Everything you need for your ferry crossings to Brittany. Written by a family who have made this journey. Read our about us page.
Over 30 comprehensive guides • Real ferry experience • Direct to Brittany
The Portsmouth to St Malo ferry is the perfect choice for a relaxing overnight crossing to France. Board in the evening, enjoy dinner on board, sleep comfortably in your private cabin, and wake up in the beautiful walled city of St Malo – ready to explore Brittany.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know – from the hybrid-powered Saint-Malo ship to cabin options, Brittany destinations, and practical travel tips. Whether travelling by car, motorhome, or as a foot passenger, you’ll find detailed guides for every aspect of your journey.
Depart 20:15, arrive 08:45. Travel while you sleep. Wake up in France.
Almost daily in July and August, 6 a week from late March, 4 a week in winter.
Saint-Malo: First hybrid-LNG ferry in the fleet.
Car + 2 passengers off-peak. Foot passengers from £53. Book early.
Gateway to Brittany’s top attractions.
Over 30 comprehensive guides covering ferry booking, cabin types, travel styles, Brittany destinations, and practical tips. From the Saint-Malo ship to Mont Saint-Michel day trips.
Complete ferry guide: Saint-Malo hybrid ship, timetables, onboard facilities, port guides, and booking strategies. Everything from Portsmouth departure to St Malo arrival.
Travelling by motorhome, with pets, cycling, or as a family? Complete guides for every travel style with booking tips and requirements.
Complete guides for St Malo’s walled city, Mont Saint-Michel (just 50 mins), medieval towns, coastal paths, and Brittany’s top attractions.
Sail at 20:15, enjoy dinner onboard, sleep in your private cabin, and wake up in St Malo. Your holiday starts the moment you step onboard.
St Malo is perfectly positioned for Brittany, the Atlantic coast, and the Dordogne. Save miles compared to Calais. Mont Saint-Michel is just 35 miles away.
Sail aboard the Saint-Malo – Brittany Ferries’ first hybrid-LNG ship. Combining liquefied natural gas with a 12MWh battery for greener crossings, she manoeuvres in and out of port on battery power.
Le Littoral brasserie, Le Jardin counter-service restaurant, and the CClub lounge-restaurant with panoramic sea views. The Breizh Ma Bro bar, La Plage beach-themed lounge, a wellness room and duty-free shopping.
St Malo is your perfect base for exploring Brittany’s coast, medieval towns, and France’s top attractions.
*Distances and drive times are approximate and based on the fastest main-road routes from St Malo.
Over 30 comprehensive guides covering everything from the hybrid Saint-Malo ship to Brittany day trips. Your complete Portsmouth to St Malo resource.
The overnight crossing takes around 11 to 12 hours. You depart Portsmouth at 20:15 (8:15 PM) and usually arrive in St Malo at 08:45 French time the next morning – on a few dates the arrival is a little earlier or later because of the tides. The daytime return from St Malo leaves at 10:45 and arrives in Portsmouth at 18:20, around 8.5 hours. It’s a comfortable overnight journey where you can sleep in your cabin.
The route runs all year. From November to mid-March there are 4 sailings a week from Portsmouth (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays). From late March to early November it sails every day except Tuesday, and from late June to the end of August there’s a departure almost every day. Always check current timetables before booking. See complete timetables guide →
Car + 2 passengers starts from £184 each way if you book 3+ months ahead and travel off-peak. Peak summer prices from £250+. Foot passengers from £53. These prices do not include cabins – a cabin is compulsory on overnight sailings on the Saint-Malo, with standard cabins from £70+. Book early and avoid school holidays for the best prices. See complete pricing guide →
The Saint-Malo is the primary ship on this route – Brittany Ferries’ first hybrid-powered vessel combining LNG (liquefied natural gas) with electric battery power. It features Le Littoral brasserie, Le Jardin counter-service restaurant, the CClub lounge-restaurant, and the 27m² Admiral suite. The Armorique operates a small number of sailings instead of the Saint-Malo between 7 and 20 March 2027. Onboard facilities guide →
The Saint-Malo offers standard 2-berth and 4-berth cabins, plus new 6-berth cabins for larger families. Premium options include five different types of Commodore cabins and the exclusive Admiral suite. Pet-friendly, wheelchair-accessible, and allergy-friendly cabins are also available. All cabins are private and ensuite, and a cabin is compulsory on overnight sailings on the Saint-Malo (the Armorique also offers reserved seats). Complete cabins guide →
Mont Saint-Michel is just 35 miles (57km) from St Malo – about 50 minutes by car. It’s one of France’s most visited attractions and makes for an easy day trip from St Malo. This is one of the key advantages of the Portsmouth to St Malo ferry over other routes – you arrive close to Brittany’s top attractions. Mont Saint-Michel day trip guide →
The Portsmouth to St Malo overnight ferry transforms the journey into part of your holiday. Board in the evening, sleep while you travel, and wake up in the heart of Brittany ready to explore.
30+ comprehensive guides • 100,000+ words • Complete ferry & Brittany resource