Devon, England · Plymouth to Santander
Plymouth Ferry Port
Millbay Docks, on England’s southwest coast, and the departure point for the shortest crossing to Spain. Parking, directions, check-in, and what the day actually looks like from arrival to sailing.
What the day actually looks like
We sailed from Plymouth in August, so this part is first-hand rather than assembled from a port website.
1. Driving in
Set the satnav to PL1 3EW and follow signs for the city centre, then the ferry port. It is well signposted and you will not miss it. Millbay is right in the city, not out on a bypass, so the final approach is through streets rather than an industrial estate.
2. Check-in
You hand over passports for everyone in the car, including children, and get them back with a boarding pass. On the Spanish routes that pass doubles as your cabin key, so do not put it in the glovebox.
3. The queue
We arrived about two hours early and the queue was long, but that is when the trip starts feeling like a trip. Looking down the lanes of cars waiting to board, there were Ferraris, old-timers, all sorts. Plenty of people bring serious cars across to Spain on this route, and the wait is better spent walking the lanes than sitting in the driver’s seat.
4. Boarding and leaving
Once you drive on, note which deck and which stairwell you came up. Finding your car again on a full deck in a foreign port at seven in the morning is harder than it sounds. The car decks are sealed for the whole crossing and nobody goes back down, so take everything you need with you.
Two hours early is right, not excessive
Check-in officially closes 45 minutes before departure, but the queue in peak season builds well before that, and arriving with time means you board relaxed rather than last. It also means you get a choice of where to sit on deck as the ship leaves.
Address and opening hours
The port runs around the clock, year round, and the terminal is step-free and accessible throughout.
| Detail | Plymouth Ferry Port |
|---|---|
| Address | Millbay Docks, Stonehouse, Plymouth PL1 3EW |
| Operator | Brittany Ferries |
| Port authority | Associated British Ports |
| Access | 24 hours, year round |
| Check-in | 45 minutes before departure, 90 with a pet |
| To city centre | Walking distance |
That postcode takes you to the central part of the port. Once you are inside, the terminals are clearly signed.
Parking at Plymouth
Long-stay parking sits a few minutes’ walk from the terminal and is accessible at any hour, which matters given the Sunday sailing leaves at 16:45 and the Wednesday one at 15:45.
At the port
- First 30 minutes free
- Up to 2 hours: £3.30
- Maximum £13 per day
- Open 24/7, walking distance to the terminal
- The straightforward choice for a round trip
Nearby alternatives
- Coypool Park and Ride: free, CCTV monitored, 06:00 to 20:00, locked overnight
- No overnight motorhome parking at Coypool
- Riverside Caravan Park: quiet, close to the A38, works for motorhomes
- Both need a transfer into the port
Coypool locks at 8pm, so it is no good for a late return
The free Park and Ride is a sensible option before you sail, but it closes overnight. Your return from Santander arrives at 15:00 on a Tuesday or 11:15 on a Friday, which is fine, until something runs late. Port parking at £13 a day removes the problem entirely, and for a fortnight the difference is smaller than one night in a hotel.
Getting to the port
By car
From the north, take the M5 to Exeter and then the A38 straight into Plymouth. Follow signs for the city centre, and the ferry port is signed clearly as you approach.
By train
Regular services run from London Paddington to Plymouth station, around 3 hours 30 minutes. From the station the port is a five-minute taxi ride, and there are bus connections too. This makes Plymouth a genuinely workable foot-passenger option, which matters if you are taking a mini cruise rather than driving.
By air
Exeter International is the nearest airport. Take a train from Exeter St Davids to Plymouth, roughly an hour, or hire a car or taxi direct to the port.
By taxi
Taxis run from the city centre, the train station and Exeter Airport. Ask for Plymouth Ferry Port and you will be taken to the terminal.
Ferry routes from Plymouth
Plymouth serves one direct crossing to Spain and one to France, both with Brittany Ferries.
| Route | Crossing | Departures | Ship |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plymouth to Santander | 20h 30m | Wed 15:45, Sun 16:45 | Pont-Aven |
| Plymouth to Roscoff | Around 6 hours | Varies by season | Varies |
The Santander sailing runs twice a week from late March to early November. It is the fastest crossing from the UK to Spain and the only one with a single night at sea rather than two, which is the main reason to travel from here rather than Portsmouth.
Returning from Spain, sailings arrive at Plymouth on Tuesday at 15:00 and Friday at 11:15. Full northbound times are on our Spain to the UK page.
Common questions
How early should I arrive at Plymouth ferry port?
Check-in closes 45 minutes before departure, 90 minutes with a pet. In peak season we would aim for two hours, because the queue builds earlier than the official cut-off.
Is there parking at the port?
Yes, long stay, 24 hours, a few minutes’ walk from the terminal. First 30 minutes free, maximum £13 a day.
Can I get there by train?
Yes. Plymouth station is around 3 hours 30 minutes from London Paddington and five minutes by taxi from the port.
Does the Spanish route run all year?
No. Plymouth to Santander is seasonal, late March to early November. Portsmouth to Santander runs year round.
Can I leave my dog in the car?
Not on the Spanish crossing. Dogs travel in a pet-friendly cabin or an onboard kennel. See our guide to sailing with a dog.
Sailing from Plymouth?
Plymouth to Santander on the Pont-Aven, twice weekly in season.
Book your tickets →Port authority: Associated British Ports, Plymouth
