Travelling from the UK to southern Europe by car, camper or motorbike? Then you can’t skip the ferry (or Chunnel). You can opt for a short crossing to Northern France, but how about taking an overnight ferry that brings you all the way to Northern Spain?
Ferries are an excellent way to travel! Your holiday begins the moment you step on board one of the cruise ferries to Spain. These cruise ferries are luxuriously equipped vessels where you drive your car on board, bring your belongings to your cabin, and dive straight into the onboard atmosphere.
On these ships, you’ll find a variety of cabins, as well as restaurants, bars, children’s play areas, sun decks, cafés, shops, cinemas, and other fantastic amenities that will make your journey both comfortable and unforgettable.
The crossings between England and Spain take between approximately 20.5 and 35 hours. You can board in Plymouth or Portsmouth and travel to Bilbao or Santander. The shortest crossing is from Plymouth to Santander.
Good news for Irish travellers too: in just under 27 hours, you can sail from Rosslare to Bilbao.
From both Santander and Bilbao, it’s easy to travel onward to other parts of Spain, Portugal, and even Southern France.
UK to Spain Ferry Routes Map
(source: https://ferrytospain.co.uk/routes)
The Three Ferry Routes from England to Spain
- Plymouth – Santander
Operated by Brittany Ferries, this route sails up to twice a week. It’s the shortest crossing — in just 20.5 hours, you’ll be in Spain! - Portsmouth – Santander
Another departure point for Santander is Portsmouth. This journey takes around 35 hours, which is considerably longer, but if you’re based near Portsmouth, it remains a very convenient option. And with the comfort and entertainment on Brittany Ferries’ ships, it’s certainly not a bad way to spend a day at sea. - Portsmouth – Bilbao
The final option is the route between Portsmouth and Bilbao, also operated by Brittany Ferries. The crossing takes around 33 hours, but you arrive directly in Bilbao — a vibrant city that’s well worth a visit!
Ready to Book?
You can book your ferry crossing to Spain directly via Brittany Ferries, or compare prices first using ferry comparison websites like Ferrygogo or Direct Ferries.