Two ferry routes cross the Bay of Biscay from Portsmouth to northern Spain: Brittany Ferries sails to Santander in Cantabria and to Bilbao in the Basque Country. Both are long crossings — 24 to 35 hours at sea — but for families with cars, motorhomes, cyclists, and anyone who wants to arrive in Spain properly rather than squeezed into an aeroplane, they offer something that a budget flight cannot: space, comfort, and the Bay of Biscay itself.
The two routes compared
Portsmouth to Santander
The Santander crossing takes approximately 24–26 hours and runs several times per week in summer, less frequently in winter. Santander is the capital of Cantabria on Spain's green Atlantic coast — lush, dramatically cliffy, and a good starting point for Picos de Europa, Asturias or a drive east towards the Basque Country.
Portsmouth to Bilbao
The Bilbao route takes roughly 32–35 hours, which reflects Bilbao's position further east along the Spanish coast. The crossing is longer but Bilbao itself is one of Spain's most interesting cities — the Guggenheim, the old Casco Viejo, and some of the best eating in the country. From Bilbao, France and the Pyrenees are within easy reach, and the Basque coast is spectacular.
The Bay of Biscay: the Bay has a reputation for rough water and earns it — particularly in autumn and winter. Even in summer it can be lumpy. Come prepared with seasickness remedies and take them before departure rather than after you feel unwell. An outside cabin with a porthole gives you a horizon to focus on, which helps.
Brittany Ferries: on-board experience
Brittany Ferries operates high-quality cruise-ferries on these routes — some of the most comfortable short-sea ferries in the world. The ships on the Spain routes tend to be among the company's larger and better-equipped vessels. On-board you can expect:
- Cabin categories ranging from inside two-berth to outside and sea-view options, through to suites.
- Restaurant dining with table service — these are proper sit-down meals, not just a cafeteria.
- A buffet restaurant for more flexible eating.
- Bar and lounge areas, often with live music in the evenings.
- A cinema on longer crossings.
- Spa and pool on some ships — the Cap Finistère on the Bilbao run, for example.
- Children's play areas and family-friendly facilities.
The crossing is long enough that most people regard it as part of the holiday rather than merely a crossing. An overnight sailing from Portsmouth, with dinner, a film, a night's sleep in a proper berth, and then breakfast as the Spanish coast comes into view, is a genuinely good experience.
Fares and cabin choices
Fares vary substantially by season, by how far in advance you book, and by cabin grade. As a general principle:
- Book early (several months ahead for summer sailings) for the best combination of price and cabin choice.
- A cabin is all but essential on a 24–35 hour crossing — budget for one rather than trying to sleep in a reclining seat for a day and a half.
- Peak summer sailings (July and August, particularly around Spanish bank holidays) are the most expensive; spring and autumn crossings can be significantly cheaper for the same route.
- Vehicle spaces have their own pricing on top of passenger fares.
Brittany Ferries also operates a loyalty scheme and sometimes runs early-booking promotions, so signing up to their newsletter if you are planning ahead is worthwhile.
Taking a car or motorhome
The Portsmouth–Spain routes are particularly popular with motorists, and for good reason. You load your car in Portsmouth and unload it in Santander or Bilbao — no cramped hire-car desk at a Spanish airport, no waiting for a transfer bus, and all your gear comes with you. Motorhomes and campervans are common passengers, and the routes are a natural start for a touring holiday along the Atlantic coast.
Cyclists also use the route in good numbers. Bikes travel in the hold and Brittany Ferries is generally well-set-up for cyclists, with reasonable supplements and luggage handling at check-in.
If you have not taken a car on a large ferry before, the Viamo guide to taking a car on a ferry explains check-in, the car deck, and what to bring versus what to leave in the hold.
Getting to Portsmouth
Portsmouth Harbour station is on the mainline from London Waterloo — the journey takes a little over an hour and the station exit is essentially at the ferry terminal entrance. From London by car, the M3 and A3 both head south towards Portsmouth.
Check-in opens several hours before departure and vehicle check-in closes well in advance of passenger check-in — Brittany Ferries is specific about cut-off times in their booking confirmation, and they mean it. Allow plenty of time, especially in summer when the port can be very busy.
Comparing it with flying
For a solo traveller with hand luggage only, flying to Bilbao or Santander airports from London is faster and often cheaper in headline fare. But the comparison shifts once you add a car, a family, or luggage. You also land in a large city and still need to get to wherever you are actually going in Spain, whereas the ferry drops you on the Atlantic coast ready to drive.
There is also the question of what you want the journey to be. The ferry is slow by air-travel standards and fast by road-and-tunnel standards; it is a change of pace that suits certain types of trip very well.
Onward travel from Santander and Bilbao
Both ports are well positioned for different parts of Spain. From Santander, the A-8 motorway runs west into Asturias and east into the Basque Country; the A-67 heads south through the mountains to Burgos and the meseta. From Bilbao, France is less than an hour east on the motorway, and San Sebastián / Donostia is 100 km along the coast.
If you are planning a longer Spanish road trip, the Viamo guide to driving Atlantic coastlines has ideas for extending the journey.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the ferry from Portsmouth to Santander?
The crossing takes approximately 24–26 hours depending on the sailing. Brittany Ferries typically departs Portsmouth in the early afternoon or evening, arriving in Santander the following day.
Is the Bilbao or Santander ferry better?
It depends where you want to arrive. Santander is better placed for Cantabria, Asturias and the Picos de Europa; Bilbao is the stronger city, closer to France and the French Basque Country. The Bilbao crossing is also about 8–10 hours longer, which matters for comfort and cost.
Do I need a cabin on the Portsmouth to Spain ferry?
A cabin is strongly recommended. The crossing is 24–35 hours, which is a long time in a reclining seat. Even an inside cabin gives you a proper berth, privacy and somewhere to freshen up, making the journey considerably more comfortable.
Can I take a dog on Brittany Ferries to Spain?
Yes. Brittany Ferries accommodates pets in on-board kennels or, on some ships, in pet-friendly cabins. Book the pet space at the same time as the sailing and follow the documentation requirements — which include microchipping and a health certificate. Check current rules with Brittany Ferries and with Spanish and UK authorities.
Sources and further reading:
- Routes, timetables and on-board details: Brittany Ferries (brittany-ferries.co.uk).
- Ferry booking guidance: booking ferries explained.
- Vehicle ferry logistics: taking a car on a ferry.