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.

Portsmouth International Port: Complete 2026 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: February 2026 | All information verified from Portsmouth International Port and Brittany Ferries official sources

Portsmouth International Port Looking towards the queued cars and city away from the Portsmouth Ferry Port

“Portsmouth International Port 7” by Tim Sheerman-Chase, CC BY 2.0

⚓ Portsmouth International Port at a Glance

Britain’s biggest municipal port, less than 2 hours from London with excellent motorway and rail links.

45 min
Check-in time (standard)
90 min
Check-in with pets
525
Parking spaces (APCOA)
85 min
Train from London

Check Availability & Book Now

Getting to Portsmouth International Port

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) affecting certain vehicles. Check the FAQs below or Portsmouth City Council website if this may affect your travel to the port.

🚆 By Train

Train services from London Waterloo to Portsmouth take just 85 minutes. There are also services from London Victoria and Cardiff.

Portsmouth & Southsea

Taxi to port: ~£5 | 30-minute walk from station to port terminal.

Portsmouth Harbour

Taxi to port: ~£5 | Closer to town centre. 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. 30 minutes from Portsmouth & Southsea 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. Use the left-hand lane at the entrance to the car check-in area, then follow signs for parking.

💷 Parking Charges (2026)

Duration Price
Up to 10 minutes FREE
Up to 1 hour £4.00
Up to 3 hours £6.00
Up to 5 hours £8.00
Up to 24 hours £13.00
Each additional day (or part thereof) £13.00

🏍️ Motorcycles park FREE

Maximum vehicle height: 2.2m | Disabled parking available on ground floor | 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
  • 3x 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

⏰ Important Check-In Times

60 min

Standard check-in
(Foot passengers)

45 min

Standard check-in
(Vehicle passengers)

90 min

Travelling with pets
(DEFRA checks required)

Please arrive by these times before your scheduled departure. Late arrivals may not be accepted.

♿ 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

🐕 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 time: 90 minutes before departure (for DEFRA pet passport checks)
  • 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 passenger disembarkation from the ship is now through the garage and 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 either MV Saint-Malo or Armorique. 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 hours | Overnight crossing

Caen, France
~6 hours | Day & overnight

Cherbourg, France
~3 hours | Fast ferry

Le Havre, France
~5.5 hours | Overnight

Bilbao, Spain
~24 hours | Mini cruise

Santander, Spain
~24 hours | Mini cruise

🚢 Condor Ferries

High-speed ferry services to the Channel Islands (Jersey & Guernsey). Seasonal sailings with shorter crossing times.

🎉 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. In 2026, Portsmouth expects to handle 150,000+ cruise passengers.

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
Wharf Road, Hants
Portsmouth PO2 8RU
United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0) 330 159 7003

Portsmouth Port — Frequently Asked Questions

How early should I arrive at Portsmouth port?

You must arrive at least 60 minutes before departure for standard check-in ( foot passengers) 45 minuets for standard vehicle passengers. If travelling with a pet, arrive at least 90 minutes before departure to allow time for DEFRA pet passport checks. We recommend allowing 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: £4.00 up to 1 hour, £6.00 up to 3 hours, £8.00 up to 5 hours, £13.00 up to 24 hours, then £13.00 per day thereafter. The first 10 minutes are free. 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).

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.

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 85 minutes 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 have a Clean Air Zone that affects the port?

Yes, Portsmouth introduced a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) on 29 November 2021 to improve air quality in the city. The zone may affect your travel to the port depending on your vehicle type. Certain older, more polluting vehicles may need to pay a daily charge. Check Portsmouth City Council’s Clean Air Zone website or the official UK government CAZ checker to see if your vehicle is affected before travelling.

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 3x 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 Ferry Port is PO2 8RU. The full address is Portsmouth International Port, Wharf Road, Hants, Portsmouth PO2 8RU, 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

Portsmouth – St Malo Guide →

🛏️

Ferry Cabins

Admiral suites, Commodore, pet-friendly, and family cabins on MV Saint-Malo and Armorique

Cabins Guide →

🍽️

Onboard Facilities

Restaurants, bars, Wi-Fi, entertainment, shopping, and kids’ activities on Portsmouth St Malo ferries

Facilities Guide →

⏰

Ferry Timetable

2026 sailing schedule, departure times, seasonal variations, and frequency for Portsmouth St Malo route

Timetables →

Ready to Book Your Portsmouth Ferry?

France, Spain & Channel Islands | Britain’s Best Connected Port

Portsmouth offers the most cross-channel routes in the UK. Book early for the best cabin and sailing choices.

Check Availability & Book Now

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.