Portsmouth to Cherbourg Ferry
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.
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Other ways to get from Portsmouth to Cherbourg
| Option | Journey time | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poole to Cherbourg ferry | 4h 15 | 1 / day | Brittany Ferries |
| Fly London → Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) | — | — | For Paris and the north of France. Compare flights → · Car hire at Paris Charles de Gaulle → |
| Fly London → Rennes (RNS) | — | — | For Rennes and inland Brittany. Compare flights → · Car hire at Rennes → |
Read more: Flights to Paris from the UK — compareflights.co.uk (our sister site).
Flight times and fares are on the search page; we do not show them here.
The Portsmouth to Cherbourg ferry
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.
- Fast craft crosses in about three hours in season
- Gateway to the Cotentin, Mont-Saint-Michel and western Normandy
- Day fast-craft and overnight conventional options
- Cherbourg terminal close to the N13 for the drive south
Portsmouth to Cherbourg ferry fares we have seen
| Fare basket | Fare seen | Seen on | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult foot passenger, single — Direct Ferries 'from' price | £126.00 | 18 October 2026 | Direct Ferries route page (figures from the last 30 days of searches, updated 16/10/2026, excluding booking fees) |
| Average paid for a crossing with a car — Direct Ferries, last 30 days | £226.00 | 18 October 2026 | Direct Ferries route page (figures from the last 30 days of searches, updated 16/10/2026, excluding booking fees) |
Fares change with date, demand and vehicle; these are figures we saw on the dates shown, not quotes. A booking fee may be added. Check live prices in the search above.
What to know about the Portsmouth to Cherbourg crossing
Poole passengers
Brittany Ferries (via aFerry, 3 October 2026) says passengers affected by the end of Poole to Cherbourg 'will be offered alternative travel on routes from Portsmouth or can choose a refund'. (aferry.com)
Triangular service
From 1 November 2026 Islander is reported to run Portsmouth to Guernsey, Guernsey to Cherbourg, then Cherbourg back to Portsmouth. (bairdmaritime.com)
Where the ferry leaves from and arrives
Portsmouth International Port
- Address
- George Byng Way, Portsmouth, PO2 8SP
- Getting there
- Port states 'easy access from the motorway and major shipping lanes'
- Parking
- Not stated on pages read
- Facilities
- Not stated on pages read
- Onward travel
- Not stated on pages read
Source: portsmouth-port.co.uk, checked 2026-10-18.
Arriving in Cherbourg? Book a car in Cherbourg →
Staying in or around Cherbourg
Ports & operators on this route
Portsmouth to Cherbourg ferry — common questions
How long is Portsmouth to Cherbourg?
About three hours on the seasonal fast craft, or around five hours on the conventional ship, including overnight sailings.
Which operator runs Portsmouth to Cherbourg?
Brittany Ferries operates the route, with extra fast-craft sailings in summer.
Is Cherbourg a good port for Brittany?
Yes. It is a short drive towards the Mont-Saint-Michel area and onward into Brittany, as well as serving Normandy.
How often does the Portsmouth to Cherbourg ferry run?
Brittany Ferries' route page says up to twice a week, overnight. Press reports from July and October 2026 say a daily Portsmouth to Cherbourg service replaces Poole to Cherbourg; check the live timetable.
Does Brittany Ferries still sail from Poole to Cherbourg?
No. Brittany Ferries ended Poole to Cherbourg in October 2026 (earlier than the November 2026 date first announced); affected passengers were offered Portsmouth sailings or a refund.
How early do I check in for Portsmouth to Cherbourg?
Brittany Ferries states passengers must check in at least 60 minutes before departure, and 90 minutes with a pet.
Related ferry routes
Other routes from Portsmouth
Other routes to Cherbourg
Where these facts come from
Checked by the CheapFerries editorial team on 18 October 2026. Operators change timetables, fares and rules, so confirm details for your sailing when you book.
- brittany-ferries.co.uk www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/ferry-routes/ferries-france/portsmouth-cherbourg/timetable
- portsmouth-port.co.uk www.portsmouth-port.co.uk/
- directferries.co.uk www.directferries.co.uk/portsmouth_cherbourg_ferry.htm
- aferry.com www.aferry.com/ferry-deals/no8287/brittany-ferries-route-changes/
- bairdmaritime.com www.bairdmaritime.com/passenger/ferry/brittany-ferries-to-close-routes-and-sell-ships-in-major-restructuring