Ferry prices move with season, how far ahead you book, your vehicle, and whether you take a cabin, so there’s no single “from” price worth quoting here, it would be out of date within weeks. Here’s what actually drives the cost, and two real examples of what we paid.
For current prices: check Brittany Ferries for the France and Spain routes, Condor for Guernsey or DFDS for Jersey, with your actual travel dates.
Price-watching? Our sister site keeps a running list of current Brittany Ferries deals and offers. We do not run offers here, because they go stale faster than a site this size can maintain them.
What your booking will be made of
Pick who is travelling and the kind of crossing, and this sets out what you are actually paying for, where a cabin stops being optional, and what makes the difference between a cheap booking and an expensive one on the same route.
Who is travelling?
What kind of crossing?
A daytime crossing to France on foot. Caen runs daytime sailings every day; Cherbourg and Saint-Malo only on certain days.
Cabin. No cabin needed. Six to eleven hours in a seat, with the decks, restaurants and shops to use.
- A passenger fare each, with no vehicle to pay for. Far and away the cheapest way to cross.
- Getting to and from the port at both ends is on you, so count the taxi or the bus into the total.
- The cheapest shape of trip from Portsmouth, but it costs you a day.
On top of the fare
- Emissions surcharge, about £3 each way. £3 for one person. It applies to every booking, and discounts and offers do not come off it.
- A pet is from £35 each way, and a pet-friendly cabin has to be booked as such.
- The ticket type changes what a change costs. Early Bird is the cheapest and refunds nothing, Standard allows free amendments until two weeks before, Flexi until four hours before.
An overnight crossing to France on foot. Caen and Cherbourg are the usual night crossings, Saint-Malo runs them too.
Cabin. A cabin or a reserved seat has to be booked in advance while they last, and a cabin is the normal choice. Cabin prices are not published, they come out in the booking.
- A passenger fare each, with no vehicle to pay for. Far and away the cheapest way to cross.
- Getting to and from the port at both ends is on you, so count the taxi or the bus into the total.
- You trade the cabin against a hotel and a day of driving, which is usually why people pick it.
- The Caen night sailings are the first to sell out, so booking late hurts most here.
On top of the fare
- Emissions surcharge, about £3 each way. £3 for one person. It applies to every booking, and discounts and offers do not come off it.
- A pet is from £35 each way, and a pet-friendly cabin has to be booked as such.
- The ticket type changes what a change costs. Early Bird is the cheapest and refunds nothing, Standard allows free amendments until two weeks before, Flexi until four hours before.
A crossing to Spain on foot. Santander and Bilbao, both Brittany Ferries.
Cabin. A cabin is not really optional. Two nights in a reclining seat is a long time, and there is no version of this trip where you simply stay up. Cabin prices are not published, they come out in the booking.
- A passenger fare each, with no vehicle to pay for. Far and away the cheapest way to cross.
- Getting to and from the port at both ends is on you, so count the taxi or the bus into the total.
- Weigh it against two days of driving through France, the fuel, the tolls and a night or two in hotels.
- Low frequency is the other cost. A full sailing means waiting days rather than hours, so book well ahead.
On top of the fare
- Emissions surcharge, about £3 each way. £3 for one person. It applies to every booking, and discounts and offers do not come off it.
- A pet is from £50 each way, and a pet-friendly cabin has to be booked as such.
- The ticket type changes what a change costs. Early Bird is the cheapest and refunds nothing, Standard allows free amendments until two weeks before, Flexi until four hours before.
A daytime crossing to France with a car and two people. Caen runs daytime sailings every day; Cherbourg and Saint-Malo only on certain days.
Cabin. No cabin needed. Six to eleven hours in a seat, with the decks, restaurants and shops to use.
- The vehicle and the people in it are booked together, so the number of passengers matters as well as the car.
- Vehicle supplements start above 5 metres long or 1.83 metres high. A roof box or a bike rack counts towards that height.
- The cheapest shape of trip from Portsmouth, but it costs you a day.
On top of the fare
- Emissions surcharge, about £17 each way. 2 x £3 for the people, plus £11 for the vehicle. It applies to every booking, and discounts and offers do not come off it. Caen and Cherbourg. Saint-Malo is a western Channel route, where the car rate is £14.00 and a motorhome £17.00.
- Vehicle supplement above 5 metres long or 1.83 metres high for a car. Roof boxes and bike carriers count towards the height, and getting the measurements wrong means paying at the port.
- A pet is from £35 each way, and a pet-friendly cabin has to be booked as such.
- The ticket type changes what a change costs. Early Bird is the cheapest and refunds nothing, Standard allows free amendments until two weeks before, Flexi until four hours before.
An overnight crossing to France with a car and two people. Caen and Cherbourg are the usual night crossings, Saint-Malo runs them too.
Cabin. A cabin or a reserved seat has to be booked in advance while they last, and a cabin is the normal choice. Cabin prices are not published, they come out in the booking.
- The vehicle and the people in it are booked together, so the number of passengers matters as well as the car.
- Vehicle supplements start above 5 metres long or 1.83 metres high. A roof box or a bike rack counts towards that height.
- You trade the cabin against a hotel and a day of driving, which is usually why people pick it.
- The Caen night sailings are the first to sell out, so booking late hurts most here.
On top of the fare
- Emissions surcharge, about £17 each way. 2 x £3 for the people, plus £11 for the vehicle. It applies to every booking, and discounts and offers do not come off it. Caen and Cherbourg. Saint-Malo is a western Channel route, where the car rate is £14.00 and a motorhome £17.00.
- Vehicle supplement above 5 metres long or 1.83 metres high for a car. Roof boxes and bike carriers count towards the height, and getting the measurements wrong means paying at the port.
- A pet is from £35 each way, and a pet-friendly cabin has to be booked as such.
- The ticket type changes what a change costs. Early Bird is the cheapest and refunds nothing, Standard allows free amendments until two weeks before, Flexi until four hours before.
A crossing to Spain with a car and two people. Santander and Bilbao, both Brittany Ferries.
Cabin. A cabin is not really optional. Two nights in a reclining seat is a long time, and there is no version of this trip where you simply stay up. Cabin prices are not published, they come out in the booking.
- The vehicle and the people in it are booked together, so the number of passengers matters as well as the car.
- Vehicle supplements start above 5 metres long or 1.83 metres high. A roof box or a bike rack counts towards that height.
- Weigh it against two days of driving through France, the fuel, the tolls and a night or two in hotels.
- Low frequency is the other cost. A full sailing means waiting days rather than hours, so book well ahead.
On top of the fare
- Emissions surcharge, about £40 each way. 2 x £3 for the people, plus £34 for the vehicle. It applies to every booking, and discounts and offers do not come off it.
- Vehicle supplement above 5 metres long or 1.83 metres high for a car. Roof boxes and bike carriers count towards the height, and getting the measurements wrong means paying at the port.
- A pet is from £50 each way, and a pet-friendly cabin has to be booked as such.
- The ticket type changes what a change costs. Early Bird is the cheapest and refunds nothing, Standard allows free amendments until two weeks before, Flexi until four hours before.
A daytime crossing to France with a car and four people. Caen runs daytime sailings every day; Cherbourg and Saint-Malo only on certain days.
Cabin. No cabin needed. Six to eleven hours in a seat, with the decks, restaurants and shops to use.
- Four passengers plus the car, and on a long crossing that is four people who need somewhere to sit or sleep.
- Children usually cost less than adults on the fare itself, though the emissions surcharge is the same £3 for a child aged four to fifteen.
- The cheapest shape of trip from Portsmouth, but it costs you a day.
On top of the fare
- Emissions surcharge, about £23 each way. 4 x £3 for the people, plus £11 for the vehicle. It applies to every booking, and discounts and offers do not come off it. Caen and Cherbourg. Saint-Malo is a western Channel route, where the car rate is £14.00 and a motorhome £17.00.
- Vehicle supplement above 5 metres long or 1.83 metres high for a car. Roof boxes and bike carriers count towards the height, and getting the measurements wrong means paying at the port.
- A pet is from £35 each way, and a pet-friendly cabin has to be booked as such.
- The ticket type changes what a change costs. Early Bird is the cheapest and refunds nothing, Standard allows free amendments until two weeks before, Flexi until four hours before.
What we paid: We paid £315.50 for four people and a car, no cabin, Saint-Malo to Portsmouth on a daytime sailing in August 2025. One booking on one date, so treat it as a sense of scale rather than a quote.
An overnight crossing to France with a car and four people. Caen and Cherbourg are the usual night crossings, Saint-Malo runs them too.
Cabin. A cabin or a reserved seat has to be booked in advance while they last, and a cabin is the normal choice. Cabin prices are not published, they come out in the booking.
- Four passengers plus the car, and on a long crossing that is four people who need somewhere to sit or sleep.
- Children usually cost less than adults on the fare itself, though the emissions surcharge is the same £3 for a child aged four to fifteen.
- You trade the cabin against a hotel and a day of driving, which is usually why people pick it.
- The Caen night sailings are the first to sell out, so booking late hurts most here.
On top of the fare
- Emissions surcharge, about £23 each way. 4 x £3 for the people, plus £11 for the vehicle. It applies to every booking, and discounts and offers do not come off it. Caen and Cherbourg. Saint-Malo is a western Channel route, where the car rate is £14.00 and a motorhome £17.00.
- Vehicle supplement above 5 metres long or 1.83 metres high for a car. Roof boxes and bike carriers count towards the height, and getting the measurements wrong means paying at the port.
- A pet is from £35 each way, and a pet-friendly cabin has to be booked as such.
- The ticket type changes what a change costs. Early Bird is the cheapest and refunds nothing, Standard allows free amendments until two weeks before, Flexi until four hours before.
What we paid: We paid £408.00 for four people, a car and a four berth outside cabin, Portsmouth to Cherbourg overnight in August 2025, booked at short notice in peak season. One booking on one date, so treat it as a sense of scale rather than a quote.
A crossing to Spain with a car and four people. Santander and Bilbao, both Brittany Ferries.
Cabin. A cabin is not really optional. Two nights in a reclining seat is a long time, and there is no version of this trip where you simply stay up. Cabin prices are not published, they come out in the booking.
- Four passengers plus the car, and on a long crossing that is four people who need somewhere to sit or sleep.
- Children usually cost less than adults on the fare itself, though the emissions surcharge is the same £3 for a child aged four to fifteen.
- Weigh it against two days of driving through France, the fuel, the tolls and a night or two in hotels.
- Low frequency is the other cost. A full sailing means waiting days rather than hours, so book well ahead.
On top of the fare
- Emissions surcharge, about £46 each way. 4 x £3 for the people, plus £34 for the vehicle. It applies to every booking, and discounts and offers do not come off it.
- Vehicle supplement above 5 metres long or 1.83 metres high for a car. Roof boxes and bike carriers count towards the height, and getting the measurements wrong means paying at the port.
- A pet is from £50 each way, and a pet-friendly cabin has to be booked as such.
- The ticket type changes what a change costs. Early Bird is the cheapest and refunds nothing, Standard allows free amendments until two weeks before, Flexi until four hours before.
A daytime crossing to France with a motorhome or caravan. Caen runs daytime sailings every day; Cherbourg and Saint-Malo only on certain days.
Cabin. No cabin needed. Six to eleven hours in a seat, with the decks, restaurants and shops to use.
- Priced by length, and sometimes height, rather than as a car. Measure yours including the towbar and any bike rack.
- Book earlier than you would with a car. There is less space for long vehicles on any given sailing.
- The cheapest shape of trip from Portsmouth, but it costs you a day.
On top of the fare
- Emissions surcharge, about £20.50 each way. 2 x £3 for the people, plus £14.50 for the vehicle. It applies to every booking, and discounts and offers do not come off it. Caen and Cherbourg. Saint-Malo is a western Channel route, where the car rate is £14.00 and a motorhome £17.00.
- Vehicle supplement above 5 metres long or 1.83 metres high for a car. Roof boxes and bike carriers count towards the height, and getting the measurements wrong means paying at the port.
- A pet is from £35 each way, and a pet-friendly cabin has to be booked as such.
- The ticket type changes what a change costs. Early Bird is the cheapest and refunds nothing, Standard allows free amendments until two weeks before, Flexi until four hours before.
An overnight crossing to France with a motorhome or caravan. Caen and Cherbourg are the usual night crossings, Saint-Malo runs them too.
Cabin. A cabin or a reserved seat has to be booked in advance while they last, and a cabin is the normal choice. Cabin prices are not published, they come out in the booking.
- Priced by length, and sometimes height, rather than as a car. Measure yours including the towbar and any bike rack.
- Book earlier than you would with a car. There is less space for long vehicles on any given sailing.
- You trade the cabin against a hotel and a day of driving, which is usually why people pick it.
- The Caen night sailings are the first to sell out, so booking late hurts most here.
On top of the fare
- Emissions surcharge, about £20.50 each way. 2 x £3 for the people, plus £14.50 for the vehicle. It applies to every booking, and discounts and offers do not come off it. Caen and Cherbourg. Saint-Malo is a western Channel route, where the car rate is £14.00 and a motorhome £17.00.
- Vehicle supplement above 5 metres long or 1.83 metres high for a car. Roof boxes and bike carriers count towards the height, and getting the measurements wrong means paying at the port.
- A pet is from £35 each way, and a pet-friendly cabin has to be booked as such.
- The ticket type changes what a change costs. Early Bird is the cheapest and refunds nothing, Standard allows free amendments until two weeks before, Flexi until four hours before.
A crossing to Spain with a motorhome or caravan. Santander and Bilbao, both Brittany Ferries.
Cabin. A cabin is not really optional. Two nights in a reclining seat is a long time, and there is no version of this trip where you simply stay up. Cabin prices are not published, they come out in the booking.
- Priced by length, and sometimes height, rather than as a car. Measure yours including the towbar and any bike rack.
- Book earlier than you would with a car. There is less space for long vehicles on any given sailing.
- Weigh it against two days of driving through France, the fuel, the tolls and a night or two in hotels.
- Low frequency is the other cost. A full sailing means waiting days rather than hours, so book well ahead.
On top of the fare
- Emissions surcharge, about £44.50 each way. 2 x £3 for the people, plus £38.50 for the vehicle. It applies to every booking, and discounts and offers do not come off it.
- Vehicle supplement above 5 metres long or 1.83 metres high for a car. Roof boxes and bike carriers count towards the height, and getting the measurements wrong means paying at the port.
- A pet is from £50 each way, and a pet-friendly cabin has to be booked as such.
- The ticket type changes what a change costs. Early Bird is the cheapest and refunds nothing, Standard allows free amendments until two weeks before, Flexi until four hours before.
No totals here, on purpose. We do not sell tickets and we have no price feed, so a headline figure on this page would be a guess. The amounts above are the ones Brittany Ferries publishes as fixed charges, read off their own site on 22 September 2026, one way unless it says otherwise. The fare itself they quote for your dates.
What actually affects the price
Season
Peak summer and school holidays cost noticeably more than shoulder season.
Cabin vs seat
A cabin adds cost but is close to essential on the longer Spain crossings.
Vehicle
Cars, motorhomes and caravans are priced differently, larger vehicles cost more.
How early you book
Popular sailings (Caen nights especially) get pricier and scarcer closer to the date.
What we actually paid
Portsmouth → Cherbourg
Both are single real data points from one family’s booking, not typical prices, treat them as a sense of scale rather than a quote for your trip.
Where the route changes the price
The cheapest date on the wrong route can still cost more than an ordinary date on the right one, because the crossing shapes the rest of the trip. A night on Caen or Cherbourg means paying for a cabin but saving a hotel and a morning; a daytime Caen sailing needs no cabin at all. The Santander and Bilbao crossings include two nights aboard, so compare them with the drive through France rather than with the shorter routes. The three France routes are set side by side in our Portsmouth to France guide, and which days each one actually sails this winter is on the winter ferry times page.
The Isle of Wight is a different scale altogether: a foot passenger crossing costs tens of pounds rather than hundreds. Fares for all three crossings from Portsmouth are on our Isle of Wight ferry guide.
Booking tip
A flexible ticket costs a little more upfront but lets you change your sailing for a small fee instead of losing it entirely. It saved our return trip when a car breakdown meant rebooking twice, worth considering if anything about your plans could change.