Best for western Brittany
Plymouth → Roscoff
The natural route from South West England into Finistère, with fast daytime sailings on selected dates and overnight options through much of the season.
Read route guideFERRY ROUTE COMPARISON
Which Ferry to Brittany? Routes from the UK Compared
An independent comparison of the two direct ferry routes from the UK to Brittany. The best choice depends on where you start in Britain and where you're going in Brittany.
TWO DIRECT ROUTES
Plymouth → Roscoff or Portsmouth → Saint-Malo?
Both arrive directly in Brittany — no Normandy driving leg. The right one depends on your UK starting point and your Brittany destination.
Two direct routesPlymouth–Roscoff and Portsmouth–Saint-Malo
Door-to-door thinkingUK and French driving included
Day or overnightDifferent sailings suit different trips
Arrive in BrittanyNo Normandy driving leg
INTERACTIVE
Which route should I take?
Enter your UK starting point and Brittany destination. We'll compare the driving, ferry crossing and onward journey for both direct routes and recommend the one that makes the most sense for your trip.
WHICH ROUTE SHOULD I TAKE?
Enter where you're travelling from and where you're going in Brittany. We'll compare the driving, crossing and onward journey for both direct routes.
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ROUTE COMPARISON
Plymouth → Roscoff vs Portsmouth → Saint-Malo
The two direct UK–Brittany ferry routes compared. Both arrive directly in Brittany — the right one depends on where you live and where you're going.
Best for eastern Brittany
Portsmouth → Saint-Malo
The direct overnight route into eastern Brittany, ideal for Saint-Malo, Dinan, Rennes, Vannes and the Gulf of Morbihan.
Read route guidePlymouth → Roscoff
Portsmouth → Saint-Malo
UK departure
Plymouth — South West England
Portsmouth — South Coast
Brittany arrival
Roscoff (Finistère)
Saint-Malo (Ille-et-Vilaine)
Best for
Western Brittany — Brest, Quimper, Concarneau
Eastern Brittany — Dinan, Rennes, Vannes, Gulf of Morbihan
Day sailings
Available on selected dates
Typically overnight
Overnight sailings
Yes
Yes — most days
Taking a vehicle
Cars, motorhomes, EVs, pets
Cars, motorhomes, EVs, pets
Onward journey
Short drive to western Brittany coast
Short drive to Saint-Malo, Dinan, Rennes
VIA DOVER & CALAIS
Dover–Calais + drive to Brittany
Prefer a shorter Channel crossing? Irish Ferries operates Dover–Calais services, giving motorists another way to reach Brittany by crossing to northern France and driving south-west.
WHICH ROUTE FOR WHERE YOU'RE GOING?
Match the route to your Brittany destination
The shortest sea crossing isn't necessarily the best overall journey. A route that looks longer on the ferry can save hours of driving in France — and the reverse can be true too. Here's which route tends to suit which part of Brittany.
1Finistère & western Brittany
Roscoff is your natural arrival port. From South West England, Plymouth→Roscoff puts you directly in Finistère with easy onward access to Brest, Quimper and the western coast.
2Saint-Malo, Dinan & northern/eastern Brittany
Saint-Malo is the stronger choice for the north and east coast. Portsmouth→Saint-Malo arrives directly in eastern Brittany, close to Dinan, Dinard and the north coast.
3Morbihan & southern Brittany
For Vannes, Carnac and the Gulf of Morbihan, the calculation is closer and your UK starting point can materially change the answer. Compare the whole journey rather than choosing on crossing time alone.
4Rennes & eastern Brittany
Saint-Malo is typically the better arrival port for Rennes and eastern Brittany, with a shorter onward drive than from Roscoff.
DAY OR OVERNIGHT
Day sailing or overnight?
Day sailing
Shorter crossing time, but it consumes a day of your holiday. Better if you dislike sleeping at sea, want to avoid cabin cost or can use a fast crossing that fits naturally into the day.
Overnight
Travel while you sleep and arrive in France the next morning. For families, this can be one of the most comfortable ways to start the holiday — especially if a cabin replaces a hotel night.
TAKING YOUR CAR
Taking your car to Brittany
Taking your own vehicle is one of the main advantages of travelling by ferry and can influence your route choice. A motorhome or larger vehicle may have different space requirements and pricing depending on dimensions. If you're travelling with a dog, pet-friendly cabins and kennel space can vary by sailing and route.
WHAT AFFECTS THE PRICE
What affects the price of a ferry to Brittany?
Route, sailing, season, vehicle, accommodation requirements and booking timing all interact to determine the fare you pay. There is no single cheapest day — the best approach depends on what you're booking and how flexible your dates are.
ARRIVING IN BRITTANY
Onward journeys from Roscoff and Saint-Malo
Both ports place you directly in Brittany with no Normandy driving leg. Approximate driving times to popular destinations:
From Roscoff
Morlaix ~30 min · Brest ~1h 15m · Quimper ~1h 30m · Concarneau ~1h 45m. Roscoff is well placed for Finistère and the western Brittany coast.
From Saint-Malo
Dinan ~40 min · Rennes ~1h · Vannes ~2h · Carnac ~2h 15m. Saint-Malo is well placed for eastern and southern Brittany.
Driving times are approximate and exclude traffic and rest stops. Use the Route Finder for a calculated journey from your specific starting point.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Ferries to Brittany from the UK: FAQs
Which ferry route is best for Brittany?
It depends on where you're starting from in the UK and where you're going in Brittany. Plymouth→Roscoff is the natural choice for western Brittany (Finistère), while Portsmouth→Saint-Malo is typically better for eastern and southern Brittany. Use our route comparison tool to compare the whole journey.
Is it better to get the ferry to Roscoff or Saint-Malo?
Roscoff is better if you're heading to western Brittany (Brest, Quimper, the western coast) or travelling from South West England. Saint-Malo is better for eastern Brittany (Dinan, Rennes, the north coast) and for travellers from the Midlands, South East or London. For southern Brittany (Vannes, Carnac, the Gulf of Morbihan), the calculation is closer — compare the whole journey.
Can I take my car on the ferry to Brittany?
Yes — both routes carry cars, motorhomes and EVs. Taking your own vehicle is one of the main advantages of travelling by ferry. See our driving to Brittany guide for details.
How long is the ferry from the UK to Brittany?
Crossing times vary by route, sailing and season. Both direct routes arrive in Brittany — there is no Normandy driving leg. Check the Plymouth–Roscoff and Portsmouth–Saint-Malo route guides for current crossing information.
Which UK port is best for Brittany?
Plymouth is best if you live in South West England or Wales. Portsmouth is best if you live in the Midlands, South East, London or the East of England. The right port also depends on where you're going in Brittany — see our route comparison for guidance.
YOUR JOURNEY, NOT JUST THE FERRY
Compare every route from your front door
Enter your UK starting point and Brittany destination. The Route Finder compares the complete journey — driving, ferry time, check-in and onward travel in France.