Portsmouth International Port: Complete 2026 & 2027 Passenger Guide

Everything you need to know about Portsmouth International Port — also known as the Continental Ferry Port — before your sailing to Caen. How to get there by car, train, coach and foot, parking charges and cheaper alternatives, terminal facilities, EV charging, check-in times, and the key differences from other UK ferry ports. This guide is written specifically for passengers on the Portsmouth to Caen ferry route operated by Brittany Ferries.

Last updated: June 2026 | All information verified from official Brittany Ferries and Portsmouth International Port sources

Portsmouth international port waiting area.

“Portsmouth International Port 3” by Tim Sheerman-Chase, CC BY 2.0

⚓ Portsmouth International Port at a Glance

Brittany Ferries terminal at Wharf Road — Britain’s best connected ferry port, less than 2 hours from London

45 min

Vehicle check-in

60 min

Foot passenger check-in, Disability / reduced mobility

90 min

Check-in with pets

£13

Per 24 hrs parking

85 min

Train from London

✅ Address: Portsmouth International Port, Wharf Road, Portsmouth PO2 8SP · Port office: PO2 8RU
✅ Operator: Brittany Ferries (Caen, St Malo, Cherbourg, Le Havre, Bilbao, Santander) + Condor Ferries (Channel Islands)
✅ Parking: APCOA multi-storey, 516 spaces, Park Mark accredited, motorcycles free
✅ EV charging: 2x Instavolt 50kW DC rapid (opposite terminal) + Compleo chargers inside car park
✅ Check-in: 45 min vehicles · 60 min foot passengers or disability · 90 min pets — always check your ticket for your specific time
✅ Foot passengers: Gangway currently closed — disembarkation via garage, 30 minutes after arrival

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Getting to Portsmouth International Port

Portsmouth International Port sits at the southern end of the M275 motorway — one of the most straightforward port approaches in the UK. The M275 connects directly to the main motorway network, making this the most accessible ferry port in England for passengers travelling from London, the Midlands, the South East and Wales.

🚗 By Car

All major routes into Portsmouth funnel onto the M275, which delivers you directly to the Continental Ferry Port. The Portsmouth to France ferry port is well signposted from all approaches — follow signs for the ‘Continental Ferry Port’ once you reach Portsmouth.

From London: M3 or A3 → M275 (approximately 2 hours)

From Midlands: A34 → M3 → M275

From Bristol / Wales: A36 → M27 → M275

From South West: A31 → M27 → M275

Sat nav postcode: PO2 8SP (Brittany Ferries terminal) or PO2 8RU (port address)

⚠️ Clean Air Zone: Portsmouth introduced a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) on 29 November 2021. Certain older and higher-emission vehicles may be subject to a daily charge when driving through the zone to reach the port. Check the Portsmouth City Council CAZ page or the UK Government’s CAZ checker to confirm whether your vehicle is affected.

🚆 By Train

South Western Railway operates direct services from London Waterloo to Portsmouth in 85 minutes. Services also run from London Victoria and Cardiff. Portsmouth has two stations — both are close to the port.

Portsmouth & Southsea

Approximately 30 minutes’ walk to the terminal, or a 5-minute taxi ride costing around £5. Taxi rank available outside the station.

Portsmouth Harbour

The closer of the two stations to the town centre. Again approximately £5 by taxi to the ferry terminal. Both stations have taxi ranks.

🚌 By Coach & Local Bus

National Express operates regular coach services directly from the terminal building to London Victoria and Heathrow Airport, with connections onward to the rest of the UK. Tickets should be purchased in advance at nationalexpress.com.

Local buses: Stagecoach route 20 and First Bus routes 8, X4 and X9 serve the port and surrounding area.

🚶 On Foot & 🚕 By Taxi

🚶 On Foot

Approximately 20 minutes from Portsmouth town centre. Around 30 minutes from Portsmouth & Southsea station. The terminal is clearly signposted on foot from the city centre.

🚕 By Taxi & 🛴 E-scooter

A taxi rank sits directly outside the terminal building. Fares from either train station are around £5. Voi e-bike and e-scooter rental is also available at the port — a quick and low-cost option for the last mile.

Parking at Portsmouth International Port

The multi-storey car park at Portsmouth International Port is operated by APCOA and is located inside the port complex itself. With 516 spaces across five floors, it holds a Park Mark Safer Parking award — meaning it has been assessed by the Police and meets their requirements for deterring crime and anti-social behaviour. To reach it, use the left-hand lane at the entrance to the car check-in area and follow the parking signs.

💷 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 (Blue Badge) parking on the ground floor · Luggage trolleys available (£1 refundable deposit) · Payment by card on departure · To contact APCOA: 02392 873378 · Lost tickets charged at the full daily rate

💰 Cheaper Parking Alternatives

🅿️ Market Way Car Park

£10.00 per 24 hours — a cheaper alternative within walking distance of the port. A straightforward option for a single overnight sailing where you want to keep costs down.

🌐 JustPark — 10% Discount

Brittany Ferries passengers receive 10% off JustPark bookings near the port. Use code ‘BRITTANYFERRIES’ at checkout on justpark.com. Further alternatives can also be found on parkopedia.co.uk. Both are useful for longer stays of several days.

🚐 Caravans & Motorhomes

For early morning sailings, caravans and motorhomes may park in the check-in lanes from midnight onwards. Vehicles are parked entirely at the owner’s risk, and no port facilities are open overnight.

⚡ Electric Vehicle Charging

Portsmouth International Port has EV charging at two locations within the port — one of the best-equipped ferry ports in the UK for electric vehicle passengers:

2x Instavolt 50kW DC rapid chargers — located directly opposite the terminal building. Contactless payment, no subscription or connection charge.
6x Compleo chargers — inside the APCOA multi-storey car park, priced at £0.65/kWh. Contactless payment. No subscription required — tap your card to begin charging.

Terminal Facilities

Portsmouth International Port is a spacious, modern terminal with a full range of passenger facilities. It is substantially larger and better equipped than most UK ferry terminals. Note for dog owners: unlike Plymouth Millbay, dogs are NOT permitted inside the terminal building at Portsmouth (guide dogs excepted) — though they are welcome in the port area itself.

☕ Costa Coffee & Bar

Costa Coffee shop and bar on the mezzanine floor with an outdoor Sky Garden terrace during summer, offering views over the port. Opening times vary and follow sailing schedules.

🛍️ Travel Exchange Shop

Travel Exchange shop for last-minute essentials in the main concourse. Open daily 06:00–22:30 — one of the most useful aspects of this terminal for foot passengers and early arrivals.

🧳 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 paid Wi-Fi options available throughout the terminal building. Useful for checking travel updates while you wait to board.

🍼 Baby Facilities

Baby changing room and a dedicated breastfeeding area in the terminal building.

ℹ️ Tourist Information

Tourist information desk in the main concourse, able to assist with Portsmouth queries and local information for passengers arriving from France.

💧 Free Water Station

Free water refill station in the terminal building. Bring a reusable bottle — useful before boarding for an overnight crossing.

🛴 Voi E-Bike & Scooter Hire

Voi e-bike and e-scooter rental available at the port — ideal for exploring Portsmouth’s waterfront attractions before an evening sailing or after arriving from France.

♿ Accessible & Disabled Facilities

The terminal and all its facilities are fully wheelchair accessible. Portsmouth International Port provides comprehensive assistance for passengers with reduced mobility. Passengers with a disability or reduced mobility must check in at least 60 minutes before departure — make sure your requirements are declared at the time of booking so the right assistance can be arranged in advance.

Disabled parking spaces on the ground floor of the APCOA multi-storey car park
Disabled drop-off and pick-up spaces directly outside the terminal building
Adapted minibus available for disabled foot passengers — ask at the information desk
Lifts to all floors throughout the terminal building
Accessible toilets throughout the terminal
All shops, cafés, and waiting areas are wheelchair accessible
Staff will be on hand to assist with boarding and disembarkation, and can help with a personal bag or medical equipment
Bring your own wheelchair — any wheelchairs at the port are for emergency use only

Vehicle passengers with reduced mobility: When you check in, you may be asked to put your hazard warning lights on as you approach the ship. You will be loaded when space near the car deck lifts becomes available — this may take slightly longer than standard loading. Foot passengers with reduced mobility: Report to the Brittany Ferries information desk on arrival. Staff will arrange your passage through the port and onto the ship. Boarding may be via lifts, ramps or through the car deck depending on conditions that day.

Check-In Times & Passenger Information

⏰ Check-In Times

45 min

Vehicle passengers

60 min

Foot passengers, Disability / reduced mobility

90 min

Passengers with pets
(DEFRA checks required)

Times shown are the minimum — always check your booking confirmation for the exact check-in time for your specific sailing. Arrive earlier during peak season and school holidays. Late arrivals will not be accepted.

🚶 Foot Passenger Information

⚠️ Renovation notice: Due to major renovation works at Portsmouth port, the foot passenger gangway is currently not in operation. Foot passengers now disembark via the garage and may only begin leaving the ship 30 minutes after arrival. If you have a train, coach or onward connection to catch, allow extra time accordingly.

Foot passengers should allow at least 60 minutes before departure for check-in. Your booking confirmation will show your specific check-in time — always refer to that as the definitive figure for your sailing. Your boarding card (received at check-in) is also your ticket to board. If you are connecting from London by train, the 85-minute London Waterloo to Portsmouth service gives you good timing flexibility for most departure slots — but allow extra time during peak season.

🐕 Travelling with Pets at Portsmouth

Important: dogs are not permitted inside Portsmouth terminal building.

Dogs on leads are permitted in the port area but NOT inside the terminal building (guide dogs are always welcome)
Once past the security checkpoint, pets must stay in your vehicle for the remainder of check-in
A dog waste bin is located adjacent to the check-in kiosks near the toilet block
Check-in for passengers with pets: at least 90 minutes before departure for DEFRA pet passport verification
Nearest park: Alexandra Park, approximately 1.5 miles north of the port (5-minute drive or 20–25-minute walk)

For full details on AHC certificates, pet passports, and travelling with animals to France, see our pet travel guide →

Ferry Routes from Portsmouth International Port

Portsmouth International Port is operated by Portsmouth City Council and holds its reputation as Britain’s best-connected ferry port. It offers more cross-channel routes than any other UK terminal, including two operators and destinations across France, Spain and the Channel Islands.

🚢 Brittany Ferries Routes

Brittany Ferries operates all French and Spanish routes from Portsmouth with modern cruise ferries equipped with restaurants, bars, cabins and onboard entertainment:

🇫🇷 Caen, France
~6h day / up to 8h overnight · Day & overnight · Year-round · Guillaume de Normandie & Mont-Saint-Michel

🇫🇷 St Malo, France
~10–12h overnight (~11h day sailing in summer) · Year-round, more frequent in peak season · Saint-Malo & Armorique

🇫🇷 Cherbourg, France
~5–6h afternoon / ~8h overnight · Currently ~2x/week, expanding to daily from November 2026 · Galicia & Salamanca

🇫🇷 Le Havre, France
~5.5–6.5h day / ~10h45 overnight return · Daily Mon–Thu · Closing October 2026 · Commodore Clipper

🇪🇸 Bilbao, Spain
~32–36h · Year-round, reduced in deep winter · Galicia, Salamanca & Santoña

🇪🇸 Santander, Spain
~31–33h · Year-round, reduced sailings in winter · Salamanca & Santoña

⚠️ Route change confirmed 30 June 2026: Portsmouth to Le Havre closes from October 2026. Poole to Cherbourg also closes, from November 2026, replaced by a new daily Portsmouth to Cherbourg service.

The Portsmouth to Caen route runs every single day of the year — the only Brittany Ferries route with no seasonal closure. Up to 3 sailings daily in peak season. View the full Portsmouth to Caen timetable →

🚢 Condor Ferries

Condor Ferries operates seasonal high-speed services from Portsmouth to Jersey and Guernsey in the Channel Islands. These use a separate berth and check-in area within the port.

what3words — Precise Navigation to Check-In

Portsmouth International Port uses what3words addresses to direct passengers to the precise check-in locations. Rather than relying on a single postcode for a large site, what3words assigns a unique three-word address to every 3m×3m square on earth — giving you pinpoint accuracy for where to go.

Check-in Location 1

///race.hungry.shrimp

Check-in Location 2

///hooked.shell.moving

Enter either address into the free what3words app (iOS and Android) or a compatible sat nav. Many modern vehicles also support what3words input directly through their navigation system.

Port Address & Contact

📍 Address

Portsmouth International Port
Wharf Road
Portsmouth
PO2 8SP (Brittany Ferries terminal)
PO2 8RU (port office)
United Kingdom

📞 Contacts & Navigation

Brittany Ferries: 0330 159 7000
APCOA Parking: 02392 873378
Sat nav postcode: PO2 8SP
what3words: ///race.hungry.shrimp
Port owner: Portsmouth City Council

Portsmouth International Port — Frequently Asked Questions

How early do I need to arrive at Portsmouth International Port?

Vehicle passengers must check in at least 45 minutes before departure. Foot passengers should allow at least 60 minutes before departure. Passengers with a disability or reduced mobility must arrive at least 60 minutes before departure and should declare requirements at the time of booking. Passengers travelling with a pet must arrive at least 90 minutes before departure for DEFRA pet passport verification. Always check your booking confirmation for the exact check-in time stated for your specific sailing, as this is the definitive figure. During peak season and school holidays, arriving well ahead of these times is strongly advised.

How much does parking cost at Portsmouth International Port?

The APCOA multi-storey car park charges: the first 10 minutes free, £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 for each additional day or part thereof. Motorcycles park free. Maximum vehicle height 2.2m. For cheaper alternatives, Market Way car park charges £10 per 24 hours, and JustPark offers 10% off with the code ‘BRITTANYFERRIES’ at checkout.

What is the postcode for Portsmouth ferry port?

The postcode for the Brittany Ferries terminal at Portsmouth is PO2 8SP. The port office address uses PO2 8RU. The full address is: Portsmouth International Port, Wharf Road, Portsmouth PO2 8SP. For GPS-precise navigation to the check-in lanes, use the what3words addresses ///race.hungry.shrimp (check-in 1) or ///hooked.shell.moving (check-in 2).

Can I bring my dog to Portsmouth ferry terminal?

Dogs on leads are welcome in the port area itself, but are not permitted inside the terminal building at Portsmouth (guide dogs are always excepted). Once through the security checkpoint, dogs must stay in your vehicle. A dog waste bin is located beside the check-in kiosks near the toilet block. The nearest park for a pre-check-in walk is Alexandra Park, approximately 1.5 miles north of the port (5-minute drive or 20–25 minutes on foot).

Is Portsmouth International Port wheelchair accessible?

Yes — the terminal building and all its facilities are fully wheelchair accessible. Passengers with a disability or reduced mobility must check in at least 60 minutes before departure, and requirements should be declared at the time of booking so assistance can be arranged in advance. Disabled parking spaces are available on the ground floor of the APCOA multi-storey, and dedicated drop-off and pick-up bays are outside the terminal. An adapted minibus is available for disabled foot passengers. All floors are served by lifts and accessible toilets are provided throughout. Bring your own wheelchair — port wheelchairs are for emergency use only. Staff will assist with boarding and disembarkation and can help carry a personal bag or medical equipment.

What facilities does Portsmouth ferry terminal have?

The terminal includes a Costa Coffee and bar with outdoor Sky Garden terrace (mezzanine floor), Travel Exchange shop (open daily 06:00–22:30), left luggage at the security desk (£10 per item, 05:30–23:59), free and paid Wi-Fi, baby changing room and breastfeeding area, tourist information desk, free water refill station, Voi e-bike and e-scooter rental, and EV charging (Instavolt rapid chargers outside and Compleo chargers in the car park). Adapted minibus for disabled foot passengers.

How far is Portsmouth International Port from London?

By car, Portsmouth International Port is less than 2 hours from London via the M3 or A3 to the M275. By train, South Western Railway services from London Waterloo reach Portsmouth & Southsea in 85 minutes. A taxi from either Portsmouth station to the port costs approximately £5. National Express coaches operate from the terminal building direct to London Victoria and Heathrow Airport.

Does Portsmouth have a Clean Air Zone affecting the ferry port?

Yes — Portsmouth introduced its Clean Air Zone (CAZ) on 29 November 2021. The zone covers roads in central Portsmouth, including the route to the International Port. Vehicles that do not meet certain emission standards may be charged a daily fee to drive through the zone. Check the Portsmouth City Council CAZ page or the UK Government’s official CAZ vehicle checker to see if your vehicle is affected before travelling.

Can I charge my electric vehicle at Portsmouth International Port?

Yes — there are two separate EV charging options at the port. Two Instavolt 50kW DC rapid chargers are sited directly opposite the terminal building for fast top-ups. Six Compleo chargers are also available inside the APCOA multi-storey car park, priced at £0.65 per kWh. Both types accept simple contactless payment — there is no subscription needed and no connection charge. Just tap your card to begin.

What ferry routes operate from Portsmouth International Port?

Brittany Ferries operates six routes from Portsmouth: to Caen (year-round, up to 3 sailings daily), St Malo (year-round), Cherbourg (currently ~2x/week, going daily from November 2026), Le Havre (closing October 2026), Bilbao and Santander (both year-round, reduced in winter). Condor Ferries operates seasonal services to Jersey and Guernsey in the Channel Islands. Portsmouth offers more cross-channel routes than any other UK ferry port.