At first glance, a 30+ hour ferry crossing to Spain may not appeal to many, but think about it for a second. Not only do you get to take your car and enjoy absolute freedom to explore while saving money and time on getting around, but you can bring as much luggage as you want too, all while extricating yourself from the ballache that is modern-day airports and flying.
Taking a ferry to Spain also means that your holiday starts from the moment you leave your house, with the journey across the Channel and the Bay of Biscay becoming one of the most memorable parts of your trip. Being out on deck amidst the sea breeze and endless horizons is also a great way to clear your mind, so you’re way more present on arrival than if arriving by plane.
Anyway, whether you needed convincing or not, this is my guide to ferries from the UK to Spain. I’ll cover the ferry routes and timetables, and also give you my advice on things to do in and around the Spanish ferry ports of Bilbao and Santander. So, grab some jamón, get comfortable, and let’s set sail!
UK TO SPAIN FERRIES: THE BASICS
If you’re planning to travel by ferry to Spain, you have three routes to choose from. All are operated by Brittany Ferries (yes, despite the name, they offer more than just French crossings!), and all depart from two different ports on the southern coast of England: Portsmouth and Plymouth.
- Plymouth, located in Devon in the far southwest of England. Ideal for anyone living in the south-west and Wales in particular.
- Portsmouth, in Hampshire, is just an hour southwest of London by road, offering easy access for anyone coming from the capital and beyond.
All routes lead to just two Spanish ferry ports: Santander and Bilbao. Both offer great access to Northern Spain (more on that below).
It’s worth noting here that there is no direct ferry service from the UK to San Sebastián, nor is there a Dover to Spain ferry. If you’re traveling from Ireland, however, you can take a ferry from Rosslare to Spain. For more information on that, and other international routes to and from Ireland, check out my dedicated guide on Irish ferry travel.
FERRIES TO SANTANDER
Portsmouth to Santander
Operated by Brittany Ferries, this ferry route connects Portsmouth, on the south-central coast of England, with Santander, the capital of the Cantabria region in northern Spain.
You’ll be travelling on the good ship Santoña, with winter (Dec-March) departures once a week every Thursday at 23:30. The main summer timetable starts in late March with weekly sailings on both Mondays and Fridays. For your return trip, ferries from Santander to Portsmouth depart on Sunday and Wednesday afternoons. Check out the full 2025 Portsmouth to Santander ferry schedule below:
Each sailing takes a mere 33 hours (well, this is supposed to be a slow travel website after all!), but this can vary depending on sea conditions. After two nights on board, you’ll arrive in Santander, chomping at the bit to explore the north coast of Spain.
Portsmouth to Santander Ferry Timetable
| Day | Depart Portsmouth | Arrive Santander |
|---|---|---|
|
Monday |
21:30 |
08:00 (+2) |
|
Friday |
21:30 |
08:00 (+2) |
| Day | Depart Santander | Arrive Portsmouth |
|---|---|---|
|
Sunday |
14:00 |
17:30 (+1) |
|
Wednesday |
14:00 |
20:00 (+1) |
Plymouth to Santander
From Plymouth on the south coast of England, Brittany Ferries operates the Plymouth to Santander ferry route, sailing on the good ship Pont Aven. This ferry departs every Wednesday and Sunday from April 2nd, 2025 until early November. There are no winter ferries on this route.
Being located a little further west compared to Portsmouth, the Plymouth to Santander ferry offers a shorter crossing, typically taking around 22 hours (sometimes less) depending on weather conditions. This makes it a great option if you’re looking for a ‘quicker’, yet equally relaxed journey to Santander.
Return ferry crossings from Santander to Plymouth depart on Mondays and Thursdays and get you back to Plymouth for a civilised pre or post lunchtime arrival the following day. Here’s a detailed look at the 2025 Plymouth to Santander ferry timetable:
Plymouth to Santander Ferry Timetable
| Day | Depart Plymouth | Arrive Santander |
|---|---|---|
|
Wednesday |
15:45 |
13:00 (+1) |
|
Sunday |
16:45 |
14:00 (+1) |
| Day | Depart Santander | Arrive Plymouth |
|---|---|---|
|
Monday |
17:00 |
14:00 (+1) |
|
Thursday |
16:00 |
11:15 (+1) |
Cantabria & Asturias: Exploring Northern Spain by Ferry
Santander isn’t just a ferry port – it’s the gateway to Cantabria and Asturias, two of northern Spain’s most beautiful yet underrated regions. From Santander, you’re just a short journey from Picos de Europa, a stunning mountainous national park that spans both, and offers some of the best hiking, outdoor activities, and scenic landscapes in the whole of Spain.
Cantabria and Asturias also boast some of the best surfing spots in Spain, and you’ll find some cool cities and towns like Oviedo, Llanes, and Ribadesella, where the pace of life is just slower. The local cuisine focuses heavily on cheese and cider (so what’s not to love?!) and you’ll find ancient caves and pretty fishing villages scattered all along the ruggedly beautiful, and far less touristy, Costa Verde.
And while Santander is often seen as just a stopover on the way to other destinations, don’t overlook it as a destination itself. For those considering a Santander city break, I’ve written a full guide on what to do there.
Things to do in Cantabria and Asturias
As you plan your ferry trip from the UK to Santander, you may want to consider some of the nearby activities and noteworthy destinations that Cantabria and Asturias have to offer. Here are some top local highlights:
- Picos de Europa National Park: Known for its rugged mountains, diverse wildlife, and picturesque landscapes. From Oviedo or Gijón, take a customizable private tour to the Covadonga Lakes – a stunning natural spot, with plenty of local history and folklore.
- Drop in to Llanes: Visit the cool coastal town of Llanes, home to the Asturian School of Surf, where you can paddle board or learn to surf at various beaches close by.
- Paddle Down the Sella River: The Sella River in and around Arriondas and Cangas de Onís is a great base for adventurers, and river rafting or paddle boarding down the Sella River is almost a right of passage round these parts. Also great for families!
- Explore the local cuisine: Get stuck into Cantabrian and Asturian grub, including seafood, Asturian cider, and traditional dishes like “fabada” (Asturian bean stew) or “cocido montañés” (Cantabrian mountain stew).
- Hike the Camino de Santiago: from Oviedo you can get a taster of one of the world’s most famous pilgrimage routes, the Camino de Santiago, as it passes through both Cantabria and Asturias. On this half-day tour you can hike a portion of the Camino with a private guide.
FERRIES TO BILBAO
Portsmouth to Bilbao
For those traveling to Spain’s Basque Country, Brittany Ferries also offer a Portsmouth to Bilbao ferry. The main summer timetable runs from March 27th, 2025 until November 2nd, 2025, with regular sailings every Thursday and Sunday on the good ship Galicia. Winter sailings (January – March) depart weekly from the UK on Tuesday nights.
Scheduled arrival time is the following morning in Bilbao, but as always this depends on sea conditions. Brittany Ferries themselves say that their journeys can take anything between 20-36 hours, so sit back, relax, and if a little delayed just order yourself another cerveza on-board.
Portsmouth to Bilbao Ferry Timetable
| Day | Depart Portsmouth | Arrive Bilbao |
|---|---|---|
|
Thursday |
19:00 |
08:00 (+2) |
|
Sunday |
22:00 |
08:00 (+2) |
| Day | Depart Bilbao | Arrive Portsmouth |
|---|---|---|
|
Tuesdays |
13:00 |
20:45 (+1) |
|
Saturday |
13:00 |
17:30 (+1) |
Bilbao and the Basque Country
Bilbao is ideal for exploring the Basque Country and Spain’s northeast. Known as ‘El País Vasco’ or ‘Euskadi’ in Basque, locals are fiercely proud of their local identity, which they consider to be quite distinct from the rest of Spain.
Although Bilbao itself is somewhat industrial, it does have a lovely old town with great bars, restaurants and some historic buildings. Outside of town, the surrounding Basque countryside is not only pretty, but also dotted with a ridiculous number of michellin-starred restaurants, as well as plenty of weird and wonderful local festivals to check out.
A short one-hour drive east from Bilbao is San Sebastián (Donostia), which, if you’re already gonna be in Bilbao, is quite frankly a must-visit. If you’re planning on heading there, be sure to check out my guide on how what to do in San Sebastián.
What to see and do in Bilbao and the Basque Country?
- Take a Walking Tour of Bilbao: Discover the highlights of Bilbao on a small-group walking tour, with options for both morning and afternoon departures. The tour includes the Casco Viejo (Old Town), the Guggenheim Museum, Ribera Market, and Santiago Cathedral – so first-time visitors get to cover all the main sites at once.
- Take a food tour in one of the world’s best foodie regions: Food lovers, rejoice! Bilbao is famous for its Pintxos (the Basque version of tapas), and the city’s old town is filled with bars and restaurants serving up delicious bites. so join a Bilbao Food, Wine, and Pintxo Tour. If you’re into fine dining, consider booking a High-end Food Tour with a local guide to discover some of Bilbao’s Michelin-starred restaurants, and for a mix of history and food, check out the Bilbao Food and History Tour.
- Hike the Basque Country’s mountains: The Basque Country has great hiking and you can take a private Basque hiking tour with hotel pick-up and drop-off from anywhere in the Basque Country.
- Visit La Rioja Wine Region: From Bilbao it’s dead easy to visit La Rioja, Spain’s most famous wine region. A private or small-group tour takes you to two top wineries.
A NOTE ON DRIVING IN SPAIN
If you’re planning to take your car with you on the ferry to Spain, keep in mind that Spanish law requires you to carry certain items in your vehicle at all times. The easiest way to stay legal and comply with these regulations is to get yourself a European driving kit, as they cover all the required items, including:
- Reflective vest
- Headlight deflectors & bulb kit
- Magnetic UK car sticker
- Warning triangle
- Breathalyzers (in case you had cheeky glass of Rioja when you shouldn’t have)
These items are mandatory in Spain, and the same rules apply in other European countries including France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Austria, and Poland.
FERRIES TO SPAIN FROM THE UK: OUTRO
Brittany Ferries make it easy to reach either Bilbao or Santander with your car, unlimited luggage, and without the stress of low-cost airlines! Taking a ferry to Spain isn’t just about getting from A to B, it’s about making the journey part of your holiday. Yes, this is (really) slow travel, but the sense of adventure it offers is unmatched by flying.
The still massively underrated coast of northern Spain is waiting for you, so book your tickets and get ready for a proper voyage filled with some good old fashioned contemplation and you time en-route. This is how we used to travel long distances and explore the world, and it’s bloody great!
And if you’re worried about the weather in Spain being a little too caliente for you, then check out my post on the similarly slow England to Holland ferries instead.
Buen viaje, mis amigos!
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