Ferries to Spain From England FAQ
Frequently asked questions about ferry travel to Spain from England answered.
Can you get a ferry to Spain from England?
Yes, you can get a ferry to Spain from England.
There are three direct ferry crossings to Spain from England:
- Plymouth to Santander
- Portsmouth to Santander
- Portsmouth to Bilbao
For more details on each route and to easily compare them take a look at our dedicated Ferries to Spain from England page.
Each route is operated by Brittany Ferries.
Can You Take A Car on the Ferry to Spain from England?
Yes, all the ferry options from England to Spain allow you to take a car.
Can you travel as a foot passenger on the ferry to spain from England?
Yes, all the ferry options to Spain allow foot passengers.
How long is the Ferry to Spain From England?
The ferries to Spain from England range in sailing time from 36 hours to 20 hours.
Here is a comparison table showing the sailing time for each route.
| Route | Sailing Time |
| Portsmouth to Bilbao | 36 Hours |
| Portsmouth to Santander | 33 Hours |
| Plymouth to Santander | 20 Hours |
Which Ferry Route to Spain From England is the Fastest?
The fastest ferry route from England to Spain is Plymouth to Santander.
However, when considering this route it is worth taking into account the driving time and effort to get to Plymouth in the South West of England.
Do the Ferries To Spain From England Run Everyday?
Each Ferry route from England to Spain runs twice a week.
- Portsmouth to Bilbao runs on a Thursday and Sunday
- Portsmouth to Santander runs on a Monday and Friday
- Plymouth to Santander runs on a Wednesday and Sunday
Do you need a cabin on the ferry to spain from england?
All of the ferry options from England to Spain include overnight travel. Therefore, we would strongly recommend that you buy a cabin on the ferry to help with this as well as it providing you with a private space and private bathroom.
However, other options like reclining seats are available.
Here is our guide to Cabins and Seat on Brittany Ferries to help you decide.
Is there Priority Boarding and Disembarkation available on Ferries to Spain From England?
Yes, you can get priority boarding and disembarkation on ferries to Spain from England. These options are often linked to a specific cabin type but you can call the ferry provider directly to try to organise seperately.
Can you take a Dog or Other pet on the Ferry to Spain from England?
Yes, all ferries from England to Spain allow you to take a pet and have pet cabins avialable.
Can you take a caravan, campervan or motorhome on the Ferry to Spain from England?
Yes, all ferries from England to Spain allow you to travel with with a caravan, campervan or motorhome.
What is the Food like on the Ferry to Spain from England?
Each ferry from England to Spain has a range of food options onboard including self service restaurants, snacks, and full service restaurants.
You can also take your own food onboard (subject to custom restrictions).
For more information see our guide to food onboard Brittany Ferries.
Is the Ferry to Spain From England suitable for an autistic family or autistic children?
While every austistic persons needs are different, on the whole the ferries from England to Spain are a suitable travel option as they provide:
- Cabins for your own quiet space
- A range of food options, including take your own
- Space to move around
- Entertainment options
However, please note that Ferries can also present some challenges including:
- Ship noise
- Some crowded areas
- Strange or off putting smells such as engine fumes or food smells
- Require some queing and waiting to get off and on board, although this will often be in your vehicle
What Entertainment Options Are There on a Ferry to Spain from England?
There are a variety of entertainment options available on the ferries including:
- Video on Demand
- Wi-Fi
- Cinema
- Games Room
- Indoor play area / soft play
- Live Entertainment
Also, the Plymouth to Santander ferry has a swimming pool.
Is there wi-fi available on the ferries to Spain from England?
Free, basic and time limited Wi-Fi is available on the ferry to Spain.
Additionally, all ferries have a premium option where you can get unlimited wi-fi for a fee.
Which Part of Spain do the Ferries arrive in?
All Ferries to Spain dock in the North of Spain.
Santander is in the Cantabria region of Northern Spain.
Bilbao is in the Basque region of Northern Spain.
This makes it an excellent choice for exploring Northern Spain or the South of France, but there is also nothing stopping you heading further south into Spain.
Which port is better Santander or Bilbao?
Santander is a better option if you are looking to explore Southern France, jump straight into a Spanish Beach holiday or want the shortest crossing time possible.
Conversely, Bilbao is slightly better suited if you are after art, culture and culinary adventures.
However, it is worth noting that Santander and Bilbao are only just over an hour away from each other by car.
Which Ferry route is best for driving to Southern Spain?
if you are heading down towards the Costa del sol and other areas in Southern Spain then either ferry is a good choice, and by taking the overnight ferry it will help reduce your overall travel fatigue for the final drive.
Is the ferry to Spain from England worth it?
If you are looking to explore Spain as a holiday destination, would like the convenience of taking your own car, no luggage restrictions and the chance to start your holiday with a mini cruise then the ferries to Spain from England are definitely worth it.
Alternatively, if none of the above are relevant to you and your family then you may want to consider other options such as flights or trains.
More Ferry Tools and Advice
We hope you found this FAQ on Ferries to Spain from England useful. If you would like to know more about the Ferry options to Spain then check out our Ferries to Spain tool.
We also have more useful guides to ferry travel and tools that you may find useful.
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