Frequently Asked Questions
What is the quickest ferry from Portsmouth to France?
The quickest ferry from Portsmouth to France is the Portsmouth to Caen day crossing with Brittany Ferries, which takes about 6 hours (for example, departing 08:00 UK time and arriving 15:00 French time). The overnight Caen sailing takes 6 hours 45 minutes to 7 hours 30 minutes, Cherbourg takes 7 hours 45 minutes to 8 hours 30 minutes and St Malo takes about 11 hours. See the Portsmouth to Caen timetable.
How long is the ferry from Portsmouth to France?
It depends on the port: about 6 hours to Caen, 7 hours 45 minutes to 8 hours 30 minutes to Cherbourg, and about 11 hours to St Malo.
Is the Portsmouth to Le Havre ferry closing?
Yes. Brittany Ferries is closing the Portsmouth to Le Havre route. The final sailing from Portsmouth to Le Havre is on 28 September 2026, and there is no Portsmouth to Le Havre ferry after that date.
What is the best alternative to the Portsmouth to Le Havre ferry?
Portsmouth to Caen is the best alternative. Caen is only around 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes’ drive from Le Havre, and the Caen day crossing takes about 6 hours, which is quicker than the 6 hours 30 minutes Le Havre crossing.
Is there a 3-hour ferry from Portsmouth to Cherbourg?
Not any more. The Condor Liberation fast trimaran ran weekend sailings in about 180 minutes in summer 2022 and 2023, but her last Condor sailing was in March 2025 and she has since been sold. Any page still quoting a 3-hour Portsmouth to Cherbourg crossing is out of date. Current Portsmouth to Cherbourg sailings are overnight and take 7 hours 45 minutes to 8 hours 30 minutes.
How long is the ferry from Portsmouth to Cherbourg?
The overnight Portsmouth to Cherbourg ferry takes 7 hours 45 minutes to 8 hours 30 minutes. The 22:30 and 23:15 departures both arrive at 08:00 French time, giving crossings of 8 hours 30 minutes and 7 hours 45 minutes once the one-hour time difference is taken off. In December, January and the first two weeks of February, a daytime Commodore Clipper sailing at 08:45, arriving at 15:15 French time, replaces the 23:15 overnight sailing and takes 5 hours 30 minutes.
Is Portsmouth to Cherbourg going daily?
Yes. Portsmouth to Cherbourg currently sails twice a week, and Brittany Ferries is due to run it daily from November 2026, replacing the Poole to Cherbourg route which closes that month. The daily timetable has not been released yet, so check the live timetable before you book.
How often does the Portsmouth to St Malo ferry sail?
Every day except Tuesdays. In the winter months it sails every other day, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
Where does the Portsmouth to Caen ferry arrive?
At Ouistreham, a coastal town about 15 km north of Caen city centre. The route is named after Caen, but the ferry does not dock in the city itself.
How long is the ferry from Portsmouth to St Malo?
About 11 hours. The overnight sailing leaves Portsmouth at 20:15 and arrives in St Malo at 08:15 or 08:45 French time, giving a crossing of 11 hours or 11 hours 30 minutes once the one-hour time difference is taken off.
Why does the Portsmouth to France ferry arrival time look an hour longer than the crossing time?
Departure times are in UK time and arrival times are in French time, which is one hour ahead. Take one hour off the gap between the two to get the real crossing time. For example, 08:00 UK time to 15:00 French time is a 6 hour crossing, not 7.
Do I need a cabin on the overnight Portsmouth to France ferry?
Yes. Every overnight sailing from Portsmouth (Caen at 23:00, Cherbourg at 22:30 or 23:15, and St Malo at 20:15) requires a cabin or a reserved lounge seat, and you have to book it at the same time as your ticket. Day crossings do not require accommodation. Read the cabin guide.
Is a cabin worth it on the daytime Portsmouth to Caen ferry?
It can be. A cabin on a daytime Portsmouth to Caen sailing is a good option if you have children or want somewhere private, away from other passengers, where you can lie down. You can try asking at the information desk on board, sometimes for a cheaper price, but the cabins may be sold out, so it is safer to book online with your ticket.
Can you go back to your car during the Portsmouth to France ferry crossing?
No. The car deck is closed on every Portsmouth to France crossing, day and overnight, so you cannot go back to your car once you are on board. Take everything you need up to the passenger decks before you sail.
What happens if you miss check-in for the Portsmouth to France ferry?
Check-in is a deadline, not a target. If you miss check-in for your Portsmouth to France ferry you can, and likely will, be refused your crossing with no refund, so aim to arrive long before the check-in time on your booking. Read the check-in guide.
Which Portsmouth ferry port is quickest for Paris?
Caen. It has the shortest crossing (about 6 hours) and the shortest drive to Paris of the current routes, roughly 3 hours, compared with about 4 hours from Cherbourg and 4 hours 30 minutes from St Malo. See the Portsmouth to Paris guide.
Which Portsmouth ferry is best for south-west France and Spain?
St Malo is the closest of the three current Portsmouth routes to south-west France and Spain. The crossing is longer at about 11 hours, but it lands you further south and west, so a night at sea can replace part of a long drive.
