Portsmouth to Cherbourg Ferry
Overview
The Portsmouth to Cherbourg ferry route is operated by Brittany Ferries and offers both daytime and overnight sailings.
- Operator: Brittany Ferries
- Journey Time: 4–6 hours (day), 8–9 hours (overnight)
- Frequency: Up to 3 sailings per week
- Prices: From £21 by foot or £52 one-way (car + driver)
Regular overnight sailings operate aboard their ships which offer some of the largest and most comfortable cabins amongst Brittany Ferries fleet.
Ferry Timetable
April to October (Summer)
| Day | Departure | Arrival | Sailing Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 22:00 | 08:00 | Overnight |
| Wednesday | 22:00 | 08:00 | Overnight |
| Friday | 14:00 | 19:00 | Daytime |
November to March (Winter)
| Day | Departure | Arrival | Sailing Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | 08:00 | 15:00 | Daytime |
| Sunday | 23:00 | 08:00 | Overnight |
Prices
| Ticket Type | Day Sailing | Overnight Sailing |
|---|---|---|
| Foot Passenger | From £21 | From £96 including Cabin |
| Car + Driver | From £52 | From £129 including cabin. |
| Cabin (2 berth) | Optional | Required or Seat |
| Pet Cabin Option | Available | Available |
Ferry Ships & Amenities
- Daytime (MV Cotentin): Wi-Fi, duty-free, bar, restaurant
- Overnight (Galicia, Salamanca, Santoña): Tapas bar, cabins, VOD, pet cabins, accessible cabins
Towns
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is located on the south coast of England and is just 74 miles from the capital London.
The city has long established ties with both maritime history and the Royal Navy who have been based at the port for in excess of 800 years.
Portsmouth port services a variety of different destinations including Le Havre, St Malo, Caen and Cherbourg in France along with a variety of other destinations.
Whether you’re travelling to the UK via Portsmouth or heading to Europe from Portsmouth, please make sure you spend a little time visiting the city and some of its great attractions.
The historic dockyard contains a variety of museums and ships you can visit including Nelson’s flagship, the Victory, HMS Warrior, and the Mary Rose museum. Other great attractions include the Blue Reef Aquarium, the Spinnaker Tower, and Southsea Castle, all of which offer visitors to Portsmouth a great day out.
Cherbourg
Cherbourg is a highly popular port which is located in the Manche department of Normandy on the northern coast of France.
Cherbourg port offers a variety of different routes in and out of France which are available at different times throughout the day and night making it easily accessible from the UK, France and the rest of Europe.
Cherbourg has always been an important port and this was noted not only by the famous engineer Vauban who designed the port’s defenses but also by both the German and Allied forces during WW2 and especially the D-Day landings.
Make sure you take time to visit Cherbourg as you’ll find a great number of things to see and do in the nearby area. The cities aquarium is great for younger visitors and those looking to find out a bit more about the history of the area will love the cities museums which offer a number of paintings from around the globe.
Alternative Ferry Routes to France
If Portsmouth to Cherbourg isn’t the best fit for your schedule or destination, consider these alternative routes. Each offers different sailing times, durations, and port access depending on your travel needs.
| Route | Operator | Frequency | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poole to Cherbourg | Brittany Ferries | Up to 7 per week | ~4h 30m | Shorter crossing, less frequent than Portsmouth |
| Portsmouth to Caen | Brittany Ferries | Daily | ~6h (day) / 8h (overnight) | Good access to Normandy interior |
| Portsmouth to St Malo | Brittany Ferries | 5 per week | ~10h | Best for Brittany region holidays |
| Newhaven to Dieppe | DFDS | 2 per day | ~4h | Good budget option to northern France |
FAQs
- How long is the ferry? 4–6 hours (day), 8–9 hours (overnight)
- Is a cabin required? Yes, for overnight sailings only
- Can I travel on foot? Yes, from £21
- Are pets allowed? Yes, with pet cabin booking
- When to check in? 45 min before sailing, 90 min with pets
Book Your Ferry from Portsmouth to Cherbourg
Book now from £21. Choose a sailing date, cabin options, and check real-time availability.
