Ferries from Southampton to France
Southampton no longer has ferries to France; they moved to Portsmouth years ago, less than 25 miles east and about half an hour by car. From there Brittany Ferries sails to Caen, Cherbourg, Le Havre and Saint-Malo, by day and overnight. Which one suits you depends on where in France you are heading: Caen for Normandy and Paris, Cherbourg for the shortest crossing, Saint-Malo for Brittany. We compare them below.
Routes
This ferry no longer runs. To reach your destination, these are the crossings we recommend instead.
Our experience
We sailed overnight from Portsmouth to Cherbourg on Brittany Ferries’ Santoña, and this was one of those crossings where the ferry genuinely made the journey easier. The cabins were comfortable, the ship felt modern, and the children were not tied to their seats for hours: they could move around, explore and wind down before bed. Sleeping through the crossing meant we arrived in Cherbourg well rested and ready to continue through France.
Who sails the alternatives
There are currently no direct ferries from Southampton to France. However, the nearby port of Portsmouth offers several routes operated by Brittany Ferries. From Portsmouth, you can sail to Caen, Cherbourg, Le Havre or Saint-Malo, giving travellers a range of options depending on their destination in France.
Map with suggested Southampton – France ferry routes
This map shows ferry routes from Southampton to France, 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.
Photos from the journey
From Southampton to the Portsmouth ferry port and further
- Southampton – Caen: The most popular route from Southampton/Portsmouth, ideal for travellers heading to Normandy, Paris and northern France.
- Southampton – Cherbourg: A good option for travellers heading to Brittany, the French west coast or south-west France.
- Southampton – Le Havre: Convenient for Normandy and Paris, with a relatively short crossing time.
- Southampton – Saint-Malo: A great choice for Brittany, with arrivals directly into the popular walled city of Saint-Malo.
By car
For travellers from Southampton, Portsmouth is usually the most practical ferry port. The two cities are less than 25 miles apart, making the drive to the terminal around half an hour. Once there, drivers can choose from several routes to France, including Caen, Cherbourg, Le Havre and Saint-Malo. Having multiple arrival ports available can make it easier to find a sailing that matches both your destination and travel schedule.
Compare & book
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By campervan
Brittany Ferries regularly offers special fares for motorhomes, particularly outside the peak summer season. These deals can often work out cheaper than travelling by car and paying for a hotel along the way. Booking early is usually worthwhile, as the number of campervan spaces available on each sailing is limited.
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.