Portsmouth towards Paris
Portsmouth to Le Havre ferry
Sail late morning, arrive for dinner, and be in Paris the same evening - check the current departures for your date
- The closest Channel crossing to Paris - about two hours by road from Le Havre
- Daytime sailing with a late-morning departure, in France by dinnertime
- Le Havre opens onto the Seine valley, Honfleur and eastern Normandy
- Schedules from October 2026 are under review
- All details without guarantee
Table of Contents
The crossing at a glance
Portsmouth - Le Havre is the route for journeys that end east of Normandy: Paris, the Seine valley, Champagne, the Alps. Brittany Ferries runs it as a daytime sailing - depart Portsmouth late morning, cross in about six and a half hours, drive off in Le Havre by dinnertime with the French evening still usable.
The route is currently under operational review, with schedules from October 2026 onwards subject to change - so for autumn dates, treat the timetable as the source of truth and keep Portsmouth - Caen in reserve.
Getting to Portsmouth and checking in
Portsmouth International Port sits at the end of the M275, about two hours from London via the A3 or M3. The late-morning departure is forgiving - no dawn start - but the check-in deadline in your booking confirmation still applies, with roughly 90 minutes of lead time if a pet travels. The port is shared with the Caen, Cherbourg and St Malo sailings, so check the departure board for your lane.
On board
The crossing runs on Brittany Ferries' conventional ships with restaurants, bars, shops and deck space. Six and a half daytime hours pass easily: lunch on board, an afternoon in the lounge or on deck, and the arrival announcements as the Seine estuary opens up. Day cabins are available if you want a private base; a night cabin is not part of this route's pattern. Cards work on board in pounds and euros.
Vehicles, bikes and pets
Cars, motorhomes, caravans, motorbikes and bicycles are all carried, booked by real length and height. Pets travel with the GB-to-France paperwork - microchip, rabies vaccination at least 21 days old, animal health certificate within ten days of travel - and the earlier pet check-in.
Arrival in Le Havre and onward travel
Le Havre is France's great rebuilt city - Auguste Perret's concrete centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the port puts you straight onto the A13 autoroute. Paris is about two hours, Rouen one, and the Pont de Normandie crosses the Seine mouth to Honfleur, Deauville and the Côte Fleurie in minutes. For the classic first evening, Honfleur's old harbour is twenty minutes from the ship.
Tickets, fares and changes
Fares follow season, sailing and vehicle size, with the binding total in the booking step. Against the Dover short sea, what you buy here is the road: Le Havre saves the long drive down through Picardy. Change and cancellation terms follow your ticket type. The prices page compares the Channel routes side by side.
Portsmouth - Le Havre
The Paris crossing
Of all the ferry routes across the Channel, Portsmouth - Le Havre lands you closest to Paris: the capital is about two hours by road from the port, straight up the Seine valley. Brittany Ferries runs the route as a daytime sailing with a late-morning departure - board after breakfast, drive off before dinner.
Note the operating picture: the route is under review, and schedules from October 2026 onwards may change. For dates from autumn on, confirm the sailing before you plan around it.
- Departure
- Portsmouth International Port
- Arrival
- Le Havre, Normandy
- Crossing
- Daytime sailing, late-morning departure
- Operator
- Brittany Ferries
Next departures
All details without guarantee. The operator's departure time and your booking confirmation are authoritative. Direct Ferries →
FAQ Portsmouth - Le Havre
Frequently asked questions
Questions about the Portsmouth - Le Havre crossing.
How long is the crossing and when does it sail?+
The published pattern is a daytime sailing with a late-morning departure from Portsmouth and an arrival in Le Havre by dinnertime - around six and a half hours at sea. Exact times for your date are in the timetable.
Is the route running normally?+
Brittany Ferries has the route under operational review, and schedules from October 2026 onwards may change. For autumn and winter dates, check the operator's current word before you commit; Portsmouth - Caen and Newhaven - Dieppe are the nearby alternatives, both about two to two and a half hours from Paris at the French end.
Is there still a ferry from Southampton or Newhaven to Le Havre?+
No - the old direct services from Southampton and from Newhaven to Le Havre stopped years ago. Portsmouth is the English port for Le Havre today. If you see those city pairs advertised, check the small print: they route via other crossings.
Can I take a vehicle and a pet?+
Yes - cars, motorhomes, motorbikes and bicycles travel as on the other Brittany Ferries routes. Pets cross with the GB-to-France paperwork and the earlier pet check-in of about 90 minutes; the FAQ has the rules.
What can I reach from Le Havre?+
Paris in about two hours up the A13, with Rouen on the way. The Pont de Normandie carries you across the Seine mouth to Honfleur in twenty minutes, and Étretat's cliffs are under an hour up the Alabaster Coast. Le Havre itself - rebuilt by Auguste Perret and a UNESCO site - is worth a look before you drive off.
Heading for Paris or the Seine?
Check the departures for your date and continue to the booking step.