Ferry to England
Le Havre - Portsmouth
The overnight ferry for travellers heading to the south coast of England, bypassing Calais
- Overnight ferry of around 11 hours with Brittany Ferries, on a few days a week
- Final season: Brittany Ferries is discontinuing the route in October 2026
- Terminal de la Citadelle close to the town centre, two hours' drive from Paris; arrive 90 minutes early with a pet
Route Guide
Le Havre - Portsmouth Ferry Overview
Table of Contents
Everything about the overnight Le Havre - Portsmouth ferry with Brittany Ferries: getting to Terminal de la Citadelle, check-in, cabins on board, vehicle and pet rules, arrival in Portsmouth and the fares, before the ferry company discontinues the route in October 2026.
Getting there and Le Havre terminal
The ferry departs from Terminal de la Citadelle, close to the town centre of Le Havre. From Paris, you take the A13 and the A131; from Amiens and Belgium, the A29; from the south, the route runs via the toll Pont de Normandie. The port car park is open for both short and long stays, but has only a few spaces and no designated accessible spaces. Foot passengers reach the terminal on LiA bus route C4; Le Havre railway station is just over two hours from Paris and a short taxi ride from the terminal. The terminal has vending machines, a baby-changing room and, after check-in, accessible toilets.
Check-in and departure
The check-in deadline for vehicles is shown on your e-ticket and depends on the product booked. Foot passengers must have checked in at least 60 minutes before departure, and travellers with a pet should arrive at least 90 minutes beforehand. A passport is required for all travellers, along with the electronic travel authorisation (ETA); see the entry requirements guide.
On board
The overnight crossing is operated by the Commodore Clipper or the Armorique. For the night you book a cabin or a reserved reclining seat; wheelchair-accessible cabins are available on all ferries. Since March 2023, payment on board has been in euros only; Wi-Fi is available as a paid satellite package with limited speed.
Vehicle, bike and pet
Cars, motorhomes, cars with trailers and motorbikes can all travel, so give exact length and height when booking. LPG and LNG vehicles are permitted provided the gas system is 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 vehicles cannot be charged on board. Bicycles and foot passengers can be booked if the booking shows the option. Pets travel in the vehicle or, depending on the ship, in the onboard kennels; during the crossing, one person per vehicle may visit the car deck for up to 15 minutes. Online you can book up to five pets per vehicle; foot passengers, cyclists and motorcyclists cannot bring a pet. More in the motorhome and dogs and pets guides.
Arrival in Portsmouth and onward travel
In Portsmouth, the ferry docks in the morning at Portsmouth International Port on George Byng Way. Disembarkation takes around 30 minutes on average, plus border control. The port lies outside the Portsmouth Clean Air Zone; via the M275 you join the M27 and continue on the A3 or M3 towards London. Foot passengers walk around 20 minutes into the town centre and 30 minutes to Portsmouth & Southsea station, with trains to London Waterloo taking around 85 minutes.
Tickets and fares
Brittany Ferries offers three fares: Early Bird, the cheapest option, bookable only at least 60 days before departure; Standard, changeable and cancellable under certain conditions; and Flexi, with free changes up to four hours before the outbound crossing. As the route ends in October 2026, check the Caen - Portsmouth service for later dates. The booking window shows current prices, and the comparison is in the price overview.
Le Havre - Portsmouth
Overnight with Brittany Ferries from the Seine estuary to Hampshire
The Le Havre - Portsmouth route is an overnight ferry: Brittany Ferries departs from Terminal de la Citadelle in the evening and reaches Portsmouth after around 11 hours the following morning. It runs on a few days a week with the Commodore Clipper or the Armorique.
The ferry company announced on 30 June 2026 that it will discontinue the service in October 2026. Anyone travelling from the Paris area to southern England after that can take the Caen - Portsmouth ferry from Ouistreham or the shorter Channel route Dieppe - Newhaven.
- Crossing
- approx. 11 hrs
- Ferry company
- Brittany Ferries
- Frequency
- up to 1x daily
Next departures
FAQ Le Havre - Portsmouth
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about the Le Havre - Portsmouth ferry route
How long does the ferry from Le Havre to Portsmouth take? +
The overnight crossing is scheduled to take around 11 hours: departure in the evening, arrival in Portsmouth the next morning.
How much longer will the Le Havre - Portsmouth route run? +
Brittany Ferries announced on 30 June 2026 that it will discontinue the route in October 2026. Alternatives are Caen - Portsmouth and Dieppe - Newhaven. The timetable shows which departures are still bookable.
How much does the ferry from Le Havre to Portsmouth cost? +
The price depends on the season, vehicle dimensions, number of passengers, cabin and fare type; the Early Bird fare booked at least 60 days before departure is the cheapest option. The booking window shows the starting price for your date, and the price overview compares all routes to England.
When do I need to be at the terminal in Le Havre? +
The check-in deadline for your vehicle is shown on your e-ticket. Foot passengers must check in at least 60 minutes before departure, and travellers with a pet should arrive at least 90 minutes beforehand. A passport is required for everyone; see the entry requirements guide for details.
Can I travel with a motorhome? +
Yes, the fare depends on length and height; gas cylinders must be turned off and secured. The port car park in Le Havre has only a few spaces. More in the motorhome guide.
Can my dog travel on the ferry? +
Yes, in your vehicle or, depending on the ship, in the onboard kennels; at the Le Havre terminal, dogs on a lead and wearing a muzzle are allowed in all areas, and there are grassed areas after check-in. Entry rules are set out in the dogs and pets guide.