The Santander to Portsmouth ferry route provides a scenic sea travel link between Spain and the UK. The journey provides a great way to explore historic Portsmouth and allows passengers to relax and unwind once they set sail.
The route has provided great connections for passengers for many years and will continue to do so. Once arriving passengers can explore areas such as the historic docks or the Mary Rose museum.

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Portsmouth Port, located on the south coast of England, is a major gateway for passengers travelling to France and the Channel Islands. With regular ferry services to destinations like Caen, St. Malo, and Le Havre, it offers a convenient and reliable option for both leisure and business travellers.
The port is equipped with modern amenities, including comfortable waiting areas, cafes, restrooms, and parking facilities, ensuring a smooth and pleasant experience before departure.
Portsmouth itself is a historic maritime city with a wealth of attractions, including the iconic HMS Victory, the Mary Rose Museum, and the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. The port’s location also offers easy access to the vibrant city centre, where visitors can explore a variety of shops, restaurants, and cultural sites. With excellent transport links, including direct train connections to London, Portsmouth Port is an ideal starting point for exploring the South of England or venturing across the Channel to France and beyond.
Yes, there are 4 routes from Portsmouth to France, which are all operated by Brittany Ferries. Here is a summary of the ferry timetable for the passenger ferry:
| Route | Operator | Approx Duration | Frequency / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth → Caen (Ouistreham), Normandy | Brittany Ferries | 5h45 – 7h00 (day) / 7h00 (overnight) | Up to 3 sailings per day (~20 per week), all year |
| Portsmouth → Cherbourg | Brittany Ferries | ~8h (overnight) / ~5h30 (high-speed in summer) | Up to 5 sailings per week, more in summer |
| Portsmouth → St Malo | Brittany Ferries | ~11h (overnight) / ~9h (daytime) | Up to 7 sailings per week |
| Portsmouth → Le Havre | Brittany Ferries | ~5h30 | 1 sailing per day (limited passenger availability) |
The Port of Santander annually transports approximately 150,000 passengers to the UK, specifically Plymouth. The city is well-connected by a network of high-quality road and rail links, providing direct access to Portugal and other main Spanish cities.
The Port of Santander offers excellent facilities for ferry passengers, including a centrally located passenger terminal, positioning it to provide visitors with an appealing range of leisure options.
The city has served as an important port, particularly during the industrial revolution, when it became a major hub for trade and shipbuilding. It has a vast range of site seeing and scenic areas for passengers to enjoy once they arrive. It is located near Magdalena Palace and Playa del Sardinero beach for all to enjoy.

USB power in cabin not working, reported soon after boarding, nobody came to fix and still not working by disembarking, my navigation phone battery was flat. Two steak dinners both going and returning un-edible and returned for fish and chips!I will be writing to complain to Brittany Ferries.
Terrible sewage smell in bathroom all trip.
Overall excellent, but for the single traveler there needs to be something better than the reclining chairs they are incredibly uncomfortable not helped by the footrests falling away from the set position thus making one slide down the chair, I think I would have slept better on the floor and that is what some people were doing, I would have done the same if I had a pillow or something to fashion one out of, other than that excellent.