Portsmouth to Caen Ferry Timetable 2026 & 2027

This is your complete Portsmouth to Caen ferry timetable guide for 2026 and 2027 — covering all departure times in both directions, what changes between seasons, how to read your booking confirmation, and how to choose the right sailing. The Portsmouth to Caen ferry timetable is one of the most consistent in Brittany Ferries’ fleet: the same three core departure slots run year-round, every day of the year, making it straightforward to plan around.

Last updated: June 2026 · Sourced from official Brittany Ferries timetable · All times local (France is 1 hour ahead of the UK)

Guillaume de Normandie Ship Guide Brittany Ferries. GdN at sea. Portsmouth to Caen Ferry Timetable

Portsmouth to Caen Ferry Timetable at a Glance

08:00

Morning departure
Arrives Caen ~15:00

15:00

Afternoon departure
Arrives Caen ~22:00

23:00

Overnight departure
Arrives 06:45 or 07:30

~6 hrs

Day crossing duration
7h 45m overnight

365 days

Year-round service
No seasonal closure

Guillaume de Normandie (G) and Mont Saint-Michel (M) · All times local · Cabin or reserved lounge seat required overnight

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How to Read the Portsmouth to Caen Ferry Timetable

Before looking at the specific sailing times, three things are essential to understand about this timetable.

🕐 All times are local

Portsmouth departure times are UK time (GMT in winter, BST in summer). Caen/Ouistreham arrival times are French local time (CET in winter, CEST in summer). France is always 1 hour ahead of the UK. A 23:00 departure from Portsmouth is already midnight in France. An arrival showing 06:45 on your booking is French time — that’s 05:45 UK time in winter, 06:45 in summer. Your booking confirmation shows Caen arrivals in French local time throughout.

🚢 Two ships, same slots

The Guillaume de Normandie (G) and Mont Saint-Michel (M) both operate across all departure slots — they alternate throughout the week on all sailings. Neither ship is fixed to a particular time. On a number of sailings in December 2026 and March 2027, the Armorique (A) appears as a relief vessel. Your booking confirmation will always show which ship you are on.

🌙 Overnight requirement

On the overnight 23:00 sailing, a cabin or reserved lounge seat is compulsory — you cannot board without booking one. The car deck is sealed for the entire crossing. Day crossings (08:00 and 15:00) have no such requirement. Book your overnight accommodation at the same time as your ticket — Commodore cabins and pet-friendly cabins sell out well in advance, especially in peak season.

Portsmouth to Caen Ferry Timetable 2026 — Outbound Patterns

The Portsmouth to Caen ferry runs every single day of 2026. The core three departure slots are consistent year-round, but the number active on any given day increases with the season. The 15:00 afternoon departure runs every day of the year without exception. The 08:00 morning and 23:00 overnight run on most days, with the overnight sometimes adding a second variant (arriving 07:30 instead of 06:45) on selected peak dates.

❄️ Off-Peak: Jan – May 2026 & Nov – Dec 2026

Two to three sailings daily. The afternoon and overnight run every day; the morning runs most days. December may include Armorique as a relief vessel on some dates.

Departure (Portsmouth)	Arrival (Caen, French time)	Type	Frequency
07:45	14:45	Day crossing (~6 hrs)	~Once per week
08:00	15:00	Day crossing (~6 hrs)	Most days
15:00	22:00	Day crossing (~6 hrs)	Every day
23:00	06:45	Overnight (~6 hrs 45 min)	Most days · cabin/lounge seat compulsory

🌿 Shoulder Season: Jun, Sep & Oct 2026

Three sailings on most days. On selected dates a second overnight option is added, giving four sailings that day.

Departure (Portsmouth)	Arrival (Caen, French time)	Type	Frequency
07:45	14:45	Day crossing (~6 hrs)	~Once per week
08:00	15:00	Day crossing (~6 hrs)	Most days
15:00	22:00	Day crossing (~6 hrs)	Every day
23:00	06:45	Overnight (~6 hrs 45 min)	Most days · cabin/lounge seat compulsory
23:00	07:30	Overnight (~7 hrs 30 min)	Selected dates — adds 4th sailing · cabin/lounge seat compulsory

☀️ Peak Season: Jul & Aug 2026

Minimum three sailings every day, rising to four on many dates when both overnight variants run. Book well in advance — this is the highest-demand period and cabins sell out early.

Departure (Portsmouth)	Arrival (Caen, French time)	Type	Frequency
07:45	14:45	Day crossing (~6 hrs)	~Once per week
08:00	15:00	Day crossing (~6 hrs)	Most days
15:00	22:00	Day crossing (~6 hrs)	Every day
23:00	06:45	Overnight (~6 hrs 45 min)	Most days · cabin/lounge seat compulsory
23:00	07:30	Overnight (~7 hrs 30 min)	Selected dates — adds 4th sailing · cabin/lounge seat compulsory

⚠️ Important: The patterns above describe the typical weekly rhythm. Individual dates can vary — a sailing may not run on a specific day, or an extra sailing may be added around bank holidays and school half-terms. Always check the official Brittany Ferries booking system for exact times on your specific date before booking.

Caen to Portsmouth Return Timetable 2026

The return sailing from Caen (Ouistreham) to Portsmouth follows a parallel structure to the outbound. All departure times below are French local time — Portsmouth arrival times are UK time. Again, the 16:30 afternoon departure runs every single day of the year without exception.

All seasons — core return pattern

08:30 (French time) → 13:30 (UK time) — morning day crossing (~6 hrs actual). Runs most days.
16:30 (French time) → 21:30 (UK time) — afternoon day crossing (~6 hrs actual). Runs every single day.
23:30 (French time) → 06:15 (UK time) — overnight (~6 hrs 45 min actual). Runs most days. Cabin or reserved lounge seat compulsory.
23:30 (French time) → 06:45 (UK time) — overnight variant (~7 hrs 15 min). Runs roughly once per week on selected dates.

Departs Caen (French time)	Arrives Portsmouth (UK time)	Duration	Frequency
08:30	13:30	~6 hrs	Most days. No cabin required.
16:30	21:30	~6 hrs	Every single day. No cabin required.
23:30	06:15	~6 hrs 45 min	Most days. Cabin or reserved lounge seat compulsory.
23:30	06:45	~8 hrs 15 min	Selected dates (~weekly). Cabin or reserved lounge seat compulsory.

Caen departure times are French local time. Portsmouth arrival times are UK time. France is 1 hour ahead of the UK — a 16:30 French departure is 15:30 UK time.

💡 Return tip: The 16:30 Caen departure (arriving Portsmouth 21:30 UK time) is the anchor return sailing — it runs every single day and gets you home the same evening. The 08:30 morning return is ideal if you want a longer final day in Normandy: depart Caen at 08:30, arrive Portsmouth at 13:30 with the afternoon ahead of you. The overnight 23:30 return suits those wanting an extra night in Normandy — depart late, arrive Portsmouth at 06:15 UK time ready to drive home.

Portsmouth to Caen Ferry Timetable 2027 — What to Expect

The 2027 timetable follows the same structure as 2026 throughout both directions. Brittany Ferries have confirmed that the Portsmouth to Caen route celebrates 40 years of operation in 2027, with three daily return sailings operated by the Guillaume de Normandie and Mont Saint-Michel. The core outbound slots (08:00, 15:00, 23:00) and return slots (08:30, 16:30, 23:30) all continue unchanged. The 15:00 outbound and 16:30 return continue to run every single day of the year.

❄️ Off-Peak: Jan – May 2027 & Nov 2027

Same structure as off-peak 2026. Two to three sailings daily with the afternoon running every day without exception.

Departure (Portsmouth)	Arrival (Caen, French time)	Type	Frequency
07:45	14:45	Day crossing (~6 hrs)	~Once per week
08:00	15:00	Day crossing (~6 hrs)	Most days
15:00	22:00	Day crossing (~6 hrs)	Every day
23:00	06:45	Overnight (~6 hrs 45 min)	Most days · cabin/lounge seat compulsory

🌿 Shoulder Season: Jun, Sep & Oct 2027

Three sailings on most days, four on selected dates — identical pattern to shoulder season 2026.

Departure (Portsmouth)	Arrival (Caen, French time)	Type	Frequency
07:45	14:45	Day crossing (~6 hrs)	~Once per week
08:00	15:00	Day crossing (~6 hrs)	Most days
15:00	22:00	Day crossing (~6 hrs)	Every day
23:00	06:45	Overnight (~6 hrs 45 min)	Most days · cabin/lounge seat compulsory
23:00	07:30	Overnight (~7 hrs 30 min)	Selected dates — adds 4th sailing · cabin/lounge seat compulsory

☀️ Peak Season: Jul & Aug 2027

Minimum three sailings every day, rising to four on many dates. The route celebrates 40 years of operation in 2027 — book early, particularly for cabins in peak season.

Departure (Portsmouth)	Arrival (Caen, French time)	Type	Frequency
07:45	14:45	Day crossing (~7 hrs)	~Once per week
08:00	15:00	Day crossing (~7 hrs)	Most days
15:00	22:00	Day crossing (~7 hrs)	Every day
23:00	06:45	Overnight (~7 hrs 45 min)	Most days · cabin/lounge seat compulsory
23:00	07:30	Overnight (~8 hrs 30 min)	Selected dates — adds 4th sailing · cabin/lounge seat compulsory

ℹ️ 2027 note: Unlike other routes (which significantly change their departure times in 2027), the Portsmouth to Caen 2027 timetable is essentially identical in structure to 2026. The same departure slots, the same year-round operation, the same ships. Always confirm specific dates on the official Brittany Ferries booking system.

How to Choose the Right Sailing

With up to three sailings per day in both directions, the Portsmouth to Caen ferry timetable gives you genuine flexibility. Here’s how most passengers use that choice — and how to decide what’s right for you.

🌅 08:00 — The Early Starter

Best for: making the most of arrival day. Depart Portsmouth at 08:00 (check in from ~07:00), arrive Caen at 15:00 French time. You have a full afternoon in Normandy — enough time to reach Bayeux, the D-Day beaches, or settle in at your accommodation before dinner. No cabin required. The most popular daytime option.

🌇 15:00 — The Flexible Option

Best for: a relaxed departure with time to get to Portsmouth. Departs at 15:00, arrives Caen at 22:00 French time — an evening arrival, ideal if you’re driving straight to your accommodation. Runs every single day of the year so works for any date. No cabin required. Good for motorhome and caravan travellers who prefer daytime loading.

🌙 23:00 — The Overnight

Best for: saving a night’s hotel and arriving fresh. Depart Portsmouth at 23:00, wake up in Caen at 06:45 or 07:30 ready to start your holiday immediately. A cabin or reserved lounge seat is compulsory. Very popular with families — children sleep through the crossing. Also the best option if you want a full day at the D-Day beaches from the moment you arrive.

💡 Most popular combination: Outbound on the 23:00 overnight (arrive Caen early morning, full day ahead) and return on the 16:30 afternoon from Caen (arrive Portsmouth 21:30, home the same evening). This pattern gives you the maximum time in Normandy. Cabins guide → | Prices guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What time does the Portsmouth to Caen ferry depart?

There are three main departure times: 08:00 (morning day crossing, most days), 15:00 (afternoon day crossing, every day of the year) and 23:00 (overnight, most days). On peak and shoulder season dates, a second overnight option departs at 23:00 and arrives at 07:30 instead of 06:45, giving up to 4 sailings that day. An earlier 07:45 departure also appears roughly once per week.

What time does the Caen to Portsmouth ferry depart?

From Caen (Ouistreham), the main departure times are 08:30 French time (morning, arrives Portsmouth 13:30 UK time), 16:30 French time (afternoon, arrives Portsmouth 21:30 UK time — runs every single day), and 23:30 French time (overnight, arrives Portsmouth 06:15 UK time most nights). All Caen departure times are French local time, which is 1 hour ahead of UK time.

How long is the ferry from Portsmouth to Caen?

Day crossings (08:00 and 15:00 outbound, 08:30 and 16:30 return) take approximately 6–7 hours. The overnight crossings take approximately 6 hours 45 minutes (23:00 → 06:45) or 7 hours 30 minutes (23:00 → 07:30). Note that because France is 1 hour ahead of the UK, the clock-time difference between departure and arrival will appear shorter than the actual sailing duration.

Does the Portsmouth to Caen ferry run every day?

Yes — the Portsmouth to Caen ferry runs every single day of the year with no seasonal shutdown. In both directions, the afternoon sailing (15:00 outbound / 16:30 return) runs 365 days a year without exception. This makes it the most flexible route in Brittany Ferries’ UK fleet, and a key advantage over routes like Plymouth to Roscoff which close entirely over winter. Full ferry information →

How many sailings per day are there from Portsmouth to Caen?

In off-peak months (roughly January through May and November through December) there are typically 2–3 sailings per day. In shoulder season (June, September, October) there are 3 sailings on most days, rising to 4 on selected dates. In peak season (July and August) there are a minimum of 3 sailings daily, with 4 on many days. The route operates approximately 20 sailings per week year-round — more than any other Brittany Ferries UK route to France.

Is the 2027 timetable the same as 2026?

Yes — unlike some other Brittany Ferries routes which significantly change their departure times from year to year, the Portsmouth to Caen ferry timetable is essentially identical in structure between 2026 and 2027. The same three outbound slots (08:00, 15:00, 23:00) and three return slots (08:30, 16:30, 23:30) operate year-round. The route celebrates 40 years of operation in 2027 with three daily return sailings. Always confirm your specific sailing date on the official booking system as individual dates can vary.

Check Live Times & Book Your Crossing

Year-round sailings · Up to 3 per day in both directions · Morning, afternoon and overnight departures · Guillaume de Normandie and Mont Saint-Michel · Book early for best cabin availability

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