Portsmouth to Bilbao Ferry
The only direct ferry from the UK to Bilbao: Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth, twice a week for most of the year and once a week in winter. The southbound crossing takes 33 to 36 hours, with two nights at sea.
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The Portsmouth to Bilbao ferry
If you are looking for a ferry to Bilbao from the UK, there is one direct route: Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth. It sails twice a week for most of the year and once a week in the winter months. Southbound sailings leave Portsmouth in the evening, spend two nights at sea and arrive in Bilbao at 08:00, 33 to 36 hours later. Northbound sailings leave Bilbao at lunchtime and reach Portsmouth the next evening, after 29½ to 32¾ hours. In winter, the return sailings run from Santander instead.
What you pay depends mostly on choices you make when you book. Brittany Ferries' prices rise as each sailing fills, so booking early is usually cheaper. Its cheapest ticket, Early Bird, is only sold 60 days or more before you sail and can't be refunded. Your cabin grade and your vehicle's size also change the price: cars over 5 metres long or 1.83 metres high pay a supplement.
There is no ferry from Southampton to Bilbao. Brittany Ferries' sailings to Bilbao leave from Portsmouth, about 20 minutes' walk from Portsmouth town centre. Bilbao's ferry port is at Zierbena in the Basque Country, 21 km from the city. Foot passengers can travel too: the nearest Metro station is Santurtzi, about 3 km from the terminal, on Line 2 into the city centre.
- The only direct ferry from the UK to Bilbao, from Portsmouth
- Twice a week for most of the year, once a week in winter
- 33 to 36 hours southbound, with two nights on board
- Earlier bookings are usually cheaper; Early Bird fares need 60 days' notice
- Cars, foot passengers and pets all carried
Portsmouth to Bilbao ferry times
| Direction | Sailings | Usual departure times | Crossing time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth to Bilbao | 2 a week for most of the year; 1 a week in winter | Evening; arrives Bilbao 08:00 | 33 to 36 hours (2 nights) |
| Bilbao to Portsmouth | 2 a week for most of the year; from Santander in winter | Lunchtime; arrives Portsmouth the next evening | 29½ to 32¾ hours (1 night) |
Brittany Ferries' figures. Its full timetable has the exact time for each sailing.
Source: brittany-ferries.co.uk, checked 14 October 2026. Timetables change by season; the search shows the sailings for your date.
What to know about the Portsmouth to Bilbao crossing
- What affects the fare
- Brittany Ferries' prices rise as each sailing fills, so earlier bookings are usually cheaper. Early Bird is its cheapest ticket, sold only 60 days or more before you sail, with no refund. Standard and Flexi cost more but can be changed or partly refunded. (brittany-ferries.co.uk)
- Vehicle size
- Cars, MPVs and 4x4s up to 6 m long and 3 m high are booked as cars, with a supplement over 5 m long or 1.83 m high. Motorhomes and vans pay a supplement over 5 m long or 2.6 m high. (brittany-ferries.co.uk)
- Cabins
- Southbound sailings span two nights. All Brittany Ferries cabins are en suite and air-conditioned with bed linen, towels and toiletries, from standard up to Commodore class. (brittany-ferries.co.uk)
- Ships
- Galicia and Salamanca: a main restaurant serving Spanish food, La Taberna for light meals, a bar, video on demand and children's play areas. (brittany-ferries.co.uk)
- Foot passengers
- Yes, foot passengers can travel between Portsmouth and Bilbao. (brittany-ferries.co.uk)
- Pets
- Pets are carried. Depending on the sailing and ship, they travel in your car, in the ship's kennels or with you in a pet-friendly cabin. (brittany-ferries.co.uk)
- Check-in
- Brittany Ferries asks passengers to check in at least 45 minutes before departure at Bilbao and at Portsmouth. (brittany-ferries.co.uk)
- Passports and entry
- For Spain, your UK passport must have been issued less than 10 years before you arrive and be valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area, and short stays are limited to 90 days in any 180. Since the EU Entry/Exit System started on 12 October 2025, ferry passengers from ports other than Dover may be asked for fingerprints and a photo when they arrive. (gov.uk)
Where the ferry leaves from and arrives
- Portsmouth
- Portsmouth International Port, Wharf Road, Portsmouth PO2 8RU. About 20 minutes' walk from the town centre and 30 minutes from Portsmouth & Southsea station; trains to London Waterloo take 85 minutes. (brittany-ferries.co.uk)
- Bilbao
- Puerto de Bilbao, Muelle A3, 48508 Zierbena, 21 km from Bilbao. The nearest Metro station, Santurtzi, is about 3 km away (a 5-minute taxi ride) and Line 2 runs direct to the city centre. (brittany-ferries.co.uk)
Alternatives to the Portsmouth to Bilbao ferry
- Portsmouth to Santander: Brittany Ferries' other route from Portsmouth to northern Spain, arriving in Cantabria.
- Plymouth to Santander: Twice a week from Plymouth, handier from the South West. No winter sailings.
Ports & operators on this route
Portsmouth to Bilbao ferry — common questions
How long is the ferry from Portsmouth to Bilbao?
33 to 36 hours southbound, with two nights at sea and arrival in Bilbao at 08:00. The return takes 29½ to 32¾ hours with one night on board, according to Brittany Ferries.
How often does the Portsmouth to Bilbao ferry sail?
Twice a week for most of the year and once a week in the winter months, according to Brittany Ferries. In winter, return sailings go from Santander instead of Bilbao.
Is there a ferry from Southampton to Bilbao?
No. Brittany Ferries' direct sailings from the UK to Bilbao leave from Portsmouth, the nearest departure port for Southampton.
How can I make the Bilbao ferry cheaper?
Book early, because Brittany Ferries' prices rise as each sailing fills. Choose Early Bird if your dates are fixed (sold 60 days or more ahead, no refund). Pick a smaller cabin grade, and check your vehicle's size: cars over 5 metres long or 1.83 metres high pay a supplement.
What cabins are on the Portsmouth to Bilbao ferry?
The route uses Galicia and Salamanca. Brittany Ferries' cabins are all en suite and air-conditioned, with bed linen and towels, up to Commodore class. Commodore and Club cabin passengers on these ships get free use of the CClub Lounge; others can pay to use it.
Which ferries go to Bilbao from the UK?
Only Brittany Ferries, sailing direct from Portsmouth. For elsewhere in northern Spain, Brittany Ferries also sails to Santander from Portsmouth and from Plymouth.
How much is the ferry from Portsmouth to Bilbao?
We don't quote prices because they change as sailings fill. The fare depends on how early you book, your ticket type, your cabin and your vehicle. Brittany Ferries' cheapest ticket, Early Bird, is only sold 60 days or more before you sail. Use the search on this page for live fares.
Can I take my car on the ferry to Bilbao?
Yes. It is a car ferry, and Brittany Ferries markets the route for driving holidays in Spain. Bilbao has fast motorway links, with Madrid around four hours away.
Can I travel as a foot passenger from Portsmouth to Bilbao?
Yes. From Bilbao's port at Zierbena, the nearest Metro station is Santurtzi, about 3 km away, on Line 2 into the city centre.
Can I take my dog on the Bilbao ferry?
Yes. Depending on the sailing and ship, pets travel in your car, in the ship's kennels or with you in a pet-friendly cabin.
Where does the Bilbao ferry dock?
At the Port of Bilbao in Zierbena, 21 km from Bilbao city, in the Basque Country.
Where these facts come from
Checked by the CheapFerries editorial team on 2026-09-28. Operators change timetables and rules, so confirm details for your sailing when you book.
- brittany-ferries.co.uk www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/ferry-routes/ferries-spain/portsmouth-bilbao/about
- directferries.co.uk www.directferries.co.uk/portsmouth_bilbao_ferry.htm
- brittany-ferries.co.uk www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/ferry-routes/planning/ports/bilbao
- brittany-ferries.co.uk www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/ferry-routes/planning/ports/portsmouth
- gov.uk www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain/entry-requirements
- gov.uk www.gov.uk/entry-exit-system
- brittany-ferries.co.uk www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/ferry-routes/ferries-spain/portsmouth-bilbao/crossings
- brittany-ferries.co.uk www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/information/faqs/booking-information/ferry-ticket-types
- brittany-ferries.co.uk www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/information/faqs/booking-information/booking-the-correct-vehicle-type
- brittany-ferries.co.uk www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/ships/onboard/accommodation
- brittany-ferries.co.uk www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/ferry-routes/ferries-spain/portsmouth-bilbao/onboard