Brittany Ferries : Book Ferry Tickets, Schedules & Prices

Brittany Ferries — History & Background

Brittany Ferries was founded in 1972 by Alexis Gourvennec, a farmer from Finistère who rallied Breton agricultural cooperatives to open a direct sea route to the United Kingdom. The first sailing took place on 2 January 1973, from Roscoff to Plymouth — carrying cauliflowers and a handful of passengers. Today, that modest beginning has grown into the leading ferry operator on western Channel routes. The company is still majority-owned by Breton agricultural cooperatives and headquartered in Roscoff, France. Brittany Ferries employs over 2,700 seafarers and shore staff across France, the UK, Spain, and Ireland. Approximately 85% of its passengers are British travellers, making it the most popular ferry operator for UK–France and UK–Spain crossings. In 2025, the company completed its largest-ever fleet renewal programme — five new ships in five years — with a strong focus on reducing emissions and improving passenger comfort. Furthermore, the 2026 schedule includes a new Plymouth–Saint-Malo route and an upgraded year-round Poole–Cherbourg service. Key facts:

• Founded: 1972 (first sailing: January 1973)
• Headquarters: Roscoff, Brittany, France
• Countries served: UK, France, Spain, Ireland
• Annual passengers: over 2.5 million
• Fleet: 11 active vessels (2025)
• Routes: 26 across 12 ports
• 85% of passengers are British travellers

Brittany Ferries Fleet & On-Board Services

Brittany Ferries operates one of the most modern and eco-friendly fleets in European ferry travel. Between 2021 and 2025, the company completed a major fleet renewal with five new vessels, all designed to reduce emissions and deliver a higher standard of passenger comfort.

The Brittany Ferries Fleet

Saint-Malo (2025) — Brand-new hybrid LNG-electric cruise-ferry. Serves Portsmouth–St Malo. Features 386 cabins, 28 pet-friendly cabins, de-luxe suites, allergy-friendly cabins, an art gallery, two restaurants, and shore-power connection. The first plug-in hybrid ferry on the English Channel. Guillaume de Normandie (2025) — Sister ship to Saint-Malo. Serves Portsmouth–Caen (Ouistreham), the busiest route in the fleet. Zero emissions in port, powered by batteries. Capacity: 1,300 passengers and 476 cars. Galicia (2019) — Cruise-ferry serving Portsmouth–Bilbao and Portsmouth–Cherbourg. Capacity: 1,015 passengers and 623 cars. Features 343 cabins, C-Club lounge, tapas restaurant, food court, and Wi-Fi. Salamanca (2022) — LNG-powered cruise-ferry on UK–Spain routes. Features private cabins, modern restaurant, and bar. Santoña (2023) — Sister ship to Salamanca. Also deployed on UK–Spain overnight crossings. Pont-Aven — The flagship of the fleet. Features an indoor swimming pool, multiple restaurants, cinema, and premium cabin grades. Mont St Michel — Serves Portsmouth–Caen alongside Guillaume de Normandie. Well-equipped with restaurants, shops, and a wide range of seating options. Armorique — Serves Plymouth–Roscoff and Plymouth–Cork. French-style dining and a good selection of cabins. Barfleur — Serves Poole–Cherbourg. Built in 1992. Features 59 cabins, restaurant, bar, café, Club Lounge, and duty-free shop. Clipper — Serves Rosslare–Cherbourg and Portsmouth–Le Havre. Features 39 cabins, restaurant, bar, and duty-free shop. Islander — Serves Portsmouth–Guernsey–Saint Malo. Features 53 cabins, restaurant, bar, and duty-free shop.

On-board amenities

• French restaurants, brasseries, food courts, and casual bars
• Private cabins from standard inside to de-luxe sea-view suites
• Pet-friendly cabins across the fleet — book early as they sell out fast
• Allergy-friendly cabins on the newest vessels
• Duty-free and boutique shopping
• Children’s play areas and family entertainment
• Outdoor sun decks and pet promenade areas
• Indoor swimming pool (Pont-Aven)
• Wi-Fi on board (charges may apply on some vessels)
• Accessible cabins, ramps, and lifts for passengers with reduced mobility

Destinations Covered by Brittany Ferries

Normandy, France

Gateway from Portsmouth and Caen. Home to the D-Day landing beaches, the charming harbour town of Honfleur, the dramatic chalk cliffs of Étretat, and some of the finest cheese and cider in France. Moreover, Paris is just 2.5 hours by road from Caen. Ideal for a long weekend or a full road trip.

Brittany, France

The original Brittany Ferries destination. Wild Atlantic coastlines, world-class crêperies, Celtic culture, prehistoric standing stones at Carnac, and the walled city of Saint-Malo. Accessible from Plymouth via Roscoff or Portsmouth via St Malo.

Northern Spain — Cantabria & the Basque Country

Reached via Santander or Bilbao. This is Spain at its most dramatic: the Picos de Europa mountain range, the food capital of the world San Sebastián, the iconic Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, and hundreds of kilometres of unspoiled Atlantic coast.

Ireland — Cork & Rosslare

Direct sailings from Cork to Roscoff and from Rosslare to Cherbourg. In addition, the Rosslare–Cherbourg service became daily in 2026 — an important upgrade for Irish travellers heading to continental Europe.

Brittany Ferries Prices & Promotions

Brittany Ferries ticket prices vary by route, travel date, cabin type, and how far in advance you book. The guide below gives a general overview. Use FerryNav’s search to compare live fares on your chosen dates.

Price guide — per vehicle + 2 passengers return

Route	From	Crossing Time
Portsmouth – Cherbourg	~£100 return with car	~3h–4h45
Portsmouth – Caen	~£120 return with car	~6h–7h
Plymouth – Roscoff	~£130 return with car	~6h
Portsmouth – St Malo	~£160 return with car	~9h
Poole – Cherbourg	~£110 return with car	~4h30
Rosslare – Cherbourg	~£180 return with car	~18h
Portsmouth – Santander	~£300 return with car	~24h
Portsmouth – Bilbao	~£320 return with car	~32h

All prices are indicative and subject to availability. Search FerryNav for the latest live fares.

Ticket types

• Early Bird: Book 60+ days ahead. Non-refundable. Up to 40% off standard prices.
• Standard: Partial refund available. Best balance of price and flexibility.
• Flexi: Full refund and free amendments. Ideal for uncertain plans.

Promotions & discounts

• Children aged 0–3 travel FREE on all routes
• Children aged 4–15 receive a 50% discount on passenger fares
• Early Bird: up to 40% savings when booked 60+ days ahead
• Flash sales: from £26 per person to France on selected dates
• Short breaks: up to 50% off selected dates and routes
• Family packages: 2 adults + 2 children + car combined fares

Tip: For summer sailings, book at least 6–8 weeks in advance. July and August departures sell out quickly, especially pet-friendly cabins and de-luxe suites.

Practical Information

Check-in & boarding

Brittany Ferries does not issue paper tickets. After booking, you receive an eTicket by email — bring it on your phone or printed. Check-in closes 45 minutes before departure on all routes. However, Brittany Ferries recommend arriving at least 90 minutes before departure, especially during peak season. Passengers travelling with pets should arrive at least 90 minutes before departure.

Luggage

• No formal weight limit for hand luggage — carry what you can manage in one trip
• Foot passengers: max 2 bags, 20 kg each
• Vehicle passengers may leave luggage in their car on the car deck
• Secure lockers available on board for valuables
• Bicycles accepted — a bicycle passenger fare applies

Vehicles

• Cars, campervans, motorhomes, motorcycles, and caravans accepted on all routes
• Declare your vehicle type and correct dimensions at booking
• Unaccompanied vehicles cannot be transferred
• For oversize vehicles, contact Brittany Ferries directly before booking

Pets

Brittany Ferries is one of the most pet-friendly ferry operators in Europe, carrying over 100,000 dogs every year. Additionally, the fleet now has 163 pet-friendly cabins, with direct access to outdoor pet promenade areas on board.

• Pet-friendly cabins: from £35 per pet each way to France, £50 to Spain
• Onboard kennels and in-vehicle travel also available
• Required: microchip + up-to-date rabies vaccination + EU Pet Passport or Animal Health Certificate
• Dogs entering the UK must have a vet-recorded tapeworm treatment
• Pet cabins sell out very quickly — book as early as possible

Travel documents

• Valid passport required for all UK–France, UK–Spain, and UK–Ireland crossings
• UK visitors to EU countries need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) — apply via gov.uk
• EU citizens visiting the UK may show a valid national ID card or passport

Frequently Asked Questions — Brittany Ferries

Brittany Ferries — Customer Reviews & Reputation

Brittany Ferries consistently ranks among the highest-rated ferry operators in Europe for passenger satisfaction. Furthermore, the company has built a particularly strong reputation among British travellers for the quality of its on-board hospitality, the reliability of its services, and its commitment to comfortable, cruise-style travel.

What passengers praise most

French cuisine quality is consistently highlighted in reviews across Trustpilot and travel forums. Pet-friendly facilities are rated as the best among UK ferry operators by pet-owning travellers. Moreover, the new 2025 fleet — Guillaume de Normandie and Saint-Malo — has received outstanding early passenger feedback for comfort and design. Staff friendliness and professionalism is a recurring positive, and the overnight crossing experience to Spain is frequently compared favourably to a budget hotel stay.

Areas for improvement noted by some passengers

Some passengers report that paid Wi-Fi on older vessels is a downside. In addition, peak season sailings can feel crowded in public areas. Fares rise sharply in July and August — consequently, booking early is strongly advised to get the best value.

Ratings & recognition

Brittany Ferries is rated “Great” on Trustpilot with thousands of verified passenger reviews. The company holds the Green Marine Europe eco-certification for its ongoing emissions reduction programme and is a regular winner of UK travel and ferry industry awards.