Ferries from the UK and Ireland to Spain [Brittany Ferries]

Taking the ferry from the UK or Ireland is a very popular way to visit one of the best vacation destinations in Europe, the wonderful country of Spain!

On Ferryhopper, you can find all necessary information about active ferry routes from the UK and Ireland to Spain, so you can start planning your trip. Find out about ferry schedules and frequency, duration and prices and explore all your travel options.

1. Ferries from the UK to Spain
2. Ferries from Ireland to Spain
3. Ferries companies operating from the UK and Ireland to Spain
4. English, Irish and Spanish ports
5. FAQs about your ferry trip

Aerial view of the port of Portsmouth in southern England

Ferries between the UK and Spain

Traveling by ferry is a very popular option to reach Spain from the UK. There are currently 3 ferry routes connecting the UK with Spain, starting from the ports of Portsmouth and Plymouth in England: the Portsmouth - Santander ferry route, the Plymouth - Santander ferry route and the Portsmouth - Bilbao ferry route.

All 3 ferry routes are operated by the ferry company Brittany Ferries. The company serves weekly crossings mostly in spring, summer and autumn.

Ferry from Portsmouth to Bilbao

The Portsmouth - Bilbao ferry route is available with up to 2 crossings per week (usually on Thursdays and Sundays) from late March to early November. The ferry trip is overnight (two nights) and the duration is 32.5 hours on average.The distance between Portsmouth and Bilbao is around 657 nautical miles.

Ticket prices for the ferry from Portsmouth to Bilbao start at around €105.

Ferry from Portsmouth to Santander

The ferry route from Portsmouth to Santander is usually operated all year round with 2 weekly crossings. The ferry trip is overnight (two nights) and can last between 28.5 and 33.5 hours, depending on the vessel operating on the trip. The distance between the port of Portsmouth and the port of Santander is 622 nautical miles.

You can book Portsmouth - Santander tickets starting at about €105.

Good to know: the company’s greener ships, such as Santoña, operate on this route. 

Ferry from Plymouth to Santander

The Plymouth - Santander ferry connection is served from late March to early November with up to 2 weekly crossings departing on Sundays and Wednesdays. The overnight ferry ride lasts a bit over 20 hours. Ferry tickets usually start at around €120.

The vessel that operates the ferry route from Plymouth to Santander is Pont-Aven, a very modern ferry with award-winning services and top-class facilities. The distance between Plymouth and Santander is 478 nautical miles.

The picturesque harbor of Plymouth

Ferries between Ireland and Spain

There are 2 ferry routes connecting Ireland with Spain, starting from the port of Rosslare which is located in southern Ireland and is connected with Bilbao and Santander in Spain.

The 2 routes are operated by Brittany Ferries. The operator serves weekly crossings mostly in spring, summer and autumn.

Ferry from Rosslare to Bilbao

The Rosslare - Bilbao ferry connection is normally active from late March to early November. The distance between Rosslare and Bilbao is around 632 nautical miles.

Ferry crossings are usually operated twice a week (on Wednesdays and Fridays) by the Brittany Ferries vessels Salamanca and Galicia, and are overnight. The duration of the ferry trip from Rosslare to Bilbao ranges from 26.5 to 31.5 hours.

Ferry ticket prices vary depending on the season and the accommodation you choose, but they usually start at €99 for foot passengers.

Ferry from Rosslare to Santander

The Rosslare - Santander ferry connection is normally active from November to March. The distance between Rosslare and Santander is around 597 nautical miles.

The ferry route is normally operated twice a week (on Tuesdays and Fridays) by the Brittany Ferries vessels Salamanca and Santoña, and crossings are overnight. Ferry time from Rosslare to Santander ranges from around 28 to 31 hours.

Ferry ticket prices usually start at €99 for foot passengers, but prices vary depending on the season and the accommodation you choose.

The impressive lighthouse of Rosslare

Which ferry companies operate from the UK and Ireland to Spain?

The only ferry company that operates the ferry crossings from the UK and Ireland to Spain is Brittany Ferries. The company’s fleet, consisting of several vessels, is capable of accommodating all your needs.

English, Irish and Spanish ports

For your ferry trip from the UK or Ireland to Spain, there are 5 possible port options; 2 in the UK, 1 in Ireland and 2 in Spain. When choosing your port of departure, you should take into consideration the location of the port, as it’s best to arrive there at least 2 hours before departure.

Ports in England

• Portsmouth: the only island city in the United Kingdom. Portsmouth is located in South East England, in the county of Hampshire, just 106 km south-west of London.
• Plymouth: a vibrant waterfront city with a long-lasting seafaring tradition located in South West England. The distance between Plymouth and London is around 309 km.

Ports in Ireland

• Rosslare: a seaside village in County Wexford, southeastern Ireland, Rosslare is a sunny attraction with unspoilt landscapes. It is located about 120 km from the capital of Dublin.

Ports in Spain

• Santander: a modern Spanish port city on the northern shores of Spain. With great food and lovely beaches, Santander could be your final destination or the starting point for your Spanish adventure.
• Bilbao: the wonderful city of Bilbao, the largest city in the autonomous Basque Country and a very popular tourist destination, can be reached in just 20 minutes from the ferry port of Bilbao.

A Brittany Ferries vessel resting at night

FAQS about your ferry trip to Spain from the UK or Ireland

Find answers to your questions and useful information about ferry prices, duration and amenities available when traveling from the UK or Ireland to Spain:

How long is the ferry trip from the UK to Spain?

The duration of a ferry crossing from the UK to Spain mainly depends on the port of departure and the destination, the type of vessel, the ferry itinerary, as well as the weather conditions.

The shortest UK - Spain ferry trip is the one from Plymouth to Santander, lasting as little as 20 hours 15 minutes. The longest ferry crossing is from Portsmouth to Bilbao, with a duration of at least 31.5 hours and up to 36 hours.

How much is the ferry from the UK to Spain?

Ferry ticket prices vary largely depending on the time of the year you want to travel. As a general rule, ferry tickets from the UK to Spain are at their cheapest off season, for example in April, October or November, while they may be as much as double in cost in the summer.

A single ferry ticket from the UK to Spain usually ranges between €90-100 and €270.

Can I travel with my car from the UK or Ireland to Spain?

Cars can be boarded on all crossings from the UK and Ireland to Spain served by Brittany Ferries vessels.

As traveling with a vehicle on ferries from the UK and Ireland to Spain is very popular, we recommend booking your ferry tickets well in advance.

Can I bring a pet on the ferry from the UK or Ireland to Spain?

Brittany Ferries offers 3 options to bring your pet on board the ferry from the UK or Ireland to Spain. More specifically, depending on the vessel serving the crossing, you may choose between pet-friendly cabins or kennels. Alternatively, your pet can stay in your vehicle during the journey. Pets should wear a muzzle and a leash at all times outside the cabin, kennel or car.

Make sure to bring along (or register online) all necessary pet health documents.

If you're thinking of traveling with your pet, bear in mind that space is usually limited, especially in the summer. Therefore, make sure to book well in advance.

Find out all about pet ferry travel from the UK to Spain on our complete guide.

The delightful old port of Plymouth packed with boats

Book ferry tickets from the UK and Ireland to Spain

At the moment, it is not possible to book tickets for ferries connecting the UK and Ireland with Spain on Ferryhopper, but we are constantly working on including new ferry routes.

For now, you can use our Map of ferries to get a glimpse of all available connections from the UK and Ireland to Spain and… stay tuned in this page for the latest news!