)
Why Choose Portsmouth to Caen:
✅ D-Day History: Perfect access to D-Day beaches – Omaha, Utah, Gold, Juno, Sword all within 30 minutes.
✅ Most Flexible: Three sailings a day – day and night options. Choose what suits your schedule.
✅ Paris Proximity: Just 2.5 hours’ drive to Paris via A13 motorway. Alternative to Eurostar.
✅ Modern Hybrid Ship: Guillaume de Normandie – sister ship to Saint Malo with LNG-hybrid technology.
Best For:
D-Day beach tours, Normandy touring (Bayeux, Honfleur, Étretat), Paris access by car, former Le Havre passengers, history enthusiasts, flexible departure times, day crossings available, business travel.
📍 See Full Guide: For complete Portsmouth to Caen information including timetables, cabin options, and destination guides, visit our detailed Portsmouth to Caen ferry guide.
Portsmouth to Cherbourg: Daily Sailings to Normandy from November 2026
Portsmouth to Cherbourg becomes a daily service from November 2026, replacing the Poole to Cherbourg route. It links Portsmouth with the heart of Normandy’s Cotentin Peninsula. Brittany Ferries has not yet published the daily timetable, so sailing times, crossing times and ships will be added here once they are confirmed.
Route Overview:
Frequency: Daily from November 2026
Sailing times and duration: To be confirmed when Brittany Ferries publishes the timetable
Ships: To be confirmed
Operating: Year-round
Price range: From £135 (car + 2 passengers)
Why Choose Portsmouth to Cherbourg:
✅ Daily Sailings: From November 2026 you can sail to Cherbourg every day, rather than twice a week.
✅ Cotentin Peninsula: Explore Normandy’s beautiful western coast, charming harbour towns, and unspoilt countryside.
✅ Replaces Poole to Cherbourg: The easiest switch for Dorset and Hampshire travellers once the Poole route closes on 2 November 2026.
✅ Western Normandy: A quieter, more rural and authentic side of Normandy compared to the busier Caen route.
💡 Top Tip: Until the daily timetable is published, check whether your chosen sailing is a daytime or overnight crossing when you book. Cabins are strongly recommended on any overnight sailing and fill quickly in peak season.
Best For:
Former Poole-Cherbourg passengers, Cotentin Peninsula exploration, Western Normandy access, Mont Saint-Michel via Cherbourg (around 2 hours’ drive), D-Day beaches, quieter rural Normandy holidays.
Portsmouth to Le Havre: Route Closed (September 2026) – Sail to Caen Instead
⛔ This route has closed: Brittany Ferries no longer sails between Portsmouth and Le Havre, and there are no sailings on this route in 2027. The route was due to close at the end of September 2026 because of rising costs, but the final sailings were cancelled early in mid-September after a technical problem with the ship.
If you were planning to sail to Le Havre, the best alternative is Portsmouth to Caen. Caen (Ouistreham) is around an hour’s drive from Le Havre via the Pont de Normandie, and the route offers far more choice, with three sailings a day in each direction.
Why Caen Is the Best Le Havre Alternative:
✅ More Sailings: Three sailings a day each way, year-round, compared with Le Havre’s one a day.
✅ Still Great for Paris: About 2.5 hours’ drive to Paris via the A13 motorway.
✅ Same Part of Normandy: Honfleur, Étretat, Rouen and the Alabaster Coast are all within easy reach of Caen.
✅ Day or Overnight: Choose a daytime crossing of about 6 hours or sleep on board overnight.
Plymouth to Santander: Luxury Cruise Ferry to Spain
Plymouth to Santander is Brittany Ferries’ flagship Spain route, offering a luxury cruise ferry experience aboard Pont-Aven – the most direct route to Spain from the UK.
Route Overview:
Distance: Direct route to Northern Spain
Duration: About 22 hours
Frequency: 2 sailings weekly (Sundays and Tuesdays)
Operating: Late March to early November 2027 (no winter sailings)
Price range: From £280 + mandatory cabin
Why Choose Plymouth to Santander:
✅ Most Direct Route: Skip 1,000+ miles of driving through France. Arrive relaxed in Northern Spain.
✅ Flagship Ship: Pont-Aven offers swimming pool, two cinemas, fine dining at “Le Flora” restaurant.
✅ Perfect from West Country: Convenient for Wales, Midlands, West Country. No long drive to Dover.
✅ Gateway to Spain: Madrid 243 miles, Barcelona 443 miles, Biarritz 150 miles. Excellent motorway access.
Onboard Experience (Pont-Aven):
Swimming pool and leisure area – take a dip mid-crossing
Two cinemas showing latest releases
“Le Flora” fine dining – à la carte with salmon, langoustines, Champagne
“La Belle Angèle” self-service – informal dining, fish & chips
Live entertainment – band, cabaret, DJ, piano bar
Video games room and children’s play area
Shopping – duty-free and boutiques
Stylish lounges and sundecks with sea views
Cabin Accommodation (Mandatory):
2-berth and 4-berth en-suite cabins available
De Luxe cabins – enhanced comfort and space
Commodore Class cabins – premium experience
Disabled access cabins available
All cabins air-conditioned
Cots available on request
Driving Distances from Santander:
Destination
Miles
Kilometres
Biarritz (France)
150
246
León
173
279
Salamanca
226
364
Madrid
243
399
Vigo
314
505
Barcelona
443
709
Alicante
517
832
✈️ Mini Cruise Option: Leave Plymouth on Sunday afternoon and arrive in Santander on Monday afternoon. Spend two nights exploring Santander (historic city, beaches, tapas), then sail home on Wednesday evening, arriving back in Plymouth on Thursday afternoon. Perfect short break!
Best For:
Spain holidays avoiding long drives, Northern Spain touring, Basque Country access, South of France via Spain, mini cruises, families wanting resort-style crossing, those seeking alternative to flying, avoiding 1,000+ mile French drive.
📍 See Full Guide: For complete Plymouth to Santander information including timetables, cabins and Pont-Aven’s facilities, visit our detailed Plymouth to Santander ferry guide.
💡 Pro Tip: Brittany Ferries’ “Short Break” offers require BOTH outbound and return sailings to be used, or the entire booking is charged at public rates. These are non-refundable but amendments are allowed subject to availability.
Brittany Ferries Ships & Facilities
Brittany Ferries’ modern fleet offers cruise-ferry comfort with French culture, cuisine, and hospitality throughout every crossing.
🍽️ French Dining
Authentic French cuisine
Locally-sourced Breton produce
À la carte restaurants
Self-service brasseries
Wine bars with French selections
Breakfast included options
🛏️ Cabin Accommodation
Up to 386 cabins (Saint Malo)
2-berth, 4-berth options
Commodore & Admiral luxury
28 pet-friendly cabins (Saint Malo)
En-suite facilities
Comfortable beds
👨👩👧👦 Family Features
Kids’ play areas
Family cabins available
Children’s menus
Baby changing facilities
Under 4s travel free
Family discounts
♿ Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible throughout
Lifts to all decks
Accessible cabins available
Wide corridors (new ships)
Assistance on request
Priority boarding available
🐕 Pet Travel
Pet kennels available
28 pet-friendly cabins (Saint Malo)
Pets £35+ each way
Must book in advance
AHC required (post-Brexit)
90-min check-in with pets
🌿 Sustainability
LNG-electric hybrid ships
Shore power capability
11MWh battery packs
Green Marine certified
Zero emissions in port
Modern eco-friendly fleet
Brittany Ferries FAQs
Which Brittany Ferries route is cheapest?
Portsmouth to Caen starts from £114 for car + 2 passengers, making it the cheapest year-round route for 2027. Plymouth to Roscoff starts from £117, Portsmouth to Cherbourg from £135 and Portsmouth to St Malo from £184. Spain routes are premium (£276-280) plus mandatory cabins. Poole to Cherbourg also starts from £114 until its final sailing on 2 November 2026, and Portsmouth to Le Havre has now closed.
Is Portsmouth to Le Havre still running?
No. Brittany Ferries closed Portsmouth to Le Havre in September 2026 and there are no sailings in 2027. The best alternative is Portsmouth to Caen, around an hour’s drive from Le Havre, with three sailings a day in each direction.
Is Poole to Cherbourg still running?
Poole to Cherbourg is closing, with the final sailing on 2 November 2026 at 08:30. From November 2026, Portsmouth to Cherbourg becomes a daily service and is the direct replacement.
Do I need to book a cabin on Brittany Ferries?
Cabins are mandatory on Spain routes (around 22-36 hours) and strongly recommended on all overnight crossings, including Portsmouth-St Malo (11-12 hours) and overnight sailings to Caen and Roscoff. Daytime crossings, such as Portsmouth-Caen (about 6 hours) and daytime Plymouth-Roscoff (about 5.5 hours), don’t require cabins. Book cabins early as they sell out, especially pet-friendly options.
Can I take my dog on Brittany Ferries?
Yes, pets are welcome for £35+ per pet each way. Vehicle passengers’ pets stay in vehicles (you can visit during crossing). Foot passengers can use pet kennels or book pet-friendly cabins (28 available on Saint Malo). Pets must have microchip, rabies vaccination, and Animal Health Certificate (AHC). Check-in 90 minutes before departure with pets.
Can I travel as a foot passenger on Brittany Ferries?
Yes, foot passengers are welcome on all Brittany Ferries routes. Portsmouth to St Malo and Caen are particularly popular for foot passengers due to excellent train connections at both ends. Foot passenger fares: Portsmouth-St Malo from £53-180, Portsmouth-Caen from £45-165.
Which Brittany Ferries ship is best for Portsmouth to St Malo?
Saint Malo (launched February 2025) sails the route for almost all of 2027, featuring 386 cabins, LNG-electric hybrid technology, two restaurants, 28 pet-friendly cabins, and an art gallery. Armorique covers the route for a few weeks in March – older but reliable with good facilities. Both offer overnight comfort.
What are Brittany Ferries check-in times?
Standard check-in closes 45-60 minutes before departure. Recommended arrival: 60-90 minutes early, especially during peak season (May-September). With pets: 90 minutes before departure. Portsmouth port is 30 minutes’ walk from Portsmouth Harbour train station.
How much do cabins cost on Portsmouth to St Malo?
Cabin prices are per cabin (not per person): Standard 4-berth £75-200, 2-berth £85-220, Commodore £200-400, Admiral luxury £350-670+. Prices vary by season and booking time. Book 3-6 months ahead for best cabin availability and prices.
Ready to Book Your Brittany Ferries Crossing?
Compare routes, view cabin options, and book your overnight crossing to France or Spain
Book direct for best cabin selection and flexible booking management
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. If you continue to use this site, you agree with it. Please not this site also include affiliate links.
