Spain Ferry Routes
Check prices & times »There are four direct ferry routes to Spain, all run by Brittany Ferries across the Bay of Biscay to the northern coast. Three sail from the UK — from Portsmouth and Plymouth — and one from Ireland, from Rosslare.
They all arrive at Santander or Bilbao, not the Mediterranean, so there's no direct ferry to Barcelona or the Spanish islands. Which route works best depends on your starting point and which part of Spain you want. Here's how they compare.
All ferry routes to Spain
| Route | Operator | Duration | Season | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plymouth–Santander | Brittany Ferries | ~20–22h | seasonal | View details |
| Portsmouth–Santander | Brittany Ferries | ~24h+ | year-round | View details |
| Portsmouth–Bilbao | Brittany Ferries | ~24–36h | year-round | View details |
| Rosslare–Bilbao (Ireland) | Brittany Ferries | Bay of Biscay | year-round | View details |
All routes cross the Bay of Biscay to northern Spain. Plymouth–Santander is the shortest but seasonal; the others run year-round.
Table of Contents
The UK routes
Three routes sail from the south coast of England:
- Plymouth–Santander: the shortest crossing at around 20–22 hours, on the Pont Aven, but seasonal (roughly April–November)
- Portsmouth–Santander: a reliable year-round crossing with a city-centre arrival, good for northern and central Spain
- Portsmouth–Bilbao: year-round to the Basque Country, best for Rioja, the Pyrenees and eastern Spain
The Ireland route
From Ireland, Brittany Ferries runs Rosslare to Bilbao — the first-ever direct ferry between Ireland and Spain. It's a year-round Bay of Biscay crossing, letting Irish travellers reach northern Spain without driving through Britain and France.
It carries more Spanish passengers than any other Brittany Ferries route, and has grown steadily in popularity since launch.
Santander or Bilbao?
Your arrival port shapes the trip:
- Santander: city-centre terminal, easy for foot passengers, gateway to Cantabria, Asturias and the Picos de Europa
- Bilbao: terminal at Zierbena with a shuttle, gateway to the Basque Country, San Sebastián and Rioja
- Open-jaw trips: sail out to one and back from the other to avoid backtracking on a road trip
- Onward: both have good rail links, with fast trains to Madrid
Which route is right for you?
A quick way to narrow it down:
- From the West Country: Plymouth–Santander (seasonal, shortest)
- From southern England: Portsmouth–Santander or Portsmouth–Bilbao (year-round)
- From Ireland: Rosslare–Bilbao (direct)
- For northern/central Spain: choose a Santander route
- For the Basque Country and east: choose a Bilbao route
Booking the routes
A few things worth knowing across all the routes:
- Long crossings: 20–36 hours with one or two nights on board — the cabin and vehicle space matter
- Book early: cabins and pet spaces sell out well ahead in summer
- Returns: usually cheaper per leg than two singles
- Documents: a valid passport is required, and the EES entry system applies on arrival
- Operator: all routes are Brittany Ferries — see our full guide
Common Questions
How many ferry routes are there to Spain?
Four, all with Brittany Ferries — Plymouth–Santander, Portsmouth–Santander, Portsmouth–Bilbao, and Rosslare–Bilbao from Ireland.
What's the shortest ferry route to Spain?
Plymouth to Santander, at around 20 to 22 hours, though it's seasonal.
Is there a year-round ferry to Spain?
Yes — the Portsmouth routes to Santander and Bilbao, and Rosslare to Bilbao, all run year-round.
Can I sail to Spain from Ireland?
Yes — Rosslare to Bilbao, the first direct ferry between Ireland and Spain.
Is there a ferry to the Spanish Mediterranean?
No — all direct routes arrive on the northern Atlantic coast, at Santander or Bilbao, not Barcelona or the islands.