Ferry to England
Cherbourg - Poole
The shortest ferry crossing from Normandy to Dorset, right by Bournemouth and the Jurassic Coast
- Around 4.5 hours aboard Brittany Ferries' Barfleur, almost every day of the week
- Final season: Brittany Ferries is discontinuing the route in November 2026
- Car, motorhome, motorcycle and dog on board; with a pet, arrive at the Cherbourg terminal 90 minutes beforehand
Route guide
Cherbourg - Poole ferry overview
Table of Contents
Everything about the Cherbourg - Poole route with Brittany Ferries: getting to the terminal in Cherbourg, check-in, the Barfleur, vehicle and pet rules, arrival at the port of Poole and fares, until the operator discontinues the route in November 2026.
Getting to the terminal at Cherbourg
Sailings depart from Terminal 1 of the Gare maritime transmanche in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin. From Caen, the N13 leads to Cherbourg, and the ferry port is signposted within the town. There's a free car park directly in front of the terminal for short and long stays, used at your own risk. Foot passengers can reach the terminal in 20 to 30 minutes from the town centre, around 50 minutes from the SNCF station, or by shuttle bus, which leaves the station two hours before departure. Dogs have grassed areas available, where leads and muzzles are compulsory.
Check-in and departure
The vehicle check-in deadline is on your e-ticket and depends on the fare booked. Foot passengers must have checked in at least 60 minutes before departure; with a pet, you need to be there at least 90 minutes beforehand, your animal's documents are checked, and your vehicle gets a sticker that must stay on until arrival. A valid passport is required for all travellers, along with the electronic travel authorisation ETA; see our entry requirements guide. If you miss your departure, you must contact the operator within 24 hours, and rebooking outside promotional fares costs an administration fee plus the fare difference.
On board
The Barfleur, built in 1992, operates the route as a day sailing. You book seats or a cabin, with the offering varying by ship; wheelchair-accessible cabins are available on all the operator's ferries. Since March 2023, payment on board has been in euros only. Wi-Fi is available as a paid satellite package with limited speed.
Vehicles, bikes and pets
Cars, motorhomes, car-caravan combinations and motorcycles are carried, give exact length and height when booking. LPG and LNG vehicles are allowed, with the gas system switched off before boarding; campervans may carry up to three gas cylinders totalling no more than 47 kilograms, secured and closed during the crossing. Electric cars can't be charged on board. Bicycles and foot passengers can be booked if the option is shown for this route. Pets stay in the vehicle, and one person can visit the animal on the car deck for up to 15 minutes during the crossing; online bookings allow up to five animals per vehicle, and foot passengers, cyclists and motorcyclists cannot bring a pet. More in our motorhome and dogs and pets guides.
Arrival in Poole and onward travel
In Poole, the ferry docks at the passenger terminal in the Hamworthy area. Disembarkation takes around 30 minutes on average, plus border control. From Poole, the A31 leads to the M27 and on via the M3 to London; for Bristol, take the A350, and for Exeter and Cornwall, the A35. Poole station is a 30-to-35-minute walk from the terminal. If you're towing a caravan, note that it can't be left in the port car park; for early departures you can wait overnight in the check-in lanes for a fee. Dogs can't leave the vehicle again after the security check; the nearest green spaces are Hamworthy Park and Poole Park.
Tickets and fares
Brittany Ferries offers three fares: Early Bird, the cheapest, only available at least 60 days before departure and suited to fixed travel plans; Standard, which allows rebooking and cancellation under certain conditions; and Flexi, with free changes up to four hours before the outbound crossing. Since the route ends in November 2026, it's worth checking the Cherbourg - Portsmouth service for winter bookings. Current prices are shown in the booking window, and the comparison is in the price overview.
Cherbourg - Poole
With Brittany Ferries from Normandy to Dorset
The Cherbourg - Poole route takes you from the Cotentin peninsula in Normandy to Dorset in around 4.5 hours. Brittany Ferries operates it with the Barfleur, with one sailing almost every day, so the crossing works as a day trip without a cabin.
On 30 June 2026, the operator announced it would discontinue the route in November 2026 and sell the Barfleur; a daily Cherbourg - Portsmouth service will take its place. Until then, Poole remains the fastest way from Cherbourg to south-west England.
- Crossing
- approx. 4.5 hrs
- Operator
- Brittany Ferries
- Frequency
- up to 1× daily
Next departures
FAQ Cherbourg - Poole
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about the Cherbourg - Poole ferry route
How long does the ferry from Cherbourg to Poole take? +
The crossing aboard the Barfleur is scheduled to take around 4.5 hours.
How much longer will the Cherbourg - Poole route run? +
On 30 June 2026, Brittany Ferries announced it would discontinue the route in November 2026 and sell the Barfleur. A daily Cherbourg - Portsmouth ferry will replace it. The timetable shows which departures are still bookable.
How much does the ferry from Cherbourg to Poole cost? +
The price depends on the season, vehicle dimensions, number of passengers and fare; the Early Bird fare, available at least 60 days before departure, is the cheapest. The starting price for your date is shown in the booking window, and the price overview compares all England routes.
When do I need to be at the Cherbourg terminal? +
The vehicle check-in deadline is on your Brittany Ferries e-ticket. As a foot passenger, you must check in at least 60 minutes before departure; with a pet, at least 90 minutes beforehand. Don't forget your passport, details in our entry requirements guide.
Can I travel to Poole with a motorhome? +
Yes, the fare depends on length and height. In Poole, you can't leave a caravan in the port car park; for early departures you can wait overnight in the check-in lanes for a fee. More in our motorhome guide.
Can my dog come on the ferry? +
Yes, in the vehicle; up to five animals per vehicle can be booked online. In Poole, the dog can't leave the vehicle again after the security check, so plan a walk beforehand. Entry rules are in our dogs and pets guide.