Ferries that operate to Spain

Travelling to Spain by ferry and taking your own car can often be cheaper than flying and then hiring a car once you arrive in Spain, especially if you have a large family and are travelling in high season. And for families heading for a Spanish campsite ferry travel is a must.

The length of the ferry crossing depends on each route and each ferry company. The ferries are equipped with shops, cinemas, bars, restautants. You are normally allowed to take pets with you. On the longer routes there are different types of cabins from luxury to standard etc. The different prices of ferries depend not only on the length of the crossing, but also on the size and speed of each vessel and sailing times. This means that the price of the same route with the same ferry operator can vary, so check carefully before booking.

Ferry Routes to Spain:

• Plymouth - Santander. An excellent choice if you want to arrive in Spain without having to travel through France. The Brittany ferry operating this route is very large and modern, and is well equipped for families with children of all ages (see photos of Santander-Plymouth ferry). It has a small pool on one of the upper decks, a large restaurant serving reasonable meals, a games room, kids club, cinema etc. There are also all sorts of cabins available from standard interior/exterior to club category (with satellite TV) and luxury. High season prices range from about £958.00 GBP for a standard 4-berth cabin with WC and shower + family car to about £1200.00 GBP for a deluxe 4-berth outside cabin. The earlier you book, the easier it is to get low prices.
• Portsmouth - Bilbao. The alternative route for travellers preferring to come straight to Spain, operated by P&O Ferries. Similar prices and facilities as the Brittany route to Santander, except that no four-berth de luxe cabins are available, so families need to either book 2 cabins (which is rather expensive) or go for a standard 4-berth one.

Ferry routes to Spain via France:

These are some the the existing routes and their advantages (click to get maps on google to help you plan your route in more detail following disembarkment):

• Portsmouth (UK) - Caen (France)
  • Ferry crossing only takes 210 minutes
  • Excellent motorway connection to Portsmouth (M27, M3 and M25) for travelling from London, the Midlands and the North.
  • Easy access to Paris and the East of France, for example the Loire Valley and then down to Spain via Perpignan and Barcelona.
    
    
• Portsmouth (UK) - St. Malo (France)
  
  
  • Easy access to Britanny and French Normandy and then down to Spain via Bourg-Madame, if you take the N-20.
  • The most Southern port in France. Easy access to and from the Loire Valley.
    
    
• Portsmouth (UK) - Cherbourg (France)
  
  
  • From Cherbourg take the N-13 and then take the national roads from Normandy and Brittany. Easy access to the Loire Valley.
  • Ferry crossing takes just 180 minutes
    
    

    

• Poole (UK) - Cherbourg (France)
  
  
  • From Cherbourg (advantages mentioned above).
  • Crossing 135 minutes
  • From Poole easy access to Bath and the M3 and M27 motorways (also the A35) for travelling either East or West.
    
    
• Plymouth (UK)- Roscoff (France)

• Roscoff is one of the prettiest ports in this part of France, ideal for travelling to or from or to Brittany and down towards Spain
  
  
• Poole (UK) - St. MalO (France)
  
  
  • A very popular route as the crossing takes just 5 hours and the Condor ferry is small, so boarding on and off is relatively quick and painless
  • Seats available in standard and club class. The central area can get very crowded and very noisy in high season, so it can be worth paying a little extra if you would appreciate a more peaceful crossing.
    

Reservations can be made directly via the home page of Brittany Ferries and P&0 or Condor, and large groups are often offered discounts. Brittany offers 33% discount to property owners in France and Spain, for both passengers and vehicles.