Direct ferry from Southampton to Le Havre
Southampton has not had a ferry to Le Havre for years; today the crossing sails from Portsmouth, 20 miles east, with Brittany Ferries. That is a drive of 30 to 40 minutes to the terminal, then around six and a half hours at sea to the closest French port to Paris. Note that Brittany Ferries plans to end the Le Havre route from October 2026; Portsmouth to Caen is the alternative.
Routes
This ferry no longer runs. To reach your destination, these are the crossings we recommend instead.
Who sails the alternatives
Brittany Ferries operates the Portsmouth–Le Havre route with regular daytime sailings throughout most of the year. The crossing takes around 6½ hours and accepts cars, campervans, motorcycles, bicycles and foot passengers
Map with suggested Southampton – Le Havre ferry routes
This map shows ferry routes from Southampton 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.
Onboard experience
The Portsmouth–Le Havre route is served by a conventional ferry offering restaurants, lounges, shops and cabins. Unlike many Brittany Ferries crossings, the outbound sailing is usually during the day, allowing you to arrive in France by early evening.
From Southampton to Portsmouth
Portsmouth International Port is only around 20 miles (32 km) from Southampton and can usually be reached in 30 to 40 minutes by car.
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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