Ferries from the UK to Bordeaux
Bordeaux has no ferry link with the UK, so the choice is how much of the journey to do at sea. Brittany Ferries’ long sailings from Portsmouth to Bilbao or Santander land you three to four hours from Bordeaux by motorway, with most of the miles done while you sleep. Portsmouth to Saint-Malo is the closest French arrival, around five hours by road. Dover to Calais is the cheapest crossing but leaves the longest drive, roughly eight hours. The map and table below compare them.
Routes
To reach your destination, these are the crossings we recommend.
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 Bordeaux
Most routes used by travellers heading to Bordeaux are operated by Brittany Ferries. The company serves ports such as Portsmouth and Plymouth, with crossings to Saint-Malo, Roscoff and Bilbao or Santander. Travellers departing from Dover can choose between DFDS, P&O Ferries and Irish Ferries for the short crossings to Calais and Dunkirk.
Map with suggested the UK – Bordeaux ferry routes
This map shows ferry routes from England to Bordeaux, 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
Getting to Bordeaux
Bordeaux is located in south-west France and is well connected by motorway and rail. Drivers can reach the city directly via the A10 and A63 corridors, while rail travellers can connect to Bordeaux from most major French ports using the national rail network. Journey times vary considerably depending on your arrival port, which is why choosing the right ferry can make a significant difference.
By car
There is no single best route to Bordeaux. Dover-Calais offers the shortest ferry crossing and often the lowest fares, but requires the longest drive through France. Portsmouth-Saint-Malo places you much closer to Bordeaux and is often a good balance between ferry time and driving time. The Plymouth-Santander or Portsmouth Bilbao are the longest sailings of all, but can dramatically reduce the amount of driving required after arrival.
| Arrival port | Distance (miles) | Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Calais | 520 | ± 8h00 |
| Dieppe | 430 | ± 6h45 |
| Cherbourg | 395 | ± 6h30 |
| Roscoff | 365 | ± 6h00 |
| Caen (Ouistreham) | 365 | ± 5h45 |
| Saint-Malo | 330 | ± 5h00 |
| Santander | 270 | ± 4h15 |
| Bilbao | 210 | ± 3h20 |
Compare & book
Pick your route to see live times and prices.
Compare prices →
We send you to the ferry operator or price comparison
By campervan
Many motorhome travellers automatically look at the shortest ferry crossing. For Bordeaux, however, it can be worth comparing the longer Brittany Ferries routes as well. A longer crossing may result in considerably less driving once you arrive on the continent.
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.