Plymouth to Roscoff is the key direct Brittany route for travellers in South West England and the natural gateway to Finistère. A daytime crossing can take from around 5 hours 15 minutes, while overnight sailings let you sleep through much of the journey and arrive ready for the French drive.
Choose Plymouth–Roscoff when your UK drive to Plymouth is practical and your holiday is in western Brittany. The combination of a direct Brittany arrival and a relatively short daytime crossing can make it an excellent whole-journey option – but it is more seasonal than the Portsmouth routes, so date matters.
See if it is best for your journeyAT A GLANCE
Plymouth to Roscoff at a glance
Plymouth to Roscoff is operated by Brittany Ferries and is one of only two direct UK–Brittany ferry routes. It runs from the South West of England into Finistère, putting you within easy reach of Roscoff itself, Morlaix, Brest, Quimper and the western Brittany coast.
Daytime sailings can be among the shorter Brittany crossings – from around 5 hours 15 minutes on selected dates – while overnight sailings take longer and can replace a hotel night. The route is more seasonal than Portsmouth–Saint-Malo, so winter service can be limited.
Operator
Brittany Ferries – the only operator running direct UK–Roscoff crossings.
Crossing time
Daytime sailings from around 5h15; overnight sailings are longer. Exact duration varies by sailing.
Arrival port
Roscoff in Finistère – direct into western Brittany with no Normandy driving leg.
DAY OR OVERNIGHT?
Day sailing or overnight – which should you book?
The daytime crossing is attractive when you want the shortest ferry time and are happy to travel during the day. It can also suit travellers who dislike sleeping at sea or want to avoid cabin cost. The trade-off is that a daytime crossing consumes a day of your holiday and leaves you driving in France in the afternoon or evening.
The overnight option can work better for families or longer UK drives because it shifts more of the journey into sleeping hours. You board in Plymouth in the evening, sleep on the ferry and wake up in Brittany the next morning – arriving rested rather than road-weary. For children, this can be one of the most comfortable ways to start the holiday.
The cabin decision matters more on an overnight crossing. If sleeping accommodation is important to your journey, check it alongside the sailing rather than treating it as an add-on. Our ferry cabin guide explains the options in more detail.
Our Route Finder uses the actual sailing you select when exact timetable data is available, so switching from a daytime to an overnight departure can change which route ranks best for your journey.
WHAT DRIVES THE PRICE
What drives the price of a Plymouth–Roscoff crossing
There is no single fixed fare for the Plymouth–Roscoff ferry. The price you pay depends on a combination of factors that interact with each other:
School holidays and peak summer are the most expensive periods. Off-peak and shoulder-season dates can offer better value, but availability also narrows for cabins and pet space.
Fares can rise as a sailing fills, particularly for constrained dates. Booking earlier gives you more choice of sailing and accommodation, though it does not guarantee the lowest possible fare.
Cars, EVs, motorcycles and motorhomes are priced differently. Motorhome fares can depend on exact length and height, so use measured dimensions when booking.
A cabin adds cost but on an overnight crossing it can replace a hotel night and make the journey viable. Compare the total journey cost, not the fare alone.
If you have flexibility, our guide to the best time to book Brittany Ferries explains when fares are most likely to be lower and when waiting is riskiest.
LIVE PRICES
Check Plymouth–Roscoff prices and availability
Search current Plymouth–Roscoff sailings, prices and availability with Direct Ferries.
ROUTE COMPARISON
Plymouth–Roscoff compared with Portsmouth–St Malo
These are the two direct UK–Brittany ferry routes, and the right choice depends on where you live in Britain and where you are going in Brittany.
Plymouth–Roscoff is the natural choice for travellers in Devon, Cornwall and the wider South West. It lands in Finistère, making it the stronger option for western Brittany, the Pink Granite Coast, Quimper and Brest. The daytime crossing can also be considerably shorter than an overnight sailing.
Portsmouth–Saint-Malo is the stronger choice for travellers in the Midlands, London and the South East. It lands in eastern Brittany, making it better for Saint-Malo, Dinan, Rennes, Vannes and the Gulf of Morbihan. It is primarily an overnight route and runs more frequently through the year.
If you are heading to southern Brittany – Carnac, the Gulf of Morbihan or the Quiberon peninsula – the calculation is closer and your UK starting point can materially change the answer. That is why we recommend comparing the whole journey rather than choosing on crossing time alone.
Read our Portsmouth to Saint-Malo guideTIMETABLE
Upcoming Plymouth to Roscoff sailings
Showing the next 3 scheduled sailings currently held in our timetable database. Scheduled sailing data can change. Always confirm your final departure time before travelling.
ON ARRIVAL
Arriving at Roscoff
Roscoff is a compact ferry port on the north Finistère coast. The terminal places you directly in Brittany with no Normandy driving leg, and onward road access towards Morlaix, Brest, Quimper and the wider western coast is straightforward.
The town of Roscoff itself is worth exploring: a historic granite port with gardens, a 16th-century church and regular boat trips to the Île de Batz. If you are staying further west or south, the N12 provides a direct route towards Brest and Quimper.
WHO IT SUITS
Is Plymouth to Roscoff the best route for you?
South West travellers
If Plymouth is materially closer than Portsmouth, this route can save a large amount of UK road time before you even board the ferry.
Western Brittany trips
Roscoff is well placed for Finistère and reduces the onward French drive to destinations such as Brest, Quimper and Concarneau.
Travelling with a dog
Suitable pet travel options can be available, but space and accommodation vary by sailing. Our Route Finder uses a 90-minute planning check-in allowance for pet journeys.
PRACTICALITIES
Before you travel
For vehicle passengers, plan to be checked in at least 60 minutes before departure. If travelling with a pet, allow at least 90 minutes. Your booking confirmation is the final authority on check-in time.
Cabins matter most on overnight departures. If sleeping accommodation is important, check availability alongside the sailing rather than choosing the route first. See our cabin guide for details.
Cars, EVs, motorhomes and motorcycles need the correct booking details. Motorhome fares can depend on exact dimensions. See our driving to Brittany guide for EV charging and road planning.
Pet-friendly cabins and kennel options can vary by sailing. Allow extra check-in time and confirm the pet arrangement when booking. See our dog travel guide for full details.
This route has more seasonal variation than Portsmouth services. Winter service can be limited and sailing times can change with the timetable. Always confirm the current ferry routes and timetable before booking.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Plymouth to Roscoff ferry FAQs
How long is the Plymouth to Roscoff ferry?
Selected daytime sailings can take about 5 hours 15 minutes. Overnight crossings are longer, so check the dated timetable for the exact sailing rather than relying on a single figure.
Does the Plymouth to Roscoff ferry run all year?
The service is more seasonal than the Portsmouth routes. Winter sailings can be limited, so always check the timetable for your intended travel date rather than assuming a daily year-round service.
Is a day or overnight sailing better?
A daytime crossing is shorter and can feel less of a commitment, but it consumes a day of your holiday. An overnight sailing lets you sleep through much of the journey and arrive rested, which many families prefer. The cabin decision matters more on an overnight crossing.
What time does boarding start?
For vehicle travel, allow at least 60 minutes for check-in. With a pet, allow at least 90 minutes. Follow the check-in time on your booking confirmation as the final authority.
How much does the Plymouth to Roscoff ferry cost?
Fares vary by season, how far ahead you book, your vehicle, whether you add a cabin and the specific sailing. There is no single fixed fare. Check current prices with Brittany Ferries for your dates.
How frequently does it sail?
Sailing frequency varies by season. In peak months there are more departures, while winter service can be limited. Check the live timetable for your travel dates.
THE PORTS
Plymouth and Roscoff ferry terminals
Plymouth is particularly convenient for travellers in Devon, Cornwall and parts of the South West. Build your drive around the booked check-in deadline rather than the departure time.
Roscoff ferry terminal places you in Finistère, with onward road access towards Morlaix, Brest, Quimper and the wider western Brittany coast.