Ferries from the UK to St Malo
Saint-Malo is one of the few ferry arrivals where you may actually want to slow down for a moment. The town is known for its impressive city walls, historic old centre and large tidal beaches, making it a worthwhile stop before continuing into Brittany. For most travellers, the direct Portsmouth-Saint-Malo ferry is the obvious choice. However, depending on your departure point and destination, routes via Roscoff or Caen may also be worth comparing.
Routes
Our experience
We sailed from Saint-Malo to Portsmouth with Brittany Ferries as a family, and this day crossing felt much more like part of the holiday than just transport. Saint-Malo is a brilliant place to leave from, the views on departure are beautiful, and there was enough on board to keep the children busy during the crossing. It is not the fastest way to England, but if you are travelling from Brittany or western France, it is a relaxed and very logical route Between the UK and France.
Ferry services from the UK to St Malo
Saint-Malo is served directly from the UK by Brittany Ferries. The company operates both daytime and overnight sailings, making it one of the most popular routes for travellers heading to Brittany. For crossing times, onboard facilities and route details, see our Portsmouth-Saint-Malo ferry guide.
Map with suggested the UK – St Malo ferry routes
This map shows ferry routes from England to St Malo, with crossing times, fares and the ports they sail from. Tap a route for details, tap a port for its sailings, or zoom in for more.
Onboard experience
The ships operating to Saint-Malo are among the largest vessels in the Brittany Ferries fleet. Because the crossing is considerably longer than the Dover routes, the ships are equipped with a much wider range of facilities. Passengers can typically expect restaurants, cafés, bars, lounges, outdoor decks, shops and private cabins. Overnight sailings are particularly popular, allowing travellers to arrive in France well rested. Depending on the ship, premium lounges and family-friendly facilities may also be available. For photos, facilities and a closer look at the ships operating on the route, see our Portsmouth-Saint-Malo ferry guide.
By campervan
Saint-Malo is a popular arrival port for motorhome travellers. Many visitors spend several days exploring Brittany before continuing south towards the Loire Valley, Bordeaux or the Atlantic coast. Summer sailings can sell out well in advance, particularly for larger vehicles.
Still weighing up your options?
We have crossed the Channel to France more times than we can count, on most of the routes and with most of the operators. Tell us where you are starting and we will point you to the smartest way across.
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