Ferry to England
Cherbourg - Portsmouth
From the Cotentin peninsula straight to England's south coast, no detour via Calais
- Around 5 to 6 hours across the western Channel with Brittany Ferries, mostly a day sailing
- Currently a few days a week, daily from November 2026 in place of the Poole route
- Car, motorhome, motorcycle and dog on board; with a pet, arrive at the Cherbourg terminal 90 minutes beforehand
Route guide
Cherbourg - Portsmouth ferry overview
Table of Contents
Everything about the Cherbourg - Portsmouth route with Brittany Ferries: getting to the terminal in Cherbourg, check-in deadlines, onboard facilities, vehicle and pet rules, arrival at Portsmouth International Port and fares.
Getting to the terminal at Cherbourg
The ferry departs from Terminal 1 of the Gare maritime transmanche in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin. From Caen, take the N13; within the town, the port is signposted as the ferry terminal. There's a free car park in front of the terminal for short and long stays, used at your own risk. Foot passengers can walk from the town centre in around 20 to 30 minutes, or about 50 minutes from the SNCF station; a shuttle bus runs from the station to the terminal two hours before departure. The station has connections to Caen, Rouen, Paris Saint-Lazare and Rennes. Dogs have fenced grassed areas available, where leads and muzzles are compulsory.
Check-in and departure
Brittany Ferries prints the vehicle check-in deadline on your e-ticket; it depends on the fare booked. As a foot passenger you must have checked in at least 60 minutes before departure, and at least 90 minutes beforehand with a pet, since animal documents are checked and your vehicle receives a sticker. All travellers need a valid passport, plus the electronic travel authorisation ETA; details are summarised in our entry requirements guide. If you miss your departure, you must contact the operator within 24 hours; rebooking outside promotional fares incurs an administration fee plus the fare difference.
On board
Depending on the timetable, Brittany Ferries deploys various ships on this route, including the Mont St Michel and the Galicia, Salamanca and Santoña, which call at Cherbourg on their way from Spain. For the day sailing you book seats or a cabin, with the offering varying by ship; wheelchair-accessible cabins are available on all ferries. Payment on board has been in euros only since March 2023. Wi-Fi is available as a paid satellite package with reduced speed, it's best to download films beforehand.
Vehicles, bikes and pets
Cars, motorhomes, car-caravan combinations and motorcycles are carried, with the fare based on length and height. LPG and LNG vehicles are allowed on all ships, with the gas system switched off before boarding; for campervans, up to three gas cylinders totalling no more than 47 kilograms are allowed, secured and closed during the crossing. Charging electric cars is not possible on board. Bicycles and foot passengers can only be booked if the option is shown for this route. Pets stay in the vehicle; some ships have onboard kennels and pet cabins. During the crossing, one person per vehicle can visit the animal on the car deck for up to 15 minutes, ask at the information desk for times. Online bookings allow up to five animals per vehicle; foot passengers, cyclists and motorcyclists cannot bring a pet. More in our motorhome and dogs and pets guides.
Arrival in Portsmouth and onward travel
In Portsmouth, the ferry docks at Portsmouth International Port on George Byng Way. Disembarkation takes around 30 minutes on average, plus UK border control at the port exit. The port lies outside the Portsmouth Clean Air Zone; via the M275 you reach the M27 and continue on the A3 or M3 towards London, with no emissions zone to worry about. Foot passengers can walk around 20 minutes into the city centre and 30 minutes to Portsmouth & Southsea station, from where the train takes about 85 minutes to London Waterloo.
Tickets and fares
Brittany Ferries offers three fares: Early Bird, the cheapest, bookable only 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. Current prices for your date are shown in the booking window, and the price overview compares them with the other England routes.
Cherbourg - Portsmouth
With Brittany Ferries from Normandy to Hampshire
The Cherbourg - Portsmouth route connects the Cotentin peninsula in Normandy with Portsmouth in Hampshire in around 5 to 6 hours. Brittany Ferries currently sails it only a few days a week, often with ships calling at Cherbourg on their way from Spain; from November 2026, a daily Cherbourg - Portsmouth service will replace the current Poole route.
The route is worth considering if your destination is south-west England: you skip the drive via Calais and the English coast road and arrive directly at Portsmouth International Port, from where the M275 leads to the M27 and the A3 towards London.
- Crossing
- approx. 5-6 hrs
- Operator
- Brittany Ferries
- Frequency
- up to 1× daily
Next departures
FAQ Cherbourg - Portsmouth
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about the Cherbourg - Portsmouth ferry route
How long does the ferry from Cherbourg to Portsmouth take? +
Scheduled crossing time is around 5 to 6 hours. The exact duration depends on the ship used; some departures take up to 7 hours.
How often does the Cherbourg - Portsmouth ferry run? +
Brittany Ferries currently sails the route a few days a week, with one departure each day. From November 2026, the operator says the service will run daily. The timetable shows departures for your travel date.
How much does the ferry from Cherbourg to Portsmouth cost? +
The price depends on the season, vehicle dimensions, number of passengers and fare. The Early Bird fare, available only 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? +
Brittany Ferries states the vehicle check-in deadline on your e-ticket. As a foot passenger you must check in at least 60 minutes before departure, and at least 90 minutes beforehand with a pet. All travellers need a valid passport; other entry requirements are covered in our entry requirements guide.
Can I travel with a motorhome or caravan? +
Yes. The fare depends on length and height, so give exact dimensions when booking. Gas cylinders must be turned off and secured; up to three cylinders totalling no more than 47 kilograms are allowed. Everything about travelling by campervan is in our motorhome guide.
Can my dog come on the ferry? +
Yes, in the vehicle, and in onboard kennels or pet cabins on some ships. Up to five animals per vehicle can be booked online; foot passengers and motorcyclists cannot bring a pet. Entry rules for the UK are explained in our dogs and pets guide.