Brittany Ferries
Check prices & times »Brittany Ferries is the leading operator on the western Channel, sailing from the south coast of England to France and Spain, and from Ireland to France and Spain too. Unlike the short Dover hops, its crossings are longer cruise-ferry journeys, with cabins, restaurants and a distinctly French feel on board.
The company has an unusual origin: it was founded in 1973 by a group of Breton farmers who wanted to export their cauliflowers and artichokes to Britain, and those farming groups remain its main shareholders today. This guide covers the routes, the fleet, cabins and how to book.
Brittany Ferries routes
| Route | Duration | Booking |
|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth–Caen (France) | ~5h 45m | Check Prices » |
| Plymouth–Roscoff (France) | ~6 hours | Check Prices » |
| Portsmouth–Cherbourg (France) | ~3h fast / overnight | Check Prices » |
| Portsmouth–St Malo (France) | ~8h 45m overnight | Check Prices » |
| Plymouth–Santander (Spain) | ~19 hours | Check Prices » |
| Portsmouth–Santander (Spain) | ~24 hours | Check Prices » |
| Portsmouth–Bilbao (Spain) | ~24 hours | Check Prices » |
| Roscoff–Cork (Ireland) | ~14 hours | Check Prices » |
| Cherbourg–Rosslare (Ireland) | ~18 hours | Check Prices » |
Brittany Ferries also sails to Guernsey, and its network changes periodically — the Poole–Cherbourg and Portsmouth–Le Havre routes were announced for closure in 2026, so check the operator's current timetable before booking.
France, Spain and Ireland: what each network offers
Brittany Ferries splits into a few distinct networks:
- France: the core business — Caen and Cherbourg for Normandy, St Malo and Roscoff for Brittany, sailing from Portsmouth and Plymouth
- Spain: long cruise crossings to Santander and Bilbao in northern Spain, saving over 1,000 miles of driving through France
- Ireland: crossings from Cork and Rosslare to France and Spain
- Channel Islands: sailings to Guernsey, following its acquisition of Condor Ferries
The fleet and onboard experience
Brittany Ferries runs a modern fleet of cruise ferries, several of them LNG-powered — the cleaner-burning ships include the Salamanca, Santoña, Saint-Malo and Guillaume de Normandie.
The flagship Pont-Aven, used on the longer Spain crossings, has a swimming pool, two cinemas and an à la carte restaurant. Across the fleet you'll find sit-down French dining, bars, shops, cinemas and children's play areas, and on overnight sailings, en-suite cabins.
Travelling with pets and children
Brittany Ferries is well set up for families and pet owners:
- Pets: welcome for a fee each way; on most crossings pets stay in your vehicle, which you can visit during the crossing, and pet-friendly cabins are available on overnight sailings
- Children: under-4s travel free, and 4–15s travel half price on many crossings
- Cabins: mandatory on the long Spain routes and strongly recommended on overnight France crossings
Club Voyage and booking
A few things worth knowing before you book:
- Club Voyage: the loyalty scheme offers savings on France and Spain routes plus onboard discounts
- Early booking: early-bird fares reward booking well ahead, especially for peak summer cabins
- Check-in: generally 45 minutes before departure for vehicles and foot passengers, 90 minutes with a pet
- Day trips: available on some routes from as little as around £30 per person
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Brittany Ferries sail from in the UK?
Portsmouth, Plymouth and Poole, with services to France, Spain, Ireland and the Channel Islands.
How long is the Brittany Ferries crossing to Spain?
Around 19 hours from Plymouth to Santander, and about 24 hours from Portsmouth to Santander or Bilbao.
Does Brittany Ferries carry pets?
Yes, for a fee each way. On most crossings pets stay in your vehicle, and pet-friendly cabins are available on overnight sailings.
Was Brittany Ferries really founded by farmers?
Yes — a group of Breton farmers founded it in 1973 to export cauliflowers and artichokes to Britain, and those farming groups are still its main shareholders.
What is Club Voyage?
Brittany Ferries' loyalty scheme, offering savings on France and Spain routes plus onboard discounts.