The nearest ferry port is 65 miles away
Is there a ferry to San Sebastián from the UK?
No. San Sebastián has no ferry terminal, so no crossing goes there. But it sits closer to a working ferry port than almost any other Spanish city worth visiting, and the drive is an hour and a bit.
Why there’s no ferry to San Sebastián
San Sebastián, Donostia in Basque, is a beach city rather than a commercial port. It has a small harbour in the old town, but nothing that handles vehicle ferries.
All four direct crossings from the UK and Ireland land at just two Spanish ports: Santander and Bilbao. Both are west of San Sebastián along the same coast.
The nearest port is Bilbao
Or more precisely the terminal at Zierbena, which is 13 miles west of Bilbao itself. From there San Sebastián is about 65 miles east, an hour and a quarter on the AP-8 motorway.
| From | To San Sebastián | Driving time |
|---|---|---|
| Bilbao ferry terminal (Zierbena) | About 65 miles | 1 hr 15 mins |
| Santander ferry terminal | About 125 miles | 2 hrs |
Both are genuinely manageable after a crossing. Bilbao is the obvious choice, but Santander is worth considering for the reason below.
Which crossing to take
To Bilbao, the shorter drive
- Portsmouth to Bilbao, Thu 19:00 and Sun 22:00
- 33 to 36 hours, two nights on board
- Runs all year, once a week in winter
- 65 miles to San Sebastián
To Santander, the shorter crossing
- Plymouth to Santander, Wed 15:45 and Sun 16:45
- Just over 20 hours, one night on board
- Late March to early November only
- 125 miles to San Sebastián
The extra 60 miles buys you a night back
Sailing to Bilbao saves about 45 minutes of driving. Sailing to Plymouth to Santander saves you a whole night at sea and one night of cabin accommodation, which is usually the larger cost in the booking. If you’re travelling between April and October, Santander plus two hours of Spanish motorway is often the better trip and the cheaper one.
There’s also Portsmouth to Santander, the only route that runs year-round, and Rosslare to Bilbao if you’re starting in Ireland. Everything in one place on the 2026 timetable.
Getting there without a car
Perfectly doable, and worth knowing since foot passengers pay considerably less.
- From Bilbao: the terminal is at Zierbena, so first get into Bilbao, by direct bus, or by train to Santurtzi then the 33 bus. From Bilbao, buses to San Sebastián take about an hour and a quarter and run frequently.
- From Santander: the terminal is in the city centre, about 20 minutes’ walk from the main square. Buses to San Sebastián take around three hours.
Detail on both terminals is in the Bilbao and Santander port guides.
Frequently asked
What is the closest ferry port to San Sebastián?
Bilbao, about 65 miles west, though the terminal itself is at Zierbena, 13 miles outside Bilbao.
Can I sail from Portsmouth to San Sebastián?
No. Portsmouth sails to Santander and Bilbao. From Bilbao it’s an hour and a quarter by road.
Is there a ferry from San Sebastián to the UK?
No, in either direction. Northbound sailings leave from Bilbao and Santander.
How long does the whole journey take?
Portsmouth to Bilbao is 33 to 36 hours at sea plus about 1 hr 15 driving. Plymouth to Santander is just over 20 hours at sea plus about 2 hrs driving.
Do I need a passport?
Yes, for every passenger including children, with at least three months’ validity beyond your departure from the EU.
Pick the crossing that suits
Four direct routes, compared on time at sea and nights on board.
Compare all four routes →Checked against the Brittany Ferries published schedule, September 2026.
