Brittany Ferries
Brittany Ferries is one of the most important ferry companies in western Europe, founded in 1972 in Roscoff (Brittany, France) by a group of Breton farmers led by Alexis Gourvennec with the aim of exporting Breton cauliflowers and artichokes to the United Kingdom. What began as an agricultural cooperative initiative became the reference operator in the western English Channel and the Bay of Biscay, today carrying more than 2.15 million passengers a year across a network of 13 maritime routes connecting France, the United Kingdom, Spain and Ireland. In Spain, its two ports of call — Santander and Bilbao — receive its next-generation cruise ferries powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) — the Salamanca, Santoña and Galicia — which have redefined the standard for maritime travel across the Bay of Biscay.
The Brittany Ferries network spans 13 maritime routes connecting the ports of Brittany and Normandy with southern England, Ireland and northern Spain. The Bay of Biscay crossings — the most popular from Spain — include at least one overnight on board, turning the journey itself into a cruise-ferry experience.
Spain → United Kingdom & Ireland
Santander → Portsmouth ~24 h2/week › Santander → Plymouth ~20 h 15 minUp to 2/week › Bilbao → Portsmouth ~31–36 h2/week › Bilbao → Rosslare (Ireland) ~28 h 30 min1–2/week ›France → United Kingdom & Ireland
Roscoff → Plymouth ~6 hUp to daily › Caen → Portsmouth ~6 hUp to 3/day › Saint-Malo → Portsmouth ~8–11 hUp to daily ›Frequencies vary by season. At the summer peak, up to 16 weekly crossings are offered across the Bay of Biscay. On routes from Spain, travelling with a vehicle and booking accommodation are compulsory. Check up-to-date availability in the iloveferry.com search engine.
The most iconic Brittany Ferries routes are those crossing the Bay of Biscay between northern Spain and southern England. With crossings of between 20 and 36 hours including one or two nights on board, these routes have popularised the concept of the cruise ferry: the journey itself is part of the holiday.
The most popular Bay of Biscay route between Spain and southern England. Around 24 hours crossing with one night on board the Santoña, the newest vessel in the fleet, powered by LNG. Departures on Wednesdays and Sundays; returns on Thursdays and Mondays.
Vessel: Santoña (LNG) · Duration: ~24 h · Ideal for: Families with a car, travellers with pets, slow travel enthusiasts
The fastest crossing between Spain and the United Kingdom (just 20 h). Operated by the Pont-Aven, the company's flagship, with the most extensive range of services in the fleet: swimming pool, spa, theatre, à la carte restaurant and Club Voyage suites. Departures on Mondays and Thursdays in season.
Vessel: Pont-Aven · Duration: ~20 h 15 min · Ideal for: Travellers heading to west and south-west England, those seeking the premium on-board experience
The longest Brittany Ferries crossing from Spain (up to 36 h, two nights on board). Operated by the Salamanca, the first LNG-powered vessel in the fleet. With an estimated 46% reduction in CO₂ per passenger, it is also the most sustainable crossing. Departures on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Vessel: Salamanca (LNG) · Duration: ~31–36 h · Ideal for: Travellers from the Basque Country and northern Spain, cruise-experience lovers, lorry drivers
The only direct link between Spain and Ireland, without going through the United Kingdom. With ~28 h 30 min crossing on board the Salamanca or the Santoña, it is the route with the highest proportion of Spanish-origin passengers in the entire fleet (17% of the total). Historically the newest of the Cantabrian routes (inaugurated in 2010).
Vessel: Salamanca / Santoña (LNG) · Duration: ~28 h 30 min · Ideal for: Tourists travelling to Ireland, passengers in transit to northern Europe
Brittany Ferries massively renewed its fleet between 2019 and 2025, adding five new vessels of the Stena RoRo E-Flexer class: three powered by LNG (Galicia, Salamanca and Santoña) and two hybrid LNG/electric (Saint-Malo in 2025 and Guillaume de Normandie in 2025) for the English Channel routes. The vessels serving Spain stand out for their 215-metre length, 1,015 passenger places and more than 2,700 linear metres of vehicle garage. The total investment in the renewal programme amounts to €550 million, the largest in the company's history. The full fleet comprises 13 vessels covering 13 maritime routes.
The four vessels operating the routes between Spain and the United Kingdom/Ireland are the most modern and largest in the entire Brittany Ferries fleet. The three LNG-powered E-Flexer ships represent the company's most ambitious renewal programme and have placed Brittany Ferries at the forefront of sustainability in European maritime transport.
Salamanca · LNG · E-Flexer · 2022
First vessel in the fleet powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). Length: 215 m. Beam: 27.8 m. Capacity: 1,015 passengers, 341 cabins, 2,714 linear metres of garage. Propulsion: LNG + diesel. Speed: 22 knots. Estimated ~46% CO₂ reduction per passenger. Route: Bilbao–Portsmouth and Bilbao–Rosslare. Restaurant, tapas bar, shops, sports deck, spa, pet-friendly cabins.
Santoña · LNG · E-Flexer · 2023
Sister ship of the Salamanca. Length: 214.5 m. Beam: 27.8 m. Displacement: 41,716 t. Capacity: 1,015 passengers, 341 cabins (22 adapted for pets), 2.7 km of garage, 85 crew. Propulsion: LNG. The first vessel to be refuelled with LNG at the Port of Santander (Repsol terminal). Route: Santander–Portsmouth. The newest vessel calling at Spanish ports.
Galicia · Diesel/LNG ready · E-Flexer · 2019
First E-Flexer vessel in the fleet, entering service in December 2020. The most recognisable of the three thanks to its unique tapas restaurant (the only one in the fleet) paying homage to the Galician region. Initially operated the Santander–Portsmouth route and provides reinforcements in peak season. Same length and capacity specifications as its sister ships.
Pont-Aven · Flagship · 2004
Historic flagship of Brittany Ferries. The vessel with the most extensive services: swimming pool, spa, theatre, à la carte restaurant, several bars, casino, shops and Club Voyage suites (the most luxurious accommodation in the entire fleet). Operates the Santander–Plymouth route (~20 h), the fastest between Spain and the United Kingdom. Capacity for 2,400 passengers and 650 vehicles.
Brittany Ferries operates in 12 ports spread across Spain, France, the United Kingdom and Ireland. The Spanish ports of Santander and Bilbao are the only ones with a direct connection to the United Kingdom and Ireland from the Iberian Peninsula, and both have modern terminals with LNG bunkering facilities.
Brittany Ferries has several types of discounts and fare options designed for different traveller profiles. Booking early is the key factor in securing the best fares, particularly on routes from Spain during the peak season.
Fares on routes from Spain always include the vehicle and accommodation (compulsory on long-distance crossings). The foot-passenger fare is supplementary and may vary depending on the vessel assigned. Compare all options available for your dates in the iloveferry.com search engine.
Crossings between Spain and the United Kingdom or Ireland last between 20 and 36 hours and include one or two nights on board. On all of them, booking accommodation is compulsory at the time of purchase. Brittany Ferries offers the widest range of options in the industry on these routes:
Brittany Ferries does not apply luggage limits on its crossings; passengers may bring as much luggage as they can carry unaided to their cabin or lounge. The vehicle decks remain closed during the crossing, so all luggage needed during the journey must be removed from the vehicle before departure. Luggage storage lockers are available on board in the corridors of the vessels.
On routes from Spain, travelling with a vehicle is compulsory: there is no foot-passenger service. Cars, motorbikes, vans, caravans, motorhomes and lorries are all accepted. The ticket price varies according to the vehicle's dimensions (length and height). You must arrive at the terminal at least 90 minutes before departure. Once your vehicle is parked on the vehicle deck, you will not be able to return to it during the crossing. Motorbikes are slung and secured in the standard way in the garage.
Brittany Ferries accepts pets on all its routes serving Spain. The new vessels Salamanca and Santoña have cabins specifically adapted for travellers with animals (22 pet-friendly cabins on the Santoña). Pet places are limited and must be booked at the same time as the ticket. During the crossing, animals may only be in the cabin or in the designated pet areas on deck; they are not permitted in restaurants, bars or indoor public areas. Up-to-date veterinary documentation is compulsory and varies by destination:
Updated documentation requirements: for the United Kingdom a valid passport is compulsory (national ID cards have not been accepted since October 2021) and an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) is required for EU citizens from 2 April 2025 (apply at gov.uk before travelling). For Ireland, a national ID card or passport is sufficient. Always check the requirements in force at the time of your trip.
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