There’s nothing like the adventure of taking a ferry to France, with its great food, wonderful history and scenic landscapes (just don’t tell ’em we said that). But with so many ferry ports in France and a range of cross-channel ferry routes to choose from, how do you know which one is best for you? And how do you find the cheapest ferry tickets? Sacre Bleu!
But don’t panic, because in this guide we’ve done all the hard work for you to save you the time and effort. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the various ferry routes to France from the UK, including which ferry companies operate each route and tips on booking the best value tickets. So grab your baguettes and get your towels ready, cos we’re about to go port-to-port on a ferry to France…
England to France Ferries
The British Ports: where to catch your ferry to France
When planning your trip, the first step is deciding which British ferry port to depart from on your way to France. You have five options, all are located along the south coast of England. From west to east, these are:
- Plymouth (Devon)
- Poole (Dorset)
- Portsmouth (Hampshire)
- Newhaven (East Sussex)
- Dover (Kent)
Each port serves different ferry routes to France, so the best choice for you will depend on your location, the French ferry port you’re aiming for, and whether you’re looking for the cheapest or quickest option. Be it the most direct route, a scenic crossing with an overnight stay on-board, or just the cheapest ticket you can find, the more flexible you are in terms which British port you can depart from, the more choice you’ll naturally have.
Ferry Ports in France
When traveling from the UK to France, there are eight ferry ports in France that serve routes to and from mainland Britain. Again, moving from west to east, these are:
- Roscoff (Brittany)
- St. Malo (Brittany)
- Cherbourg (Normandy)
- Caen (Normandy)
- Le Havre (Normandy)
- Dieppe (Normandy)
- Calais (Hauts-de-France)
- Dunkirk (Hauts-de-France)
Depending on your final destination in France, choosing the right French ferry port for your arrival is key. You’ll want to choose a port that saves you time with your onward journey, whether that means driving to your campsite, gite or hotel, or taking public transport if travelling as a foot passenger.
UK to France Ferry Routes Map
To give you a clear visual of all the options for traveling to France by ferry, here’s a map I made showing the key UK ferry ports and their corresponding French ferry ports…
Ferry to France: who operates each crossing in 2025?
When traveling from the UK to France, you have a choice of ferry operators that each run different cross-channel ferry routes. In total, there are 10 different ferry routes between the UK and France, and these are operated by five main companies: P&O Ferries, DFDS Seaways, Irish Ferries, Brittany Ferries, and Condor Ferries. The following table outlines precisely which company operates which ferry route to France:
A note on Portsmouth to France ferries
As one of the busiest ferry ports in the UK, Portsmouth offers the largest number of cross-channel ferry routes. The Hampshire city on the south central coast of England, provides four ferry routes to France, including three to Normandy (Cherbourg, Caen, Le Havre) and one to Brittany (St Malo).
Portsmouth is the main hub for Brittany Ferries, who are in fact the only cross-channel ferry operator that use Portsmouth as a departure point. Portsmouth ferries are an ideal choice for those traveling from London and the Midlands, as the city is easily accessible via the M25 and the A3, with just over an hour’s drive south of London.
Booking a Cheap Ferry to France
Now that you’ve decided which ferry to France to take, the next step is booking your ticket! To secure the best deal, I recommended going directly to the ferry operator’s website. Booking directly with P&O, DFDS, Irish Ferries, Brittany Ferries and Condor Ferries, should not only get you the best prices, but also the best customer service should you need to make changes to your trip or have any issues during your journey. You can also compare prices using a ferry aggregator like Direct Ferries, as they often feature exclusive deals and discounts across multiple operators.
Top Tip: Just like booking flights, the key to finding the cheapest ferry tickets to France is booking in advance. Ferry companies release their cheaper seats and cabins early, so the sooner you plan your trip, the better your chances of securing a low-cost ferry to France.
Requirements For Driving in France
If you’re planning to bring your car with you on the ferry to France (as most people usually do), there are some important things you need to know about driving legally and safely in France. French law requires all drivers to carry certain items in their vehicle, and failure to do so could result in a fine. To help you get prepared, I recommend a European driving kit that includes everything you’ll need for your journey.
This kit typically includes:
- Reflective vest
- Headlight deflectors & bulb kit
- Magnetic UK car sticker
- Warning triangle
- Breathalyzers (in case you couldn’t resist a cheeky glass of vin de pays with your lunch)
You can easily find these items through online retailers like Amazon, and we’ve linked a trusted kit for your convenience. It’s important to note that this isn’t optional – these items are required by law in France and several other European countries, including Spain, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Austria, and Poland. So, if you’re planning on driving through any of these countries during your European trip, make sure you’ve got your European driving kit ready.
What Each French Ferry Port is Closest to
- Caen/Cherbourg – best for: Bayeux and the Bayeux Tapestry, D-day beaches & tours, driving time to Paris approx 3hrs (Caen) or 4 hrs (Cherbourg).
- Le Havre/Dieppe – best for: Honfleur, the city of Rouen (Joan of Arc), closest ports to Paris (equidistant at approx 2.5 hrs driving time)
- St Malo- best for: Le Mont Saint Michel, St Malo (well, obviously!), Dinan, Rennes, and Vannes in Brittany.
- Roscoff – best for: Morlaix, Quimper, lovers of onions.
- Calais/Dunkirk – best for: Lille, Belgium and the Netherlands, the Somme Region, approx 3 hrs 15 mins driving to Paris.
I’ve written a detailed guide on what to see and do in Normandy, while our Brittany guide is coming soon.
Which ferry to France is best for you?
Choosing the right ferry to France really depends on what you’re interested in, where you’re traveling from, and where you plan to explore. Here at the Travel Tortoise, we’re big fans of history and nostalgic memories of childhood holidays, so our top picks would be St Malo (for the stunning Mont Saint Michel) or one of the Normandy ferry ports like Caen or Cherbourg to visit the D-Day landing beaches.
If you’re bringing your own car or planning to hire one on arrival, you can pretty much head to any of the French ports though, as northern France has so many worthwhile places to visit, including Morlaix, Dinan, Honfleur and Rouen to name a few.
Ferries to France From UK: Outro
With so many UK to France ferries to choose from, you have a wealth of options to discover the beauty, culture, and cuisine of the Gallic country. Cruising across the English channel is genuinely slow and relaxed travel, so, of course, it’s also much better for the environment compared with flying. The northern regions of Brittany and Normandy are some of France’s most beautiful, and both punch well above their weight culturally and gastronomically. Even if you plan to drive straight down to Paris, the south of France, or even further afield, choosing the right ferry route will get your holiday started the right way.
Before you travel, make sure to check out my list of ferry travel requirements to avoid any surprises at the port. And if you’re considering taking a ferry to other European countries, be sure to explore my other detailed guides on ferry routes across Europe.
Bon voyage, and may your journey be as delightful as the destination!
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