Brittany Ferries sails from Portsmouth and Plymouth to Normandy and Brittany, and from England to Spain, on cruise ferries with cabins, restaurants and entertainment. Its long, often overnight crossings land you much further west than a short Dover crossing. This guide covers every Brittany Ferries route from the UK, the timetable, the ships and cabins, pets, a live ship tracker, Club Voyage and ways to save, the ports, and the company behind it all.
Founded by Breton farmers in 1973, Brittany Ferries is still mainly owned by farming cooperatives in north-west France, and says it carries more than 2.5 million passengers in a normal year. Its first route, Plymouth to Roscoff, is still running.
Brittany Ferries at a glance
| Founded | 1973, by Breton farmers led by Alexis Gourvennec |
|---|---|
| First sailing | The Kerisnel, Roscoff to Plymouth, 2 January 1973 |
| Owners | Mainly Breton farming cooperatives (75%), with CMA CGM and other shareholders |
| Passengers | More than 2.5 million in a normal year |
| Routes to France from England | Portsmouth to Caen, St Malo and Cherbourg; Plymouth to Roscoff |
| Routes to Spain | Portsmouth to Santander, Portsmouth to Bilbao; Plymouth to Santander |
| Also sails from | Ireland, to France and Spain |
| Flagship | Pont-Aven, 2,400 passengers and 650 cars |
| Newest ships | The hybrid Saint-Malo and Guillaume de Normandie, both 2025 |
| Bookings and help | 0330 159 7000 |
Every Brittany Ferries route
These are the Brittany Ferries routes we cover in full, with timetables checked against Brittany Ferries’ own:
| Route | Crossing | Sailings | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth to Caen | Around 6h by day; 7–8h overnight | Up to 3 a day each way | Year-round |
| Portsmouth to Cherbourg | Around 7h45–8h30 overnight; 5–6h by day back | Up to 2 a week each way | Year-round |
| Portsmouth to St Malo | Around 11h30 overnight; about 9h by day back | 4 to 7 a week, depending on season | Year-round |
| Plymouth to Roscoff | Around 5h15 by day; 9–10h overnight | Up to 7 a week each way, late March to early November | Seasonal: March to November |
| Guernsey to St Malo | About 2h (Voyager) | 3 a week in winter, 5 a week in spring and autumn, daily in July and August | Year-round |
| Guernsey to Cherbourg | About 3h30 | Up to 5 a week in winter, 3 a week from April, from 4 November 2026 | New from November 2026 |
And these are all Brittany Ferries’ routes from the UK, from its 2027 timetable and its route-change announcements in 2026:
| Route | Crossing | Sailings |
|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth to Caen | Around 6 hours by day, 7 to 8 hours overnight | Up to 3 a day, all year |
| Portsmouth to St Malo | Around 11 hours 30 minutes overnight; about 9 hours by day back | 4 to 7 a week, all year |
| Portsmouth to Cherbourg | Around 7 hours 45 minutes overnight | Up to 2 a week each way, all year |
| Plymouth to Roscoff | Around 5 hours 15 minutes by day, 9 to 10 hours overnight | Up to 7 a week, late March to early November |
| Portsmouth to Santander (Spain) | Two nights on board | Up to 2 a week, all year |
| Portsmouth to Bilbao (Spain) | Two nights on board | Up to 2 a week, all year |
| Plymouth to Santander (Spain) | From 20 hours 15 minutes | 2 a week (Sundays and Wednesdays), not in winter |
Brittany Ferries also runs Channel Islands services; see below. Exact days and times change through the year, so always check the timetable for your dates.
Check Brittany Ferries sailings and fares
Which Brittany Ferries route is best for you?
The best route is usually the one that lands you closest to where you’re going, once you count the driving at both ends. As a guide:
| Going to | Best Brittany Ferries route | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Normandy, the D-Day beaches | Portsmouth to Caen | Bayeux is 45 minutes from the port, with up to three sailings a day |
| Paris | Portsmouth to Caen | Paris is about 2 hours 55 minutes’ drive from Ouistreham |
| The Cotentin peninsula | Portsmouth to Cherbourg | Lands you at the top of the peninsula (up to two sailings a week) |
| Mont-Saint-Michel | Portsmouth to St Malo | About 45 minutes from St Malo port |
| Eastern Brittany, Rennes | Portsmouth to St Malo | Rennes is about an hour away on the toll-free N137 |
| Finistère: Brest, Quimper, Crozon | Plymouth to Roscoff | Quimper is about 1 hour 35 minutes from Roscoff (late March to early November) |
| Southern Brittany, the Loire, Nantes | Portsmouth to St Malo | Nantes is about 2 hours 15 minutes from St Malo |
| The Vendée, La Rochelle, the Atlantic coast | Portsmouth to St Malo | La Rochelle is about 4 hours from St Malo |
| Bordeaux and the south-west | Portsmouth to St Malo or Caen | Bordeaux is about 5 hours 50 minutes from St Malo and 6 hours 30 minutes from Caen |
| Northern Spain, the Pyrenees | Portsmouth to Santander, Plymouth to Santander, Portsmouth to Bilbao | Sail straight to Spain and skip the drive through France |
If you live in the South West, Plymouth saves you the drive along the south coast to Portsmouth. From London and the Midlands, Portsmouth is quicker to reach: Brittany Ferries says it’s about 2 hours from London.
Brittany Ferries or Dover? The driving you save
Dover to Calais is the shortest crossing, but it leaves you in the far north of France. Brittany Ferries’ longer crossings put you hundreds of kilometres further west and south. This table compares the drive from Calais with the drive from the nearest Brittany Ferries port:
| Destination | From Calais | From the nearest Brittany Ferries port | French driving saved |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bayeux | 378 km, about 4 hours 5 minutes | 45 km from Caen, about 45 minutes | About 333 km |
| Rennes | 535 km, about 5 hours 45 minutes | 69 km from St Malo, about 1 hour | About 466 km |
| Quimper | 716 km, about 8 hours 5 minutes | 101 km from Roscoff, about 1 hour 35 minutes | About 615 km |
| Nantes | 603 km, about 6 hours 30 minutes | 176 km from St Malo, about 2 hours 15 minutes | About 427 km |
| Tours | 530 km, about 5 hours 35 minutes | 275 km from Caen, about 3 hours | About 255 km |
| La Rochelle | 699 km, about 7 hours 40 minutes | 319 km from St Malo, about 4 hours | About 380 km |
| Bordeaux | 875 km, about 9 hours 5 minutes | 530 km from St Malo, about 5 hours 50 minutes | About 345 km |
| Biarritz | 1,073 km, about 11 hours 5 minutes | 728 km from St Malo, about 7 hours 50 minutes | About 345 km |
The trade-off is time at sea: Dover to Calais takes about an hour and a half, while Brittany Ferries’ crossings take 5 to 12 hours. But on an overnight sailing you sleep on board and drive off in the morning, so for Brittany and the west of France the long crossing often saves a day of driving, plus fuel, French motorway tolls and a hotel. For Paris and the north-east, a short crossing is usually quicker overall.
Compare Brittany Ferries and Dover fares
Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth
From Portsmouth International Port (Wharf Road, PO2 8RU), at the end of the M275, Brittany Ferries sails to:
- Caen (Ouistreham): up to three sailings a day, morning, afternoon and overnight, on the Mont St Michel and the hybrid Guillaume de Normandie. Daytime crossings take around 6 hours.
- St Malo: overnight at 20:15 on the hybrid Saint-Malo, arriving around 08:45, and mostly by day on the way back.
- Cherbourg: up to two sailings a week each way, all year. Most of the year they leave Portsmouth on Wednesday and Thursday nights, and Brittany Ferries puts the overnight crossing at around 7 hours 45 minutes.
- Santander and Bilbao in Spain, each up to twice a week on two-night sailings.
- Guernsey, from November 2026.
Portsmouth is about 2 hours from London, with trains from London Waterloo in about 85 minutes. The port car park costs £15 for up to 24 hours. Foot passengers arriving at Portsmouth currently leave the ship through the car deck while renovation work goes on. The Portsmouth ferry port guide has the details.
Brittany Ferries from Plymouth
From the Millbay ferry port in Plymouth (PL1 3EW), Brittany Ferries sails to:
- Roscoff: up to seven sailings a week in each direction from late March to early November, on the Armorique and the Pont-Aven. In 2027 there are sailings from Plymouth on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays (two), Saturdays and Sundays. There are no sailings in winter: the last of 2026 leaves Plymouth on 3 November, and sailings restart on 22 March 2027.
- Santander: twice a week, on Sundays and Wednesdays, on the Pont-Aven, in as little as 20 hours 15 minutes. There are no sailings in winter.
Plymouth to St Malo is not currently operating.
Brittany Ferries to Spain
Sailing straight to northern Spain avoids the long drive through France. Brittany Ferries sails:
- Portsmouth to Santander: up to two sailings a week all year, two nights on board, on what Brittany Ferries calls its “Spanish-themed, greener ships”. Santander is a destination in its own right, with three sandy beaches. Timetables, ships and cabins are in our Portsmouth to Santander ferry guide.
- Portsmouth to Bilbao: up to two sailings a week all year, two nights on board. Brittany Ferries says Madrid is about 4 hours from Bilbao by road, and Barcelona about 6 hours. See our Portsmouth to Bilbao ferry guide.
- Plymouth to Santander: twice a week on the Pont-Aven, in as little as 20 hours 15 minutes, outside winter. See our Plymouth to Santander ferry guide.
On the Pont-Aven, pets sailing to Spain must stay in a pet-friendly cabin, or for dogs, a kennel. Cats must stay in a pet-friendly cabin on all sailings to Spain.
Prefer to drive? See driving through France to Spain on our sister site, Driving France.
Brittany Ferries also sails from Ireland, from Rosslare and Cork to France and Spain. This guide covers its sailings from the UK and the Channel Islands.
Brittany Ferries and the Channel Islands
Brittany Ferries took over Guernsey’s ferry services in 2025. Under the changes it announced in 2026, from November 2026:
- the Islander sails a triangle from Portsmouth to Guernsey, Guernsey to Cherbourg, and Cherbourg back to Portsmouth;
- the Voyager fast craft continues to sail Poole to Guernsey, with sailings on to St Malo.
Jersey’s ferries, including Jersey to St Malo, are run by DFDS.
Brittany Ferries route changes in 2026
- Portsmouth to Le Havre closed at the end of September 2026.
- Poole to Cherbourg ends in October 2026. Portsmouth to Cherbourg continues, with up to two sailings a week each way.
- Guernsey to Cherbourg opens in November 2026, as part of the new Portsmouth, Guernsey and Cherbourg triangle.
- The Cotentin leaves the fleet.
Brittany Ferries timetable
Brittany Ferries published its current timetable on 15 April 2026. It covers 2 November 2026 to 7 November 2027, so sailings for most of 2027 are already on sale. Our route guides set out each timetable in full, in both directions:
- Portsmouth to Caen timetable: 08:00 (07:45 one day a week), 15:00 and 23:00 from Portsmouth, with one day a week without a morning sailing.
- Portsmouth to St Malo timetable: 20:15 from Portsmouth every night except Tuesday for most of the year, every night in high summer, and four nights a week in winter.
- Plymouth to Roscoff timetable: the 2027 weekly pattern from 22 March, and the winter break.
All Brittany Ferries timetable times are local: France and Spain are one hour ahead of the UK. Brittany Ferries says departure and arrival times can vary by up to an hour because of the tides.
Day or overnight sailing?
Many Brittany Ferries crossings are overnight. You board in the evening, have dinner, sleep in a cabin and arrive in the morning with the whole day ahead of you. Overnight sailings often take longer than daytime ones because the ship goes at a relaxed pace to arrive at a sensible time: Portsmouth to Caen takes around 6 hours by day but 7 to 8 hours overnight.
- Overnight suits long drives on the French side, families who want to arrive rested, and anyone who’d otherwise pay for a hotel near the port.
- By day suits shorter onward journeys and people who’d rather not sleep at sea. Brittany Ferries sells cabins on daytime sailings at a reduced rate, so you can still have a private space to rest.
Brittany Ferries ships
These are the Brittany Ferries cruise ferries on its routes from England to France:
| Ship | In service | Passengers | Cabins | Main route to France |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pont-Aven | 2004 | 2,400 | 650 | Plymouth to Roscoff (and Plymouth to Santander) |
| Armorique | 2009 | 1,500 | 247 | Plymouth to Roscoff |
| Saint-Malo | 2025 | 1,290 | 387 | Portsmouth to St Malo |
| Guillaume de Normandie | 2025 | 1,300 | 220 | Portsmouth to Caen |
| Mont St Michel | 2002 | 2,200 | 224 | Portsmouth to Caen |
| Barfleur | 1992 | 900 | 72 | Poole to Cherbourg until October 2026; then Rosslare to Cherbourg |
| Voyager | 2000 (built) | 850 | None (seats only) | Guernsey to St Malo; Poole to Guernsey |
| Islander | 2005 (built) | 400 | 1 to 4-berth | Guernsey to St Malo; Guernsey to Cherbourg from November 2026 |
- Pont-Aven is the flagship and the largest ship, with an indoor pool, two cinemas and the Le Flora à la carte restaurant.
- Armorique was built for Plymouth to Roscoff, with 247 cabins and 336 reserved seats.
- Saint-Malo is Brittany Ferries’ first hybrid-LNG ship, with the Admiral suite, the largest cabin in the fleet.
- Guillaume de Normandie, the second hybrid, replaced the Normandie on Portsmouth to Caen in April 2025. She runs on battery power in port, so produces no emissions alongside the quay.
- Mont St Michel, on Portsmouth to Caen, carries up to 2,200 passengers and 800 cars.
- Barfleur has sailed Poole to Cherbourg since 1992 and moves to Rosslare to Cherbourg from 12 October 2026.
- Voyager, the fastest ship in the fleet, is a high-speed catamaran sailing Poole to Guernsey and Guernsey to St Malo.
- Islander is the conventional Guernsey ferry, with cabins, sailing Portsmouth to Guernsey, Guernsey to St Malo and, from November 2026, Guernsey to Cherbourg.
Brittany Ferries’ timetables also list the Commodore Clipper, Galicia, Salamanca and Santoña. See the whole Brittany Ferries fleet for a ship-by-ship comparison.
Brittany Ferries cabins and seats
Every Brittany Ferries cabin is en-suite. What’s available depends on the ship:
| Cabin or seat | What you get | Ships |
|---|---|---|
| Admiral | The largest cabin in the fleet: a 2-berth luxury suite | Saint-Malo only |
| Commodore | The top regular grade. On Pont-Aven: twin beds, a balcony and breakfast or hot drinks in your cabin. Saint-Malo has five types, including 3-berth versions with a seating area | Pont-Aven, Saint-Malo, Guillaume de Normandie, Mont St Michel |
| De Luxe | Breakfast or hot drinks served in your cabin | Pont-Aven |
| Club and Club Plus | TV and tea and coffee making; Club Plus on the Armorique adds breakfast | All five ships except Mont St Michel |
| Outside cabins | A window or porthole, usually 2 or 4 berths | All ships |
| Inside cabins | No window, and the lowest cabin prices | All ships |
| 6-berth family cabins | A mix of beds including a queen-size double | Saint-Malo |
| Pet-friendly cabins | Laminate flooring with space for a pet bed | Pont-Aven, Armorique, Saint-Malo, Guillaume de Normandie |
| Allergy-friendly cabins | Allergen-sensitive toiletries and fittings | Saint-Malo, Guillaume de Normandie |
| Wheelchair-accessible cabins | Adapted cabins; limited numbers, so book early | All ships |
| Couchette Plus | A budget berth | Guillaume de Normandie |
| Reserved lounge seats | A dedicated seat, for passengers without a cabin | Armorique (336), Mont St Michel (419), Pont-Aven (47); none listed on Saint-Malo |
| Cot in cabin | For infants up to 24 months, pre-booked | All ships |
Pet-friendly and wheelchair-accessible cabins are limited, so book them when you book your crossing. Each ship guide has a full cabin table.
Check Brittany Ferries cabin prices
Food, shopping and entertainment on board
Restaurants and bars
Every Brittany Ferries cruise ferry has a self-service restaurant, a café and a bar, and the bigger ships have more. Highlights include:
- À la carte: Le Flora on the Pont-Aven, at the back of the ship with an open kitchen.
- Brasseries: Le Littoral on the Saint-Malo and Riva Bella on the Guillaume de Normandie.
- Plant-focused: Le Jardin on both hybrid ships, using Prince de Bretagne produce from Brittany Ferries’ shareholders’ farms.
- CClub Lounge: a paid lounge with sea views and food and drinks included, on the Saint-Malo and the Guillaume de Normandie (closed on overnight sailings on the Guillaume de Normandie).
- Minute steaks cooked to order in the self-service restaurants on the Pont-Aven and the Armorique.
The restaurants on the newer ships have children’s menus for 4 to 12 year olds. Opening times change through the year, so check on board.
Shopping
Wine, spirits and tobacco are sold on board at French prices, which means they can’t be sold in UK waters or within 20 minutes of a UK port. You can pay in euros or sterling, by cash or card, and mix the two. On the Armorique, if you buy a case or two of wine, the shop will deliver it to your car.
Entertainment
- Swimming pool: only on the Pont-Aven, usually from May to September.
- Cinemas: on the Pont-Aven, Armorique and Mont St Michel, with tickets on sale at the information desk after departure. The hybrid ships have free video on demand instead.
- For children: playrooms, games rooms and, in the school holidays, children’s entertainers and Brittany Ferries’ mascot, Pierre le Bear.
- Live entertainment in the main bars, and big screens for sport.
- Wi-Fi: free and paid options on board, with four packages on the Pont-Aven and the Armorique.
- Wellness: treatments on the Saint-Malo, and an outdoor gym on the sun deck of both hybrid ships.
Brittany Ferries ship tracker
This live map shows ships in the English Channel, including Brittany Ferries’ ships between Portsmouth, Plymouth and the French ports. Tap or click the map to use it, and tap a ship for its name, speed and next port.
Live map from VesselFinder.
To follow one ship, use the live map in its guide:
Travelling with pets on Brittany Ferries
Brittany Ferries carries pets on its routes to France, but how your pet travels depends on the ship:
| Ship | In your vehicle | Pet-friendly cabin | Kennel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saint-Malo | Yes | Yes (28 cabins) | Yes |
| Guillaume de Normandie | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pont-Aven | Yes | Yes | Spain sailings only |
| Armorique | Yes (visits on daytime sailings) | Yes | No |
| Mont St Michel | Yes (visits on daytime sailings) | No | No |
- Muzzles: your dog must be muzzled whenever it’s outside your vehicle or its cabin or kennel, including in the pet exercise areas. Brittany Ferries fines passengers who don’t muzzle their dog or who take a pet into a cabin that isn’t pet-friendly.
- Visits to your car: where they’re allowed, they’re on daytime sailings only, for one person per vehicle for up to 15 minutes, with a badge from the information desk. There are no visits on overnight sailings.
- Pre-check: from 96 hours before departure you can check your pet’s documents online with Brittany Ferries’ free pet travel pre-check.
- Paperwork: your dog needs a microchip, a rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel and an animal health certificate. Dogs coming back to Great Britain need tapeworm treatment from a vet between 24 hours and 5 days before arrival.
- At the port: check in at least 90 minutes before departure with a pet.
Pet-friendly cabins are some of the most in-demand cabins Brittany Ferries sells, so book early.
Brittany Ferries for foot passengers
You don’t need a car: Brittany Ferries carries foot passengers on its routes to France, and says fares start from as little as £30 on average. Getting to and from each port:
- Portsmouth: trains from London Waterloo take about 85 minutes, and a taxi from the station is around £5. Arriving back, foot passengers currently leave the ship through the car deck, which can take 30 minutes after arrival.
- Plymouth: the station is about a 30 to 35 minute walk from the port, or 5 to 10 minutes by taxi.
- Caen (Ouistreham): a Twisto bus stop is about 500 yards from the terminal (not for evening sailings), and a taxi to Caen costs about €38 by day.
- St Malo: the walled town is about 10 minutes’ walk from the terminal, and the station about 25 minutes.
- Roscoff: the town centre is about 15 minutes’ walk, and the Ligne 29 bus runs to Morlaix station in about 35 minutes.
Accessibility
If you need special assistance, check in at least 60 minutes before departure. Every Brittany Ferries ship to France has wheelchair-accessible cabins, which are limited in number, so book early. At Caen, St Malo and Roscoff, a shuttle bus with a ramp takes foot passengers between the terminal and the ship, and wheelchairs are available on request. Portsmouth has adapted minibuses for disabled foot passengers. Brittany Ferries publishes accessibility guides with deck plans for its ships; our ship guides link to them.
Brittany Ferries offers, discount codes and Club Voyage
Brittany Ferries publishes its current offers on its own website. We don’t list discount codes we can’t check. These are the reliable ways to pay less:
- Book early. The timetable to November 2027 is already on sale, and cheaper fares and popular cabins go first.
- Be flexible. On routes with several sailings a day, or different ships on different days, fares can vary a lot between sailings.
- Compare. Use the fare finder on this page to see Brittany Ferries’ fares alongside other routes for your dates.
- Count the whole trip. A longer crossing that saves hundreds of kilometres of French driving, tolls and a hotel can be cheaper overall than a cheap short crossing.
- Travel on foot if you can: Brittany Ferries says foot passenger fares to France start from as little as £30 on average.
Brittany Ferries Club Voyage
Club Voyage is Brittany Ferries’ membership scheme for regular travellers. For France, it costs £130 for the first year (a £60 one-off registration fee plus £70 membership), then £70 a year. Members get:
- savings of up to 35% on routes to France, and up to 15% to Spain;
- free or discounted cabins on some sailings;
- 10% off dining on board, plus a €12.50 credit for the restaurant or bar when sailing overnight with a cabin;
- 50% off the “Surf One Way” Wi-Fi package and cinema tickets, and 10% off in the wellness rooms and spa;
- 10% off Brittany Ferries holidays, and early notice of holiday launches.
Is Club Voyage worth it? At the full 35% saving, you’d need to spend about £370 a year on crossings in the first year, and about £200 a year after that, for the savings to cover the membership. Not every sailing gets the full 35%, so the more often you travel, the better value it is. If you make one return trip a year, compare the Club Voyage price with an early-booked standard fare first.
Compare Brittany Ferries prices for your dates
Brittany Ferries holidays
As well as crossings, Brittany Ferries sells holidays that include the ferry, with campsites, holiday cottages, gîtes and hotels across France, plus short breaks. Club Voyage members get 10% off. If you’re already booking accommodation, it’s worth comparing a package with booking the crossing and accommodation separately.
Brittany Ferries check-in times
Check-in times are the same at every Brittany Ferries port and depend on how you’re travelling:
| Booking type | Check in at least this long before departure |
|---|---|
| Travelling with a vehicle or on foot | 45 minutes |
| Travelling with pets | 90 minutes |
| Special assistance (disability or reduced mobility) | 60 minutes |
| Group travel | 120 minutes (ferry only) / 90 minutes (holidays) |
| Priority disembarkation | Varies by ship: see your ticket |
Your exact check-in time is on your e-ticket booking confirmation.
Brittany Ferries ports
| Port | Address | Parking |
|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth | Wharf Road, Portsmouth PO2 8RU | £15 for up to 24 hours |
| Plymouth | Millbay, Plymouth PL1 3EW | £13 for up to 24 hours |
| Caen (Ouistreham) | Avenue du Grand Large, 14150 Ouistreham | Free for under 2 hours, then €8.80 a day |
| St Malo | Gare Maritime du Naye, 35400 St Malo | €17.40 per 24 hours; port works under way |
| Roscoff | Port de Bloscon, 29680 Roscoff | Free |
Each port guide has a map with directions, what3words check-in points, full parking charges, public transport and facilities.
Brittany Ferries cancellations and sailing updates
For today’s sailings, delays and cancellations, check Brittany Ferries’ sailing updates or call 0330 159 7000. Sailings can be delayed or cancelled in bad weather. To log in or manage an existing booking, go to Brittany Ferries’ website.
About Brittany Ferries
Brittany Ferries was set up in 1973 by Breton farmers, led by the farmer Alexis Gourvennec. Its first sailing was the Kerisnel, which left Roscoff for Plymouth on 2 January 1973. Brittany Ferries says it now carries more than 2.5 million passengers in a normal year.
Who owns Brittany Ferries?
Brittany Ferries is still mainly owned by the Breton farming cooperatives that founded it. They held 75% of the company after eight Breton companies became shareholders in September 2024. The shipping group CMA CGM became a shareholder in 2023, with 12%. Its farming roots still show on board: the Prince de Bretagne produce in its restaurants comes from its shareholders’ farms, and the Saint-Malo’s exhibition remembers Alexis Gourvennec as the company’s “founding father”.
Brittany Ferries timeline
| 1973 | First sailing: the Kerisnel, Roscoff to Plymouth, on 2 January |
|---|---|
| 2002 | Mont St Michel launched |
| 2004 | Pont-Aven, the flagship, arrives in Plymouth on 11 March and is named in Roscoff on 26 April |
| 2009 | Armorique makes her maiden voyage, Plymouth to Roscoff, on 10 February |
| 2023 | CMA CGM becomes a 12% shareholder |
| 2024 | Eight Breton companies become shareholders; the farming cooperatives keep 75% |
| 2025 | The hybrid Saint-Malo (February) and Guillaume de Normandie (April) enter service, ending Brittany Ferries’ largest fleet renewal: five new ships in five years. Brittany Ferries takes over Guernsey’s ferry services |
| 2026 | Portsmouth to Le Havre closes in September; Poole to Cherbourg ends in October; a Portsmouth, Guernsey and Cherbourg triangle starts in November |
Brittany Ferries also runs a freight business for lorries and trailers on its routes, with its own website.
Book your Brittany Ferries crossing
Brittany Ferries FAQs
Where does Brittany Ferries sail to in France?
From Portsmouth, Brittany Ferries sails to Caen (Ouistreham), St Malo and Cherbourg. From Plymouth it sails to Roscoff from late March to early November. It also sails to France from Ireland, which this site doesn't cover.
Does Brittany Ferries sail to Spain?
Yes. Brittany Ferries sails from Portsmouth to Santander and Portsmouth to Bilbao, each up to twice a week all year on two-night sailings, and from Plymouth to Santander twice a week (Sundays and Wednesdays) outside winter, in as little as 20 hours 15 minutes.
Who owns Brittany Ferries?
Brittany Ferries is still mainly owned by the Breton farming cooperatives that founded it. They held 75% of the company after eight Breton companies became shareholders in September 2024. The shipping group CMA CGM became a shareholder in 2023, with 12%.
When was Brittany Ferries founded?
In 1973. It was set up by Breton farmers led by Alexis Gourvennec, and its first sailing was the Kerisnel from Roscoff to Plymouth on 2 January 1973.
When does Brittany Ferries release its timetable?
Brittany Ferries published its current timetable, covering 2 November 2026 to 7 November 2027, on 15 April 2026, so sailings for most of 2027 are already on sale.
What is the shortest Brittany Ferries crossing to France?
Plymouth to Roscoff by day, at around 5 hours 15 minutes, followed by Portsmouth to Caen by day at around 6 hours. Brittany Ferries' crossings are longer than the Dover routes, but land you much further west.
Which Brittany Ferries route is best for Brittany?
For western Brittany and Finistère, Plymouth to Roscoff. For eastern and southern Brittany, the Loire and the Atlantic coast, Portsmouth to St Malo. Plymouth to Roscoff doesn't run in winter, when St Malo is the year-round option.
Are there Brittany Ferries discount codes?
Brittany Ferries publishes its current offers on its own website. We don't list discount codes we can't check. The most reliable ways to save are booking early, being flexible on your sailing, comparing fares, and Club Voyage membership if you travel often.
Is Brittany Ferries Club Voyage worth it?
It depends on how much you travel. Club Voyage for France costs £130 for the first year (a £60 registration fee and £70 membership), then £70 a year, and gives savings of up to 35% on routes to France plus onboard discounts. At the full 35%, you'd need to spend about £370 a year on crossings in the first year, and about £200 after that, for the savings to cover the cost.
Is there a Brittany Ferries ship tracker?
Yes. The live map on this page shows ships in the Channel, and each of our ship guides has a map of that ship's latest position and its last 24 hours of track.
Do you have to book a cabin with Brittany Ferries?
On most ships you can book a reserved lounge seat instead of a cabin. Brittany Ferries lists only cabins on the Saint-Malo, which sails overnight from Portsmouth to St Malo.
Which Brittany Ferries ship has a swimming pool?
Pont-Aven, the flagship. Its indoor pool is usually open from May to September, depending on the route and the weather.
Can I take my dog with Brittany Ferries?
Yes. Depending on the ship and sailing, pets travel in your vehicle, in a kennel or with you in a pet-friendly cabin. Dogs must be muzzled whenever they are outside your vehicle or their cabin or kennel.
Can foot passengers travel with Brittany Ferries?
Yes, on its routes to France. Brittany Ferries says foot passenger fares to France start from as little as £30 on average.
Are Brittany Ferries sailings cancelled today?
Check Brittany Ferries' sailing updates page or call 0330 159 7000 for the latest information on delays and cancellations, especially in bad weather.
How early should I check in with Brittany Ferries?
At least 45 minutes before departure if you are travelling with a vehicle or on foot, 90 minutes with a pet, 60 minutes if you need special assistance, and 120 minutes for group travel (90 minutes for group holidays). Your exact time is on your e-ticket booking confirmation.
What is Brittany Ferries' phone number?
Brittany Ferries' bookings and help line is 0330 159 7000.
Which is Brittany Ferries' biggest ship?
Pont-Aven, its flagship, which carries up to 2,400 passengers and 650 cars.
Is Brittany Ferries' Portsmouth to Le Havre route still running?
No. Brittany Ferries closed Portsmouth to Le Havre at the end of September 2026. Poole to Cherbourg also ends in October 2026; Portsmouth to Cherbourg continues, with up to two sailings a week each way.