Ferry from Portsmouth to Le Havre
The Portsmouth to Le Havre ferry stopped sailing on 16 September 2026, two weeks before its planned last crossing, after a technical fault on the Commodore Clipper. Brittany Ferries says the route is no longer viable and it will not return. If Le Havre, Rouen or Paris is your destination, the closest crossing today is Newhaven to Dieppe with DFDS: four hours at sea, then about an hour and a half to Le Havre. From Portsmouth itself, Brittany Ferries to Caen lands you an hour and a quarter from Le Havre across the Pont de Normandie, and around two and a half hours from Paris.
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
No ferry sails between Portsmouth and Le Havre any more. Brittany Ferries still runs Portsmouth to Caen (Ouistreham), Portsmouth to Cherbourg and Portsmouth to Saint-Malo, by day and overnight, with cars, campervans, motorcycles, bicycles and foot passengers. DFDS sails Newhaven to Dieppe up to twice a day, the crossing that now lands closest to Le Havre.
Map with suggested Portsmouth – Le Havre ferry routes
This map shows ferry routes from Portsmouth,newhaven to Le Havre, 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.
From the alternative ports to Le Havre and Paris
Le Havre sits on the Seine estuary, so it is a short drive from both replacement ports. From Dieppe it is about 70 miles along the coast, roughly an hour and a half. From Ouistreham (Caen) it is around 60 miles via the A13 and the Pont de Normandie, about an hour and a quarter, with Honfleur on the way. Paris is around two and a quarter hours from Dieppe and two and a half from Caen.
| Crossing | At sea | Drive to Le Havre | Drive to Paris |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newhaven to Dieppe | 4h | ~1h 30m | ~2h 15m |
| Portsmouth to Caen | 5h 45m to 7h | ~1h 15m | ~2h 30m |
| Dover to Calais | 1h 30m | ~3h | ~3h |
By car
For Paris, Rouen and eastern France the choice is now Newhaven to Dieppe or Portsmouth to Caen. Dieppe is the shorter drive to Le Havre and Paris; Caen is the better bet if you want an overnight cabin or are already near Portsmouth. Both avoid the Dover corridor, and the motorway from either port to Paris is quiet and well signposted.
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By campervan
Campervan travellers who used the Le Havre overnight sailing will find Portsmouth to Caen the natural replacement: an overnight crossing with cabins, and Honfleur, Etretat and the Seine valley all within easy reach the next morning.
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.