Basque Country, Spain
Ferries from Bilbao
Bilbao (Basque Country, Spain) has 4 ferry routes to 2 destinations, operated by Brittany Ferries. You can sail from Bilbao to Portsmouth and Rosslare. Crossing times and timetables for each route are listed below.
- 4
- Routes
- 2
- Destinations
- 1
- Operators
Routes & timetables
What ferry routes connect Bilbao?
4 crossings with live schedules — each card opens its full timetable.
Timetable
Ferry departures from Bilbao
2 scheduled sailings leaving Bilbao, across every route. Times are local.
| Departs | Arrives | To | Duration | Operator | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11:00 | 14:30 | Rosslare | 28h 30m | Brittany Ferries | Sun |
| 13:00 | 17:30 | Portsmouth | 29h 30m | Brittany Ferries | Tue, Sat |
Times are indicative and may change seasonally. Confirm with the operator before travelling.
Network
Where does Bilbao connect?
Ports connected
Operators
Location
Where is Bilbao?
- Region
- Basque Country
- Coordinates
- 43.354° N, 3.070° W
- Shortest crossing
- 27h 15m
About
About Bilbao
Crossings from Bilbao are measured in days rather than hours. Portsmouth is timetabled at 29 hours 30 minutes outbound and as much as 36 inbound; Rosslare runs between 27 and 32 hours. There are only two or three departures a week in any direction, on the Galicia and the Santona.
The sheet also changes shape in November. The Portsmouth arrival moves from Thursday at 19:00 to Tuesday at 22:45, and the Rosslare departure from an 18:00 Thursday to 13:00 — a winter timetable that alters the day of the week, not just the hour, so a route used twice a year is easy to get wrong.
Brittany Ferries is the sole operator across the Bay of Biscay from here. The terminal is not in the city but out at the mouth of the estuary near Zierbena, past the Getxo shore — the same deep-water outer harbour built when Bilbao's iron and shipbuilding trade outgrew the river it was founded on.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get a ferry to from Bilbao?
From Bilbao you can take a ferry to Portsmouth and Rosslare. Each route page shows the crossing time and timetable.
Which ferry companies operate from Bilbao?
Ferries from Bilbao are run by Brittany Ferries. Open an operator page for its fleet, routes and contact details.
How many ferry routes serve Bilbao?
Bilbao is served by 4 ferry routes connecting 2 ports. Timetables can change seasonally, so confirm with the operator before travelling.
Where is Bilbao ferry port located?
Bilbao is in Basque Country, Spain (around 43.354, -3.070). See the map on this page for its exact location.
How do I get to Bilbao ferry terminal?
Arrive at Bilbao well before departure — typically 30–60 minutes ahead for foot passengers and longer if you are travelling with a vehicle. Check local bus, train or taxi connections to the terminal and confirm the exact boarding point with your operator.
What are the most popular ferries from Bilbao?
Popular crossings from Bilbao include Portsmouth and Rosslare. Browse the full list below for crossing times and live timetables.
Do ferries from Bilbao carry cars?
Vehicle capacity varies by route and vessel. Check the individual route page and confirm with the operator before travelling with a car.
When should I book a ferry from Bilbao?
For peak season and any sailing with a vehicle, book as early as possible. Off-peak foot-passenger fares are usually more flexible. Always confirm the latest timetable before travelling.
Reviewed by Serhat Özçelik, Founder & Editor of Ferry Schedule Hub · Last updated Aug 12, 2026.
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