Plymouth sails to Santander, and only Santander
Is there a ferry from Plymouth to Bilbao?
No. Plymouth has one Spanish route and it goes to Santander. If Bilbao is where you need to be, you have two decent options, and the better one is probably not the one you’d guess.
What actually sails from Plymouth
One Spanish route: Plymouth to Santander, twice a week from late March to early November, on the Pont-Aven. Plymouth also sails to Roscoff in Brittany. That’s the lot.
Bilbao is served from Portsmouth and from Rosslare in Ireland. There is no Plymouth to Bilbao service, and there hasn’t been one.
One more thing that catches people out
The Bilbao terminal isn’t in Bilbao. It’s at Zierbena, about 13 miles outside the city, so even a direct sailing leaves you with a transfer at the far end. Worth factoring in when you compare the options below.
The two ways to get there
| Sail to Santander, drive | Sail Portsmouth to Bilbao | |
|---|---|---|
| Time at sea | About 20 hrs | 33 to 36 hrs |
| Nights on board | One | Two |
| Driving in the UK | None extra | 165 miles to Portsmouth |
| Driving in Spain | 62 miles to Bilbao | 13 miles from Zierbena |
| Runs in winter | No | Yes, once a week |
Read that table again, because the answer surprises most people: if you’re starting near Plymouth, sailing to Santander and driving is usually faster overall, and you pay for one night of cabin accommodation rather than two.
Option one: Plymouth to Santander, then drive
The crossing is just over 20 hours, arriving mid-afternoon or early afternoon depending on the day. Santander’s terminal sits in the middle of the city, so you’re on Spanish roads within minutes of docking.
From there Bilbao is about 62 miles east along the A-8, a straightforward hour and a quarter on good motorway along the coast.
| Sailing | Departs | Arrives Santander |
|---|---|---|
| Plymouth to Santander | Wednesday 15:45 | Thursday 13:00 |
| Plymouth to Santander | Sunday 16:45 | Monday 15:15 |
Arrive Thursday at 13:00 and you can be in Bilbao by mid-afternoon, having spent a single night at sea. The Pont-Aven is also the only ship on these routes with an indoor pool and two cinemas, so the crossing itself is easier with children.
The limitation: this route doesn’t run from early November to late March.
Option two: drive to Portsmouth, sail direct
Portsmouth is about 165 miles from Plymouth, roughly three hours on the A38 and M27. From there, Portsmouth to Bilbao runs twice a week in season on the Galicia.
| Sailing | Departs | Arrives Bilbao |
|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth to Bilbao | Thursday 19:00 | Saturday 08:00 |
| Portsmouth to Bilbao | Sunday 22:00 | Tuesday 08:00 |
The Thursday sailing is 36 hours, the longest of all four direct crossings. Both are two nights on board, so you’re paying for cabin accommodation twice.
The advantage: it runs all year, dropping to one sailing a week from November to March, which is when the Plymouth route is shut entirely.
Which one to pick
Travelling between April and October, and happy with an hour’s drive at the far end? Take Plymouth to Santander. Travelling in winter, or determined to arrive by sea at Bilbao itself? Portsmouth is the only option. And if you’re carrying a motorhome, check the 2.1 metre height limit on Portsmouth’s car park first.
Frequently asked
Has Plymouth ever sailed to Bilbao?
Not as a scheduled passenger service. Plymouth’s Spanish route has been Santander since 1978.
How far is Bilbao from Santander?
About 62 miles by the A-8, roughly an hour and a quarter.
Is there a ferry from Bilbao to Plymouth?
No, in either direction. Northbound from Bilbao you sail to Portsmouth or to Rosslare.
Which is cheaper?
Usually Plymouth to Santander, because you pay for cabin accommodation once instead of twice. Fares move constantly, so check your own dates.
Can I sail to Bilbao from Ireland?
Yes. Rosslare to Bilbao is the only direct link between Ireland and Spain.
Compare the real routes
Four direct crossings, with 2026 times in both directions.
See all four routes →Checked against the Brittany Ferries published schedule, September 2026.
