Ferries from Southampton to France
There are currently no direct ferries from Southampton to France. Fortunately, Portsmouth is located just a short drive away and offers several ferry routes to France with Brittany Ferries. Depending on where you’re heading, you can choose between sailings to Caen, Cherbourg, Le Havre or Saint-Malo. This guide compares the available options, crossing times and arrival ports, helping you decide which route works best for Normandy, Brittany, Paris or destinations further south.
Routes
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.
Ferry services from Southampton to France
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.
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 relatively straightforward. 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.
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.
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