The nearest crossing leaves 20 miles away
Is there a ferry from Southampton to Spain?
No. Southampton has no passenger ferry to Spain, and never has had a scheduled one. The good news is that the port you actually want is half an hour down the road.
Why Southampton doesn’t sail to Spain
Southampton is one of the busiest ports in the country, so the assumption is reasonable. But its traffic is cruise ships, container freight and the Isle of Wight. No operator runs a scheduled passenger service from Southampton to Spain, and none has.
All four direct UK and Ireland to Spain crossings are run by Brittany Ferries, and they sail from Portsmouth, Plymouth and Rosslare. Southampton isn’t among them.
Southampton is the wrong end of the same stretch of coast
Portsmouth is 20 miles east along the M27, about 30 to 40 minutes in normal traffic. If you searched for Southampton because it’s your nearest big port, Portsmouth is close enough that the answer barely changes your plans.
What you want is Portsmouth
Two of the four direct crossings leave from Portsmouth, and between them they cover both northern Spanish ports.
| Route | Departures | Crossing | Ship |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth to Santander | Mon 21:30, Fri 22:00 | About 33 hrs | Salamanca |
| Portsmouth to Bilbao | Thu 19:00, Sun 22:00 | 33 to 36 hrs | Galicia |
Portsmouth to Santander is the only crossing that runs all year. The Bilbao route drops to one sailing a week between November and March. Full departures in both directions are on the 2026 timetable.
Check your vehicle height before you book port parking
The car park at Portsmouth has a 2.1 metre (6 ft 11 in) height barrier. That rules out most motorhomes, high-top vans and a fair few cars with a roof box. Sort it before you arrive rather than at the barrier. Alternatives are in our Portsmouth port guide.
Or Plymouth, if you’d rather spend one night at sea
It’s further from Southampton, about 150 miles and two and a half hours, but it buys you something the Portsmouth routes can’t: a crossing of just over 20 hours instead of 33, with one night on board rather than two.
That’s down to the ship rather than the distance. The Pont-Aven cruises at 22 knots; the newer E-Flexer vessels on the Portsmouth routes are slower. It’s also the only ship with an indoor pool, which matters if you’re travelling with children.
The catch: Plymouth to Santander is seasonal, running late March to early November, and it only serves Santander. For Bilbao you need Portsmouth.
Getting from Southampton to the ferry
| To | Distance | By car | By train |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth | About 20 miles | 30 to 40 minutes | About 1 hour |
| Plymouth | About 150 miles | 2 hrs 30 mins | About 3 hours |
Both ports have terminals you can reach on foot from a nearby station, so sailing as a foot passenger is realistic from either. Foot passengers also pay considerably less, since there’s no vehicle to put on the fare.
Whichever you choose, check in closes 45 minutes before departure, or 90 minutes if you’re travelling with a pet.
Frequently asked
Has there ever been a Southampton to Spain ferry?
Not as a scheduled passenger service. Southampton’s ferry traffic is the Isle of Wight; its long-distance business is cruise ships, which is a different thing from a car ferry.
What about Southampton to the Canary Islands by boat?
No scheduled passenger route. Ferries to the Canaries sail from mainland Spain, out of Huelva and Cádiz, so you’d sail to northern Spain and drive the length of the country first.
Which is the nearest port to Southampton for Spain?
Portsmouth, 20 miles east, with sailings to both Santander and Bilbao.
Is Portsmouth or Plymouth better?
Portsmouth if you want year-round sailings, Bilbao, or the shortest drive. Plymouth if you’d rather halve the time at sea and only need Santander.
Do I need a passport?
Yes, for every passenger including children. Since Brexit a UK passport must have at least three months’ validity beyond your planned departure from the EU.
Ready to look at real sailings?
Two routes from Portsmouth, 20 miles from Southampton.
Compare all four routes →Checked against the Brittany Ferries published schedule, September 2026.
