United Kingdom
Portsmouth to Ouistreham Ferry
Schedule, crossing time & sailings for 2026
Departs
Portsmouth
Hampshire
Arrives
Ouistreham
Normandy
Brittany FerriesAt a glance
The Portsmouth to Ouistreham ferry takes about 6h, with one departure at 07:45. It is operated by Brittany Ferries.
- First sailing
- 07:45
- Last sailing
- 07:45
- Sailings listed
- 1
- Crossing
- 6h
Portsmouth to Ouistreham ferry timetable
| Departs | Arrives | Duration | Operator | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07:45 | 14:45 | 6h | Brittany FerriesMont St Michel | Mon, Tue |
Times are indicative and may change seasonally. Confirm with the operator before travelling.
About the Portsmouth – Ouistreham crossing
Which ship you sail on depends on the day of the week. The Mont St Michel takes the 07:45 departure on Mondays and Tuesdays; the Guillaume de Normandie runs at 08:00 on every day except Tuesday. Both work the afternoon and overnight sailings. It is an unusual arrangement to see written out, and it means the vessel is a bookable variable rather than a detail you discover at the terminal.
The newer ship is the more interesting one
The Guillaume de Normandie entered commercial service on 18 April 2025 as Brittany Ferries’ fourth LNG-powered vessel and the first in the fleet with hybrid battery propulsion. It runs on batteries alongside the quay, which means no emissions in port — a meaningful difference in a city centre terminal. Capacity is 1,300 passengers and 476 cars.
Six hours by day, closer to seven overnight
Daytime crossings are timetabled at 360 minutes. The 23:00 departure runs 405 minutes — the extra three-quarters of an hour is deliberate, so that an overnight sailing does not land passengers in Ouistreham before dawn.
Ouistreham is the port, Caen is the city
The French terminal sits at the mouth of the Caen canal, some distance from Caen itself. Anyone planning onward travel should budget for that gap rather than treating arrival as arrival in the city. The current schedule runs to early December 2026.
Vehicles, pets & onboard
- Cabins, including pet-friendly cabins and kennels
- Reclining seats on daytime crossings
- Restaurants, bars and cinemas on the long routes
- Cars, motorhomes, motorcycles and bicycles
- LNG dual-fuel and hybrid ships
Onboard facilities and vehicle, pet and luggage policies vary by operator and vessel; confirm details with the operator before booking.
Ships on the Portsmouth – Ouistreham route
2 ships work this crossing across 4 listed sailings, most often Guillaume De Normandie.
Guillaume De Normandie
Brittany Ferries
2 sailings on this route
Mont St Michel
Brittany Ferries
2 sailings on this route
Getting to & from the ports
Frequently asked questions
When's the first ferry of the day?
The first sailing leaves at 00:00.
What's the sailing frequency per day?
3 sailings a day on this route.
Does this ferry cross an international border?
No, it's entirely within United Kingdom.
What's the duration of this crossing?
Roughly 6h.
Who operates the service?
Brittany Ferries runs this crossing.
How much does a ticket cost?
Ticket prices vary by operator, season and whether you bring a vehicle. Check the operator (Brittany Ferries) for current fares.
Is there an overnight option?
Some sailings run overnight — the longest crossing is around 6h, and cabins or reclining seats are usually available. Check the individual sailing and operator for onboard sleeping options.
Does the ferry run all year?
Sailings operate on selected days, and frequency can change between the summer and winter seasons. The timetable above shows the latest published departures — confirm with the operator for off-season dates.
Can I take a car on this ferry?
Brittany Ferries does not list vehicle space on this service — plan to travel as a foot passenger. If you need to bring a car, check with the operator for alternative crossings.
Can I take a pet on this ferry?
Most ferry operators allow pets on this route, usually in a carrier, on deck or in designated pet areas or cabins, and registered assistance dogs travel free. Rules and any fees vary by operator and vessel — check with Brittany Ferries, so declare your pet when booking.
What's the luggage allowance?
Foot passengers can normally bring their own luggage aboard at no extra charge, with racks or a luggage area near the entrance, and there is usually no airline-style weight limit. Oversized or excess items may carry a fee, so check with the operator if you are travelling with bulky baggage.
Where can I check live sailing times?
The timetable on this page shows the latest published sailings for this route. Always confirm with the operator before travelling, as schedules change seasonally.
Same departure port
More ferries from Portsmouth
Everything else that sails from the same quay.
Sharing a stop
Crossings calling at Portsmouth or Ouistreham
Nearby links that share a quay with this one.
Timetable valid Aug 11, 2026 – Dec 1, 2026.
Reviewed by Serhat Özçelik, Founder & Editor of Ferry Schedule Hub · Last updated August 10, 2026.
Operated by
Ports on this route
Portsmouth on the map
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