About three hours by Brittany Ferries' Normandie Express fast craft, or five hours overnight on the conventional ship. Cherbourg sits at the tip of the Cotentin peninsula in lower Normandy.
The search below is already set to this route — just hit search for live fares and times from every operator, via our Direct Ferries partner. Change the ports to compare another crossing.
Portsmouth to Cherbourg is one of the quickest ways to reach Normandy and the Cotentin peninsula by car ferry. Brittany Ferries runs the route, with the Normandie Express fast craft crossing in about three hours by day in season, and conventional ships taking around five hours, including overnight sailings. Cherbourg sits at the tip of the Cotentin, a gateway to the western Normandy coast, Mont-Saint-Michel and the road south into Brittany. Portsmouth International Port is just off the M275, and Cherbourg's terminal is close to the town and the N13 dual carriageway. It is a flexible route with daytime fast crossings and slower overnight options, carrying cars, motorhomes, motorcycles and foot passengers.
About three hours on the seasonal fast craft, or around five hours on the conventional ship, including overnight sailings.
Brittany Ferries operates the route, with extra fast-craft sailings in summer.
Yes. It is a short drive towards the Mont-Saint-Michel area and onward into Brittany, as well as serving Normandy.