Ferry from Spain to UK: Routes, Tickets and Departures

Looking to travel by ferry from Spain to the UK? Here’s all the info for ferries from Spanish Bilbao and Santander to the UK. On all three routes you can take your vehicle, book a cabin,  and bring your pet, along with other great entertainment options that will transform your journey into mini cruise, rather than the classic ferry ride.

• Main ferry routes from Spain to UK
• Ferry companies for Spain to UK
• Taking vehicles and pets on board
• Offers and discounts for ferry from Spain to UK
• Booking tickets for Spain to UK ferry

Main ferry routes from Spain to UK

Ferries from Spain to UK are available from two Spanish ports; Bilbao and Santander.

1. Ferries from Bilbao to Portsmouth
2. Ferries from Santander to Portsmouth
3. Ferries from Santander to Plymouth

1. Ferries from Bilbao to Portsmouth

You can take a ferry from Bilbao, the most populous town in northern Spain, to the UK city of Portsmouth. Ferry from Bilbao to Portsmouth runs twice a week, usually on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Prices for this journey start at €192, with more expensive tickets when choosing a vehicle or a cabin. For instance, if you decide to book a cabin, you’ll pay anywhere from €221 up to €406.

2-bed suite on a ferry sailing from Bilbao to Portsmouth with double beds, direct access to the outside deck. Source: Brittany Ferries

The trip from Bilbao to Portsmouth lasts less than 33 hours, but it will feel shorter with everything you can do onboard. Enjoy your travel time with onboard shopping, movies, sunbathing and sport activities. Shop for perfumes, wines, tech or get a new outfit for your end destination.

2. Ferries from Santander to Portsmouth

Besides traveling from Bilbao, you can travel from Spain to the UK by Santander to Portsmouth ferry. Ferry between Santander and Portsmouth usually operates on Wednesday and Saturday. It’s a bit pricier than the one from Bilbao, starting with one way ticket for assigned seat at €216. Trip is slightly shorter, about 32 hours, and on this ferry you can also board vehicles. Similarly, you can relax and keep up with your sleeping schedule in one of the comfortable cabins.

Take your pets with you on a ferry from UK to Spain. Source: Brittany Ferries / Patrick Browne

Considering the ferry has wellness room, your journey can transform into a real self-care experience. Treat yourself with facial treatments, massage or get a manicure. Hop off the ferry without jet lag, ready for the next adventure.

3. Ferries from Santander to Plymouth

Ferries from Santander to Plymouth sail on Mondays and Thursdays (April to November). This ferry trip is shorter than for the two mentioned routes, it takes over 20 hours. Tickets are more expensive and can vary based on the departure date. For example, in June one way economy ticket with assigned seat costs around €290. As with previous two routes, on the Santander to Plymouth you can also board your car and sleep in the cabin.

Stylish cocktail bar on the Salamanca ferry. Source: B.Deroche / Brittany Ferries

Pont-Aven ferry, which operates on the Santander to Plymouth route, offers real cruise experience. When you hop onboard, you’ll find cinemas, spa rooms, pool and there’s even live entertainment. If you’re traveling with children, they’ll be entertained too. While for children Pont-Aven ferry has playroom and special entertainments program such as treasure hunts, teens can play latest video games and use an air hockey table.

Ferry companies for Spain to UK

French company Brittany Ferries runs all three routes between Spain and the UK. With ships Galicia, Salamanca and Pont-Aven, ferry company provides cruise experience, rather than usual ferry experience. While all three ferries have onboard shopping, sports equipment, children’s play area and movies, Salamanca and Pont-Aven feature additional facilities and entertainment options.

On Salamanca ferry you can relax in a wellness room. Pont-Aven takes it a step further. Along with relaxation in a wellness room, you can have a swim in a pool with a sea view. All three ships have cabins, perfect for couples and families.

Taking vehicles and pets on board

With Brittany Ferries, you can easily board vehicles on all three ferries from Spain to the UK. While booking your ticket with Ferryscanner, you just need to pick type of vehicle and fill out the rest of information such as plate number, brand and fuel. We’ll need the size of your vehicle, along with other details to ensure smooth sailing. Based on all the details provided, you’ll get the calculated price of a ticket for all passengers and your vehicle.

Book Brittany Ferries pet-friendly Premium Plus cabins with a window and laminate flooring with space for a standard-size animal bed. Source: Brittany Ferries

Brittany Ferries welcomes pets to ferries from Spain to UK. On Galicia, vessel operating from Bilbao to Portsmouth, there are pet friendly cabins and kennels. However, pets can’t stay in the vehicle during the journey and dogs must be always muzzled. Same rules apply to Salamanca, ferry sailing between Santander and Portsmouth, and Pont-Aven, ship from Santander to Plymouth. For more information on booking a trip with pets, reach out to our customer support.

Offers and discounts for ferry from Spain to the UK

Brittany Ferries occasionally offers discounts on early bookings which you can directly claim through booking with Ferryscanner. Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest news on the active ferry promo offers. You can also check “Discounts” section on our blog. Along with promo offers, children aged 4 to 15 traveling with Brittany Ferries have 50% discount, while kids under 4 travel for free.

Booking tickets for ferries from Spain to the UK

Book your ferry from Spain to UK on the Ferryscanner website. Using our platform, you can purchase ferry tickets at the same price as on the ferry operator’s websites. Besides the competitive pricing, we offer Brittany Ferries discounts for children and promo offers active on their website. Stay updated on the newest offers by joining our newsletter community.

Ready to book your tickets? Download Ferryscanner app on your Apple or Android phone and book your ferry tickets anytime, anywhere.