Bilbao - Portsmouth
Ferry to England
Bilbao - Portsmouth
Ferry to England
Fares for the Bilbao to Portsmouth crossing usually range somewhere between $151* and $2164*. Most travellers pay around $1296* for a Bilbao Portsmouth ferry ticket, and the cheapest fares on this route begin at $151*. Foot passengers can expect to pay roughly $859* on average. Bringing a car along typically brings the average fare up to $1367*.
Fares vary according to passenger count, vehicle type, the route itself and what time you sail. Figures come from fares searched in the previous 30 days, don't include service fees, and were last checked September 26.
There's a quick way to stack up ferry fares and operators from around the world side by side, so you can pick the crossing that best suits you. Getting in early tends to open up the widest choice of prices and sailing times.
Direct Ferries has discounts running throughout the year. Where a senior discount applies to your crossing, it's applied the moment you pick the matching age bracket in the passenger section of your search.
If you're a student or recent graduate, a 5% discount is up for grabs. Head to our partner Student Beans to confirm your status and you'll receive a code to enter at checkout.
A handful of Spanish and Italian ferry routes also offer a resident discount — choose the "Residents" option if it appears during your search and the lower fare is applied straight away. You'll usually need to show proof of address, like a residency card or certificate, when you check in.
Sailings on the Bilbao Portsmouth route generally kick off from Bilbao at around 13:00, and the last departure of the day is usually around 18:01.
With a longer crossing time, a trip between Bilbao and Portsmouth is better suited to a weekend away or an extended stay, so you get proper value out of the journey.
Yes, Brittany Ferries carries vehicles on the Bilbao to Portsmouth route. Check our Deal Finder for up-to-date car ferry pricing on this crossing.
Whether a caravan or campervan is welcome on board the Bilbao to Portsmouth ferry comes down to the ship and operator running the sailing. Pop your travel details into our Deal Finder, and we'll check the operators on this route for you.
Yes, Brittany Ferries takes bicycles on the Bilbao to Portsmouth crossing. Most operators are happy to carry bikes, but it's always worth confirming their exact policy before you turn up at the terminal.
Yes, Brittany Ferries carries foot passengers between Bilbao and Portsmouth.
Pet owners are in luck — Brittany Ferries allows pets on board between Bilbao and Portsmouth. .
Fares reflect searches from the last 30 days, exclude service fees, and were last checked September 26.
Before you bring a pet on board, it helps to have the following sorted:
It depends on which operator you're sailing with — some ferries keep pets in your vehicle for the whole trip, while others have dedicated pet areas, kennels, or even pet-friendly cabins. Our Deal Finder lays out the options so you can pick the crossing that works for your pet.
There's a bit to know before travelling with a guide or assistance dog. Let our customer service team know in advance, or mention it to the ferry operator when you book, so everything's arranged ahead of time.
Carry any certification or documentation your dog needs, since you could be asked to show it at boarding or partway through the crossing.
Rules for guide dogs and assistance dogs can differ from general pet policy, even on sailings where pets aren't otherwise allowed. Reach out to our customer service team to check what applies to your sailing, or visit our Special Assistance Help page for more detail.
Whether the Bilbao to Portsmouth route has an overnight sailing depends on a mix of factors. Search with your travel dates, and we'll show you whether an overnight option exists, plus current timetables, crossing times and daytime alternatives.
Note that overnight sailings can occasionally take a bit longer than daytime crossings.
What you'll need to travel varies by route, so it pays to check ahead of your sailing. A valid passport is typically required for the Bilbao to Portsmouth crossing, along with any visa or national ID required for your nationality. As rules depend on both where you're from and where you're headed, our Check-in, Travel Documents & Tickets guide is worth a read to avoid any hold-ups at check-in.
Booking couldn't be simpler — select your departure port, arrival port and travel date to see everything on offer. From there, you can weigh up alternative routes and departure times to land on the best fit.
Look for early-booking deals and flexible fare types, like upgrades or flexi-tickets, which give you room to change plans later. Double-check details such as passenger numbers and vehicle specs as you go, to keep the booking process painless.
You'll get a confirmation email the moment your booking goes through. From there, how your boarding pass turns up depends on the operator.
Some operators send the boarding pass straight away, while others want you to check in at the port. Where it's on offer, online check-in through the Direct Ferries app can save you time at the terminal.
Ticket desks tend to sit right by the ferry terminal. Building in some extra time before you sail means you won't be rushed collecting tickets and getting checked in.
Have your confirmation email and valid photo ID — a passport or identity card — ready at check-in. If a pet's travelling with you, bring their vaccination and insurance papers, and hold onto proof of address if you booked with a resident discount.
A gap in sailings from Bilbao to Portsmouth on your chosen date usually comes down to something like a timetable adjustment, limited space, or a seasonal dip in service. Try a different date, or browse other options with our Route & Port finder.
Generally speaking, booking your Bilbao to Portsmouth ferry sooner rather than later pays off — earlier bookings usually mean lower fares and more choice of departure times and cabins.
A few weeks' lead time is usually enough to catch a good deal, though fares can still move around depending on the season and what's left available.
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| Bilbao - Portsmouth Ferry Route Prices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Foot Passenger | $859 | |
| Average Price with Car | $1367 | |
| Average Price with Motorbike | $804 | |
| Average Campervan Price | $1432 | |
| Average Cabin Price | $1272 | |
| Bilbao - Portsmouth Ferry Route Summary | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Spain |
| Destination | England |
| No. of Operators | 1 |
| Operators | Brittany Ferries |
| Average Price | $1296 |
| Average Daily Sailings | 1 |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 2 |
| Average Sailing Duration | 29 h 30 m |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 27 h 44 m |
| First Ferry | 13:00 |
| Last Ferry | 18:01 |
| Distance | 463 Nautical Miles |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 September 2026.
The Spanish city of Bilbao, located in the autonomous region of the Basque Country, lies in the north central part of Spain and is around 14km to the south of the Bay of Biscay, where the estuary of Bilbao is formed. The city is the capital of the province of Biscay and is the main commercial and cultural hub of northern Spain. One of the main drivers behind the city's reputation is the Guggenheim Museum which draws visitors in to the city who then find out for themselves the other interesting attractions the city has on offer. The city's location makes it the perfect port of entry to the northern Iberian Peninsular and to south west France.
The city's port lies on the Bilbao Abra Bay, and along the Estuary of Bilbao in Biscay (the Basque Country). The port's main facilities can be found in the Santurtzi and Zierbena municipalities, approximately 15 km west of Bilbao. Brittany Ferries operate the Portsmouth to Bilbao route, with their boat, the MV Cap Finistère.
Portsmouth is an English city in the county of Hampshire, lying on the English Channel coast. Leading ferry operators including Condor Ferries, Wightlink and Brittany Ferries serve the city's port from British and international locations including Le Havre, Bilbao, Cherbourg, Caen, St Malo, St Helier, St Peter Port and Ryde.
The city boasts a long, illustrious maritime history and has connections with the Royal Navy that go back centuries. It was also one of the world's greatest shipbuilding centres and constructed the first ever dry dock, in the 15th century, which is still in use today. Portsmouth is still an important base for the navy and is home to a number of historic ships including the crowning glory of Admiral Lord Nelson's flagship, HMS Victory.
The nearby suburb of Southsea is a popular destination for families and has a lovely stretch of beach, two piers and a good selection of bars, cafes, restaurants and a theme park at Clarence Pier.
