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Brittany Ferries: Complete UK Routes Guide 2026
Brittany Ferries is the leading ferry operator on the Western Channel, connecting the UK and Ireland to France and Spain with a fleet of cruise ferries. A French company founded by Breton farmers in 1973 — their very first sailing was Plymouth to Roscoff — Brittany Ferries operates the most extensive network of overnight crossings from UK ports, bringing French cuisine, cabin comfort and a genuine sense of arrival to every journey.
This guide covers everything you need to know about Brittany Ferries — with a particular focus on the Plymouth to Roscoff route — including all UK sailings to France and Spain, ships, cabins, prices and the best booking strategies for 2026.
Last updated: May 2026 · All facts verified from official Brittany Ferries sources
🚢 Brittany Ferries at a Glance
10
UK Routes
to France & Spain
1973
Founded — first sailing
Plymouth to Roscoff
From £117
Car + 2 passengers
Plymouth to Roscoff
2
Ships on Plymouth
to Roscoff route
✅ Over 50 Years of Experience — Founded by Breton farmers, headquartered in Roscoff to this day
✅ Overnight cabin comfort — Sleep on board and wake up in France or Spain
✅ French culture on board — Authentic cuisine, wine, duty-free shopping and bilingual crew
✅ The Western Channel specialist — The only operator serving Plymouth, and the only ferry company with a direct route to western Brittany
✅ Every travel type catered for — Cars, motorhomes, motorbikes, bicycles, foot passengers and pets all welcome
Brittany Ferries operates nine routes from UK ports to France and Spain, sailing from Portsmouth, Plymouth and Poole. Every route offers overnight crossings with cabin accommodation — the company’s defining difference from shorter Channel operators.
Northern Spain direct, avoid driving through France
Portsmouth to Santander
30–36 hours
2/week
£276 + cabin
Northern Spain, mini-cruise experience
Portsmouth to Bilbao
32–36 hours
2/week
£276 + cabin
Basque Country, Northern Spain
Prices shown are for car + 2 passengers, one-way, low season. Spain routes require a mandatory cabin in addition to the fare. Book 3+ months ahead for the best prices.
Plymouth to Roscoff: Brittany Ferries’ Founding Route
Plymouth to Roscoff is the crossing that created Brittany Ferries. When Breton farmers launched the company in 1973, this was their first and only route — a direct line between the South West of England and the company’s home port of Roscoff in Finistère. It remains the most characterful crossing in the fleet: Roscoff is not a commercial ferry hub but a small granite harbour town, and arriving there feels quite different from stepping off at a major port.
Route Overview:
Distance: 99 nautical miles
Daytime crossings: Approximately 6 to 6 hours 30 minutes
Overnight crossings: 8 to 10 hours (tidal conditions vary)
Frequency: Up to 8 sailings per week in peak summer; around 2 per week in late season
Season: March to November — no service December through late February
Primary ship: Armorique — purpose-built for this route in 2009. 1,500 passengers, 470 cars, 248 en-suite cabins, 300 reclining seats
Selected sailings: Pont-Aven — Brittany Ferries’ flagship. 2,400 passengers, seasonal pool, à la carte restaurant Le Flora, piano bar
Plymouth port: Brittany Ferries Terminal, Millbay, Plymouth PL1 3EW — check in 45 mins before departure (90 mins with a pet)
Price range: From £38 foot passenger · From £117 car + 2 passengers
Why Choose Plymouth to Roscoff:
✅ The natural route for the South West: Plymouth is already on the coast for travellers from Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset — no long drive east before you even reach the ferry.
✅ Deep into western Brittany: Roscoff is Brittany Ferries’ home port in Finistère. Brest is 40 miles away, Morlaix is 16 miles. You arrive exactly where you want to be.
✅ Daytime or overnight: Cross in around 6 hours and watch Brittany appear on the horizon, or take an overnight sailing and wake up in France having slept through the journey.
✅ Cruise ferry experience: Both ships offer restaurants, bars, a duty-free boutique, two cinemas and cabin accommodation. The Pont-Aven adds a seasonal pool, piano bar and à la carte Le Flora restaurant.
Cabins and Accommodation:
On overnight sailings, a cabin or reserved seat is compulsory — you cannot board without one
Reserved seat (recliner): From £10 — shared lounge; sleep packs purchasable on board
2-berth inside cabin: From £50–55 per cabin depending on ship — en-suite, bunk-style beds
4-berth inside cabin: From £75 per cabin — en-suite, can be used as a spacious 2-berth with lower berths
4-berth Club cabin (window + TV): From £100 per cabin — sea view, TV, tea and coffee making facilities
4-berth Club Plus (Armorique): From £130 per cabin — TV and DVD player, complimentary breakfast or hot drinks, minibar, macaroons, complimentary toiletries
4-berth Commodore cabin (Pont-Aven): From £195 per cabin — private balcony, twin beds, Video-on-Demand, complimentary breakfast, hair dryer
Pet-friendly cabins: Available on both ships (outside and inside variants) with laminate flooring and space for a standard animal bed
Wheelchair-accessible cabins: 6 on Armorique, 9 on Pont-Aven — book early, allocated first-come first-served
Le Flora à la carte restaurant (deck 7) — open kitchen, seasonal French menus, regional wines
La Belle Angèle self-service restaurant (deck 7) — hot and cold meals, salad bar
Le Café du Festival (deck 7) — snacks, pastries, children’s soft play area adjacent
Le Grand Pavois lounge bar (deck 8) — live entertainment, two-deck sweeping staircase
Le Fastnet piano bar (deck 7) — cocktails and aperitifs alongside Le Flora
Seasonal swimming pool and Les Finistères pool bar (deck 9, May–September)
ORCA whale and dolphin watching — wildlife officers on deck and talks in Le Grand Pavois
Spa treatment rooms — Pro-Care, OPI, Filorga
Wi-Fi — 90 minutes free on Pont-Aven; paid packages up to €25 unlimited
💡 Top Tip: Cabins on peak summer sailings sell out well in advance — particularly Club Plus on Armorique, Commodore on Pont-Aven, and all pet-friendly options. If you’re travelling in July or August, book your cabin at the same time as your crossing, not as an afterthought.
Best For:
Travellers from Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset. Holidays in western Brittany (Finistère, Côtes-d’Armor), cycling trips on the GR34 coastal path, motorbike touring, family holidays, motorhome touring in Brittany, pet owners wanting a relaxed crossing to France.
📍 See Full Guide: For complete Plymouth to Roscoff information including timetables, port guides, day trips and destination guides, visit our detailed Plymouth to Roscoff ferry guide.
Portsmouth to St Malo: The Flagship Overnight Route
Portsmouth to St Malo is Brittany Ferries’ busiest overnight route, operated by the brand-new Saint Malo (launched February 2025) and the Armorique. An 11–12 hour overnight crossing, it puts you in the walled city of St Malo and within easy reach of Mont Saint-Michel, Dinard and the rest of eastern Brittany.
Route Overview:
Duration: 11–12 hours overnight crossing
Frequency: Daily during peak season (July–September); 4–5 per week October–June
Ships: Saint Malo (launched 2025, LNG-electric hybrid, 386 cabins) and Armorique
Departure: Evening (tide-adjusted)
Price range: From £184 car + 2 passengers
✅ Brand New Ship: Saint Malo (2025) — LNG-electric hybrid, 386 cabins, two restaurants, 28 pet-friendly cabins, art gallery, outdoor gym.
✅ Sleep Through the Crossing: Evening departure, wake refreshed in St Malo. No hotel needed on the travel day.
✅ Gateway to Brittany: Mont Saint-Michel 35 miles. Dinard, Dinan and Cancale all within easy reach. Excellent foot passenger train connections.
✅ Most Pet-Friendly Ship: 28 pet-friendly cabins on Saint Malo — more than any other ship in the Brittany Ferries fleet.
Best For:
Brittany holidays, Mont Saint-Michel visits, family camping trips, pet owners, foot passengers, those who prefer to travel overnight and arrive ready for a full day of exploring.
Other Brittany Ferries Routes from UK Ports
Portsmouth to Caen — Normandy’s Busiest Gateway:
Duration: 6 hours
Frequency: Multiple daily sailings — day and night options year-round
Ships: Guillaume de Normandie (new 2025, LNG-hybrid) and Mont St Michel
Best for: D-Day beaches (Omaha, Utah, Gold, Juno, Sword all within 30 minutes), Bayeux, Paris access (2.5 hrs via A13), flexible scheduling
Portsmouth to Cherbourg — Overnight to the Cotentin:
Frequency: Monday to Thursday; no February service
Ship: Commodore Clipper
Best for: Paris by car (2 hours via A13), Rouen, Honfleur, Étretat, D-Day beaches, eastern France and the Alps
Poole to Cherbourg — Shortest Crossing from Poole:
Duration: 4 hours 45 minutes
Frequency: Daily, year-round from 2026 (new extended season)
Best for: Dorset and Somerset travellers, the shortest Brittany Ferries crossing available
Plymouth to Santander — Cruise Ferry to Spain:
Duration: 20 hours 15 minutes to 21 hours 30 minutes
Frequency: 2 sailings per week (seasonal)
Ship: Pont-Aven — cabin accommodation mandatory
Best for: Spain holidays without 1,000+ miles of French driving; Madrid 243 miles, Barcelona 443 miles from Santander. Pont-Aven’s pool, Le Flora dining and live entertainment make the 20-hour crossing a genuine mini cruise.
Brittany Ferries vs Other Channel Operators
How does Brittany Ferries compare to DFDS and P&O Ferries?
Factor
Brittany Ferries
DFDS
P&O Ferries
UK Routes
9 routes ⭐
4 routes
2 routes
Destinations
France + Spain
France + Netherlands
France only
Crossing Style
Overnight cruise ferry ⭐
Short shuttle
Short shuttle
Cabin Accommodation
Extensive ⭐
Limited
None
Brittany / Western France Access
Only option ⭐
None
None
Price Range
£114–650+
£80–260
£90–160
Best For
Western France and Spain holidays
Fast Channel crossings
Budget Dover route
Booking Brittany Ferries: Prices & Strategies
Get the best price and smoothest experience with these booking strategies.
📅 Book 2–3 Months Ahead: Peak summer cabins — especially Club Plus, Commodore and all pet-friendly options — sell out early. July and August Plymouth to Roscoff sailings are particularly in demand.
🍂 Short Break Offers: Return trips of 3–5 days can qualify for up to 50% off. Check the Short Breaks section on the Brittany Ferries website when booking your return.
↔️ Travel Midweek: Tuesday to Thursday sailings are typically cheaper than Friday to Sunday. Late October and November fares can be 40%+ lower than peak summer on the same route.
📧 Sign Up for Email Alerts: Brittany Ferries sends flash sale notifications and early access to promotions to subscribers. Particularly useful for shoulder season offers.
🍽️ Food Pass Add-On: Pre-buy a Small (£25, +5%), Medium (£40, +10%) or Large (£50, +15%) Food Pass for discounted onboard dining. Valid in all restaurants and cafés — not the bar. Non-refundable.
🎟️ Choose the Right Ticket Type: Early Bird (cheapest, no refund, £20 to amend), Standard (free amendments up to 2 weeks, 25% refund voucher 15–59 days before), Flexi (free amendments up to 4 hours before, 50% refund 24hrs+).
💡 Pro Tip: Brittany Ferries’ Short Break offers require both outbound and return sailings to be completed. They are non-refundable but can be amended subject to availability. If your plans might change, book a Standard or Flexi ticket instead.
Brittany Ferries Ships & Onboard Facilities
Every Brittany Ferries ship is a cruise ferry — designed for overnight comfort, not just fast transit. French dining, cabin accommodation, duty-free shopping and onboard entertainment are standard across the fleet.
🍽️ French Dining
À la carte restaurants on flagship ships
Self-service brasseries on all ships
Cafés for snacks and pastries
Bars — wine, cocktails, hot drinks
Food Pass available (pre-buy for savings)
Children’s menus on all ships
🛏️ Cabin Accommodation
All cabins en-suite and air-conditioned
2-berth and 4-berth options
Club, De Luxe and Commodore classes
Pet-friendly cabins available
Wheelchair-accessible cabins available
Infant cots pre-bookable
👨👩👧👦 Families
Children’s playrooms
Games rooms (video games, air hockey)
Cinemas with family tickets
Pierre le Bear entertainer — school holidays
Baby changing facilities on board
Cots available in all cabin types
♿ Accessibility
Lifts to all passenger-accessible decks
Wheelchair-accessible cabins on all ships
Disabled toilets on all ships
Notify requirements 48 hrs before travel
Call 0330 159 7005 or email access@brittanyferries.com
Autism booklet available at check-in
🐕 Pet Travel
Dogs, cats and ferrets accepted
Pet-friendly cabins on all route ships
Kennels available on larger ships
Pet fee from £35 per crossing
AHC required (issued max 10 days before travel)
Check in 90 minutes before departure
🛍️ Shopping & Entertainment
Duty-free boutiques on all ships
Two cinemas on Armorique and Pont-Aven
Live entertainment (selected sailings)
Wi-Fi — free basic access on all ships
ORCA whale watching on Pont-Aven
Seasonal swimming pool on Pont-Aven
Brittany Ferries FAQs
Which Brittany Ferries route is cheapest from the South West of England?
Plymouth to Roscoff starts from £117 for a car and two passengers — and for anyone travelling from Devon, Cornwall, Somerset or Dorset it is also the most time-efficient route, saving 1.5–2.5 hours of driving each way compared to Portsmouth. Foot passengers travel Plymouth to Roscoff from £38.
Do I need to book a cabin on Brittany Ferries?
On overnight sailings — including all Plymouth to Roscoff night crossings — a cabin or reserved seat is compulsory. You cannot board without one. Spain routes also require a mandatory cabin. Short daytime crossings such as Poole to Cherbourg (4h 15m) do not require a cabin. On Plymouth to Roscoff daytime sailings, cabins are optional but available at a reduced rate. Book cabins as early as possible — they sell out quickly, particularly pet-friendly options and premium grades.
Can I take my dog on Brittany Ferries?
Yes — dogs, cats and ferrets are accepted on all Brittany Ferries routes. Your pet must be microchipped with a valid rabies vaccination and an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by an Official Veterinarian no more than 10 days before travel. The pet fee is from £35 per crossing and a vehicle booking is required. Arrive at the port 90 minutes before departure when travelling with a pet. Assistance dogs travel free and are permitted in all areas of the ship.
Can I travel as a foot passenger on Brittany Ferries?
Yes, foot passengers are welcome on all routes. Plymouth railway station is under a mile from the Millbay terminal — direct trains from London Paddington take around 3–4 hours. Portsmouth Harbour station is a 10-minute walk from the ferry terminal. Foot passenger fares start from £38 (Plymouth to Roscoff) and from £53 (Portsmouth to St Malo). On overnight sailings you will need to add a cabin or reserved seat to your ticket.
What ships operate Brittany Ferries Plymouth to Roscoff?
The Armorique operates the majority of Plymouth to Roscoff sailings. She was purpose-built for this route in 2009 and carries 1,500 passengers and 470 cars. The Pont-Aven — Brittany Ferries’ flagship, with a seasonal swimming pool, à la carte Le Flora restaurant and piano bar — also operates on selected sailings. Your booking confirmation will confirm which ship you are on.
What are Brittany Ferries check-in times?
Passengers must check in at least 45 minutes before departure at both Plymouth and Roscoff. If you are travelling with a pet, check in at least 90 minutes before. During peak season (July–August), arriving 90 minutes to 2 hours before departure is strongly advisable — late arrivals are refused boarding with no refund. Check-in can open up to 4.5 hours before departure.
When does Brittany Ferries Plymouth to Roscoff run?
The Plymouth to Roscoff service operates from March through to November, with no sailings from December through to late February. In peak summer (July–August) there are up to 8 sailings per week. Spring and autumn run at around 4–5 per week, reducing to approximately 2 per week in late October and November. Check the full 2026 timetable for specific departure dates.
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