By ferry to the south coast of England

Getting to the terminal in Cherbourg

The ferry to Portsmouth sails from the Gare maritime transmanche, Terminal 1, 50100 Cherbourg-en-Cotentin. The ferry port is well signposted throughout the town, and you can also find the check-in with what3words. In front of the Gare maritime there is a free car park for short and long stays, open 24 hours. Without a car, a taxi from the station gets you to the terminal in around 10 minutes. Monday to Saturday, Cap Cotentin bus line 8 runs from the Gare maritime to the station, with a shuttle bus on Sundays and public holidays. Parking, buses and terminal facilities are covered on ferries from Cherbourg.

Check-in and documents

The check-in deadline that applies to you is shown on your e-ticket. Foot passengers should arrive at least 60 minutes before departure, and at least 90 minutes with a pet. Brittany Ferries requires a valid passport from all passengers. Travellers from the EU need a passport for the UK in any case, valid for the whole trip; a national identity card is not accepted.

If you hold a British or Irish passport, you don’t need an ETA. Visitors from Europe have needed an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) since 2 April 2025, one per person, babies included. Since February 2026 carriers can refuse travellers without one. Apply at least three days before you travel, through the government website gov.uk/eta, as there are copycat sites. The ETA is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires, and each stay can last up to 6 months.

On board

Which cabins are available on Brittany Ferries depends on the ship: the choice runs from luxury cabins to reserved seats. Prices on board are in euros. Internet access is only available as a paid satellite package.

Vehicles, bikes and pets

When you book, you’ll see whether you can travel as a foot passenger or with a bicycle: Brittany Ferries only shows these options if the route offers them. There are no charging points for electric cars on board or at the terminal in Cherbourg, so charge up before you check in.

Pets can only travel if you go by car. Depending on the ship, your pet stays in the vehicle, in a kennel or in a pet-friendly cabin, and outside the vehicle your dog must wear a muzzle. Brittany Ferries checks the paperwork online in advance, free of charge, in the 96 hours before departure. Leave the pet sticker on your car until you have left the port in Portsmouth, or your pet may face a short spell in quarantine.

For Great Britain your pet first needs a microchip, then a rabies vaccination at the age of 12 weeks at the earliest, followed by a 21-day wait. You also need an EU pet passport or an animal health certificate. Dogs need a tapeworm treatment 24 hours to 5 days before arrival. If anything is missing, your pet faces up to 4 months in quarantine or, when arriving by sea, may be refused entry. For the return journey to the EU, the EU pet passport is enough.

Arriving in Portsmouth

The ferry docks at Portsmouth port, George Byng Way, PO2 8SP. By car, you leave the port on the M275. Without a car, Stagecoach bus 20 and First buses 8, X4 and X9 serve the port, and National Express coaches run right to it. The terminal has free Wi-Fi, and Instavolt charging points for electric cars are available at the port. Dogs and bicycles are not allowed inside the terminal.

Booking

You can book your ticket with the button above or directly with Brittany Ferries. Every route from the Gare maritime is listed on ferries from Cherbourg, and how the port and the town fit together is explained on the harbour page.