Are There Overnight Ferries to France?
Yes, There Are Overnight Ferries to France – Here’s Everything You Need to Know
Yes, you can take an overnight ferry from the UK to France, with several routes offering comfortable cabins and onboard amenities to help you sleep while you travel. The most popular overnight crossings from the Uk to France include Portsmouth to Caen, Plymouth to Roscoff, Portsmouth to St Malo, and Newhaven to Dieppe.
These ferries provide an efficient way to reach France, allowing passengers to wake up refreshed and ready to explore. Unlike shorter daytime crossings like Dover to Calais, overnight ferries offer private cabins, restaurants, and a smoother travel experience which is ideal for road trips, holidays, or avoiding early morning traffic.
As a family of five who frequently drive to France, overnight ferries have become our go to choice. Travelling with children can be exhausting, and we quickly realised that the best way to avoid stressful long journeys was to let them sleep through the crossing.
Boarding in the evening, settling into a cosy cabin, and waking up in France makes the whole experience seamless no grumpy kids, no early morning wake ups, just a smooth transition into holiday mode!
Why Take an Overnight Ferry to France?
If you’re planning a trip to France, an overnight ferry is one of the best ways to travel. Here’s why:
Convenience: Travel While You Sleep & Wake Up in France
One of the biggest advantages of an overnight ferry is the ability to travel while you sleep. Instead of spending the night in a UK hotel or tackling an early morning departure, you can board the ferry in the evening, have dinner, get a good night’s sleep, and wake up in France ready to go.
We’ve done this journey countless times with our children, and the difference between arriving in France after an overnight ferry versus an early morning rush hour drive is like night and day. Instead of dealing with cranky, overtired kids in the car, we arrive well-rested and ready to enjoy our holiday.
Comfort: More Relaxed & Enjoyable Than a Daytime Crossing
Unlike shorter crossings, overnight ferries are designed for comfort. Many offer:
- Private cabins with ensuite bathrooms.
- Restaurants, cafés, and bars for a relaxed evening.
- Soft lighting, quieter decks, and fewer crowds.
We always book a cabin, even on shorter night crossings like Newhaven to Dieppe. Having a proper bed makes a world of difference, especially for the kids. They settle down with their books, we relax with a cup of tea (or a glass of wine!), and before we know it, we’re in France.
The only thing to note about the Newhaven to Dieppe crossing is that it is very short compared to others and you will end up in France in the early hours of the morning so be prepared for an early wake up call!
Cabins on Brittany Ferries are great and you can read more in our article What are Brittany Ferries Cabins Like?.
Cost-Effective: Save on Hotels, Petrol & Road Tolls
Many people don’t realise that overnight ferries can actually save money.
- You don’t need a hotel the night before.
- Less driving means lower petrol costs.
- Early arrival allows you to maximise your holiday time.
For us, taking the Portsmouth to Caen route means we avoid the chaotic Paris ring roads, and a morning arrival lets us drive during the quieter hours, avoiding peak traffic.
Ideal for Road Trips: Arrive Early & Start Fresh
If you’re driving through France, arriving early in the morning makes a big difference. Whether you’re heading to:
- Disneyland Paris with kids
- The Dordogne for a scenic holiday.
- The South of France for a beach holiday
Having a restful night onboard means you’re alert and ready to drive safely.
UK to France Overnight Ferry Routes & Timetables
Here’s a breakdown of the best overnight ferry routes:
Portsmouth to Caen (Brittany Ferries) – Most Popular Route
- Departure: Evening sailings, arriving early morning.
- Best for: Families, road trips, heading to Northern or Western France.
- Onboard: High-quality cabins, restaurants, bars, and a quiet atmosphere.
Our personal favorite! Great for driving south quickly and easily.
Portsmouth to St Malo (Brittany Ferries) – Good for Brittany Holidays
- Departure: Evening sailing, arriving around 8 am.
- Best for: Holidaymakers heading to Brittany or the Loire Valley.
- Onboard: Excellent food, good cabins, and great views of St Malo on arrival.
We love arriving in St Malo, it’s a great starting point especially for onwards travel.
Plymouth to Roscoff (Brittany Ferries) – Best for Southwest UK Travelers
- Departure: Evening sailings, arriving early morning.
- Best for: Cornwall & Devon travellers avoiding long UK drives.
- Onboard: Relaxing and great for families.
We live in Devon and have used the Plymouth to Roscoff crossing many times. It can be a little more expensive than other routes during the summer holidays but you can’t beat it for convenient travel in Brittany and western France.
Newhaven to Dieppe (DFDS) – Shortest Overnight Route
- Departure: Late-night sailing, arriving early morning.
- Best for: Heading to Paris.
- Onboard: Simple but comfortable.
We’ve taken this route several times when heading to Normandy, and while it’s not as luxurious as Brittany Ferries, it’s a great budget-friendly choice.
UK to France Overnight Ferry Route Comparison
To help you choose which overnight ferry route is the best, we’ve put together a simple comparison of the most popular routes.
| Ferry Route | Operator | Duration | Best For | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth to Caen | Brittany Ferries | 6 hrs | Families, road trips, easy access to western France | Comfortable cabins, great dining options, early morning arrival |
| Plymouth to Roscoff | Brittany Ferries | 8 hrs | Cornwall & Devon travellers, access to Brittany | Relaxing experience, convenient for southwestern UK travelers |
| Portsmouth to St Malo | Brittany Ferries | 10-11 hrs | Holidaymakers heading to Brittany & Loire Valley | Scenic arrival, excellent onboard facilities, late-night departure |
| Newhaven to Dieppe | DFDS | 4 hrs | Budget-friendly travel, quick access to Normandy & Paris | Shortest overnight route, affordable fares at £81, basic but comfortable |
Our Tips for a Smooth Overnight Ferry Crossing
After years of overnight ferry travel, here are our best tips:
First make sure you book a cabin, even a basic inside cabin is a million times better than a reclining seat. Don’t forget to bring snacks & drinks and onboard food can be pricey, so having some biscuits and tea bags is handy.
Make sure you pack yourself an overnight bag. We keep essentials like pyjamas, toothbrushes, and a change of clothes so everyone can freshen up. We also make sure we’ve got some games and electronic devices.
Don’t forget that if you get seasick, take precautions get sea bands, tablets, or ginger biscuits, all seem to work wonders.
FAQs – Are There Overnight Ferries to France
How long is the overnight ferry to France?
Between 4 to 11 hours, depending on the route.
Do overnight ferries have beds?
Yes! Private cabins with beds and bathrooms are available on all overnight routes.
Can you stay in your car on an overnight ferry?
No, for safety reasons, passengers must leave their vehicles once the ferry departs.
What is the cheapest overnight ferry to France?
Newhaven to Dieppe is usually the cheapest night crossing with prices for one person and a car starting at £81 one way.
Final Thoughts – Which Overnight Ferry Is Best?
In our opinion based on previous trips to France we vote the following ferry crossings as our favourites:
- Best overall crossing: Portsmouth to Caen.
- Fastest journey: Newhaven to Dieppe.
- Most convenient for western France: Plymouth to Roscoff.
For families like ours, Portsmouth to Caen remains our top pick. It’s smooth, comfortable, and lands us right where we need to be.
We use the ferry every year when we head off on our holidays to France normally with Eurocamp. If you’re looking to book a holiday, have a look at our Eurocamp Holiday Guide for all the information you may need or want to know.
