By the brittanytravel.com team · Updated 10 October 2026 · Getting there
Arriving by sea with your own car is a classic way to start a Brittany holiday, especially from the UK and Ireland.
Main routes
| Route | Typical crossing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth – Saint-Malo | ~9–11 h | Brittany Ferries, often overnight |
| Plymouth – Roscoff | ~6–8 h | Brittany Ferries, day or night |
| Cork – Roscoff | ~14 h | Brittany Ferries, seasonal |
| Jersey / Guernsey – Saint-Malo | ~1–2 h | Fast ferries, seasonal |
| Portsmouth – Caen / Cherbourg | ~3–8 h | Normandy; ~2 h drive to Saint-Malo |
Timetables and routes change by season, so always check the operator's current schedule.
Tips
- Book a cabin on overnight crossings; you'll arrive ready to drive.
- Ferries to Normandy can be cheaper and are close to Mont-Saint-Michel.
- Check your car meets French rules: headlamp beam adjustment, a warning triangle and high-visibility vest.
- Brittany's main roads are toll-free dual carriageways.
Without a car? Arrive on foot and hire a car in Saint-Malo or Rennes.
Plan your Brittany trip
Hotels, tours and transport in one place.
Header photo: Photo: Raimond Spekking, CC BY-SA 4.0
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.